📜 Previously on Reincarnated Prince of Kaligarh:
After successfully reclaiming the province of Sumatra without bloodshed, Aryan returns to Kaligarh. His fame grows, and so does the affection of his close companions—Kaamaya, Meena, and Reva. But after so much conquest, Aryan longs for a day of peace…
SCENE 1 – THE SECRET GARDEN LAKE, MORNING
The gates opened to a hidden paradise: an ancient royal fishing garden once used by past kings, now forgotten by most. Crystal-clear waters shimmered beneath cherry blossom trees. Birds sang. The breeze was light.
RANVI (arms wide)
By the gods! You've been hiding this place?
ARYAN (grinning)
Not hiding. Just saving it for the right company.
The group stepped onto a wooden dock. Meena already had her boots off, dipping her toes in the water.
MEENA (mischievously)
Mmm... Warm water. Maybe we should fish the old way—less clothes, more luck.
ARYAN (choking on air)
I'm sure the fish don't care about fashion.
KAAMAYA (stretching in a tight blouse)
Oh, they care. Everything bites when you know how to wiggle the bait.
She winked. Aryan looked away quickly.
SCENE 2 – FISHING BOAT ON THE LAKE
They rowed out into the lake. Aryan sat between Reva and Kaamaya, looking unusually nervous as both leaned too close on either side.
REVA (leaning in)
Tell us, Prince. If you had to choose one of us to be your queen… who would it be?
ARYAN (gripping his fishing rod tighter)
I'd choose peace and a quiet boat ride.
KAAMAYA
Coward's answer. But cute.
Suddenly, Reva "accidentally" slipped and fell onto Aryan's lap. She didn't seem too eager to move.
ARYAN (blushing)
You're… crushing my dignity.
MEENA (from the other boat, smirking)
From here, it looks like your dignity is enjoying itself.
RANVI (laughing from the shore)
This isn't fishing—this is warfare!
SCENE 3 – LUNCH UNDER THE TREES
Later, they lounged on soft grass under the trees. A fire crackled nearby, and grilled fish sizzled on skewers. Devika had joined them, smiling from the shade with a book in hand.
KAAMAYA (resting her head on Aryan's shoulder)
You work so hard, Aryan. You deserve more days like this. Maybe with… fewer clothes and more privacy?
ARYAN (awkwardly)
The fish is excellent. Did you try the lemon?
MEENA (flicking water at him)
Stop dodging! We know you're not made of stone.
REVA
We've seen the way you look when you think we aren't watching.
ARYAN (mock-serious)
That wasn't desire. That was me calculating tax policies.
ALL THREE GIRLS (in unison)
Liar!
They collapsed into laughter. Even Aryan chuckled.
SCENE 4 – SUNSET BY THE WATERFALL
Evening came. A waterfall trickled in the distance. Aryan stood near the edge of the lake, hands behind his back. The air was golden.
Kaamaya approached, slipping an arm around his.
KAAMAYA (softly)
You're always planning for tomorrow, Aryan. Ever thought about today?
ARYAN (smiling slightly)
Every moment I protect today... it makes tomorrow worth fighting for.
She looked at him for a beat longer—then flicked his forehead.
KAAMAYA
That's unfair. You say stuff like that, and we fall harder.
From the trees, Reva and Meena peeked, whispering like co-conspirators.
MEENA (jealous)
We're going to need a new plan.
REVA
Next time, we bring wine.
📜 End of Chapter 55