"𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞"

5. Beneath the Facade

(Aarvi’s POV)

The walls of my room felt too close, too stifling after the tension in the living room. I stood by the window, staring out into the night, the distant lights of the city twinkling like stars on the horizon, so full of life, freedom. Yet here I was, bound by expectations and tradition.

I picked up the silver bracelet on my vanity table, a family heirloom passed down for generations. Its weight in my hand was a reminder of everything I’d been raised for this alliance, this merging of legacies. I’d been prepared for it, but never truly accepted it. I thought I could fight it, change it somehow. Foolishly, I had hoped there would be more to this than necessity.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Dii?” Riya’s voice was soft, hesitant.

I turned, trying to hide the frustration that still simmered beneath my skin.

She stepped inside, her expression unreadable at first, but I could sense the worry behind her usual calm. “You okay?”

I gave a stiff nod, forcing a small smile. “I’m fine. It’s just… Vivaan.” The name came out sharper than I intended.

Riya sat on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped together. “It’s not just him though, is it? This whole… situation. It’s a lot.”

“It’s not what I wanted,” I admitted quietly, lowering my gaze. “But I guess that doesn’t matter anymore.”

Her eyes softened with understanding. “Di, I know you feel trapped. I can see it every time they talk about tradition, legacy, and all the rest. But you still have a choice in this.”

I scoffed. “Do I? Because it feels like every choice was made for me a long time ago.”

Riya sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. “You’re right… it’s not fair. But maybe… maybe there’s a way to find something in this for yourself. Something you want.”

I met her gaze, seeing the quiet hope in her eyes. She always believed there was more to life than just duty. I envied her for that.

But before I could respond, a knock interrupted us again.

“Aarvi, Riya, your father is calling for you,” one of the house staff informed us, her voice polite but firm.

I knew what that meant more discussion about the alliance, more pressure. I glanced at Riya, and she gave me a supportive nod. Whatever this was, I wasn’t facing it alone.

---

(Riya’s POV)

As we walked down the hallway, I felt a knot forming in my stomach. The meeting earlier hadn’t gone well Aarvi dii and Vivaan had clashed, the tension between them unmistakable. I didn’t know how to fix this, how to help Aarvi dii navigate the impossible situation she was in. And then there was Aarav… who made it all the more complicated.

We entered the living room, and there they were both families seated again, but this time the atmosphere felt even more fragile. Vivaan sat in his usual rigid posture, his eyes distant, but I could sense the anger still simmering beneath his calm exterior. Aarav, on the other hand, was leaning back in his chair, his hands resting behind his head like none of this really bothered him.

But I knew better. Aarav hid behind his carefree attitude, but he wasn’t as detached as he pretended to be.

“Aarvi, Vivaan,” Baba began, his voice calm but firm. “We need to finalize the terms of this alliance as there are some political issue that pressures both families..”