Chapter 33: Hearts in bloom, Eyes on Trial
Chapter 33: Hearts in bloom, Eyes on Trial
General POV
The sun was just starting to dip, painting the sky in soft orange and pink, when Shon reached the banks of the Sarayu River. He looked around, a little unsure, rubbing the back of his neck. Then he saw her—Vaidehi, standing near the water, barefoot on the grass, her hair swaying in the breeze, a smile already forming when their eyes met. For a moment, Shon forgot she was a princess. She looked so happy and normal, like any girl waiting for a friend. "You really came," she said, her voice soft but cheerful. Shon smiled back, "You told me to, didn't you?" They both laughed quietly. And just like that, the awkwardness faded, and the space between royalty and commoner disappeared. That evening, by the river, their friendship truly began—simple, warm, and a little magical.
Ever since their first meeting near the sarayu river, Shon and Princess Vaidehi had begun meeting every evening by the banks of the Sarayu river. The sun would start to dip low, casting a golden hue on the rippling water, and Shon would finish his work at Mohan Das's shop, clean himself up, and walk toward the quiet riverbank where the princess often waited, sitting on the stone steps or picking flowers.
They played silly games at first—throwing pebbles to see who could make the most ripples, racing along the river's edge, weaving flower garlands. But gradually, it became more than just games. They laughed together, shared stories, argued playfully over who was better at skipping stones, and slowly discovered how easy it was to simply be themselves around each other.
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Vaidehi's POV
There was something peaceful about the time I spent with Shon. It was the kind of peace I never knew existed in the palace. There were no guards watching me, no royal duties, no rules about how to sit or speak or smile. Just the breeze, the river, and him.
He never treated me like a princess.
He treated me like... me.
And that was what I loved most.
Every time he smiled, something warm fluttered inside me. He wasn't afraid to tease me. He listened when I spoke. He even remembered the smallest details of things I said.
And when he looked at me—truly looked at me—it felt like I was seen, not just watched.
But I couldn't say these things. Not yet.
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Shon's POV
I had seen many beautiful things in my journey. The sunset from Sundargiri. The moonlight over Naimisharanya. The divine glow of Lord Hanuman.
But nothing quite matched the way Vaidehi looked when she laughed without restraint.
It wasn't about her royal clothes or ornaments. It was in her eyes. The way they sparkled when she found something funny. The way they narrowed when she teased me back.
She had a light in her that pulled me in—soft and warm and impossible to ignore.
But I reminded myself every day—she was a princess. And I was just a suta.
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Queen Veenaprabha's POV
I had noticed the change in my daughter long ago.
The faraway look in her eyes. The way she hummed to herself. The way she suddenly cared which flowers were arranged in her chamber. The way her smile seemed fuller, lighter.
I had my suspicions.
Then I saw it with my own eyes—her closeness with the merchant boy.
This Shon.
He was respectful, quiet, even helpful. But I knew the world. I had seen what charm and flattery could do.
I couldn't allow her to be hurt.
So I decided to test him.
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General POV
The queen summoned Mohan Das, under the guise of placing a special order for the royal family. She asked that Shon be the one to deliver it personally. The order was a large, delicate shipment of silk sarees that had to be taken to a temple outside the city.
Shon agreed without hesitation.
He was told the priests would be waiting.
But when he arrived, the gates were shut.
He waited. Then knocked.
Finally, an old man opened the gate and said, "These aren't the sarees we ordered. They are too many. We cannot pay for this."
Confused, Shon checked the list he was given. The old man showed a different list.
Shon didn't argue. He bowed and said, "Forgive me. Perhaps the mistake was mine."
He brought the entire load back to the palace, not keeping a single item or asking a single coin.
The queen watched it all from a distance.
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The second test came a few days later.
The queen disguised herself as a poor woman and approached Shon in the market. She pretended to be robbed and begged him for food.
Without hesitation, Shon gave her not just food but also a pair of simple sandals from the shop.
"You're barefoot," he said. "These are yours now."
"How will you explain the loss?" she asked.
He smiled. "I will work harder. Mohan Das won't mind."
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The third test was more direct.
The queen asked Shon to meet her in the palace gardens. She revealed her identity fully and said, "I know of your friendship with my daughter. Tell me truly, Shon. What are your intentions?"
Shon bowed.
"Rani Maa," he said, "I have nothing to offer your daughter. No palace. No kingdom. Not even a name worthy of hers. But I will never hurt her. I will never lie to her. I will never stand in her way. If she ever chooses another path, I will walk away with a smile."
The queen studied him for a long moment. Then she said softly, "You may not have a palace, but you have a soul I can trust."
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Vaidehi's POV
When my mother told me she had tested Shon, my heart stopped.
But then she added, "You were right to trust him."
And I felt like the river itself had whispered a blessing.
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Shon's POV
I didn't know what the future held.
But I knew this—I would protect her joy. With all that I was.
And every time we met by the Sarayu, I carried that silent vow in my heart.
Not as a prince.
But as her Shon.
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