Art

Kavya's children reflected her femininity and grace, and each inherited their mother's peaceful disposition.

Vikram, her son, was tall and stoic in a quiet way, just like his mother. He had her big oblique eyes and he looked at her, wondering, as if he knew more than he admitted.

Vikram was not one for unnecessary discourse, looking to look and acting only when needed, like his father King Ramesh. His black hair was always clipped to the side, and his tense jawline made him look older than his years.

Despite being in his early 20s, he already had a good reputation among the palace guards for his stamina and strategic response to anything.

Kavya's daughter Devika was an all-round beauty, as was her mother. She was all long, bushy black hair and thin facial features, except for that glimmer of childhood.

Her droopy eyes with full lashes felt as though they contained a depth of feeling. Devika was shy and feminine but had this fire inside that sometimes lit through when she was tested.

She had a short body as elegant as her mother, and was much in fashion in the royal palace. She wore sarees of vibrant colours, and had all the same subdued power as Kavya, but the light smile suggested that there was more of her than was at first sight to be found.

Vikram and Devika had spent time with their mother, chatting to her in the palace gardens, as she shared stories about the world with them, imparting wisdom in her quiet, soothing voice. They were Kavya's ego and every one of them was a picture of her loveliness and regal beauty.

One day, Arjun approached Vikram, who was seated quietly in a secluded corner of the palace gardens, engrossed in painting; the vibrant colors of the flowers came alive under Vikram's skilled brush, his concentration undisturbed until Arjun softly called his name, prompting Vikram to look up, surprised but calm. Arjun stepped closer, admiring the painting, and remarked,

"You've captured the garden perfectly. You've got a real gift," to which Vikram humbly shrugged and replied, "It's just something I do to find peace."

They were united silently as they remained in the silence of the garden, and what was evident was the unsentimental relationship between them there.

Arjun, intrigued by Vikram's talent, leaned in slightly and asked,

"Would you not like to paint a live person?"

His curiosity sparked by the idea of capturing the essence of someone in motion, he could almost see the creative possibilities dancing in Vikram's eyes. Vikram paused for a moment, considering the question, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"I've never really thought about it," he replied slowly, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

"But it could be an interesting challenge. Who do you have in mind?"

Arjun felt a rush of excitement at the prospect, and the suggestion hung in the air between them.

Arjun's grin widened as he added,

"No, not just any person—someone shrouded in mystery."

Vikram's brows furrowed in confusion, curiosity piquing his interest.

"Who do you have in mind?" he asked, his voice laced with intrigue.

With a playful glint in his eye, Arjun confidently replied, "Kavya."

The name hung in the air, heavy with implications, and Vikram's expression shifted to one of disbelief mixed with fascination.

"You mean our mother?" he stammered, trying to process the audacity of Arjun's suggestion.

The prospect of painting Kavya, a woman of grace and elegance, in such an intimate manner both thrilled and shocked Vikram, igniting a flurry of thoughts and emotions within him as he weighed the daring idea proposed by his bold brother.

"Yeah, think about it," Arjun urged, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Imagine capturing her essence, the beauty and mystery that surrounds her. It would be a masterpiece."

Vikram hesitated, grappling with the mix of admiration for his mother and the boldness of Arjun's idea.

But... it's Kavya," he said, still shocked. "She's our mom. How on earth could we ever do such a thing?"

Arjun shrugged, smirk flashing.

"There is no limit to art, Vikram. And it might show us a side of her that we've never seen before — that is alluring."

The air between them crackled with tension as Vikram contemplated the audacity of the suggestion, torn between his respect for Kavya and the allure of the creative challenge that Arjun was proposing.