Present Day

The café was alive with the gentle clatter of porcelain cups and the soft hum of conversation. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting golden hues over wooden tables and cushioned seats. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm cinnamon pastries filled the air as three young women sat in a cozy corner, their laughter mingling with the mellow acoustic tunes playing in the background.

Sameera leaned forward, her fingers wrapped around a cappuccino cup, eyes alight with excitement. “Finally, exams are over! Now I can dive back into my research on the King.” Her dark brownish-black hair, cascading in soft waves to her waist, gleamed in the afternoon glow. With a lean yet subtly curvy frame, fair complexion, and striking almond-shaped brown eyes, she possessed an air of quiet determination.

Devangi, sitting beside her, smirked. “Why are you so obsessed with this king?” she teased, stirring her iced latte. She was as radiant as Sameera but more voluptuous, with a round face and upturned dark brown eyes that sparkled with mischief. Her black, mid-length hair framed her features elegantly.

Before Sameera could reply, Trishna interjected with an amused chuckle. “Oh, don’t you know? This King was supposedly the most powerful ruler of his time. There’s barely any documented history on him, so naturally, our resident historian is obsessed.”

Trishna, the eldest and tallest of the trio, exuded confidence. Her wheatish complexion, oval face, and dark brown upturned eyes bore the sharp features characteristic of West Indian aristocracy. Thick, knee-length dark brown hair framed her regal posture.

Sameera’s enthusiasm was unwavering. “Exactly! And I don’t know why, but this King radiates all the ‘book boyfriend’ vibes.”

Devangi groaned, rolling her eyes. “You and your book boyfriends!”

Trishna smirked. “Yeah, yeah. What’s his name again?”

“Shivendra,” Sameera answered, her voice laced with reverence.

Devangi scoffed. “Bruh, what an old name.”

Sameera rolled her eyes. “Well, duh! He was a ruler in 370 BC. What did you expect—a trendy name?”

Trishna, still amused, leaned in. “So, are you heading to the library this evening?”

Before Sameera could answer, Devangi smirked. “Obviously, she is. She needs to uncover every secret about her king.”

Sameera shot her a playful glare. “He is not my king! I’m just interested in his history…”

Trishna grinned, cutting in. “You’re just interested in him?”

Sameera exhaled dramatically. “Because he’s the one…”

Devangi interrupted. “The one?”

Sameera sighed. “The one who brought recognition to this nation in his time. That’s all.” She took a sip of her coffee, letting her words settle.

The conversation continued, growing increasingly animated. Sameera explained how little was known about Shivendra, how the history books barely scratched the surface of his reign. The mystery surrounding him was what fascinated her the most. How could such a powerful king leave behind so little historical evidence? She theorized about missing records, forgotten documents, and the possibility of hidden archives.

After an hour of banter, the girls parted ways. Back at her apartment, Sameera immediately resumed her research. The blue glow of her laptop screen illuminated her face as she scoured the internet, hoping to find something—anything—new about King Shivendra. But no matter how deep she dug, she found nothing beyond what she already knew.

Frustrated, she shut the laptop and raked her fingers through her thick hair. “God! I need this research to get direct admission into the best arts college in the city. Their history program is the finest. If I don’t complete this in time, I’ll have to wait another year.”

She exhaled sharply, glancing at the clock. “Damn! It’s already five. The girls are going to kill me.”

She hurriedly changed from her oversized t-shirt and shorts into a pastel pink dress that accentuated her figure. Ensuring her apartment was securely locked, she rushed out.

Within ten minutes, she reached the library—an architectural marvel with towering stone pillars, intricate carvings, and archways that whispered of forgotten tales. Devangi and Trishna stood by the grand wooden doors, arms crossed.

“Bro, why did you take so long?” Devangi chided.

Sameera feigned innocence. “Come on, I’m not that late.”

Trishna smirked. “Oh sure, waiting for thirty minutes doesn’t count as late at all.”

Sameera grinned sheepishly. “I got caught up in research.”

Trishna arched a brow. “Of course, why would you waste time with us when you have King Shivendra?”

Sameera scrunched her nose. “For the last time, he is not my king.”

Devangi shrugged. “Whatever. Let’s start the tour. Are you leading or not?”

Sameera grinned. “Obviously. Nobody knows this place better than me.”

They stepped into the grand halls of the library, the scent of aged parchment and polished mahogany thick in the air. The architecture was breathtaking—an elegant blend of post-Vedic royal design, with intricately carved pillars depicting ancient scholars and celestial beings. The chandeliers, crafted from pure gold, cast a warm glow across the vast space.

Sameera led them through the aisles. “This library was built for Queen Samyukta of Suryapur. She adored reading, so her husband gifted her this place.”

Devangi raised a brow. “And who was she?”

Sameera’s voice took on a mysterious tone. “No one really knows. There’s no detailed record of her, except that she was the first queen to establish a queendom. The only tangible proof of her existence is this library.”

Trishna’s interest piqued. “So, she’s as enigmatic as your King Shivendra?”

Sameera nodded. “Exactly. I feel like their stories are intertwined in some way. But no one has uncovered the full truth.”

Their conversation carried them through the expansive hall until Sameera stopped at an ornate archway. “We’ll explore the first floor tomorrow. Tonight, we check out the Magical Garden. It’s best experienced before dark.”

The other two exchanged excited glances and nodded. Stepping outside, they made their way toward the legendary Library’s Magic Garden—a place whispered to be unlike anything else, where history felt alive and mysteries beckoned from the shadows.

The garden stretched out before them, bathed in twilight. Exotic flowers with luminescent petals glowed faintly in the dim light, and ivy-covered archways led to hidden alcoves. The rustling of leaves in the evening breeze carried an eerie yet enchanting melody. A marble fountain stood at the garden’s center, its waters shimmering with an almost otherworldly glow.

As they moved deeper into the twilight, something in the air shifted. The night ahead promised revelations, as if history itself was waiting to be unearthed.

*********

Time for character aesthetics:

Sameera

Trishna

Devangi

***********

P.s. I hope you guys liked the chapter as well as the aesthetics of the girls. Please tell me how was both of it. And I might post other aesthetics of Sameera as Samyukta. And I gave you a huge spoiler. So, my dear readers please vote and don't hesitate to comment.