Ansh turned his head to look at the palace sprawling beyond the courtyard — majestic and intimidating, filled with power and memories. His hands trembled a little.
he whispered to himself.
Just then, Dhuni’s voice floated down the stairs:
Ansh shook his head softly, heart still thudding from the sight of the gatekeeper and the haunting beauty of the palace.
Dhuni’s voice came back respectfully:
Ansh stepped forward slowly, boots clicking softly on the cool, dark marble.
The grand hall
The walls were lined with ancient tapestries
Beside him, Bhuni
“No no no, the armor needs shining!”
“Oh stars above, who left this rug crooked!?”
Bhuni even tried to pluck a dying vine off one of the great columns but only succeeded in tangling himself up, grumbling in Goblin-Tongue.
Ansh watched it all, half amused, half overwhelmed.
The goblin’s frantic scurrying kept pulling Ansh’s attention — whenever he tried to focus on some strange shadow at the end of the hall, Bhuni would suddenly squeak about a misplaced curtain and dash in front of him.
Because of that, Ansh didn’t fully noticesmall oddities
The paintingsshift
One of the knight statues’ helmets turned slightly
A chill
An old chandelier dripped black wax
But Bhuni — in his frantic desire to impress the new master
Ansh smiled faintly, heart warmed by Bhuni’s obvious loyalty, but a small part of him, deep inside, couldn’t shake the feeling that the palace itself was holding its breath
The hallways seemed endless. Every few steps, grand staircases coiled upward into the shadows, and doorways gaped open like the mouths of sleeping beasts.
Bhuni kept fussing, trying to make everything perfect:
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“Sir, please don’t mind the peeling paint! We’ll have it fixed by moonrise—!”
“Ah, the chandeliers—! Dhuni should’ve polished them, curse his lazy tail!”
Ansh almost laughed.
Despite the dark majesty of the palace, Bhuni’s chaotic energy made it feel—almost—like a real home.
The sound of footstepsBhumi
She moved with a quiet power
Her gown was simple yet elegant, deep emerald with golden thread along the edges, and Atop her head, nestled between strands of her thick dark hair, was a small but elegant flower crown
woven with emerald-green stonesdelicate silver vines
a simple yet regal halo of living beauty.
Her gown, though flowing and majestic, was cleverly parted at the waist
revealing the smooth curve of her waistline
Between the soft folds of fabric, her navel gleamedtiny blue diamond
A beautiful hair tietiny sculpted vase
from which tiny pink and blue flowers
Pinned delicately to the hair tie was a matching green scarf
the same shade as her gown, flowing long and loose down her back and trailing along her legs like a living ribbon.
The way she stood — proud, composed, yet trembling slightly with feeling —
she looked less like a woman, and more like a queen of a forgotten magical dynasty.
Beside her, trying to keep pace, Dhuniglass bottlesdelicate goblets
Bhumi's expression was tight, serious
Her jaw was set, as if she were holding back too much emotion.
The moment Bhunibowed deeply
Ansh immediately followed — a deep, respectful bow — and without hesitation, he reached out and touched her feetright hand
Bhumi didn’t hesitate.
She reached out, grabbing his broad, grown-up shoulder
Then she pulled him fiercely into her arms, hugging him hard against her chest.
It wasn't a delicate hug.
It was a fierce, almost desperate, crushing hug — the kind only family could give after being separated by years and pain.
Ansh staggered slightly but hugged her back just as tightly, feeling a lump rise in his throat again.
she said, her voice calm, but the weight of her words settled like a stone in Ansh’s chest.
He nodded awkwardly, unsure how to respond. After all these years, what did he even say to her?
Bhumi continued, her eyes scanning him with a subtle but unmistakable scrutiny
Ansh shifted uncomfortably.
Bhumi’s eyes softened, and she stepped closer.
She handed him a silver glass adorned with engravings of angels.
Bhumi said, gently placing her hand on Ansh's shoulder. Her eyes were filled with a deep understanding and affection.
she said, turning her gaze and hand towards the south and then murmuring something to herself.
she said, her face glowing with excitement about the anticipation of her brother's arrival.
As Ansh stood there, overwhelmed by the weight of his remorse, the atmosphere around him felt heavy, almost suffocating. He didn’t want to acknowledge the pain he had caused, but the reality loomed like a dark cloud. His heart ached as he thought about how his rash decisions had affected everyone he loved.
