AUTHOR'S POV

The grand hall shimmered with golden sunlight filtering through ornate pillars. At the center, a large silver mortar filled with bright yellow turmeric sat on a velvet cloth, surrounded by attendants in jewel-toned robes. As the drumbeats grew louder, the chief priest lifted the pestle, and with a rhythmic force, began to crush the turmeric, releasing a sharp, earthy fragrance that filled the hall.

This is  “Pasupu Madaka”, the sacred beginning — a signal that the royal wedding had officially commenced, invoking prosperity, purity, and blessings for the couple.

( This is the first ritual of any wedding, this turmeric is used on haldi and other wedding preparations later)

Shanti Devi Sharma, sister of the late Queen Devyani Varman, had lost her husband at a painfully young age and chose never to remarry. Instead, she poured her entire life into compassion, adopting orphaned children and building an NGO in her husband’s name. She arrived early for Sreehan’s wedding, determined to oversee every ritual with the dignity and devotion of a royal elder. But beneath her calmness, a quiet storm brewed.

Adhvay’s wedding had happened unexpectedly, rushed and chaotic, denying her the joy of seeing him as a groom and welcoming a daughter-in-law with the celebration he deserved.

And the truth twisted her heart further—the girl Adhvay married was the daughter of the man who had killed her sister. From the beginning, Shanti Devi had objected to Adhvay's marriage, but Adhvay made sure her disapproval never reached Myra's ears.

“From today onwards, you can proceed with the wedding rituals,” the priest announced.

“Rāja vāru , who is going to sit in the wedding as the elder couple? Did you find your daughter-in-law yet?” the priest asked with concern.

( Raja varu = respectful way to call a king)

Aditya Varman held his head low, not knowing how to answer. Shanti Devi’s eyes filled with tears. Only if her sister were alive… only then would the palace have its spark.

“No worries, Panthulu gāru ( priest). My vadinamma is here to take care of my wedding,” Sreehan’s voice came from the entrance, making every head turn.

Sreehan walked in with Myra and Rudra Dev, all three carrying a quiet confidence. Myra stepped inside with her right foot first, silently vowing she would never leave this palace again.

“Myraaa…” Aditya Varman hurried toward her as she bent down to touch his feet. “You came back?”

Myra nodded. “Yes, Mamayya gāru… and I’m not going to leave again.”

( Mamayya garu= respectful way to call father - in -law)

“I’m so happy, Myra,” Aditya Varman whispered, running his hand over her head and caressing his daughter-in-law gently.

Shanti Devi’s blood boiled the moment Myra took another step.

“STOP right there!” she shouted, fury echoing through the hall.

Myra looked at her, confused. She had never seen this woman before.

“How dare you come back and step into this palace after you ruined Adhvay’s life!” Shanti Devi’s voice struck the palace walls, making everyone flinch.

Myra lowered her gaze, processing every word, but she had already signed up for every obstacle. The only thing that matters now… is Adhvay.

“You somehow made Adhvay fall in love with you… he married you despite you being a traitor’s daughter—and what have you done? You left him to die!” Shanti Devi continued, walking furiously toward Myra.

“Pinni, you don’t know anything about her,” Sreehan warned, stepping forward and stopping her midway.

( Pinni = chachi/ aunt... Mother's sister mostly)

“I know everything,” Shanti Devi snapped. “Adhvay is charming—he fills every room with happiness every time he speaks. And did you look at him now? He is a lifeless body! Have you all gone blind? She ruined him… she—”

“ENOUGH!!!!”

A roar exploded through the hall, silencing every breath, and everyone turned toward the staircase where Adhvay stood—shoulders stiff, eyes bloodshot, breath unsteady. His hair was messy, his shirt half-tucked from a restless night, but his presence alone made the entire palace fall silent.

“Not one more word against my wife,” he growled, his voice raw enough to shake the pillars.

Myra saw him—pale, exhausted, but burning in a way only she could ignite.

She had never seen him look this broken.

Adhvay descended each step slowly, jaw tight, every word trembling with anger and possession. “And as long as I breathe… no one—no one—gets to question her place in this palace.”

The weight of his declaration settled thick in the air, and Myra felt her heart twist, despite everything, he  still stood between her and the world like she was the only battle he ever chose.

“Pinni  , I loved her from the start,” Adhvay snapped,  “I asked her… and if you really want to know, I begged her to love me back. She didn’t do anything.” His chest rose and fell sharply, eyes burning as he looked around at every single face in the palace.

“Are there any other disbeliefs I have to clear?” he demanded, his gaze slicing through the silence.

“Anyone else who wants to question my wife? My marriage? My choices?” He dared them to speak, dared them to challenge him, but not a single soul moved. The hall felt smaller under the weight of his fury, every breath held as he stood there—broken, furious, and unshakeably hers.

Shanti Devi’s voice shook. “Adhvay… I’m your pinni. You played in my lap, I was the one who took care of you when your mother died. Have you forgotten?”

“That doesn’t give you any right to disrespect Myra,” Adhvay growled again. “She stands in the place where my mother—your sister—once stood. So respect her, Pinni.”

Shanti Devi couldn’t utter another word; her face crumpled as she turned away and ran back to the guest room where she was staying.

Adhvay didn’t spare a single glance at Myra. Instead, he grabbed Sreehan by the collar and dragged him toward the quiet chamber. Myra followed, her heart splintering at the sight of him—weak, rugged, nearly ruined.

“I told you not to interfere in her life!” Adhvay shouted at Sreehan, anger pulsing through every inch of him. “Why did you bring her here? Back to her cage?”

“It’s my wedding, anna! She is my vadinamma—she has to perform all the rituals in my mother’s place!” Sreehan shouted even louder.

“Adh—” Before Myra could finish his name, Adhvay lifted his palm sharply, signaling her to stop. Myra fell silent, tears slipping down her cheeks.

“You promised me you wouldn’t bring her back, Sreehan…” Adhvay’s voice broke into a whisper, filled with hurt and guilt, and Myra felt every bit of it.

“I don’t care about that promise. I can’t see my brother dying,” Sreehan said, gripping Adhvay’s shoulders.

Adhvay’s anger surged back, and without another word he stormed out of the room—never once looking at Myra’s face.

Myra struggled to stand, her knees giving out before Sreehan caught her in time.

“Vadinamma… I’m so sorry for Pinni’s words. She’s a good person, trust me,” he said gently, trying to comfort her.

“He hates me, right? He hates me…” Myra whispered, repeating it like she was convincing herself of the worst.

Rudra Dev and Aditya Varman rushed into the chamber, freezing at the sight of her breaking down.

“He hates me, Sreehan!” Myra finally screamed, her voice cracking.

“No, vadinamma… of all the things he feels for you, hate was never one of them,” Sreehan murmured, pulling her into a protective hug like a real brother, his own eyes stinging.

Rudra Dev stepped forward, voice heavy with memories.

“Myra… when I came for his grandfather’s funeral, I saw Adhvay in the most vulnerable state. I was about to tell you everything back then, but do you know what he said?

‘My Myra deserves better than me. She deserves all the happiness. If you tell her about me, she will feel guilty. So promise me, Rudra uncle… promise me on my life that you won’t utter a single word.'

He swallowed hard. “But Sreehan and I shared everything, every day, waiting for a chance to bring you back.”

Myra felt like she couldn’t breathe anymore, knowing how deeply and silently Adhvay had loved her.

“He kept your past hidden because he didn’t want you to get hurt, vadinamma… your father never chose you. In fact, the scar on your neck…” Sreehan lifted his hand, pointing at the faint mark on her skin. “It’s because of your father.”

Rudra Dev nodded painfully. “Yes, Myra, the day your mother died, I told him to take you and run far away from Amaravathi. But your father… he was ready to kill you. He held a knife to your throat and almost took your life, just because he didn't want you in his way.”

Myra felt  like the ground was swallowing her whole.

“It’s always been about you, vadinamma,” Sreehan whispered, voice shaking. “He didn’t want to break you. He didn’t want to remind you of the most terrifying part of your life.”

“How could I be this foolish? I should have spoken to him…  but I chose to leave,” Myra breathed, her voice breaking with every word.

“Myra… I’m sorry,” Aditya Varman said softly, bowing his head in shame. “For the disrespect you faced because of my father. This palace has never disrespected a woman. We should have known. I’m… truly sorry.”

Myra shook her head weakly. “No, Mamayya gāru ( father in law)… you have nothing to do with that. You always treated me like your daughter, despite the past.”

“Vadinamma… he’s just angry right now,” Sreehan said, trying to lighten the heaviness in the room. “But I know… he must be screaming in happiness in his soundproof room by now.”

Myra let out a shaky breath. “How can I face him again, Sreehan?” she whispered.

Sreehan smiled gently.

'MISSION : GET ADHVAY TO STOP SULKING' ......starts now”

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