12th CENTURY – VIJAYGARH

The palace had fallen quiet after sunset.

Diya was walking alone through the temple courtyard, lost in her thoughts. Ever since the previous night, she had felt a strange presence around her... as if someone familiar was close by.

She whispered to herself,

"Why do I feel like someone is watching me?"

Just then, a soft voice called from behind a pillar.

"Diya..."

Diya froze.

Her heart began to race.

That voice...

It was impossible.

She slowly turned.

Standing in the dim torchlight were Yash and Radha.

For a moment the world seemed to stop.

Diya stared at them in disbelief.

"Mamma...?"

Radha's eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Yes... my child."

Diya ran toward them.

"Mamma!"

She hugged Radha tightly, crying uncontrollably.

Radha held her as if she would never let go again.

"My baby... my little girl..."

Yash stepped forward, his own eyes moist.

"My brave daughter."

Diya hugged him too.

"I thought I would never see you again."

Radha wiped her tears and cupped Diya's face.

"You've changed so much."

Diya laughed through her tears.

"Well... apparently I'm a queen now."

Yash smiled.

"And a very good one, from what we've heard."

But Radha suddenly became serious.

"Diya, we have to take you home."

Diya's expression changed.

"Mamma..."

Radha continued gently,

"You belong in the 21st century. This isn't your world."

Diya looked down silently.

"But these people... there are things that require change and I don't want to leave anything midway."

Yash said softly,

"We will find a way."

But even he could see the conflict in her eyes.

PALACE CORRIDOR – SAME NIGHT

Meanwhile Veer was walking toward the courtyard when he noticed Diya speaking with two strangers.

He stopped in the shadows.

Diya's voice sounded different... emotional... vulnerable.

He heard her say softly,

"Papa..."

Veer frowned.

Papa?

That word was unfamiliar in their language.

Something about the strangers felt odd.

Veer silently stepped back.

A strange thought crossed his mind.

Who exactly is my queen?

RAJPUR – SAME NIGHT

Far away in Rajpur palace, Raja Somnadh was walking through a dark corridor.

Suddenly a shadow appeared behind him.

Before he could react—

A dagger struck his back.

Somnadh collapsed to the ground.

The assassin disappeared into the darkness.

Palace guards rushed in after hearing the noise.

"MAHARAJ!"

VIJAYGARH – NEXT MORNING

A royal messenger arrived in Vijaygarh with urgent news.

Dev read the message first.

His face turned serious.

He approached Veer immediately.

"Maharaj... Raja Somnadh has been attacked."

Veer frowned.

"Is he alive?"

Dev replied quietly,

"Barely. He is asking to see Maharani Diya."

RAJPUR PALACE – SOMNADH'S CHAMBER

Diya arrived with Veer, Dev.

Somnadh was lying weakly on the bed, breathing heavily.

When he saw Diya, tears filled his eyes.

"Diya... beti..."

Diya felt a sudden heaviness in her chest.

She walked closer.

"Maharaj..."

Somnadh spoke weakly,

"I wronged you."

Everyone in the room fell silent.

"I forced you into that marriage... for my throne... for my power."

Diya remained quiet.

"I am sorry."

His voice trembled.

"I should have protected you... not sacrificed you."

Diya gently said,

"It is not the right time to discuss those things. Please focus on your recovery"

But Somnadh shook his head weakly.

"No... it is not."

Somnadh looked at Diya one last time.

"You deserve happiness, beti."

His breathing grew weaker.

"Forgive me..."

With that, Raja Somnadh took his final breath.

Damayanti was devastated and shattered with her husband death.

She collapsed and Diya held her and hugged her.

The room fell into complete silence.

RAJPUR PALACE – LATER

Diya stood quietly near the window.

Even though Somnadh had wronged her, his final words had made her realize that he was guilty.

Veer approached her slowly.

"You seem troubled."

Diya spoke softly,

"He died with regret."

Veer nodded.

"That is the punishment of a guilty conscience."

While Diya and Veer were talking, Radha rushed to their chamber and yash tried stopping but they couldn't.

Radha shouted at Veer stating, "Leave my daughter alone. She doesn't belong here".

Diya tried stopping Veer by telling , "Mamma please calm down"

Diya told Yash,"Please Papa handle mamma "

His voice became thoughtful.

"You never told me you had some other family also"

Diya's heart skipped.

Veer continued quietly,

"And I have never heard anyone in this land use the word... 'Papa'."

Their eyes met.

Diya said I will explain you when the right time comes.

For the first time, Veer's suspicion about Diya's mysterious origin began to grow stronger.

But strangely...

Instead of anger...

He felt anxious.

And something deeper.

Concern.

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