The morning sun spilled through the tall windows of the Pratap Singh mansion, its soft gold light glinting off the mirror before Kiara. She stood there, brushing her long hair absently, her eyes unfocused. Her reflection gazed back at her — calm on the surface, but the storm inside her was impossible to hide.
Her heart and mind were at war.
"Should I just… start over?" she whispered to her reflection. "Forget everything and give this… whatever this is, a chance?"
The mirror shimmered faintly — and suddenly, her reflection split into two versions of herself.
One — the Reeva Hunter Kiara — stood tall, fierce, and intense, draped in a warrior's attire, her eyes gleaming with purpose and fire.
The other — the College Belle Kiara — gentle, graceful, dressed in the soft colors of youth and innocence.
The Reeva Hunter's voice was sharp as a blade.
"Don't let your heart fool you, Kiara. He's a warlock. A creature of darkness. The very enemy your bloodline swore to destroy."
Kiara's lips parted slightly, trembling.
"But I never wanted this fight… I was never trained for it," she whispered.
The College Belle smiled softly, stepping forward.
"Exactly. Until a few days ago, you didn't even know what a Reeva Hunter was. So why burden yourself with a duty that was never yours to begin with?"
The Hunter scoffed.
"Because it is hers. It's in her blood! Yuvaan isn't a man, he's a weapon of darkness — he forcefully married her to seize the Stronghold. He's manipulating her heart."
The Belle's eyes softened, her tone full of quiet defiance.
"Then explain why he risked his life for her again and again. Why he stood before ten men without magic just to protect her. Has he ever hurt her? Ever treated her like a captive?"
The Hunter faltered, her expression tightening.
"He's still a devil."
"Then maybe," the Belle countered gently, "this devil needs love to see the light. Maybe her love can defeat his darkness."
Kiara's eyes welled up as she stared at both reflections — the warrior and the lover — until a loud snap of fingers startled her.
She blinked. The mirror returned to normal.
Standing right behind her was Yuvaan, his usual half-smirk soft today, his eyes searching her face.
"Where were you lost?" he asked lightly. "You looked like you were fighting an invisible war."
Kiara forced a small smile. "Just… thinking about something," she murmured.
He didn't press further. Instead, he raised his hand — holding a small ornate vermilion box. The crimson powder inside shimmered faintly under the light.
"Moti Baa gave me this," Yuvaan said, almost sheepishly. "Said it's… blessed or something. And she told me to, you know—" he gestured vaguely toward her hairline, "—do the honors."
For a heartbeat, neither moved.
Then Kiara gave a tiny nod, eyes softening.
Yuvaan stepped closer, his fingers trembling slightly as he dipped them into the vermillion. He brushed her forehead, then slowly traced the line of her parting. The red filled the space like fate sealing itself.
As he looked at her, a strange calm came over him — one he couldn't explain.
Why does this feel… right? he wondered.
Why does this feel sacred… when I was born of darkness?
For the first time, the Warlock King felt his heart skip — not from fear, but from something frighteningly close to love.
And Kiara, catching his gaze through the mirror, felt the same question echo within her —
Can love truly rewrite destiny?
The red glow of the vermilion still shimmered faintly in Kiara's hairline as she turned to Yuvaan with a faint, uncertain smile. Her heartbeat had barely settled when she said, "I'm going to college."
Yuvaan, leaning against the dressing table with that familiar mischievous grin, raised a brow.
"College? Hmm… how about we go together?"
Kiara blinked. "Together?" she repeated, surprised. "Wait—you're going to college?"
Yuvaan crossed his arms, pretending to be offended.
"Why, can't I?"
Kiara folded her hands, her tone playful yet edged with sarcasm.
"I mean… you're the great Warlock of your clan. What could you possibly want to learn in college?"
Yuvaan gave a casual shrug.
"Maybe I want to expand my horizons. You know—modern education, new experiences."
Kiara shot him a look.
"Please. The last time you attended college, it was just to woo me, not to learn."
He grinned, unbothered.
"And it worked, didn't it?"
She rolled her eyes. "So what's the sudden change of heart?"
Yuvaan smirked and straightened, walking closer with that dangerous charm only he could pull off.
"Because, Mrs. Yuvaan Pratap Singh," he said with mock seriousness, "though I'm Kaal's reincarnation, I'm still part human. And let's be honest—college is fun. All those girls, all that attention—"
He raised his eyebrows, doing a dramatic imitation of flipping imaginary hair.
Kiara froze for a second, then narrowed her eyes.
"All the girls, all the attention?" she repeated, her voice sugary but dangerous.
Yuvaan grinned wider. "Jealous?"
Kiara folded her arms and mimicked him perfectly.
"All the girls, all the attention…" she repeated mockingly. "Don't forget, you're married, Mr. Pratap Singh."
He chuckled softly, stepping closer until she had to look up.
"So, you do accept we're married now?"
Caught, Kiara looked away, her cheeks faintly red.
"Don't flatter yourself," she muttered, brushing past him.
He watched her leave with a teasing smile tugging at his lips.
"Admit it, sweetheart," he called after her. "You like me just a little!"
Kiara ignored him and hurried downstairs, her dupatta fluttering like a banner of denial.
---
In Bhoomi's room, Kiara bent to touch her feet. Bhoomi, still painting absentmindedly, looked up and beamed, her joy childlike yet oddly deep.
"Kiara! My pretty doll… you're going to college again?"
Kiara nodded softly. "Yes, Ma. Bless me."
Bhoomi smiled and pressed her trembling hands to Kiara's head. "Always stay happy, both of you."
Just then, Yuvaan appeared at the door. Bhoomi's eyes lit up even brighter. She stood, hugged both of them together, and whispered, "You both look like a dream. I'll come with you too!"
Kiara quickly glanced at Yuvaan, who smiled gently. "Ma, you need to rest. We'll go and come back soon, promise."
After much persuasion and Kiara's gentle words, Bhoomi finally agreed, sitting back with a childlike pout. "Okay… but come home before sunset."
As they stepped out, Yuvaan and Kiara exchanged an amused glance — one that somehow felt more normal than anything they had shared before.
Downstairs, Angad stood with his backpack slung lazily over his shoulder, munching on an apple.
"Oye, college couple! Drop me off too. My bike's punctured again."
Yuvaan smirked. "Sure, little brother. You're lucky you're cute."
Angad frowned. "I'm not cute, I'm hot."
Kiara laughed, and for a moment, the mansion felt… ordinary — like a family, not a battlefield of destiny.
But as they stepped out toward the car, a faint shadow slithered across the wall behind them — unseen, silent — as if darkness itself was watching the warlock king walk hand-in-hand with light.
---