Scene 1: Royal Inspection Announced

Rajmata’s voice echoed through the high ceilings of the royal meeting hall, her tone firm and composed.

Rajmata: "Agle teen dinon mein Rajtilak ke antargat ek samagra rajya nirikshan ki ghoshna ki jaati hai. Maharani Aarohi ko praja ke beech, maryada aur rajya reeti ke anusaar pariksha deni hogi."

Aarohi's heart skipped a beat. Inspection? Publicly?

Rajguru: "Yeh pariksha sammaan, gyaan, aur praja ke saath mel-milaap ki pariksha hogi. Samrat ke saath rajmahal mein aayi Maharani ko yeh dikhana hoga ki woh sach mein is shaan ki hakdaar hai."

Veer stood in the background, his eyes glinting with dangerous satisfaction.

Veer (mutters): "Aakhirkaar... ab dikhayegi rani apne patton ko."

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Scene 2: Day of the Inspection – Praja Sabha

The palace courtyard had been transformed into a grand public stage. Velvet carpets, golden thrones, and the crest of Rajgarh embossed on every pillar.

People from across the state arrived. Dressed in simple cotton or bright silk, they sat waiting to see the new Maharani.

Aarohi stood with her heart thumping, wearing a cream and gold saree with a subtle red border — simple yet regal.

Rajguru (loudly): "Aaj ki pariksha mein Maharani Aarohi se kuch prashn honge jo rajya reeti, lok parampara aur praja se jude hain."

The questions began. Aarohi answered the first few with elegance. Her voice, though soft, held warmth. But then—

Rajpandit (sternly): "Kya Maharani bata sakti hain ki Rajtilak ke din kis tithi mein agni homa ka samay anukul mana jaata hai?"

Aarohi’s mind blanked. She tried to recall the scriptures she had read last night but couldn’t remember the exact detail.

Aarohi (hesitant): "Panchami... ya... Saptami..."

Rajpandit (correcting): "Ashtami."

A moment of silence. Then hushed murmurs.

Rajpandit (with authority): "Yeh bhool ghatak hai. Iss tithi par agar Rajtilak hota, toh shubhfal ke sthaan par raaj par sankat aa sakta tha."

Rajguru (looking at Rajmata): "Parampara ke anusaar, jab aisi bhool hoti hai toh Rajtilak ki tithi punah nirdharit hoti hai."

Rajmata (coldly): "Rajtilak ko ab das dinon ke liye sthagit kiya jaata hai. Tab tak Maharani ki nayi pariksha hogi."

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Scene 3: The Praja Murmurs — Sophie Shines

As the announcement echoed, the praja began whispering.

Lady from crowd: "Sophie madam toh kitni sujhboojh wali lagti hain. Har sawal ka turant uttar diya."

Another woman: "Wahi toh. Agar woh Maharani hoti toh Rajtilak aj hi ho jata."

Sophie stood in the corner, dressed in an elegant lavender gown with a traditional dupatta draped lightly over her shoulder. She was glowing — graceful, confident.

Aviraj stood beside her, listening silently. Sophie gently handed him a water goblet.

Sophie (gently): "She’s doing her best, Aviraj. Kabhi kabhi galtiyaan bhi seekhne ka zariya hoti hain."

Aviraj (lost in thought): "Main chahta hoon ki woh bina kisi bhay ke jeeye. Par yeh rajya... kabhi maaf nahi karta."

Sophie smiled lightly, placing a hand over his briefly — and the gesture didn’t go unnoticed.

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Scene 4: Aarohi in Isolation

Back in her chamber, Aarohi sat with trembling hands. She had disappointed the very people she longed to win over.

Aarohi (to herself): "Sab galat ho gaya... Aviraj ko bataya bhi nahi maine ki mujhe rajguru ne alag mantras bataye the... aur yeh pandit kaun tha?"

She didn’t know this new Rajpandit. His face was unfamiliar. Yet no one questioned his authority.

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Scene 5: A Clue to Veer's Truth

Meanwhile, in the archives room, a quiet place where only few dared tread, the old librarian stumbled upon something.

Librarian (muttering): "Yeh toh... chhote Rajkumar Veer ka purana naksha hai. Lekin... uske pita toh ek vyapari the, riyasat se sambandh hi nahi tha..."

He flipped the scroll again. On it was a forgotten royal seal — not of Rajgarh, but of Patalgarh — a dark, banished lineage that once tried to claim Rajgarh’s throne.

Back in his chamber, Veer stood in front of an old mirror, removing his coat. On his back was a tattooed emblem — the mark of Patalgarh.

Veer (to himself): "Main wapas aaya hoon, Rajgarh. Tumne humein bhula diya tha. Par main tumhe yaad rakhne par majboor kar dunga. Sophie, tumhara kaam aadha ho chuka hai. Ab Aarohi ke liye yeh rajya zindagi nahi, saza banega."

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Scene 1: Aviraj’s Inner Conflict

After the inspection fiasco, Aviraj locked himself inside his chamber, the heavy doors muffling his storming thoughts. He sat in silence, his crown set aside, robes disheveled, and gaze distant.

Aviraj (thinking): "Yeh sab kaise ho gaya? Aarohi ne itni chhoti si galti ki, par uske asar... rajya ke liye toh yeh apmaan jaisa hai. Par dil... dil keh raha hai ke woh meri Rani hai. Kya main rajya ke liye usse alag nazar se dekhna shuru kar raha hoon?"

Just then, he picked up the carved wooden box gifted by Aarohi in their early days. Inside was a letter she once wrote — naive, full of love.

Aviraj (murmurs): "Aarohi... tumne kabhi riyasat ka naatak nahi kiya... bas apna dil diya tha. Shayad yeh hi tumhari sabse badi galti thi."

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Scene 2: Sophie’s Mother Enters Rajgarh

A royal convoy entered the palace gates. Among the richly decorated carriages stepped down Lady Isadora, Sophie’s aristocratic mother from Suryagarh.

Clad in royal maroon velvet, adorned with antique emeralds, she bowed elegantly to Rajmata.

Isadora (smiling softly): "Rajmata, hum aapka aabhar vyakt karte hain ki aapne meri beti ko Rajgarh mein itna samman diya. Suryagarh aur Rajgarh ki rishte purane hain... aur shayad naye rishte bhi likhe ja rahe hain."

Rajmata (measured smile): "Rishte man se bante hain, Lady Isadora. Par pehchaan se nibhaaye jaate hain."

Lady Isadora’s eyes fell on Aarohi who had entered the court quietly. A moment passed. A sly smile crept onto her lips.

Isadora (to Aarohi): "Maharani ji, Sophie se milne ka samay mila ya abhi bhi aap ‘shuddhi path’ mein vyast hain?"

Aarohi’s eyes didn’t flinch, but inside her chest a fire sparked.

Aarohi (politely): "Sophie Rajghar ki mehmaan hain. Aur mehmaan se milne ka farz toh mera hai. Farz jise main kabhi bhoolti nahi."

Lady Isadora tilted her head, impressed yet patronizing.

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Scene 3: Aviraj & Aarohi — A Conversation of Hearts

That evening, under the shade of the royal garden’s old banyan tree, Aviraj asked Aarohi to meet him.

She arrived slowly, hands clenched, unsure of what he would say.

Aarohi (softly): "Aapne bulaya tha... toh main aa gayi."

Aviraj (deep breath): "Tumne aaj sabke saamne galti ki, Aarohi. Lekin jo mujhe chubha... woh yeh tha ke tumne mujhse kuch bhi nahi kaha."

Aarohi (voice trembling): "Aapke paas waqt kahan tha, Aviraj? Kabhi Sophie, kabhi Sabha, kabhi Riti-riwaaz... main kahaan thi usme?"

Aviraj (stepping forward): "Tum meri Rani ho... aur meri Rani hone se pehle meri humsafar. Mujhe tumhare har darr, har takleef ke baare mein pata chalna chahiye."

Aarohi (tears brimming): "Mujhe samajh hi nahi aa raha tha ke galti maine ki ya kisi ne karwayi. Har koi mujhe neecha dikha raha hai... par maine toh sirf sach se jeena chaha."

He gently touched her chin, lifting her tear-streaked face.

Aviraj: "Main rajya ke farz aur tumhare pyaar ke beech khada hoon, Aarohi. Lekin yaad rakhna... ek din, main yeh rajya bhi chhod sakta hoon, lekin tumhara dard nahi."

Aarohi (whispers): "Main haar nahi maani hoon... par ladne ki taqat kam ho rahi hai."

Aviraj (firmly): "Toh main tumhare saath ladunga. Har uss chhoti soch ke khilaaf, har uss siyyasi chaal ke khilaaf. Lekin tumhara saath chahiye... bina chupaye sab kuch."

They stood in silence — broken, rebuilding.

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Scene 4: Veer & Sophie’s Whispered Alliance

In the stone-walled corridor of the palace, Sophie met Veer under the cover of night.

Veer: "Tumhare maa ke aane se kaafi kuch asaan ho gaya. Rajmata unse prabhavit ho chuki hain."

Sophie: "Mujhe sirf ek mauka chahiye... Aviraj ka bharosa jeetne ka. Aarohi apne aap girti ja rahi hai."

Veer (grinning): "Aur jab woh gir chuki hogi... tab Rajgarh ke saare mohar tumhaare paas honge."

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