OPENING SCENE
[PALACE WAR ROOM – MORNING]
A map laid on an ancient table, marked with stones and miniature flags. Ministers argue softly. Aryan stands silently in a corner, unsure.
NARRATOR
In a world where he barely understood the rules, Aryan Mehta… was expected to rule.
Enter Bhairav Singh — tall, armored, eyes like steel.
BHAIRAV
The boy does not belong in the war room.
MINISTER
He is the prince.
BHAIRAV (coldly)
Then he should act like one.
Aryan clenches his fist. The camera lingers on his discomfort.
SCENE 2: TEST OF COURAGE
[EXT. PALACE COURTYARD – DAY]
Aryan watches Bhairav train young guards. Swordplay, formation drills, archery.
BHAIRAV
Strength comes from more than books.
Aryan steps forward, awkwardly picks up a wooden sword.
BHAIRAV (smirks)
Are you ready to bleed for Kaligarh, Rajkumar?
ARYAN (shaky)
I'm ready to try.
They spar. Bhairav is rough but never cruel. Aryan is knocked down—but gets up. Again. And again.
Bhairav's smile fades into respect.
SCENE 3: THE KING'S CONFESSION
[KING'S CHAMBER – EVENING]
King Samudrasen lies weak in bed. Aryan sits beside him.
KING SAMUDRASEN
This kingdom… was once filled with gold, poets, and honor. Now, it is held together with whispers.
He takes Aryan's hand.
KING SAMUDRASEN
You carry something strange in your eyes, Aryaveer. Knowledge beyond your years.
ARYAN
I don't know how to help. I'm not who you think I am.
KING SAMUDRASEN (smiling)
Maybe not. But fate doesn't care.
Soft music plays as Aryan lowers his head.
SCENE 4: DEVIKA'S STRATEGY
[ LIBRARY – NIGHT]
Rani Devika spreads scrolls and maps. Aryan watches.
ARYAN
They don't trust me.
RANI DEVIKA
They don't need to trust you. They need to see you act.
She hands him a scroll.
RANI DEVIKA
The bandits of Dharavgarh have cut off our grain roads. Find a solution. Do not ask permission.
SCENE 5: THE IDEA
[ARYAN'S STUDY – LATE NIGHT]
Aryan scribbles ideas. His modern brain kicks in:
Barter with smaller villages for alternate supply routes
Offer rewards for captured raiders
Use festival to smuggle grain carts past blockades
He grins. He's thinking like a gamer, like a tactician.
SCENE 6: ANNOUNCEMENT
[THRONE ROOM – DAY]
Aryan stands before the court. Ministers mutter.
ARYAN (clearly, confidently)
I've issued orders to reroute supplies through Chandipur. The festival will mask the grain wagons. Soldiers in disguise will guard them.
Gasps.
MINISTER
That is not protocol!
BHAIRAV (steps forward)
But it might work.
Silence. The king coughs, but smiles faintly.
RANI DEVIKA
Kaligarh may have found its prince after all.
FINAL MOMENT – THE HOOK
[DARK FOREST – NIGHT]
Riders from Raja Varundev's forces hide in the shadows.
SPY (to commander)
The boy is meddling. Should we intervene?
COMMANDER
No. Let him grow bold. Boldness makes for easy targets.
[TITLE CARD]
THE LAST PRINCE OF KALIGARH
Episode 3: "Prince Aryaveer"
[TEASER - NEXT EPISODE]
"Next time: A sacred relic, a cursed temple, and the test of the gods."