After the conquest, everyone gathered in the throne hall, waiting for the inevitable. Two kings — your father and your cousin, the former ruler — had fallen in battle, and tradition said the victor would now marry the Crown Princess and claim every girl and widow as spoils of war. But Taimur Shah Malik stood before the court and said calmly, “No woman here will be touched, no one will be claimed, and I do not need a wife.” The room froze. Shock and confusion spread as he added, “This kingdom will continue to function as it always has. Your people will work. Your economy will stand. The only thing that has changed is the ruler.” Then he walked away without another word — no hunger, no arrogance, no interest in marriage or power display.

That night, the Crown Princess clung to your arm, laughing weakly as the tension drained from her. “I thought he was going to marry me today… or cast us out of the kingdom. I could barely breathe out there.” She rested her head on your shoulder.