Back at the palace, the Queen saw her wounded son holding the poor girl's hand.
She saw not rebellion.
But truth.
Arin spoke clearly before the royal court:
"A kingdom is not ruled by blood alone — but by heart."
Silence filled the hall.
Then, slowly, the Queen removed her royal necklace and placed it in Meera's hands.
"If you can make my son fight like this," she said softly, "you are strong enough to stand beside him."
And so, the prince married the poor girl by the river where they first met.
The people of Aurelia celebrated for days.
Because for the first time, their future king had chosen love over pride.
And the kingdom shone brighter than ever before.