The royal palace of Vijaygarh was unusually lively that morning.

Princess Tarini was summoned to the royal court.

The moment she entered, she noticed her father, King Rudradev, smiling.

"Come, Tarini."

"Kya hua ,pitashree?"

("What happened, Father ?")

"A marriage proposal has come for you."

Tarini's expression immediately hardened.

"I already refused the previous alliance."

"This one is different."

"From whom?"

"Suryagarh."

She looked at him in disbelief.

"King Vikramaditya has personally asked for your hand in marriage."

For a moment, Tarini forgot to breathe.

"The... King Vikramaditya?"

"The same."

Her father stepped closer.

"Yaad rakhna, Tarini... woh sirf ek raja nahi, Aryavarta ke sabse shaktishaali samraton mein se ek hain."

(Remember, Tarini... he isn't just a king, he is one of the most powerful rulers in Aryavarta.)

"Unke saamne apni zubaan aur gusse dono par kabu rakhna."

(Control both your words and your temper in front of him.)

Tarini met his eyes fearlessly.

"Main badtameezi kabhi nahi karti, Pitashree... bas anyay ke saamne jhukti nahi."

(I am never disrespectful, Father... I simply do not bow before injustice.)

Without another word, she walked towards the chamber prepared for the meeting.

---

King Vikramaditya stood beside a carved window overlooking the palace gardens.

His posture reflected the authority of a king...

His eyes carried the grief of a husband.

Tarini entered and folded her hands.

"Pranaam, Maharaj."

He acknowledged her with a slight nod.

"Princess Tarini."

A long silence followed.

Finally, Vikramaditya spoke.

"Main baaton ko ghumana pasand nahi karta."

(I do not like speaking in circles.)

"So I will be honest."

"My first wife..."

"Queen Meera..."

"...was the love of my life."

"I still love her."

"And I always will."

Tarini quietly listened.

"I cannot offer that place to anyone else."

After a brief pause, he continued,

"If you marry me..."

"You will become the Maharani of Suryagarh."

"You will receive respect."

"Sammaan."

"You will receive authority."

"Adhikaar."

"You will receive every privilege that belongs to a queen."

He looked directly at her.

"Lekin ek cheez hai jo main aapko kabhi nahi de paunga... aur woh hai mera prem."

(But there is one thing I can never give you... and that is my love.)

The words were blunt...

Yet sincere.

"I have a one-year-old son."

"Prince Veerendra."

"He deserves a mother."

"My kingdom deserves a queen."

"Yeh vivaah meri ichchha nahi... mera kartavya hai."

(This marriage is not my desire... it is my duty.)

Tarini remained silent.

Vikramaditya continued,

"I will never force this decision upon you."

"Yadi aap mana kar dengi, toh main isi kshan Vijaygarh se laut jaunga."

(If you refuse, I shall leave Vijaygarh this very moment.)

"But if you accept..."

"I give you my word."

"Aapko kabhi apmaan ka saamna nahi karna padega."

(You will never have to face humiliation.)

"Aapko mera prem shayad kabhi na mile... lekin mera sammaan hamesha milega."

(You may never receive my love... but you will always have my respect.)

Tarini looked at the man standing before her.

No false promises.

No sweet words.

Only painful honesty.

For the first time, she wasn't looking at the mighty King Vikramaditya.

She was looking at a man who had lost his heart...

...and a father trying to give his son the one thing he could never become—

A mother.