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Chapter 15: The Shield of a Brother


12th CENTURY – VIJAYGARH

The palace corridors were quiet late at night.

But inside his private chamber, Veerendra was awake.

The words he heard earlier kept echoing in his mind.

Papa.

It was not a word used in their land.

And those two strangers... Yash and Radha.

They spoke differently.

Walked differently.

Veer looked at Dev.

"I want you to find out everything about those two strangers."

Dev looked confused.

"Maharaj?"

Veer's voice became calm but firm.

"Who they are. Where they came from."

"And how they know Maharani."

Dev nodded.

"As you command."

But Veer's mind kept returning to one question.

Who are you really, Diya?

PALACE GARDEN – NIGHT

Meanwhile Diya and Roohi were sitting near the fountain.

Both looked exhausted.

Roohi whispered,

"Aunty and Uncle want us to return."

Diya sighed.

"I know."

Roohi continued,

"If we stay too long... we might not be able to go back."

Diya stared at the water.

"But if we leave... what happens to Vijaygarh?"

Roohi smiled slightly.

"You are starting to sound like a real queen."

Diya laughed softly.

Then she said quietly,

"Sometimes I miss our world."

Roohi nodded.

"Coffee. Internet. Hospitals."

Diya chuckled.

"And Netflix."

Roohi sighed.

"And electricity."

They both laughed softly.

Then Diya whispered,

"Do you think the time machine will still work?"

Roohi nodded.

"It would. I have faith in my scientist best friend. When you time travel us from 21st to 12th century. I am sure you can land us back to 21st from 12th. Also now yash uncle and radha aunty are also there. We will go back together"

But neither of them noticed Dev was passing nearby.

He had heard everything.

Every word.

21st century.

Time travel.

Dev's mind was spinning.

They are not from this time...

PALACE CORRIDOR – SAME NIGHT

Suddenly a shadow moved silently across the palace walls.

The unknown assassin had entered Vijaygarh.

His target was clear.

Maharani Diya.

PALACE TERRACE

Diya was walking alone when she suddenly felt a strange presence behind her.

Before she could react—

A dagger flew through the air.

"DIYA!"

Someone pushed her aside.

The dagger struck the stone wall.

Diya looked up in shock.

Standing before her with his sword drawn was Harinath.

Her brother.

The assassin attacked again.

Harinath blocked the strike fiercely.

"You dare attack my sister!"

A short but intense fight broke out.

Finally the assassin escaped by jumping from the palace wall.

Guards rushed in.

Diya was trembling slightly.

Harinath turned to her.

"Are you hurt?"

Diya shook her head.

"No... Bhai sa."

Harinath sighed in relief.

"I will not let anything happen to you."

Diya hugged him tightly.

She truly felt the love of a brother.
Harinath came to visit her sister and fortunately saved her from the attack.

PALACE HALL

Veer arrived moments later.

When he heard what happened, his expression darkened.

"Someone tried to assassinate my queen."

Harinath said quietly,

"This is the same assassin who killed Somnadh.". When Pitashri was attacked. I had seen the face of that attacker. It's the same

Veer clenched his fists.

"Then we will find him."

But when Veer looked at Diya...

His anger softened into concern.

"Are you alright?"

Diya nodded.

"Yes."

But inside she was shaken.

Because for the first time...

She realized how dangerous this world truly was.

PALACE GARDEN – LATE NIGHT

Diya sat alone under the moonlight.

Yash and Radha approached quietly.

Radha held her hand.

"Diya... this is exactly why you must return with us."

Yash added gently,

"You almost died tonight."

Diya looked conflicted.

"Mamma... It's not the correct time.."

Radha spoke softly,

"But this is not your time."

Diya whispered,

"And what about Veer?"

Radha and Yash exchanged a glance.

Yash asked gently,

"Do you love him?"

Diya didn't answer.

But the silence said everything.

PALACE COURTYARD

Meanwhile Dev stood alone, trying to process the truth he had heard.

Roohi and Diya...

were from the future.

Another world.

Another time.

He whispered to himself,

"So that's why she said she could never stay here forever."

For the first time...

Dev realized that loving Roohi might mean losing her forever.

VEER'S CHAMBER

Veer was staring out the window thinking about the assassin who attacked her queen when Dev entered.

"Maharaj."

Veer turned.

"What did you find?"

Dev hesitated.

For the first time in his life...

The fearless commander didn't know what to say.

Because the truth was something Veer might not believe.

Dev finally said quietly,

"Maharaj... Maharani Diya..."

He paused.

"She is hiding something... something impossible."

Veer's eyes sharpened.

"What do you mean?"

Dev whispered,

"She doesn't belong to this time."

The room fell silent.

Veer stared at him.

Half shocked.

Half curious.

But strangely...

Not angry.

Because somewhere deep in his heart...

He already knew.

Diya was never an ordinary queen.

Dev explained clearly that how they travelled from a future time to this century because of machine like chariot and also told Roohi also travelled from the same place

Veer needed time to process these hard truths and asked Dev to leave him alone for sometime.

Stay tuned for the next chapter. Please leave a vote if you like the chapter.

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shiningstarwrites

A writer exploring the world of storytelling and shining in the world of fiction✨️✨️.