The sun had set over the grand palace of Mahair, leaving behind streaks of molten gold and rose across the marble walls. Lanterns were being lit one by one, their soft amber glow dancing on the carved pillars. The royal family sat together in the Royal Chamber, a vast hall lined with silk curtains and sandalwood furniture, the fragrance of jasmine filling the air.
Maharaj Ranbeer sat on a cushioned seat, his eyes calm and proud. Around him, the princes of Udaygarh sat quietly — Vivaan, Arish, Reyansh, and Vihaan. Laughter drifted in faintly from the inner courtyard, where the maids were lighting lamps and the soft tinkle of anklets echoed now and then.
In one corner, Princess Hinaal was sitting cross-legged beside Vihaan, watching him paint with great curiosity. The little prince's brush danced over the parchment as he painted a horse, his tongue slightly out in concentration. Hinaal giggled softly every time he smudged a color.
"Hinaal," Maharaj Ranbeer called gently.
"Yes, Father!" she said, and instantly stood up, running toward him — her silver anklets chiming like tiny bells on marble.
"Slow down, Princess," Ranbeer said, smiling, "you'll hurt yourself if you keep running like that."
Hinaal stopped a few steps away, puffing a little and grinning. "Yes, Father?"
Ranbeer chuckled at her innocent expression. "Princess, take all the princes outside and show them Mahair. Visit the bazaars, the gardens, our temples — let them see our land's beauty, hmm?"
"Okay, Father," she said happily, bowing a little. Then her gaze shifted — just for a moment — toward Prince Vivaan, who was sitting a little apart, calm and composed, listening silently.
Their eyes met.Something passed between them — that quiet, unspoken connection that even children cannot name.
Startled, Hinaal looked away quickly, pretending to fix her dupatta. "Come," she said, her voice a bit rushed, "I'll take you and show you how beautiful our kingdom is."
The five children stepped out of the palace gates. The evening breeze brushed against them, carrying the scent of roasted almonds and rose water from the market nearby. The streets of Mahair were alive — people laughing, shopkeepers calling out their wares, colorful canopies fluttering under oil lamps.
As they walked, Hinaal's eyes sparkled. She looked at Arish mischievously. "Oh, monkey! You didn't bring your sword?"
Reyansh burst into laughter. "She called you a monkey, Arish!"
Vivaan, walking a few steps ahead, tried to hide a smile. His face remained composed, but the corners of his lips trembled slightly. Even as he looked forward, his senses were tuned behind him — to her voice, her laughter, the delicate rhythm of her anklets.
That sound soothed something deep inside him. Every soft chime steadied his heart, spreading a strange calm through him.
Hinaal turned to Reyansh with mock sternness. "And you, second monkey — don't laugh!"
Arish laughed this time. "You're rude, Princess!"
"Yes," Hinaal said proudly, "I'm rude to strangers."
"But you're not rude to Bhai-sa," Arish teased back. "In front of him, you can't even raise your voice."
Hinaal's cheeks flushed slightly, and she crossed her arms. "He's a good boy — not like you two monkeys!"
Reyansh laughed loudly, while little Vihaan, walking beside Hinaal, looked up and said with sweet innocence,"Hinaal, you can take my hand. You won't feel fear."
His tiny hand stretched toward her.
Hinaal's heart softened instantly. She smiled, taking his hand gently. The warmth of his trust filled her eyes with affection — it felt like the bond of a brother and sister, simple and pure.
Arish and Reyansh looked at each other and laughed. "Oh look, what's happening now!"
Hinaal laughed too. "Alright, my friend," she said to Vihaan, "and yes, I was afraid — afraid these two monkeys might jump and snatch our things!"
"Don't call us monkeys!" Reyansh said, half laughing, half annoyed.
"Why not?" she said challengingly, tilting her chin up. "I will call you monkeys."
Arish smirked. "Okay then, if we're monkeys, your friend is one too. He's our brother!"
Reyansh joined in, "Yes, he's right!"
Hinaal stopped in her tracks and looked at Vihaan dramatically. "Oh Vihaan! Tell your Bhai-sa they're calling you a monkey!"
Arish and Reyansh's faces fell instantly. "You blackmailer!" Arish said, glaring.
Hinaal smiled triumphantly. "Take your words back, otherwise Vihaan will tell your Bhai-sa."
Vihaan puffed his chest proudly, enjoying the chaos for the first time. "Hinaal, you're my friend, so you're my Bhai-sa's friend too!"
Vivaan stopped walking for a moment. The faintest smile touched his lips — a smile that reached his eyes.
But before he could say anything, Hinaal spoke quickly, "No, I'm your friend! Your Bhai-sa can protect himself. I'll only play with you and talk with you — and protect you from these monkeys."
Her voice trembled slightly, but it wasn't fear — it was something else. Even Vivaan felt it. That invisible pull between them — the one neither could name — flickered quietly in both hearts.
They reached the bustling main market of Mahair. Rows of colorful stalls stretched across the street — selling toys, bangles, flowers, silk, and sweets. The smell of fresh jalebi mixed with incense smoke. The chatter of people filled the air, yet for Vivaan, everything blurred — his focus was only on the rhythm of her anklets and the glow of her laughter.
"This is our market," Hinaal said proudly. "The biggest in the capital! Come, I'll show you."
As they walked, a boy around ten came running toward them, panting. "Princess Hinaal! You came! Come — all your friends are here. Let's play!"
Hinaal looked toward Vivaan questioningly. Vivaan gave a soft nod — a silent permission.She smiled and said, "Come, I'll take you to my play place."
They followed her through a narrow path shaded by peepal trees, until they reached an open field. Children were playing with wooden balls and hoops, their laughter echoing under the evening sky.
Vivaan stopped a few steps away, leaning against a tree, quietly watching. His sword rested against his leg, his eyes scanning the surroundings with instinctive alertness — but his expression was soft, peaceful.
The others joined the game. For a while, the air was full of laughter and shouts. But soon, Hinaal was out of the game. She frowned, her lips forming a small pout. "You cheated!" she said, looking accusingly at Arish.
Arish raised his hands. "No, we didn't!"
Hinaal huffed, turned on her heel, and walked off, her anklets jingling sharply. She sat under a large banyan tree, crossing her arms.
Vivaan watched her from a distance, then quietly walked over and sat beside her on the grass. The sunlight was fading now, the world bathed in soft orange and gold.
"Are you not comfortable with me?" Vivaan asked gently, his tone calm.
Hinaal looked surprised. "No… it's not like that."
"Then why don't you talk to me?" he asked again, his eyes kind.
She hesitated. "You seem… mature. And I'm childish. You'll get bored with me. My talks aren't up to your standard."
Vivaan smiled softly, a warm smile that reached his heart. "It's not like that, Princess. Let's become friends. If you become friends with me, you'll see how good a friend I can be."
Hinaal's pout disappeared. Her eyes sparkled again. "Okay," she said cheerfully. "You'll be my friend from now on."
Vivaan looked at her — the sunset reflecting in his eyes, the golden light catching in her hair. In that moment, something changed between them — quiet, innocent, but powerful — a bond that would stay with them far beyond childhood.