12th CENTURY – RAJPUR

Yash and Radha had been wandering through the markets of Rajpur since morning.

The entire kingdom looked unfamiliar to them.

Bullock carts, mud houses, traders shouting in the streets, and people dressed in traditional clothing from another era.

Radha looked exhausted.

"Yash... how are we supposed to find Diya in an entire kingdom?"

Yash tried to stay calm.

"Lets start by asking people."

They approached a fruit vendor.

"Excuse me," Yash asked carefully, "have you heard about a girl named Diya?"

The vendor nodded.

"You mean Rajkumari Diya Gauri?"

Yash's heart skipped because he knows it is the same name that Diya was called when he came last time and asked

"Yes! Where is she?"

The vendor replied casually,

"She married the King of Vijaygarh a few weeks ago."

Yash froze.

"What?"

Radha also looked stunned.

"Our daughter... got married?"

The vendor nodded.

"Yes. She is now Maharani of Vijaygarh."

Radha looked at Yash in disbelief and shouted worriedly.

"Is our diya the same Rajkumari Diya Gauri they are talking. She is our princess.How did she end up becoming a queen in the 12th century? What is happening here ?"

Yash sighed.

"Diya Gupta is Rajkumari Diya Gauri. Don't ask any questions further.Let's go to Vijaygarh."

12th CENTURY – VIJAYGARH

"Roohi!"

Roohi turned.

"What happened?"

Diya whispered loudly,

"Bro... you won't believe what just happened in the court today!"

Roohi instinctively replied,

"Bro tell me!"

Suddenly the courtyard became silent.

Dev blinked.

"Bro?"

At the same moment Veer had also entered the courtyard and heard the conversation.

He frowned.

"Why are you calling each other brother?"

Diya and Roohi froze.

Both looked at each other.

For a few seconds neither spoke.

Roohi cleared her throat quickly.

"Maharaj... in our region... 'bro' means..."

She paused.

"...trusted companion."

Diya immediately nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes! Very trustworthy friendship."

Dev looked suspicious.

"So you call your friends... brothers?"

Diya smiled awkwardly.

"Only very... loyal friends."

Veer raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting custom."

Roohi whispered quietly to Diya.

"Stop saying bro in the 12th century."

Diya whispered back,

"Sorry bro."

Roohi glared at her.

"DIYA!"

The girls nearby started giggling again.

Dev looked completely confused.

Veer shook his head slowly.

"Your language is strange."

Diya grinned.

"You should hear people in my homeland."

ROYAL GARDEN – EVENING

Later that evening, Veer was walking through the garden.

Diya was sitting under a tree reading a manuscript with some girls.

When they left, Veer approached her.

Then Veer asked quietly,

"Do you ever miss Rajpur?"

Diya's expression softened.

"Every day". Diya replied But she was thinking about her world but not rajpur

Veer looked thoughtful.

"Why do you want to question everything ?"

Diya looked at him.

"Because I know when no one questions year old customs which are actually a burden will continue for thousands of years even if they are wrong."

In mind Diya thought the roots of those customs will still haunt people even if it is the 12th century or 21st century.

Veer didn't realize it, but he kept looking at her longer than usual.

Something about her presence felt... peaceful.

MEDICAL COURTYARD

Meanwhile Roohi was packing medicines when Dev approached.

"You have been working all day."

Roohi replied calmly,

"I enjoy serving people. Because that's what doctors do"

Dev hesitated for a moment.

"You are very different from other doctors. Your treatment style is way more progressive"

Roohi smiled.

"And you are very different from me."

Dev looked curious.

"How?"

Roohi replied softly,

"You fight wars and get people wounded. But I treat people's wounds"

Dev was silent for a moment.

He quickly changed the topic.

"So... what does 'bro' mean again?"

Roohi laughed.

"Commander... forget that word."

RAJPUR ROAD – NIGHT

Meanwhile Yash and Radha had finally begun their journey toward Vijaygarh.

Radha looked determined.

"No matter what... we are bringing our daughter home."

Yash nodded.

"Yes."

By the time they reached Vijaygarh...

Diya's life might have already changed forever.

✨ Stay tuned for the next chapter.
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