12th CENTURY – VIJAYGARH

The night in Vijaygarh was unusually quiet.

Roohi was walking through the temple courtyard carrying a basket of herbs after finishing her medical lessons for the girls.

Suddenly she heard a familiar voice whisper from the shadows.

"Roohi..."

Roohi froze.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She slowly turned.

Standing near the temple pillar were Yash and Radha.

For a moment she thought she was imagining things.

Then Radha stepped forward.

"Roohi... beta."

Roohi's eyes widened.

"Aunty... Uncle...?"

The basket slipped from her hands.

Tears instantly filled her eyes.

She ran toward them and hugged Radha tightly.

"Aunty... you're here!"

Radha hugged her back, crying.

"We came to bring you both home."

Yash placed his hand gently on Roohi's head.

"Are you alright?"

Roohi nodded while wiping her tears.

"Yes... but Diya..."

Radha spoke urgently.

"We need to take you and Diya back before things become more complicated."

Roohi hesitated.

"Aunty... things are not simple anymore."

PALACE GARDEN – SAME NIGHT

Meanwhile Dev was walking through the garden looking for Roohi.

He finally saw her near the fountain.

"Roohi."

She turned.

Dev looked unusually serious.

"I need to say something."

Roohi looked curious.

"What happened?"

Dev took a deep breath.

"I have faced many battles in my life."

Roohi smiled softly.

"That sounds like the beginning of a speech."

Dev ignored the comment.

"But when I see you helping people... teaching girls... bringing peace to this kingdom..."

He paused.

"I realize I want you beside me."

Roohi's smile faded slightly.

Dev continued.

"I would like to marry me."

Roohi stood silent for a moment.

Then she gently shook her head.

"Dev..."

Dev looked confused.

"You're refusing?"

Roohi spoke calmly.

"I respect you. I care about you."

"But I cannot stay here forever."

Dev frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Roohi looked away.

"My life... belongs somewhere else."

Dev's expression hardened slightly.

"So you would leave this kingdom?"

Roohi nodded slowly.

"Yes."

Dev remained silent.

For the first time, the fearless commander looked hurt.

TEMPLE COURTYARD – LATER

Roohi returned to Yash and Radha.

Radha held her hands.

"Roohi, listen to me carefully."

"You and Diya must leave this place soon."

Roohi sighed.

ROYAL PALACE – NEXT MORNING

The palace was suddenly filled with grief.

An old nobleman had passed away during the night.

According to ancient customs, his wife was expected to commit Sati.

The entire palace gathered for the ritual.

Even Rajmata Leelavathi stood there watching.

The widow sat near the funeral pyre, trembling with fear.

Diya looked horrified.

She immediately stepped forward.

"Stop this."

The priests looked shocked.

"Maharani, this is our sacred tradition."

Diya's voice became firm.

"No tradition that demands a woman's death is sacred."

The crowd murmured nervously.

One priest argued,

"A wife must prove her devotion."

Diya's eyes burned with anger.

"Devotion is shown through love... not death."

The widow started crying.

"I don't want to die."

Diya walked toward her and held her hand.

"You won't."

The priests protested loudly.

But before they could continue—

Veer stepped forward.

The entire crowd went silent.

Veer looked at the priests.

"From today onward... Sati is abolished in Vijaygarh."

Shock spread across the crowd.

The widow collapsed in relief.

PALACE COURTYARD – LATER

Rajmata Leelavathi was sitting quietly.

She had grown up believing Sati was honorable.

But watching Diya protect that woman had shaken her beliefs.

Diya approached her respectfully.

"Rajmata..."

Leelavathi looked at her for a moment.

"You challenge every tradition."

Diya spoke softly.

"Only the ones that harm people."

Leelavathi sighed.

"When my husband died... I also wished to follow him."

Diya looked surprised.

"But I stayed... because my grandson needed me."

Diya smiled gently.

"And because life is precious  irrespective of others needs"

Leelavathi's expression softened.

For the first time she placed her hand affectionately on Diya's head.

"You are stubborn... but you have a good heart."

Diya smiled.

"Thank you, Rajmata."

From that moment...

Leelavathi's heart began to accept Diya not just as queen, but as family.

PALACE BALCONY – EVENING

Veer was watching the sunset when Diya joined him.

"You made a powerful decision today," she said.

Veer looked at her.

"You started it."

Diya shrugged.

"Someone had to."

Veer remained silent for a moment.

Then he said quietly,

"You risk a lot when you speak like that."

Diya smiled slightly.

"I know."

Veer looked at her seriously.

"But I will not let anything happen to you."

Diya looked surprised.

There was something different in his voice.

Something deeper.

For the first time, Veer's feelings were beginning to show.

Meanwhile in the distance...

Dev stood alone in the courtyard.

Thinking about Roohi's words.

My life belongs somewhere else.

For the first time in years, the fearless commander realized...

He might lose the woman he had begun to love.

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