Add Dard-e-Ishq:Only Freiends to you TBR as I am going to release the first chapter today.
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THIRD PERSON POV:) ANSWER THE QUESTION IN THE LAST FOR NEXT UPDATE
The somber air in the palace was palpable, thick with unspoken emotions and memories. Dev's birthday, once a day of joy and celebration, now carried the weight of sorrow and betrayal.
The royal court was quieter than usual, with servants moving in hushed tones and family members lost in their thoughts.
Even the children, who had returned with their grandparents from their pilgrimage, seemed to pick up on the heaviness, their usual chatter subdued.
Vedanti sat by the window, staring into the distant horizon. Her thoughts swirled with a mix of love, anger, and heartache as she recalled the bond she once shared with her brother.
The laughter, the camaraderie, the promises—they all felt like distant echoes now. Why did it all have to end like this?
As if sensing her turmoil, Abhirath entered the chamber. Without a word, he sat beside her, his presence grounding her as he rested a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Love can make or break you, Rabbit," he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of his own experiences.
"Dev was a threat—to our children, to you, to our kingdom. He let his obsession blind him."
Vedanti turned to look at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She couldn't hold back anymore. She buried her face in his chest, her hands clutching his robes as if he were the only thing keeping her from falling apart.
A single tear slipped down her cheek as she whispered, her voice trembling, "Why did he love Trupti so much? We loved him too, Abhirath. I told him so many times that she was using him, manipulating him, but he didn't listen.
How could he let one person overshadow everything else—our bond, our family, our blood?"
Abhirath's arms tightened around her, his hand gently stroking her hair as he let her release the storm inside her.
He knew how deeply this wound cut her, how much she had tried to save her brother from his own downfall.
"Loving one person can be powerful, Vedanti," Abhirath said quietly, his tone reflective. "But love, when it turns into obsession, becomes poison.
Dev lost sight of everything else—his love for family, for the children, even his duty to the kingdom. And in the end, his obsession cost him everything."
Vedanti pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face tilting up to meet his gaze. "He was so happy when Raj and Abhi were born," she said, her voice breaking.
"He adored them, Abhirath. Then why? Why did he try to kill them? Why did he want to send my babies away from me?"
Abhirath's jaw tightened at her words, his own emotions threatening to surface. He cupped her face gently, wiping away her tears with his thumb.
"It's not only because of Trupti," Vedanti said, her voice barely a whisper, yet it cut through the stillness like a blade.
"He wanted to prove me wrong, to make me pay for standing against him. When you were away at the kingdom borders, defending what he should have cherished, Dev... he tried to kill me in so many ways, Abhi. His hatred ran that deep."
Abhirath's jaw clenched, his expression darkening as the memories of Dev's actions resurfaced.
The weight of his younger brother's betrayal had been a constant shadow, but hearing Vedanti voice her pain made it all the more unbearable. He tilted her chin upward, his fiery gaze meeting hers.
"And he tried to kill me too," Abhirath said, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you think I've forgotten, Rabbit? The 'accidents' at the borders, the poisoned chalices, the ambushes that were too perfectly timed? Dev didn't just hate me for marrying Trupti.
He hated me for everything—my position, my decisions, even for giving his child my name when he abandoned all responsibility. He let his jealousy and pride consume him."
Vedanti's hands fisted in his robes as tears slid down her cheeks. "He was just 23, Abhi," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"But with power comes responsibility, and he... he never took it. He let the power corrupt him, let his anger fester. He saw you as his enemy, not his brother. He hated you for being the man he could never be."
Abhirath sighed deeply, his hands gently cupping her face. His thumb brushed away her tears as his heart ached for the woman in his arms—the woman who had endured so much pain because of Dev's betrayal.
"You're right," Abhirath said, his voice softening but still laced with an edge of resolve. "He hated me, hated our kids, hated what we stood for. But that hatred didn't destroy us, Vedanti.
It didn't take away the love we have for each other or the future we're building for our children. Dev's choices were his own, and they led him down a dark path. We can mourn the brother he once was, but we can't let his shadow linger over our lives."
Vedanti buried her face in his chest again, her sobs muffled against his warmth. "I just wanted to save him," she admitted, her voice breaking. "I wanted him to see reason, to see the love we all had for him."
"Because he wasn't Dev anymore," he said, his voice low and pained. "Trupti twisted him, Rabbit. She fed his insecurities, turned his love into a weapon, and used it against us. But you... you did everything you could.
You tried to save him. Don't let his choices haunt you. You were the sister he needed, even when he didn't deserve it."
Vedanti's lips trembled as she nodded, the weight of his words sinking in.
Abhirath pressed a kiss to her forehead, a silent vow that he would protect her and their family no matter what.
As she clung to him, finding solace in his strength, she whispered, "I just wish things could have been different."
"So do I, Rabbit," Abhirath murmured. "But we can't change the past. All we can do is protect our future."
20 Years Later
The palace was bustling with life as Vedanti and Abhirath stood on the grand balcony overlooking their kingdom. Their children—Chavi, Abhiraj, and Abhishek—had grown into remarkable individuals, each embodying a unique aspect of their lineage. Vedanti's heart swelled with pride as she observed the harmony and strength her family represented.
Chavi
Chavi, the eldest and the pride of the royal family, entered the court with an air of regal authority. Dressed in a deep crimson gown adorned with gold embroidery, her strong presence commanded the attention of everyone in the room. Her sharp eyes scanned the ministers as they presented their cases, her demeanor unyielding yet fair.
She was Abhirath's favorite, a fact no one dared contest. Despite her power and authority, Chavi had a deep well of compassion, especially for her family. She frequently assisted both Vedanti and Abhirath in court matters, her strategic mind often outmatching even the most seasoned ministers.
Her relationship with her brothers was heartwarming; she was their guiding force, offering stern advice when necessary but always with love. Kingdom men were intimidated by her strong personality and unwavering resolve, often whispering tales of her legendary temper. Yet, to Vedanti, Chavi was the epitome of grace and strength, a perfect blend of a warrior and a queen.
Abhiraj
Abhiraj, the middle child, was the embodiment of a future king. His towering frame and piercing gaze could silence even the most rebellious souls. Dressed in a simple yet elegant royal attire, his presence exuded authority and strength. Every move he made was deliberate, every word carefully chosen.
His sole focus in life was to make his parents proud, particularly his mother. Vedanti held a special place in his heart, and he never went against her wishes. To the kingdom's women, he was a mysterious and unattainable figure, his intimidating demeanor leaving them in awe and fear.
Abhiraj rarely spoke unless it was necessary, but when he did, his words carried immense weight. Ministers respected him for his wisdom beyond his years, and his siblings relied on him for his unwavering support.
Abhishek
The youngest prince, Abhishek, was the light-hearted one, bringing laughter wherever he went. With a charming smile that could disarm even the most serious situations, he was the kingdom's beloved troublemaker. Girls in the kingdom adored him, charmed by his playful nature and easygoing personality.
Abhishek spent most of his days outside the palace, mingling with the people, listening to their concerns, and solving their problems in his own unorthodox ways. Despite his playful antics, he had a sharp mind for understanding the kingdom's needs, making him a favorite among the common folk.
Though he was often scolded by Vedanti for his mischief, he would always run to Abhirath for help, knowing his father would shield him from her wrath. The bond between Abhishek and Abhirath was unbreakable, the two often seen laughing together over Abhishek's latest adventures.
The Royal Family
As the sun set over the kingdom, the royal family gathered for dinner in the grand hall. Chavi discussed court matters with Vedanti, her sharp mind finding solutions that even seasoned ministers hadn't considered. Abhiraj quietly listened, his analytical mind soaking in every detail, while Abhishek teased his siblings, earning a glare from Chavi and a chuckle from Abhirath.
Vedanti watched her family, her heart brimming with pride and love. Abhirath placed a hand on hers, his eyes meeting hers with a look of contentment.
"We've raised them well," he said softly.
Vedanti smiled, her voice filled with warmth. "Yes, we have. They are everything we could have hoped for and more."
As laughter echoed through the hall, the royal family stood as a testament to resilience, love, and unity. Their kingdom thrived under their leadership, and their bond as a family remained unshakable, a beacon of hope for all who called the kingdom home.
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