Devasena stood in the shadow of the training grounds, watching Shivu with keen eyes as he continued his drills under the strict supervision of Kumar Varma. Despite his outward appearance as a simpleton, there was something about him that gnawed at her curiosity. He had been a guard under the command of Kumar Varma for several days now, and while others in the palace spoke of his progress, Devasena couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Shivu than met the eye.
As Kumar Varma continued to drill the recruits in swordsmanship, Devasena's sharp gaze stayed fixed on Shivu. He was holding his sword wrong, swinging it with an exaggerated clumsiness that made the other recruits chuckle, but Devasena couldn't help but notice the slight flicker of his eyes as he observed Kumar Varma's movements. There was a knowingness in them, as if he understood the art of combat more than he was letting on.
It wasn't until the log-splitting exercise that Devasena's suspicions grew further. Kumar Varma, ever the showman, had been demonstrating how to properly strike a log with a sword. He swung his sword in a dramatic arc, making it look effortless as he struck the log cleanly. Devasena stood off to the side, hidden behind a pillar, watching the training unfold. Shivu, standing further down the line, appeared to be oblivious to the lesson.
Kumar Varma, noticing that Shivu seemed distracted, barked, "Sivu! Pay attention, or you'll never learn the art of war!"
Shivu lazily glanced up, then nodded as though acknowledging the command. He shuffled forward, awkwardly taking his position beside Kumar Varma, who handed him the sword and instructed him to try his own strike.
"Go ahead, Sivu. Show me what you've learned," Kumar Varma said, his tone dismissive.
Shivu, with exaggerated care, raised the sword. He glanced momentarily at Devasena, who stood just out of view behind the pillar, and then he swung the blade in the most ungraceful arc. The sword struck the log with a dull thud, barely making a mark on the wood. The other recruits snickered, and even Kumar Varma rolled his eyes in frustration. "Pathetic! Is this the best you can do, Sivu?"
Shivu lowered the sword with a shrug. "I did my best, Master."
Devasena, watching with growing suspicion, didn't buy the act for a second. She had seen Shivu swing the sword before, and there was a certain hesitation in his movements now. He was deliberately playing the fool, but why? Was it a game? Or something more?
As Devasena pondered this, Kumar Varma, now feeling the pressure to correct Shivu, stepped forward and placed his hands on Shivu's wrists to guide him in the proper form. He demonstrated the proper technique again, slowly guiding Shivu's hands into position.
"Focus, Sivu," Kumar Varma muttered. "Follow through. It's not just about strength, it's about precision."
Shivu didn't resist, letting Kumar Varma guide his movements. Devasena watched closely, her eyes narrowing in thought. She could sense something was off, something unspoken between them. It wasn't until Shivu finally made his move that she got her answer.
Just as Kumar Varma was about to release Shivu's hands, Shivu, as if on instinct, twisted his wrist and, with a surprising burst of strength and precision, swung the sword down. The blade sliced through the log cleanly, severing it with a sharp crack.
The entire training ground went silent. Kumar Varma stepped back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What the…?"
Shivu, now standing still with the sword in hand, looked up at Devasena. He didn't smile. He didn't show any pride. His face was the same expressionless mask as always.
"Impossible," Kumar Varma muttered, his voice filled with awe. "That... that wasn't you before."
Devasena, her doubts growing clearer, watched as Shivu stood there, unflinching. She could see the deliberate control in his movements, the way his muscles had tensed and his stance had shifted, as if the act of swinging a sword was second nature to him. But what disturbed her most was how he had played the fool, all while knowing exactly what he was doing.
The others were oblivious to the change, laughing and clapping, assuming it had been a fluke or the work of Kumar Varma himself. But Devasena, with her sharp instincts, knew better.
"I know what you're doing," she said aloud, stepping forward into the open. "You're not as simple as you seem, Shivu."
Shivu remained silent, his eyes never leaving her gaze. He hadn't expected her to see through the facade, but there it was. A fleeting moment of tension passed between them before Shivu spoke.
"I don't know what you mean, Princess," he said in his usual soft tone, his expression blank.
Devasena's eyes narrowed. She wasn't convinced, not by a long shot. But she couldn't understand why he was hiding his true capabilities. And so, in a bid to test him further, she decided to push him.
"Alright, Shivu," she said, her voice calm but commanding. "If you're as simple as you claim, let's see how well you can handle something truly simple. Stand in front of the charging ox."
The challenge hung in the air, the tension palpable. The others around the training grounds looked up in surprise, whispering amongst themselves. Standing against a charging ox was no easy feat—most men would flinch or freeze. But Devasena was certain that Shivu, with his hidden strength, would not hesitate.
Shivu, however, did hesitate. He looked at the ox, its massive frame and large, flaring nostrils as it pawed at the ground. It was a terrifying sight, one that would make any ordinary person think twice. But Shivu's face remained passive, unreadable, as he took a slow step forward.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Princess?" Shivu asked quietly, still playing the simpleton. "I'm not very brave, you know."
Devasena's eyes burned with determination. "You'll face the ox like any other man. If you fail, you fail. But I'm certain you can handle it."
Devasena observed closely, her gaze never leaving Shivu. She had no idea what he was thinking, but she hoped to uncover something about him in this moment. Would he prove himself weak, as he had claimed, or would he finally reveal the strength he was hiding?
Shivu stood motionless, his expression passive. The ox, sensing its target, began to charge with a thunderous roar, its massive body hurtling toward him.
At the last moment, Shivu braced himself, but it was clear he wasn't making any attempt to defend himself. The ox collided with him with bone-shattering force.
Devasena's breath caught in her throat as Shivu was knocked off his feet, the impact sending him flying backward like a ragdoll. He crashed to the ground with a sickening thud, his body rolling to a halt. The crowd gasped in shock, and Devasena felt a pang of concern for him, despite the doubts that had been growing.
For a moment, the training ground was silent.
Shivu lay still, his body sprawled on the dirt, not moving. The ox, its purpose fulfilled, slowly backed away, snorting as it turned away from its fallen target. The recruits stared, wide-eyed, uncertain of what had just happened.
Devasena rushed forward, her heart pounding in her chest. She dropped to her knees beside Shivu, her hands hovering over him. She hadn't expected this. He had been knocked unconscious—or at least it appeared so.
"Shivu?" she called softly, her voice laced with concern.
The training ground was still in a state of stunned silence as Shivu lay motionless, his body battered by the force of the ox. Devasena knelt beside him, her mind racing. She had never intended for the test to result in such an outcome, but here they were, and the guilt gnawed at her. She had pushed him too far, too quickly, and now she had no idea what to do.
After what felt like an eternity, Shivu's eyes fluttered open. His face was pale, his brow beaded with sweat, but there was a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips.
"Shivu?" Devasena whispered, leaning in closer.
He groaned softly, trying to lift himself up. His movements were slow, deliberate, as if he were playing up his injuries. Devasena's heart sank further as she watched him feign pain.
"Shivu, are you alright?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Shivu's eyes met hers, and he gave a faint nod. "I-I'm just a bit... dizzy. The ox... it was too strong for me."
Devasena's guilt deepened, and her heart ached at the sight of him, so helpless. She had wanted to test him, but now that she saw him lying here in the dirt, she felt as though she had crossed a line.
"Please, don't do that again," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean for you to get hurt."
Shivu, still playing the part of the simpleton, turned his face toward her and gave a half-hearted smile. "No need to worry, princess. I'll be fine. Just... a little rest. That's all I need."
His performance was flawless—too flawless.
Devasena stood, her thoughts swirling. She didn't know why, but a strange feeling tugged at her, as if she couldn't trust her own instincts when it came to him. The doubts that had lingered for days only grew stronger now.
Shivu was helped back to his chamber lay back on the bed, his eyes closing as though he were preparing to sleep. Devasena hesitated before speaking.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" she asked, her tone uncertain.
Shivu's eyes peeked open again, and he looked at her with an innocent expression. "I want someone to sing me a lullaby, princess? I'm... I'm so tired, and I won't be able to sleep without it."
It was a strange request, one that seemed completely out of place. But the way Shivu asked it, so innocent and simple, tugged at her heartstrings. She had heard of lullabies being sung to soothe children, but she couldn't quite understand why he would ask her of all people.
then she heard the familiar voice of Kattappa, who had been standing nearby, join in.
"Who is going to sing lullabyfor you, Shivu?" Kattappa's voice was soft, almost wistful, as if he too were playing along with the simple tale. He began to ask women around Devsena to wether they will sing or not, but they say they don't. At the end he even ask Devsena to sing but quickly change as how can he ask such things from a princess.and devsena started to leave from chamber.
Kattappa began to sing himself along the line of 'where is mother who will sing lullaby for you? Where I'd father who will care for you? You are simple and unaware of a world, who is gonna love you?
Devasena's gaze shifted to Kattappa wile stopping t the door, who was gently singing those words, a knowing look in his eyes. It was as though he understood the situation all too well. She couldn't help but feel that something was off, something deeper than the simple act of singing a lullaby.
Shivu's expression remained calm, but his eyes seemed to glisten as he played along with the charade. "Mama..." he murmured, his voice low and soft. "I miss my mother. I just want to sleep, mama."
Without another word, she turned and walked away, her heart heavy with a mix of guilt and confusion.
---
That evening, Devasena found herself at the grand function celebrating the birth of a new moon. It was a ceremonial occasion, and the women of royal court had gathered for a night of festivities. The music played in the background, and the air was filled with the hum of chatter and laughter.
Devasena, however, was miles away in her thoughts as she prepared for her performance. She was expected to sing a lullaby for lord Krishna—an act of grace and tradition.
As she stood with the assembled guests, she began to sing the familiar lullaby for Krishna, her voice soft and soothing. But as she sang, something compelled her to slip in a few lines, words that she hadn't planned to include.
"Why did you have me make him stand before the ox?why was her mind was not clear? It was all her fault."
As she sang these words, a part of her mind questioned why she had been so suspicious of Shivu, why she had pushed him so far, why she couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something. Her voice wavered slightly as she continued the lullaby, and the lyrics reflected the unrest in her own mind.
Her eyes briefly flickered over to where Shivu's presence was felt—though he wasn't physically in the room, she felt his shadow lingering over her thoughts. She had never felt so uncertain, so tangled in her own emotions before.
Bahubali to was able to hear the song and those lines so he became happy and fallen asleep after that.
---
The next morning, as Virendra sat at breakfast, he listened absently to the chatter around him. It wasn't until the wife of Jayvarma leaned toward him with a knowing smile that his interest was piqued.
"You won't believe what I heard last night," she said, her voice dripping with intrigue.
Virendra raised an eyebrow, silently urging her to continue.
"It seems our dear Princess Devasena has taken quite an interest in that new recruit... what was his name? Ah, yes, Shivu."
Virendra's grip on his cup tightened ever so slightly. "Interest?" he asked casually.
"Yes," the noblewoman continued, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Not only was she seen testing him rather harshly, but later that night, during the Krishna lullaby, she slipped in some rather... peculiar lines. Almost as if she was singing about him."
Virendra's expression remained unreadable, but inside, his mind was already at work. Devasena was not someone who easily became fixated on a simple palace guard. If she had suspicions or curiosity about Shivu, then that meant there was more to him than met the eye.
He set his cup down and gave the noblewoman a thoughtful nod. "Interesting," he murmured.
His mind was made up. It was time to investigate Shivu.
I've incorporated Virendra learning about Devasena's interest in Shivu and deciding to investigate. Let me know if you need any refinements or additional interactions.