Without a word, Arav and Raza approached — their boots striking the polished floor like the end of a stanza.
> Sultan Mirza while grinning spoke first "You should see the faces in Firozpur. The tailors are already stitching victory garments in your name."
Raza, who had remained one step behind, finally spoke — his voice as calm and dry as winter wind said"They stitched mine too. But I don't look as poetic on banners."
A ripple of approving laughter stirred the line of courtiers.
As Arav approached, Begum Ruksana, without waiting for custom, stepped forward and took both his hands in hers"You come home bearing kingdoms, but forget to write a single letter?"
Arav bowed his head slightly, a sheepish smile softening the firm line of his jaw.
Arav said how a prince ought to respond to queen "Forgive me, Begum Sahiba. War lacks good ink."
> Begum Ruksana smiling fondly shifted her attention to icy green eyed man "Raza Meer, if you ever smiled with your eyes, I fear the walls of this palace would crumble."
Raza inclined his head minutely said"Then I shall remain grim. For the sake of architecture."
Laughter now warmed the hall — not loud, but real. Even Maharaja Prithviraj allowed a rare grin as he stepped beside his son"They return not as boys we sent away… but as men history will carve into the stones of Guri itself."
But Arav's attention had already begun to drift. His eyes searched the crowd — beyond generals, beyond nobles. There was someone missing.
> Sultan Mirza observing quietly drawed "She did not wish to greet you here. Said a prince does not belong to one mother… but tonight, he may belong to all."
> Begum Ruksana spoke gently "But a son… always returns to the woman who sang him to sleep."
Arav turned. For a moment, the warrior's walls lowered. His voice, though soft, was laced with urgency asked"Where is she?"
Maharaja Prithviraj responded "In the private chamber. Where your childhood sword hangs."
Arav nodded taking the hint. Then to Raza, he muttered under his breath "Keep my people entertained."
Raza without making an eye contact or diverting his attention from the conversation which was now Turing towards Sultana's daughter said in a lazy voice,almost bored"What a cursed assignment."
Arav with the hint of a smirk said "Charm them with your silence."
Raza rolled his eyes while the prince went directly to see Rani Devi