Trishika's pov

It was just another morning filled with both hope and sorrow, I was getting ready, attendees surrounding me, taking care of my clothes and ornaments.

Just a while ago, before bathing, I had met my mother, queen Kashvi. She's seemed to be weaker then before, her face has lost the glow I had seen all my life. Ever since baba (father) fell sick, she has been worried for him day and night, never leaving his sight, until it was important enough for her to be present somewhere else.

It had been months since baba fell ill and since that very day, it feels as if the time has paused, the whole kingdom is praying for the well being of their king while none of us know how long he has before the gods come for him. Even imagining the thought of that happening wrecks my heart in to pieces.

"Princess pls lift your feet, I'll help you wear new anklets." The attendee offered gaining my attention. I passed her a small nod and a smile before lifting my feet a little as the secured the clasp of my new anklets, the ones gifted by baba on my 23rd birthday, he had made them himself, I remember Trishit bhai sa telling me how my father learned to make these for half a year before he finally made these.

They weren't very heavy or overly royal, but they were real, filled with a fathers love and affection that can't be bought by gold coins or huge amounts of lands and After getting ready in a regal yet simple brownish attire, I made my way out of my chamber, towards the Royal Court.

I don't know why but my heart was feeling heavy all of a sudden, as if something was waiting for me, something that wouldn't bring any pleasure to my state.

As I entered the court room, the announcement of my arrival was made. All the nobles stood up from their seats in my honour, I stood in the middle of the court room looking at my father sitting weakly at the throne. My mother sat beside him, offering comfort and support. I bent down and touched the floor, in their respect, turned towards the other officials and joined my hands offering them respect, after that I looked at Trishit bhai sa, we both nodded at each other, greeting each other in a way only the both of us understood. Then only did I take my seat.

After I took my seat, bhai sa began the court meetings on the singal of baba .

"Bataaye Maha mantri, essa kya avashya karye tha jo maharaj ki upasthiti ke bina nhi ho sakta tha?" Bhai sa asked keeping his tone firm yet respectful.

(Tell me Maha mantri (the head minister), what work was so important that it couldn't be done in the absence of the king)

"Actually Maharaj ( the king), this morning a person has entered our territory. He is claiming to be a messenger from suryagarh." The minister finished and the whole court gasped before falling into eerie silence.

"How can it be, after all this time... Why now" I heard baba mutter, as my throne was closer to his while bhai sa's was closer to ma sa.

I looked at bhai sa and he too looked stressed, and deep down I too know the reason behind this commotion.

"Bring him here." Baba ordered with a great struggle due to his health issues.

The messenger arrived inside the court followed by two royal guards.

"I the messenger from suryagarh offer greetings to Maharaj Abhimanyu, Maharani Kumud (prince), Prince Trishit, and princess Trishika and the whole royal court of Madhavgarh on the behalf of my land." He said.

"I am Sudhir, the Royal messenger of suryagarh. I am sent here by our king himself, I on the behalf of my king is to let you know that Suryagarh will soon rage a war against Madhavgarh, out army has already headed out and will reach the borders of Madhavgarh in the span of two days." The messenger said and the whole court room broke out into mummers and whispers.

I looked at my family and they all looked just as shocked and terrified as I was.

A war? During this time when the condition of our kingdom wasn't steady?

"What the hell are you saying? Don't you know that a kingdom can't rage a war against any other kingdom without any reason!" My brother said loudly while standing up from his seat angrily.

The outburst was expected. I looked at my father as the stress lines over his forehead intensified.

"There is a very well known reason for the war Yuvraj (crown prince)." The messenger replied, which only made us all even angrier.

"This is total bullshit" I began. "What happened years ago was justice. You guys can't rage a war over something that happened years ago." I completed my tone carrying that edge, which could kill if slipped.

Before the messenger could say anything further, bada started speaking.

"Is there anyway to stop the war?" He asked Straightforwardly.

"Fortunately for you maharaj there is." The messenger replied as if he was expecting this question to be asked.

"What is it?" My mother asked, her eyes narrowing.

"In exchange for stopping the war, we expect something precious Maharaj." The messenger began.

"Just name the thing." Bhai sa said impatiently.

"Princess Trishika." The messenger said.

Author's pov

As soon as those words left his mouth, Trishit threw a dagger at him which struck the turban of the messenger making it fall down from his head.

Every present soldier in that court pulled out his sword as everyone stood up from their seats except Abhimanyu and Kumud.

"It is a crime to attack an unarmed man rajkumaar, especially a messenger." The messenger said out of breath due to the sudden attack.

"Bs issi karan vash abhi tak jeevit h aap warna itihaas sakshi h Trishit singh parmaar ka vaar kabhi khali nhi gya. Agr aaj aap nihathe na hote toh apke shareer pr apka dhar nhi hota." Trishit said gritting his teeth in pure rage. If looks could kill, Trishit would have chopped the messenger into pieces, cooked him and fed him to his royal dogs by now.

(Due to this reason only you're still alive, or else the history is the proof, Trishit singh parmaar's attack has never failed. Ig you hadn't been unarmed, I would have already beheaded you by now.)

"Silence in the court!" Abhimanyu roared, even in a state of weakness his voice held the same power and strength it did back when he took over the crown.

"Maharaj, the suryagrah army has already left from the kingdom and would reach the borders of madhavgrah in two days, so you have two days to decide your answer." The messenger said again and this time instead of chaos, there was just silence.

"Now, I should take my leave." The messenger said and joined his hands greeting Abhimanyu and Kashvi before taking his leave from the court.

After the messenger left, all ministers turned their heads towards their king hoping for any sort of reassurance or a way out.

"What should we do now maharaj? Our kingdom can't afford a war at this time." One of the ministers said with panic in his voice.

"We need to think smartly Mahamantri" Abhimanyu said his eyes falling at the ground just at the thought of having to choose between his daughter and his kingdom.

"What is there to think about Baba, My sister is not a thing that can be traded." Trishit said with fury looking at his father.

"I agree with Trishit, my daughter isn't a toy to be disregarded like this, this is straight disrespect." Kavya said, her voice soft but strong.

"I know that Maharani but this is a critical matter, we need to think calmly." Abhimanyu replied.

"The court is adjourned for today." Abhimanyu said before leaving with kashi by his side.

Trishika's pov

The court emptied slowly, yet the chaos lingered like smoke after a fire. No one dared speak to me as I stood frozen in place, staring at the grand doors through which that wretched messenger had exited.

Princess Trishika.

As if I was no more than a jewel to be bartered. A shield to block swords. A pawn to avoid bloodshed.

My palms trembled, but my spine stayed straight. Years of training under Maasa had taught me one thing—a princess may cry in silence, but she never bends in public.

“Rajkumari…” one of the attendees whispered softly, approaching me hesitantly.

“I am fine,” I replied before she could even reach out. I wasn’t. But I would be. I must be.

I began walking toward the exit, the sound of my anklets echoing across the now silent court hall, mockingly delicate against the storm raging within me.

As I stepped outside, I saw Bhai sa pacing furiously near the corridor pillars, his hand gripping his sword as if his rage alone could slice through Suryagarh’s audacity.

He heard my footsteps and turned. His eyes softened in an instant.

“Trishu…”

That one word—spoken only by him—nearly cracked the wall I had built around my heart.

But I forced a smile. “Bhai sa, you almost tore that man’s head off.”

“He deserved worse,” he muttered.

I nodded. “He did.”

There were no more words between us. None were needed. We had spoken like this since childhood—through silence and steel.

We walked together towards Baba's chamber, both knowing that an inevitable storm had begun, and neither of us knew which one of us would drown first.

The walk to Baba’s chamber felt longer than it had ever been. The corridors that once echoed with laughter and sibling squabbles suddenly felt foreign—like the walls themselves were whispering about my fate.

Ritually polished brass lamps flickered along the passage, casting golden streaks across the white stone floor. The palace of Madhavgrah wasn’t made of marble, it was made of pride. And today, that pride was under negotiation.

As we entered the Royal chamber, we were met with the Royal ministers and advisors all surrounding are parents.

"Trishika" Baba began slowly, "what do you wish my child?" He asked softly.

I wanted to answer right away. I wanted to say how unfair and crushing it all felt, but I couldn't. Every time I looked at my people's eyes, I could see the hope they have from me, they think their princess would save them.

Even when I was walking here, every time I passed by a soldier or attendee, I couldn't help but notice how their eyes held that slight flicker of fear and expectation.

"I don't know baba, I don't wanna be a bait, a sacrifice. I don't wanna leave my family." I began, my eyes downcast.

"But I also can't be reason behind the destruction of my own mother land. A princess can never fall weak, especially when her kingdom and people are at the stake. I must and would surely be the shield of my people." I finished, moving my gaze from floor to front, holding my head high.

Bhai sa snapped his gaze towards me his eyes widening, ma sa too held her duppata tightly, ruining the folds.

"What are you saying Trisha, this isn't a game bacche, this decision can ruin your life." Bhai sa said.

"I know bhai sa but, as long as I am alive, I won't let any danger come near my people. Even if it means sacrificing myself." I finished.

"Are you sure about this my love?" Ma sa asked her eyes holding a hint of both fear and calm.

"I am ma, I am." I replied confidently.

"Now that you have already made your decision, we can't do anything to change your mind, can we?" Baba sa said to which I just passed him a small smile.

Everyone in this kingdom knows, that once I make up my mind about something, no one can make me change it.

"Head Commander Raghav, pls send a messenger to Suryagarh and let them know we have agreed for the treaty." Baba sa ordered.

Before anyone could say anything, bhai sa left the chamber angrily.

I was about to follow him outside when ma sa stopped me.

"Let him be Trisha, I'll go and talk to him." I nodded at her words and soon everyone returned to their chambers. _____________________________

Word count ~ 2103

Hushh, How are you my sweet little bhole bhature readers?

Funny name right? Ik but it's cute just like you guys. Heheheheh 🤭

So pls tell me what you think of the start and what you think will happen next.

Do vote and a few comments to motivate this devoted author of yours.

Instagram: @roseewrtz

Wattpad: @roseewrtz