The next morning, the golden sun rose over the vast kingdom of Mahair, casting long rays upon the marble palace. The palace guards stood in rows, their spears glinting as the sound of conch shells echoed faintly from the temple below. A cool breeze swept through the corridors carrying the scent of sandalwood and incense — it was the day of justice, and everyone knew the court would be held.
Inside the royal courtyard, the air was filled with murmurs of astonishment. Maharana Ranbeer had acted upon the strategy that young Prince Vivaan had suggested the previous day. Under that plan, the royal forces had ambushed the bandits hidden deep within the mountain valleys. The operation was swift and flawless — every single bandit had been captured alive. There were around five hundred men in total, all of them strong, well-trained, and battle-hardened.
The success stunned everyone. Never before had the mountain bandits — who had terrorized Mahair for years — been captured without massive bloodshed. Maharana Ranbeer himself was deeply impressed; he had not expected such brilliance from an eleven-year-old boy.
Later that morning, the royal court of Mahair gathered in all its splendor. The grand hall was decorated with crimson drapes, golden chandeliers, and silver lamps burning fragrant oils. The ministers and generals sat in perfect order, the air filled with the faint rustle of silk and the low hum of conversation. Behind the embroidered curtain, the queens sat silently, watching.
Maharana Ranbeer sat on his high throne, a proud smile curving his lips as he listened to his ministers praising him.
"Your Majesty, such a clever plan could only come from your mind," one minister said, bowing low. "The enemy was taken completely by surprise!"
Ranbeer smiled softly and said, "This strategy was not mine."
The entire court turned silent.
Even the faint sound of the peacock feathers swaying in the wind seemed to pause.
"If not yours, Maharana," said the chief advisor, surprised, "then whose strategy was it?"
Ranbeer leaned back slightly, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Bring the four princes to court," he ordered.
At once, the royal messenger left.
Outside in the royal gardens, the four princes were laughing and sparring with wooden swords. Vivaan stood quietly beneath a tall neem tree, his sharp eyes watching his younger brothers. Arish and Reyansh were teasing Vihaan again, while Vihaan was threatening to tell Bhai-sa.
"Bhai-sa! They took my sword again!" Vihaan complained, pouting.
Reyansh grinned, "Yes, you always run to him!"
Arish added with a mischievous smile, "Because he knows only Vivaan Bhai-sa can control us."
Vivaan sighed, his tone calm yet commanding. "Enough, all of you," he said with a faint smile.
Just then, the royal messenger arrived and bowed deeply. "Kunwar sa, Maharana Ranbeer has summoned all four princes to the court."
Vivaan nodded slightly. "Tell Maharana we are coming," he replied softly. Then he turned to his brothers. "Straighten up. We are not in the gardens now. Remember where you are."
After a few moments, the heavy wooden doors of the grand courtroom opened. A hush fell over the hall.
Prince Vivaan entered first — tall for his age, his walk steady and confident, his expression calm. The red sheath of his sword gleamed under the golden chandeliers, the golden embroidery on it sparkling with each step. His dark eyes carried a maturity far beyond his years. Behind him came Arish, Reyansh, and Vihaan — the three younger princes, whispering among themselves, trying not to laugh after teasing Vihaan moments ago.
As soon as Vivaan stepped forward, Maharana Ranbeer stood up. Seeing this, the entire royal court rose to their feet. The king's eyes softened; before him, it felt as if a divine aura filled the air.
"Sit, my sons," he said warmly.
The four princes bowed respectfully and sat in their places.
But before the proceedings could begin, the faint tinkling of anklets echoed through the marble hall. The sound came closer — bright, musical, and full of energy. Suddenly, the doors opened again, and Princess Hinaal came running in. Her bangles jingled, her light pink dupatta fluttering behind her like a ribbon of sunlight.
The king looked toward the sound and smiled knowingly. "That must be my daughter," he said softly.
As she reached the throne, Maharana Ranbeer stood up and knelt down, opening his arms. "My princess," he said as she rushed into them. He lifted her effortlessly, kissed her forehead, and smiled. "My daughter," he whispered with affection.
Hinaal giggled, the sound pure and full of light. Ranbeer settled her gently on his lap.
At the herald's signal, the court began.
One of the royal advisors stood and spoke, "Today, we celebrate the capture of the mountain bandits. It was by the wisdom of Maharana Ranbeer that we achieved this victory and brought all men alive."
But Maharana Ranbeer raised his hand with a gentle smile. "That strategy was not mine," he said again.
There was silence. The ministers looked confused. Even the generals exchanged surprised glances.
"If not yours, Maharana," one asked cautiously, "then whose?"
Ranbeer's eyes softened, and he turned them toward the young prince sitting calmly beside his brothers — Vivaan, who at that moment was listening to something Vihaan whispered with an innocent smile.
Ranbeer's voice echoed proudly through the hall, "This strategy was Prince Vivaan's."
The silence that followed was heavy. The courtiers looked at one another in disbelief.
"How is that possible?" someone murmured. "He is just a child!"
Another minister spoke, "We cannot believe an eleven-year-old child can plan such a campaign!"
The murmurs grew louder until a clear, young voice sliced through the air like lightning.
"So you are telling me that my father is lying?"
The hall froze.
Everyone turned toward Princess Hinaal, who was sitting on her father's lap, her small face fierce, her eyes sharp.
Maharana Ranbeer hid his amused smile — his daughter always spoke her mind.
The ministers stammered, "No, Princess, we didn't mean that—"
But Hinaal stood up, her bangles clinking as her tiny hands balled into fists."Why can't you believe a child can give such advice? If you all were so capable, then why did my father have to send and invite his friend to end this matter? For four years this problem continued. Four years, the people of Mahair lived in fear that the bandits would come, that they would play holi in our blood! And what did you all do? Sat here in comfort! Now a prince, not even half your age, has ended this matter — and you still doubt him?"
The court was silent. The generals and ministers lowered their eyes in shame.
Reyansh and Arish stared at her with open mouths, while Vihaan laughed softly and whispered to them, "Look! She's my friend. She can silence all the ministers and generals — what are you two in front of her? So stop teasing me!"
Arish muttered to Vivaan, "Bhai-sa, she's dangerous."
Reyansh nodded. "Not only dangerous — she can embarrass us so badly we'd want to drown ourselves in the river."
Vivaan smiled faintly, hiding his amusement.
Maharana Ranbeer watched this with a mixture of surprise and pride. He could hardly believe it — his daughter, who only ever spoke sharply when defending him, was now standing up for Prince Vivaan.
Then Hinaal spoke again, her voice calmer but still filled with fire."Where were all of you when the princess of your kingdom was kidnapped, hmm? You were sleeping! It was this eleven-year-old prince who came to protect me. So stop all this nonsense and accept that this child gave such a brilliant strategy!"
Maharana Ranbeer laughed softly and hugged his daughter, trying to calm her.
"Alright, my princess, calm down," he said gently. Then he turned serious again. "Bring in the leader of the bandits."
Chains clanked as the leader of the mountain bandits was brought into the court, bound but defiant. The soldiers made him kneel before the king. His eyes were filled with anger and pride, but he remained silent.
"How many men are with him?" Maharana Ranbeer asked.
"About five hundred," one soldier answered.
Vivaan sat silently, his gaze thoughtful, observing the man closely.
Maharana Ranbeer's voice grew cold. "Kill them all."
Before the guards could act, Vivaan's calm voice echoed through the silent court."I will have to apologize for interrupting, Maharaj," he said respectfully, "but isn't it better to ask him why he did all this? He kidnapped, yes, and demanded money — but I noticed something: they never killed anyone."
Ranbeer turned his head slightly, intrigued. "Answer the prince," he commanded.
The bandit leader raised his head slowly. His voice was rough but honest."We are people of the mountains, Maharaj. Those lands are our home, yet they are outside the borders of Mahair. We are not allowed to live like normal men, cannot join the army or work the fields. To feed our families, we did what we had to."
Vivaan thought silently for a moment. His eyes softened with understanding.
Maharana Ranbeer asked, "What are you thinking, Prince Vivaan?"
Vivaan stood slightly and spoke clearly, his tone calm yet full of wisdom."Maharaj, it is not their fault — it is the fault of their condition. Five hundred men cannot survive alone; that means there are families, women, children waiting for them. Instead of killing them, give them a chance. Make them your people. Let them earn trust and dignity again. If they ever betray you, punish them immediately — but if you give them one chance, they will serve you with loyalty until their last breath."
The court fell silent again.
The bandit leader's face changed — his defiance melted into disbelief. He bowed deeply, his forehead touching the marble floor."I cannot believe… we will get this kind of justice. From today, we swear loyalty to Mahair — and to you, Prince Vivaan."
Maharana Ranbeer looked at the boy with astonishment and admiration. He had seen many warriors and kings — but never such compassion and intelligence in one so young.
Behind the curtain, the queens exchanged glances.Queen Abeera whispered softly, "Perhaps fate itself brought this boy here."
And as the court settled, the air of the hall seemed to shift — as if destiny had just turned a new page for both kingdoms.