As the first rays of dawn touched the sky, a caravan of royal chariots began its journey from Vikrampur to Rajpur. Vikramaditya sat in his grand chariot, his mind consumed by the thoughts of the girl who dared defy him. The road ahead was long, but his thoughts were even longer, winding through corridors of anger, wounded pride, and a thirst for control.
“Brother,” Vikrantaditya ventured cautiously from the adjacent chariot, his voice trembling as he spoke. “Are you certain about this marriage? She’s… she’s just a child.”
Vikramaditya’s eyes, sharp and cold as steel, turned towards him. “This isn’t about marriage, Vikrant,” he replied, his voice low and dangerous. “It’s about power. It’s about teaching her a lesson she’ll never forget.”
Vikrantaditya fell silent, knowing there was no point in arguing. The path had been set, and his brother’s determination was unyielding.
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In Rajpur, the palace buzzed with frantic activity. Chandramukhi, still reeling from the sudden announcement of her marriage, felt a gnawing unease growing within her. She had always trusted her uncle, King Srishant, but something about this marriage felt wrong. She wandered the palace gardens, seeking solace among the flowers, but even their sweet scent couldn’t calm her troubled heart.
As she walked, she overheard voices from the balcony above. She paused, recognizing them as Queen Vani and Princess Charumati.
“It’s about time she’s out of our lives,” Charumati’s voice was sharp with disdain. “She’s been a thorn in our side since the day she arrived.”
Queen Vani’s response was equally cold. “Indeed. Let her marry that tyrant. It’s fitting, don’t you think? She’ll finally get what she deserves.”
Chandramukhi’s heart sank. So, they never loved me, she thought, tears welling up in her eyes. The realization struck her like a blow—she was alone, and this marriage was not a blessing, but a trap.
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Later that day, as the preparations for the wedding reached a fever pitch, a loyal servant named Kalyani slipped into Chandramukhi’s chambers. She had served Chandramukhi since childhood and loved her like a daughter.
“Princess,” Kalyani whispered urgently, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “You must leave, now. This marriage is not what it seems.”
Chandramukhi looked at her in shock. “What do you mean, Kalyani?”
“I overheard the king’s advisor, Raghav. They’re planning something terrible for you. You have to escape before it’s too late.”
Fear gripped Chandramukhi’s heart, but she didn’t know where to turn. “But where will I go? I have no one…”
“Trust me,” Kalyani insisted, pressing a small, wrapped bundle into her hands. “There is someone who can help. A friend of your father’s. He lives in the forest, not far from here. Go to him, and he will protect you.”
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The following day, as Vikramaditya’s entourage arrived at the palace, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Chandramukhi’s unease had grown into full-blown fear, but she kept her composure, knowing she had to be careful.
As she was led to her chambers to prepare for the wedding, she made her decision. She would not allow herself to be trapped in a life of misery and fear. She would escape, find this mysterious friend, and uncover the truth behind the shadowy forces conspiring against her.
But as she began to formulate her plan, a knock sounded at the door. Her heart raced as she wondered if it was too late.
The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. But it wasn’t one of the servants. It was a cloaked stranger, someone she had never seen before, yet whose presence felt oddly familiar.
“Who are you?” Chandramukhi demanded, her voice trembling.
The figure lowered their hood, revealing a face shrouded in mystery. “Someone who has been watching over you for a long time, Princess. If you wish to escape this fate, you must trust me.”
Chandramukhi hesitated, but the stranger’s eyes held a promise of safety she desperately needed. With a deep breath, she nodded.
“Good,” the stranger said. “We must move quickly. Time is running out.”
And with that, Chandramukhi stepped into the unknown, ready to face whatever destiny had in store for her.
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This chapter sets the stage for Chandramukhi's escape and the inevitable confrontation with Vikramaditya. It introduces new elements of intrigue, with the mysterious figure and the hint of dark magic and deeper conspiracies. The tension builds, and Chandramukhi’s decision to flee marks a pivotal moment in the story.
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