A young girl sat silently before an ornate mirror, dressed in a breathtaking, jewel-studded lehenga that shimmered beneath the golden chandeliers. A strip of black silk was tied gently yet firmly over her eyes.
Around her, maids worked with careful precision—one arranging her long dark hair, another placing a delicate bindi upon her forehead, others adorning her with heavy necklaces and bangles that chimed softly with every movement.
Inside her heart, however, there was no celebration.
For nineteen years, she thought bitterly, I have lived in this palace as a prisoner. They call me the princess of this kingdom… yet I am nothing more than a shame hidden behind closed doors.
Blind since birth, she had been concealed from the world—treated not as royalty, but as a flaw.
And now, she reflected, when no other princess has been born in this kingdom… Father suddenly remembers he has a daughter.
Tonight, the Supreme Emperor—ruler of all kingdoms—would host a grand banquet to choose his future bride. And suddenly, she was worthy of being displayed.
A maid hurried into the chamber and bowed deeply.
“Your Highness, the King wishes to see you.”
Supported carefully, the princess was led toward the royal court.
The grand hall fell silent as she entered.
On the throne sat her father—King Dharma Aloukya.
His voice was cold.
“We have never taken pride in you as our daughter. Your weakness has long been our disappointment. But today… today we give you a chance.”
He paused.
“Win the Emperor. Prove that you are truly the daughter of King Dharma Aloukya. Give us a reason to feel pride.”
The princess stood still.
There are hundreds of kingdoms in this world, she thought quietly. Countless kings. Yet only one Emperor rules above them all…
Why would such a man choose someone like her?
Slowly, she lifted her face.
“Father,” she said calmly, “I have no desire to prove anything to you. Nor do I wish to become the bride of a cruel Emperor.”
A gasp echoed across the hall.
The King rose in fury.
“What is it that you want, then?”
A faint smile curved her lips.
“The same thing you once wished for me.”
For a brief, breathless moment, the court froze.
Then—
The sound of metal striking marble shattered the silence.
Moments later, the princess collapsed to the floor. Her jeweled attire spread across the white marble like the fragments of a broken dream.
The hall that once symbolized pride and power now stood witness to tragedy. The princess is dead. Slitting her throat with her own hands with a sword .
The King’s face hardened, though something unsettled flickered in his eyes.
“I always knew,” he muttered coldly, “she would bring us disgrace.”
The Prime Minister rushed forward urgently.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor’s carriage waits at our gates. If the princess does not appear, it will be seen as an insult. His wrath could destroy our kingdom.”
Silence filled the throne room.
Then the King’s expression changed.
“If the princess cannot go,” he said slowly, “then someone else will.”
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances.
“Find a girl. Bind her eyes. Send her in the princess’s place. No one has ever seen the real princess’s face. They only know she is blind.”
His gaze shifted to the Crown Prince.
“Prince Kridaksha. You will personally select the girl.”
The prince bowed.
“As you command, Father.”
Meanwhile… The Emperor
In another kingdom, within a grand chamber draped in white silk curtains, a quiet pool of water reflected the glow of floating lamps.
Behind the veils stood a tall figure—his presence alone commanding fear and reverence.
A maid knelt nearby, holding ceremonial robes.
His voice echoed—deep, calm, and chilling.
“Have all the princesses arrived?”
The maid swallowed nervously.
“Yes, Your Majesty… except…”
“Except?” His tone sharpened slightly.
“The Princess of Aloukya has not yet arrived.”
A pause.
“The blind princess?” he asked softly.
The water rippled.
“There must be a reason,” he murmured, almost thoughtfully.
His voice lowered further.
“Or perhaps… Aloukya needs to be reminded of its place.”
But beneath the cold authority in his tone… there was something unexpected.
Curiosity.
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