Peace begins with a smile.
Two days later...
Aditha and the others returned to the capital from Malaiyoor. Though Rajendra was no longer alive, there was no celebration to mark the fall of that demon. Victory had come at a price too heavy to rejoice in.
Too many had been lost.
Every family had mourned someone of their own.
Even the people of the kingdom did not celebrate his death. For the end of Rajendra had also cost them something precious, their king had laid down his throne.
And that sacrifice weighed upon the entire land.
The entire kingdom had been informed that Rudhra had been crowned king. Yet the news brought little joy to the people. Their hearts were still heavy with the grief of Aditha stepping down from the throne.
When the royal party finally reached the palace, the palace maids stood lined at the entrance, ready to welcome the royal family and the visiting kings with the traditional honors.
Amid the ceremonial reception, Sangamithra's eyes searched the crowd for Sevili.
Beside her, Veera's gaze moved restlessly as well, looking for Subodhan.
He had not yet been told of his friend's death.
Sangamithra: Seviliyai azhaitthu vaarungal
The palace maids looked at one another uneasily. Then their eyes slowly turned toward Aditha.
Aditha: Azhaitthu vaarungal
After a few moments, Sevili stepped forward hesitantly.
She was dressed like a widow from head to toe.
The sight struck Sangamithra like a blade. Her eyes immediately filled with tears. Without a moment's hesitation, she rushed forward and pulled Sevili into a tight embrace not just as a royal, but as a sister holding another sister.
Sangamithra: Unnai indha nilaiyil thanitthu vittu sendru vittene...
At that same moment, Veera's gaze fell upon Sevili.
And he understood.
Her white garments said what no one had dared to speak.
His friend was no longer alive.
Veera clutched his chest as if something inside him had shattered. His eyes trembled as he looked at Sevili.
Veera: Enge ponaan un kanavan...?
His voice broke.
Veera: Ennai ingu vara solli vittu... avan enge ponaan?
Tears slipped from his eyes as the truth crushed him.
Aditha stepped forward and held Veera by the shoulders, trying to steady him.
But Veera's grief had already spilled over.
Veera: Seidhi anuppinaan aras...
Thaangal tharpodhu arasar illai...
Avan uyirodu illai...
His voice cracked into a cry.
Veera: Yean...? Yean...?
He then looked at Sevili.
Eppadi nigazhndhadhu...? Eppadi...?
Sevili could only cry silently, her body trembling. She could not bring herself to speak.
Ramana stepped forward.
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The First Empress
RomansaThis story is the continuation of PM&I. A clueless girl from a colonised country dies and reborns 500 years back. She wasn't reborn as any commoner but as the fourth wife of the handsome crown prince who was about to become a king and be killed by h...
