"Father, I want to talk to you," Veera said coming into his father's resting place.

"What is it, Veera?" the king sat briskly.

"Please pardon me for asking this, I want to know who you are going to choose for your place?"

"Why? What's the need for that now?" the king asked.
"I want to know. I have been wondering about this for a long time but I have never asked you this before since we are getting married in two days. I want to know what you have decided for us," he said looking away, "And your health..."

"You are unnecessarily worrying," the king smiled. "Nothing will happen to me."

"Are you going to make Aathiyan the King?" he asked.

His father was silent, "Don't you want your brother to become the King?"

"So you have decided?"

"Yes," the king smiled.

Surprisingly Veera smiled, "That's a wonderful decision. No one is better than my brother," he said to the contrary for what king has thought he would respond.

"Son, come here," he requested. He sat near his father's legs. He never sits equally to his father as he had great respect for him and he always stayed below.

"You are no less than your brother. But he's elder than you and more deserving," he gave his honest answer.

"Veera, I know what you are doing these days and why you have done that. Don't repeat it again, your brother will find out anyway. If you have told me your wish I would have given the easiest way possible. You don't have to behind me, Veera," his father advised.

"I am sorry, Father," he said.

"No, you don't have to apologize," the king patted his hand.
"A man should have an aspiration to win what he desires but the path he chooses decides his value."

"I know you are a good man, and you are a good leader. I don't want you to choose the wrong way. I don't want you to fight with him for something that's never going to last forever," he mentioned the throne.

"Don't let your brother hate you. You both should always stand with each other. Will you do that?"

"Yes, father," he nodded.

"I made things difficult in the past week. I won't do that again," Veera gave an assuring smile and the king smiled wondering what he's going to do to end the family's peace. He knew about his sons. Both are poles apart; they are not bad but they won't stand in the absolute good.

He loves them equally but their ways to get what they desire are always complicating and sometimes stressful in the family. He doesn't what will happen if he dies, who will die in whose hands. He doesn't know their fate and he prays it shouldn't be tragic.

After talking to his father, Veera walked to meet his wife at that evening hour when no one has the eyes to notice them.

The sun is setting at the west end, Kayanangai watched that standing alone in the garden. She starts to miss her home already. Her father hasn't returned yet, she's worried.

And on the other hand, she doesn't want to get married now. She had heard so many bad opinions about Aathiyan from the maid which made her cry in fear.

He has no mercy for the people who does small mistakes, his way of punishing scared Kayanangai more than anything.

And also he has many mistresses and often visits the cathouses outside the town. Though he seemed genuine and nice to her that day, other's opinions about him misleading her. She's been here for just a week but these people are living for years and she doesn't know which one to believe. It greatly differs from what she saw and what others are saying.

But she knows he's not a soft spoken gentleman like her father or a caring, teasing, and a comforting man like her brother. He will be violent and cruel and she's afraid if he will show that to her in the future.

Kayanangai worriedly stared at the sky, her sister seemed happy. It's entirely a different scenario for her. She's happy and looking forward to her marriage but Kayanangai couldn't be like that.

She started doubting her sister when she saw her and Veera together in a compromising position on the other day when she went to talk to her about her worries about this marriage. Later, she returned to her place and wondered how could she do that before marriage.

Despite the wrong in it, Kayanangai guessed that they might have known each other already and she speculated how? There are times when Kayanangai was spending time in the temple or working in the house, Mathinila used to go out for long hours and return back with a smile and shyness. She didn't doubt her that time but now it's making her situation tricky.

All of these were the reason for her to not get married now. It's panicking her.

How can she say this to anyone, who will listen to her when there are just two days left for the marriage? Her future is bleak. She strongly believes that she can't be happy with him.

Aathiyan's captivating face came before her eyes, she huffed and sat down on the grass. It's been two days since she met him, she didn't leave this place unless she was called by her mother-in-law who often ask them to come over to dine with her. Aathiyan's sister is the only nicest person in the palace, she expounded about this palace life and about its history.

She's amazed and decided she is not the right person for this place or for Aathiyan. She never wanted a life like this.

The entire palace is lit up like a festival when she's so gloomy. Everyone around here says that Aathiyan is going to be the next king. She asked herself a question, whether she can be a wife to him who will have many women in the future.

What will happen to her? Her destiny? Her happiness? Her wishes? She asked and her eyes surged in tears.
That very moment, someone called her name and she instantly found that's her brother.

She quickly turned to see him.

"Thank god, you didn't cry," he said but once he came close to her she started crying.

"You are going to get married, stop being a child," he laughed sitting next to her.
"What took you and father so long to return?" she asked gulping her sobs.
"Is he fine?" she asked.

"He's fine but while going home, he became tired and had to rest for a day," he answered.

"He recovered and don't worry we are not going back," he said and that lit up a smile on Kayanangai's face.
"What?"

"We are going to be near you, in this town. Father has decided to put his shop here and the King has approved. I can see you whenever I want," Kumaran smiled joyfully. Though he's a year younger than Kayanangai he's like her elder brother. He's mature and supportive.

Kayanangai got a smile, the only thing that made her happy in that time.

"Have you went to see our sister?" she asked.
"No, we just now arrived and I came to see you first," he answered.
"Come, we should go and see her," he said and Kayanangai got up.

"Where's our father?" she asked while walking to Mathinila's place.

"He went to meet your father in law. You will see him in the dinner," Kumaran replied.
They saw her with Veera, they were laughing sitting on the chaise and holding hands. They were so close which made Kayanangai frown.
"We have to go," Kayanangai said and refused to walk any further.

"Wait, I should give him my greeting," Kumaran walked there but she stood outside not wanting to interrupt them.
Seeing him Veera let go of Mathinila's hand and got up.
"You came back, where's your father?" he asked.

"He went to meet the King," He answered.

Mathinila just smiled at him. She's so happy that she cared less about anyone around her. Her love blinded her eyes and Kayanangai noticed that standing from there. She couldn't understand anything that's happening around her and watching blankly like she's in a maze.

"How's your journey," Mathinila asked.
"Fine, we came back safely,"

"You must be tired, go and take a rest," Veera said and Kumaran nodded before walking to Kayanangai.

She saw them both from there and gave them a smile before walking with her brother.

"Aren't you hungry? Let's have dinner together," she suggested and he agreed.
Both the brother and sister had dinner in that empty dining hall. The meal was so delicious but Kayanangai ate a little as she could eat more while her mind is occupied with so many thoughts.
They came out of the hall and stumbled on the porch to see the flower decorations all over the fort and lamps were glowing brightly everywhere.

"Look, your wedding is going to be like a festival," he said. "Our mother would have felt so happy if she was with us now."

Her eyes welled in tears, "Yes, if she was here everything will be different," Kayanangai longingly uttered thinking if her mother was alive she would have told her worries and she might have stayed a comfort but now she has no one even though she's going to live in a big family.

When she was in her thoughts, approaching footsteps got their attention. It's Aathiyan and Narenthiran on their way to have dinner.

Seeing them Kayanangai stepped aside, just like a lizard on the wall she slammed against the concrete side. She wants to be invisible but practically she can't do that.

Aathiyan smiled seeing Kumaran, "Kumara, when did you arrive?" he asked joyfully which made her surprised. Because he's happy to see him more than Veera.

"Evening, (Mama) Brother in law," Kumaran smiled brightly.

"How's your father? I heard he had a fever?"

"He's fine now, Mama. How are you?"
"I am good," Aathiyan smiled and looked at Kayanangai. She suddenly felt so interested in their conversation but she's too stubborn to turn her gaze from the floor.
"Come on, let's have dinner together," Narenthiran welcomed them.

"We just now had dinner," Kumaran smiled.

Kayanangai slowly raised her gaze to Aathiyan, but once she saw him staring at her, she again looked down. She doesn't want to mingle in their conversation and stayed doggedly silent.

She also noticed that her brother is so cheerful to talk with Aathiyan than with Veera.
"Come and meet me tomorrow," Aathiyan said to Kumaran. He agreed right away.

She looked at them and smiled at last. Narenthiran smiled back, but Aathiyan didn't mind her and walked his way.

"Why you didn't talk with him?" her brother's question made her frown.

"What do you want me to talk about?"

"Don't be silent like this, people will think you are an arrogant lady,"

That worried her and she looked at her brother, "I don't want anyone to think bad about you. I know that you are a good and kindhearted soul but people here will take your silence in a different way. So don't be like this, sister," he advised.

Kayanangai smiled seeing how much her brother has grown up.

"All right," she nodded.

"You know; I think you are lucky to marry the future King. He's such a good man," Kumaran said.

"How do you know that?" she asked.

"That day when we left, there's no need for him to travel with us until the extremities of the town, he sent a few of his guards to help us and made sure our safe journey. Throughout our passage, he talked with me and our father about many things. He didn't act like he's a prince, he's humble. I think our father likes him more than his other son in law," Kumaran answered.
Kayanangai stood there, unable to believe what she has just heard. She looked at her brother and asked again, "Do you think he's a good man?"

"Certainly, I believe that," he assured. She badly wanted to trust that but still, her confusion stayed as such.

"Come on, I brought your belongings, you should check those," Kumaran walked and she followed him.