The night was burning.
Not with fire — but with secrets.
She stood in the middle of the marble hall, surrounded by guards, shadows, and whispers. The kingdom that once bowed to her now looked at her like a traitor.
And he…
He stood on the throne steps.
The man who once promised to protect her.
The man who now ruled her fate.
Ayaan.
"You shouldn't have returned," he said coldly.
Her heart clenched.
"You ran first."
Silence spread like poison.
The council watched. The generals waited. The enemies smiled.
This was no longer just love.
This was power.
"You chose your kingdom over me," she said, her voice shaking.
"And now you want me to bow before the crown that destroyed us?"
Ayaan stepped down, his boots echoing on the marble.
"I chose survival."
She laughed bitterly.
"And called it loyalty."
He stopped inches away.
"You think I don't bleed every time I remember you?"
"You think I don't fight every night to forget your name?
Her eyes softened for a second.
Then she saw him.
Standing behind the pillars.
The man with the scarred face.
The one who whispered lies into kings' ears.
The real enemy.
Her blood ran cold.
"He's alive…" she whispered.
Ayaan followed her gaze.
And his expression changed.
The war had begun.
"Take her to the eastern wing," he ordered.
The guards moved forward.
She stepped back.
"No," she said. "I won't be your prisoner again."
His jaw tightened.
"Then don't stand in my way."
Their eyes locked.
Love on one side.
War on the other.
And for the first time, she realized —
To save the world…
She might have to destroy the man she loved.