As Yuvraj Vatsaraja ventured deeper into the forest with his followers, a soft, melodic sound floated in the trees. It was enchanting and ethereal causing him to halt his horse and halt his horse and listen intently. He motioned his followers to remain quiet. His heart racing with curosity. Senapati Simukh : " Yuvraj, we should not stop here". But Vatsraja could not move ; he was drawn towards the source of the melody. As he crept forward, he pushed aside the thick foliage and emerged into a clearing. There, before him, was a breathtaking sight-a magnificent waterfall, the water cascading down the rocks with a thunderous roar, creating a crystal-clear pool below. And amidst this natural splendor, he saw her. Rajkumari Chandralobbe sat gracefully on a swing.She was surrounded by her maids and cousins, but Vatsaraja's eyes were fixated on her. Her long hair flowed freely, cascading down her back like a dark river, and her laughter mingled harmoniously with the song. As she sang, "Achutam keshvam Ramnarayanam krishna Damodaram" Vatsaraja's heart, was captivated completely. Yuvraja Vatsaraja: "Simukh, who could she be?" Senapati Simukh: "Looks like a princess. " Vatsaraja felt as if he had stepped into a dream. Suddenly, a pair of maids playfully pushed the princess into the water. She shrieked in surprise but quickly joined the laughter, splashing about in the pool as other girls followed suit. The other maids, quickly encircled the water body with colorful opaque fabrics, creating a curtain for the princess's privacy. Guards: "You all must leave this place." Yuvraj Vatsaraja and quickly adopting the demeanor of humble commoners. Rajkumar Vatsaraja: "We beg your pardon. Who is the princess?" Guard: "It seems you are outsiders. She is Rajkumari Chandralobbe." Rajkumar Vatsaraja: "She will become our queen of Vajraashtra".

(The Oath of Blood & Ashes: book 1) 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃 : 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐡 This is no tale of hunters and hunted. It is a battlefield of shifting shadows, where every move can crown a new mastermind, and every silence can ignite a storm.