The Unwanted Royal Marriage

49. Little prince.

Adhyay's pov

It had been three months, and yet, every thought of mine revolved around her—Meera, my love. She was like spring itself, a season that swept into my life, blooming everything it touched, only to leave me barren when she went away. I often found myself lost in memories, clutching onto fragments of her presence.

I was deep in thought when Maa sa's voice shattered my reverie.

"Adhyay, you should get married," Maa sa said, her tone soft but resolute, like she'd been carrying this decision in her heart for a long time.

"What?!" Dev's voice rang out sharply, cutting through the room before I could even process her words. "No! Bhai sa, don't do it!"

"Noooo!" Kabeer echoed, his face twisted in a mix of shock and defiance, his voice trembling with an urgency that struck me as odd.

Their protests turned every head in the room. Silence fell, heavy and palpable, save for the unspoken tension radiating from them. Their reactions weren't just surprising—they were alarming.

I turned to look at them, my brow furrowed with confusion. "What's wrong with both of you? Why are you reacting like this?" I asked, keeping my tone calm, though my chest felt like it was tightening with each passing second.

Kabeer avoided my gaze, his jaw tightening, while Dev opened his mouth as though to speak but then faltered, his eyes clouded with something—guilt? Fear? I couldn't tell.

Maa sa gently placed her hand on my shoulder, her touch warm but weighted with concern. "Adhyay, listen to me. I'm saying this because I care about you. Meera wouldn't want you to live like this forever. She'd want you to move forward, to live your life again. It's time to think about your future."

Her words felt like a dagger twisting in my chest. I clenched my fists, fighting to keep the storm inside from spilling out. "Move forward?" I repeated, my voice low and trembling. "Maa sa, how can you even say that? My heart—my soul—is still with her! Meera wasn't just a part of my life; she was my life. And now, you're asking me to replace her?"

"Adhyay," Maa sa began, her tone more insistent, "I understand your pain, but this isn't just about you. Even if you don't want a wife, the kingdom needs a queen."

Her words struck a nerve. My breath hitched as the weight of her reasoning pressed down on me.

"But Maa sa, I—"

"Think about your people!" Maa sa interrupted, her voice firm, her eyes filled with conviction. "You're their king, Adhyay. They look to you for guidance, for strength. This isn't just about your grief; it's about fulfilling your duty to them."

I inhaled deeply, my chest heaving with suppressed emotion. The room felt suffocating, and all eyes were on me—expectant, pleading, burdening me with a responsibility I hadn't asked for but could never escape.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally spoke, my voice quiet but resolute.

"Okay," I said, my heart sinking even as the words left my lips.

A hush fell over the room, but the storm inside me only grew fiercer.

Some battles are fought with swords; others, with the soul. This was one I knew I was destined to lose.

Kabeer shifted uncomfortably, and Dev looked like he was holding back something important. Their silence screamed louder than any words.

What weren't they telling me?

The tension in the room was palpable, and my gaze shifted between Maa sa, Dev, and Kabeer. Their expressions spoke volumes, yet none of them dared to say what was weighing on their minds.