Aryavardhan took a deep breath, his chest expanding as he prepared to speak a truth that would change the course of their lives. "Princess," he began, his voice grounding the room's tension, "until recently, Varunaprastha was viewed by the high councils of Aryavarta as a territory to be annexed. Our marriage was intended to bridge that divide, but I fear the public eye. They will not see a union of hearts; they will see a cold political contract—a surrender disguised as a wedding. I refuse to let our bond be tainted by the word ‘subjugation.’" King Vishwara leaned forward, his