Virendra sat in his chambers, fingers idly tracing the rim of his goblet as he reflected on his recent discovery. Shivu—no, Bahubali—was hiding in his kingdom, under his sister's nose. It was a game of wits now, a delicate dance between maintaining the ruse and deciding how best to use this revelation. He needed more time to observe before acting. His instincts told him that Bahubali's presence here was not mere coincidence.
He was still considering his next move when a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. It was Kumar Varma, his cousin, looking unusually restless.
"Virendra," Kumar Varma began, stepping inside with a dramatic sigh. "There's something odd about that new recruit, Shivu."
Virendra arched an eyebrow, hiding his amusement. "Odd? In what way?"
"He's too strong," Kumar Varma said, lowering his voice. "At first, he seemed completely incompetent, but yesterday, when I was guiding his sword stroke, he split a log clean in half as if it were butter. Yet he keeps acting like a simpleton. I thought it was me at first, but the more I think about it…"
Virendra exhaled slowly. "And what do you plan to do about it?"
Kumar Varma hesitated. "I don't know. Devsena has taken an interest in him, but she doesn't fully trust him either. That's why she tested him with the charging ox. It should've been impossible for a man of his supposed abilities to survive that without injury. But… he did get hurt."
Virendra smirked. "Or he made it seem that way."
Kumar Varma frowned, realization dawning in his eyes. "You think he faked it?"
"I think he's playing a careful game," Virendra admitted. "The question is why."
Kumar Varma nodded. "Should we confront him?"
"No," Virendra said quickly. "If he is who I think he is, then we must be cautious. His identity might be more dangerous than you realize. For now, let him believe we are fooled. And watch him closely."
Later that evening, Virendra casually wandered through the training grounds, where the guards were finishing their drills. As expected, Shivu was there, stretching his arms, his expression vacant, his posture loose. A simpleton's act. Virendra studied him from a distance, noting the way his muscles tensed when others weren't watching, the sharpness of his gaze hidden beneath feigned dullness.
Devsena was there too, pretending to be uninterested, yet her eyes lingered on Shivu. She was suspicious, but unlike Virendra, she hadn't pieced it all together yet. That was good. It meant he still had time to decide his course of action.
That night, Virendra sat alone on the palace balcony, gazing out at the flickering torchlights of the city below. A dangerous game was unfolding, and for the first time in years, he felt the thrill of true challenge. If Bahubali was here, it meant Mahishmati had no idea where he was. It meant Sivagami was in the dark.
It meant Virendra had the advantage.
A slow smile formed on his lips. "Let's see how long you can keep up this charade, Bahubali."
---
As the sun cast its golden glow upon the palace of Kunthala, a convoy from Mahishmati arrived, carrying lavish gifts and an ornate sword. The envoys, draped in fine silks and bearing the insignia of the great Mahishmati empire, moved with an air of importance. They were led by a dignified emissary who carried a scroll bearing the royal seal of Rajmata Sivagami Devi.
When the message was presented in the grand hall of Kunthala's court, silence settled over the assembled nobles and ministers. The emissary unfurled the scroll and read aloud, his voice steady and authoritative:
"Rajmata Sivagami Devi, the sovereign regent of Mahishmati, extends her hand in alliance to the noble house of Kunthala. She deems your kingdom worthy and extends a proposal of marriage between her son and your esteemed princess, Devsena. To symbolize this union, she offers this sword—an emblem of strength and unity. Should Princess Devsena accept, let her take this sword as a sign of her agreement to stand beside great warriorand her son."
The words, though courteous, carried an unmistakable weight of expectation. Sivagami's confidence in her offer was evident. She did not explicitly demand an answer, yet the slightly haughty tone in the proposal suggested she believed refusal was unlikely. Mahishmati was mighty, its reach vast, and though Kunthala had risen in power, Sivagami's pride had not wavered. She believed her offer to be a gift beyond refusal.
As the emissary finished, the court turned to Devsena. She sat upright on her throne, her expression calm but her eyes sharp with restrained ire. She had expected many things, but not a proposal delivered in such a manner—as if she was being offered a grand opportunity rather than being asked for her own will in the matter.
She rose gracefully, her voice carrying the weight of her lineage and the fire of her spirit. "Mahishmati is indeed great, and Rajmata Sivagami Devi is a ruler of renown. However, a marriage proposal is not a command to be obeyed, but a matter of the heart and will. I will consider this as I see fit."
Her words were respectful but firm, a clear sign that she did not appreciate the presumptive nature of the offer. Her brothers, seated beside her, nodded in approval. Jayvarma, the elder, spoke in a measured tone. "Kunthala has long walked its own path. We will discuss this amongst ourselves before responding."
The emissary bowed, acknowledging the words, though he could not hide a flicker of surprise. Perhaps he had expected an immediate acceptance or at least an eager discussion. Instead, the royal family of Kunthala stood as one, unyielding in the face of Mahishmati's expectations.
Meanwhile, in a quieter corner of the palace, Virendra listened intently as the news spread. He had anticipated that a proposal might come, but from whom? That was the question that lingered in his mind. Was this meant for Bhallaladeva? Or Bahubali? His instincts told him that Sivagami would not knowingly send a proposal while Bahubali was in Kunthala in disguise. And yet, the timing was too coincidental.
'Could it be that she truly intends this for Bahubali?' Virendra mused. ' Is she alrady aware that Bahubali desires Devsena?'
Whatever the case, one thing was certain—Sivagami was moving her pieces on the board, and the next moves would determine the future of Kunthala and Mahishmati alike. Virendra would have to tread carefully, for he knew that behind the grandeur of gifts and royal proposals lay a deeper game of power and influence.
---
Kattappa entered the small quarters where Bahubali, still in his guise as Shivu, was resting. The old warrior's expression was a mix of amusement and concern, an unusual sight for the otherwise composed general of Mahishmati. Bahubali, sensing the peculiarity, straightened up, eager to hear what had brought such a reaction from his ever-loyal uncle.
"There is good news, my prince," Kattappa began, stepping forward and lowering his voice despite their solitude. "Sivagami Devi has sent a marriage proposal to Devsena."
Bahubali blinked in surprise, his heart leaping for a moment before Kattappa continued, "But the bad news is that neither Devsena nor her family seems willing to go along with it."
A chuckle rumbled in Bahubali's throat, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "That is not bad news at all, Mama. It only means that she refuses to marry Bahubali... but Shivu still has a chance."
Kattappa frowned, arms crossing over his broad chest. "You truly intend to win her over as Shivu? Do you not think this deception will cause trouble later?"
Bahubali leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "Kattappa, a woman like Devsena will not be won over by the power of Mahishmati or by a mere proposal from my mother. She is strong-willed, independent. If she is to be mine, it must be because she chooses me—not as Bahubali, the prince, but as the man she has come to know."
Kattappa sighed. "And what of Sivagami Devi? What If she is securing Devsena as Bhallaladeva's queen."
Bahubali replied, "No, He is sure it is for him as her mother will be aware of my heart so she sent this proposal."
Kattappa studied his prince carefully, recognizing the fire in his eyes. "And what is your next step, my prince?"
Bahubali grinned. "I will do what Shivu does best—remain by Devsena's side, earn her trust, and let her see the truth of my heart. Mahishmati's might may command nations, but love is a war won not by force, but by patience."
Kattappa could not help but smile at the determination of the man he had raised. "Then I will stand by you as always. But remember, my prince—time is not always our ally. Sivagami Devi will not wait forever."
Bahubali nodded, understanding the weight of those words. The game had begun, and the stakes were higher than ever. But for the first time in his life, he was prepared to fight not for a kingdom, not for a throne, but for a woman's heart. And he would do so as Shivu, the simple man, not the great warrior prince of Mahishmati.
---
Virendra stood in the dimly lit chamber, arms crossed, his sharp gaze locked onto the two men before him. Kattappa remained as still as a stone, but Shivu—no, Bahubali—held himself with a relaxed ease, a knowing smile playing on his lips. The charade was over.
"You knew?" Bahubali finally broke the silence, tilting his head slightly.
"I knew something was off from the start," Virendra said, his voice firm but measured. "You played the fool well, but no simpleton wields a blade like you do, nor does an abandoned man carry himself with such nobility."
Kattappa sighed. "I told you he would figure it out sooner or later."
Bahubali chuckled, his respect for Virendra growing. "Well, you got me. But I did not come with ill intentions, nor as a spy. I came here out of curiosity. Kunthala has become famous in the last few years. Its progress is spoken of in Mahishmati, and I wanted to see it for myself."
"And now that you've seen it?" Virendra asked, his voice laced with skepticism.
"Now," Bahubali's expression softened, "I have seen something far more important than just the kingdom's prosperity. I've seen a woman unlike any other." His voice carried a rare sincerity. "Devsena. I wish to win her heart."
Virendra studied him carefully. "And what of Mahishmati? What of your mother, Sivagami Devi? Did you think about how this would be perceived?"
Bahubali's eyes darkened for a brief moment. "I do not act against my mother's will lightly. But the heart does not ask for permission before choosing whom to love."
Virendra tapped his fingers against his arm, his mind working through the implications. If Bahubali's affections were sincere, it could complicate matters. And there was still the matter of the proposal sent from Sivagami. He was about to press further when a sharp knock at the door interrupted them.
A breathless messenger entered and bowed hastily. "My lord, urgent news! Pindari raiders have struck at the borders. A large force is pillaging the outer villages. The devastation is severe."
Virendra's expression hardened instantly. "How many?"
"Hundreds, perhaps more. They came suddenly, overwhelming the local guards."
Virendra turned back to Bahubali, his previous concerns momentarily pushed aside. "You wanted to see what Kunthala truly is? Then come. You'll see it at war."
Kattappa straightened, understanding the shift in priorities. Bahubali nodded without hesitation. "Then let us fight together."
Virendra wasted no time. "Ready the horses. We ride immediately."
As the chamber emptied and the sounds of preparation filled the palace, Virendra knew one thing for certain—this battle would decide more than just the fate of the outer villages. It would reveal who truly stood with Kunthala in its time of need.