𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧

65⚚ Erased

Author POV:

Agastya hurriedly knocked the main door of Princess Palace, Rithvik opened the door.
"Oh hey, Agastya?" Rithvik greeted, surprise flickering across his face at the urgency in Agastya's eyes.

Agastya managed a stiff nod, forcing a small smile as he stepped inside. The warmth of the palace did little to thaw the tension tightening his shoulders. 

His eyes darted around until they landed on the living room — where all the brothers were spread out, half-lounging, half-pretending to be calm, while Amaira sat cross-legged on the floor, a small wooden easel in front of her, brush in hand, cheeks streaked with a smudge of paint.

The moment Amaira spotted him, her face lit up like a soft sunrise. "Bhai! Come on, join us!" she called, her voice sweet and clear, making the whole room feel softer for a second.

Agastya's lips twitched into a strained curve — not quite a smile, not quite a frown — as he dropped into the single couch nearby, sinking into the cushions with a heaviness that didn't belong in this bright, peaceful room.

Daksh was the first to speak, leaning forward, his brows furrowed. "You look tense, Your Majesty. Pale, even. What's wrong?"

Agastya dragged a shaky breath in, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Viraj locked the whole kingdom down. The Shadows are everywhere — surrounding the royal palace, on every street, guarding every gate. No one gets in, no one gets out."

He clenched his fists on his knees, the words rushing out like an untamed tide. "What is happening, Munchkin?"

Amaira dipped her brush into the water cup, tapping it gently against the rim before she looked up at him with that soft, unbothered calm. "Bhai, why are you panicking so much? If Viraj ordered this, then I'm sure he has a plan, right?"

Rithvik and Daksh both hummed in agreement. Ash just gave a quiet nod, like a silent shield backing up her words.

But Agastya let out a long, shaking sigh, his eyes flicking from one face to another. "You don't get it... He didn't tell me anything. Just said, 'I'll be back soon — until then, take care of your kingdom for me.' And then he disappeared." 

His voice cracked on the word, frustration spilling out in the tremor in his clenched hands. "The people — they didn't even argue. The moment they heard it was Viraj's command, they locked their doors without a word. They trust him that much. They trust you that much, Amaira."

He leaned forward, his eyes pleading. "Please. I know you all know something. Please — tell me what it is."

Amaira set her brush down, the faint clink of wood on ceramic echoing in the silent room. She scooted closer, reaching out to cup his tense hand in her warm palm. Her eyes were soft, but her voice held the unshakable edge of royalty that always reminded them she was more than just their princess — she was his queen.

She rested her small hand on his clenched fist, feeling how cold his knuckles were. "Bhai..." she said softly, her voice the same gentle lullaby that could quiet storms in Viraj's head, the same voice that steadied kingdoms when she spoke to their people. "Breathe, okay? Look at me."

Agastya slowly lifted his eyes — there was a flicker of the powerful king in them still, but right now he just looked like a brother lost in a storm too big to stand alone in. Amaira gave him a small smile and gently pried his fingers open, threading her warm hand into his cold one.

"Bhai..." she said again, her thumb rubbing circles over the back of his hand, "do you trust Viraj?"

Agastya let out a frustrated breath, his shoulders sagging. "Of course I do, Munchkin. He's the reason this entire kingdom breathes free. He's the reason you are safe. He's the reason I am alive to sit here. But—" He shook his head, looking at her like a boy asking for a truth he was terrified to hear.