Sorry. Been so long. I needed this break.

---***---

Devika caressed the flowers with her soft hands, slowly taking in the tenderness of the petals. It reminded her of the little garden in her childhood home, and the flower garlands she used to receive every morning as a gift from someone very dear to her.

"I see you have made all the arrangements for the prayer." Mayanshi approached her. "Beautiful flowers. It's third day in a row we are receiving these. Do they grow in our garden?"

"No, Maharani. These are from the neighbouring village." Devika informed, uncertain whether she should tell the queen who sent them.

"Who took all the pain to collect and transport them to us, at this hour?" Mayanshi wondered.

"Maharani. May I keep one of these? I like them."

"You like these? You can have them all." Mayanshi gave the bunch to her handmaiden.

"But the pooja--"

"I'm sure God would want someone as pure as my little Devika to have them." Mayanshi sat down next to her.

Devika blushed a deep shade of red. "Maharani, is it true that you are not traveling south? Are you going to stay because the king requested you to?"

Mayanshi's demeanor changed immediately. "He doesn't get to make my decisions for me. I am the one who would choose." Even as she spoke the words, she realized how untrue they felt. Did she really have a choice? Samarjit trapped her in her own game subtly, yet completely.

"I have a meeting with Sriman Ganesha. I should leave. You complete the prayer on my behalf." Mayanshi gave the sacred lamp to Devika. "And stay safe. You still don't look healthy. Get some rest. Don't go out alone." She walked away.

Devika looked distressed. She prayed sincerely for the Queen to reconcile with the King. 'Please God. Please end this quarrel between them. Don't let them drift apart any further.'

---***---

"Ah! There you are, child." Ganesha welcomed Mayanshi.

"Shubhodayam Sriman."

"What business brings you here?"

"Can't I just visit a friend casually?" She sat down.

"Not in this situation. And definitely not when the royal court has respectfully commanded you to stay back and not partake in the battle."

"How do you know this? We haven't announced this yet." She furrowed her eyebrows.

"I have eyes and ears everywhere which helps me obtain information regarding delicate subjects. For instance, only this week I tracked down the retired soldier who stood guard at the entrance of your father's tent the night he died."

"What! And you didn't inform me? Why?" She demanded, beads of perspiration forming on her forehead. She finally had a chance of knowing what exactly transpired that night.

"I thought you were busy."

"I am never too busy for this." Her voice shook. "You should have come to me at once!"

"Calm down, child!"

"The correct form of address is Maharani." She gripped the end of her saree very tightly to reduce the shivering. He offered her a glass of water, which she gulped down at once, spilling some on herself. "I am sorry. I just.."

"I understand. I thought they were all dead. But one of them is alive. He has been hiding. Changed his name as well. I made arrangements to bring him here safely." He explained.

"I will eternally be grateful to you. This is not exactly your duty. And yet you are helping me with the investigation. Thank you." She joined her palms.

"You don't have to thank me. I am always here to serve you." He stood up. "And if I am not overstepping my boundaries, I would recommend you be careful while meeting, er... God knows who, secretly." He bowed to her and walked away, leaving her utterly perplexed by his knowledge of the happenings at the palace and beyond.

---***---

Devika strolled in the garden when she heard a familiar voice. "Shubhodayam Devi. I hope I find you in good health." Venu approached her.

"Venu garu. Thank you so much for collecting special flowers for the Queen's pooja. I would have got them myself if I wasn't ill." She said formally.

"Oh! I didn't do this for her. It was  her handmaiden who tried to serve her dutifully despite being ill, that inspired me."

Devika raised her eyebrow. "Why, thank you for the compliment." She chuckled, amused by the praise being showered on her.

"I must leave now. I need to help our king select few gifts for the queen. He wants to make her feel special. It's a pity they don't get much time to spend alone."

That caught her attention. "Really? The king is making an effort to please her? That's great news." Devika giggled. She looked excited at the idea of helping the royal couple come closer.

"He wants to spend some time with her away from the confines of the palace, before leaving. But seeing our queen is unavailable and no one seems to know where she is, I think he may have to cancel this plan." He shrugged casually, without letting her suspect anything.

"Oh but I know where she is. She said she has gone to examine the crops in Nandapuram village. She will stay there till afternoon." Before she knew what she was doing, she blurted out the location.

"Excellent! He will be pleased to hear that." Venu smiled triumphantly.

---***---

"This is an excellent opportunity." Bhairava exclaimed.

"I don't see how staying home while everyone else defends my empire is an excellent opportunity." Mayanshi sighed.

"Think about it. Samarjit won't be here. And Vaishali is not as powerful as she used to be."

"So?"

"We take the capital city with the help of men who are loyal to me." He suggested.

"What! Our armies will be fighting to protect our lives. And this is what you want to do?" She glared at him. "I am the Queen of Virata. You can't suggest I act like an enemy for my personal gain." Her anger grew with every word she spoke.

"Maya, I am sure Father jests." Govardhana tried to make damage control.

"I am perfectly capable of communicating with my niece without your help." Bhairava silenced him. "Maya, listen. I know you love our subjects. But the goodness of your heart won't help them live a better life if you have to wait for Samarjit's approval for everything you do. You have the ability to change the fate of our people. But Vaishali and Samarjit will always be obstacles in our path."

"So, what do you want me to do? Hurt them? Murder them and become a dictator? I know they are no friends of mine. But harming them directly is something I will never think of."

"That's not what she thought when she sent those assassins to kill you."

"We don't know if it was her. Even if she was involved, I am sure my husband had nothing to do with it." She said angrily.

"So, that's what this is about? You are falling for his charms and neglecting our main goal." Bhairava slammed his fist on the table.

"I beg your pardon? Falling for his charms? Where is this even coming from? I married him only because it was absolutely necessary." She said defensively. "I haven't forgotten my goal. My loyalty always lies with Virata."

"If that is the case, then listen to what I have got to say. No harm in listening. Right?" He waited for her to speak. When she didn't say anything, he took it as a sign of approval and continued. "We wait till we win the battle, which we definitely will considering the size of our army, and then make the Srimukha armies to capture Samarjit while we take the capital city. He will be left with no choice but surrender because--"

Mayanshi raised her hand to silence him. "What part of 'I disapprove' escapes your understanding, uncle? Erase this thought from your mind completely. And that is an order." She spoke in an authoritative voice.

"As you wish. But remember. Samarjit is being nice to you because he needs you. He is as evil as his mother. Hope you realise this before he betrays you. I don't want to see my child heartbroken. My brother will never forgive me if I let this happen." Bhairava squeezed her hand.

"I must leave." She stood up and walked towards the door of the hut, only to be pulled back by Govardhana.

"Someone's watching us." He whispered.

"Who do you think it is? And how did they know we will be meeting near this farm?"

"I don't know how. We have been very careful in covering our tracks." Govardhana frowned.

"Uncle, we can't be seen together. I will have to leave through the backdoor, take the graveyard route and get out of this place. Stay here for some time before I approach the farm from the other end. That will divert their attention and you can leave." She instructed them.

---***---

"That was close." Govardhana sighed as they entered the palace in the evening.

"I still don't understand how they knew. I made sure no one was following me this time, after the previous incident with the king's old bodyguard."

"Maybe they didn't. I guess they started later." He offered.

"How did they know the exact location if they didn't follow me?" Mayanshi was puzzled.

"Someone must have told them." Govardhana spoke thoughtfully before taking her leave. She headed towards her residence.

"Devika." Mayanshi's voice startled the handmaiden, who was lost in thought, smiling to herself.

"Maharani? You returned so early? How was your day? I hope you liked the king's surprise visit."

"What surprise?"

"I understand you don't want to share the details." She giggled. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone that you spent the day in the farm with him."

"What are you talking about?" Mayanshi looked confused for a moment before it registered. "Devika! Did you, by any chance, tell anyone about my location?"

Devika immediately knew something went wrong. "Y-Yes Maharani."

"How could you be so stupid? You had one job. And you blew it." Mayanshi clenched her fists and drew in a deep breath. "It's my fault. I forgot to inform you that it wasn't a visit to the farm but a secret meeting with my uncle. Everything's under control now. But you have to be more vigilant. Do you understand?"

Devika looked miserable. She held Mayanshi's hand. "Maharani, please forgive me. I didn't know. He said the king wanted to surprise you. And I thought it was much need after what happened yesterday."

"He? Who's he?" Mayanshi asked sharply.

"Venu garu."

"Venu? Why did you even talk to him?"  Mayanshi's voice carried concern.

"I just thanked him for the flowers--"

"What flowers? You don't mean those flowers?" She held the girl by her shoulders. "Devika. Answer me truthfully. Why would you accept gifts from a stranger? What's going on? Is there something I am unaware of?"

"It's nothing, Maharani. He was just kind to me. He offered to help me few times in the past. He is a good man." Devika spoke amid tears.

"Do you... Do you like him?"

Devika lowered her head. Mayanshi's heart sank. Tears threatened to leak from her eyes. She failed to protect Devika. Someone had been using her as a pawn and she failed to notice it, despite claiming to love her like a little sister.

She stormed out to meet Samarjit, and entered his chambers unannounced.

"My love. I see you have taken the liberty of entering without permission. I'm not an expert. Yet I could be certain that women only act such in the presence of men they have deep romantic feelings for." Samarjit misjudged the look of anger on her face.

"Why?" She roared. "Why did you do this to me?"

Samarjit frowned. "Is this about me requesting you to stay back? I know you find it hard to part from me for so long. But we have to. Think about the bliss of our reunion in a few days. That should ease your pain." He held her hand.

To his surprise, she jerked it away. "You have no honour."

"Maharani, is everything alright? You look troubled." He finally realised it was something deeper.

"Maharaja, We both know that we are contenders for the same job. And we both made moves that would take us a step closer to the throne. I can understand your necessity of being ahead of me. I can sympathize with your intention of spying on me. But playing with the feelings of an innocent girl? This is a new low even for Vaishali's family." She said bitterly.

"Maharani. That kind of language is not needed. What have I done to warrant such behavior from you? Whose feelings are you accusing me of playing with?"

"How could you act so innocent? The next time you want to know details of my meetings, get on a horse and follow me yourself, you coward!" She yelled.

"As my wife you have a right to argue with me. But calling me a coward is unacceptable." Samarjit's voice was remarkably calm.

Mayanshi disregarded his comment. She continued. "Ever considered how my Devika would feel before making your adviser charm her? She believed his evil intentions to be genuine liking from his side. All this for what? Just to know where I've been to."

"What! Venu wouldn't... Maharani, I didn't know. I swear I didn't make him--"

"Enough! Stop it." She shut her eyes tightly to arrest the tears. "We both have been playing the game. But the difference is I never hurt an innocent person from your side, unlike you. I only targeted those who were involved in politics. My greatest regret is that I expected the same decency from you."

She walked away ignoring his explanations and apologies.

She locked herself in her chambers. She cursed the day he met her. 'He is as evil as his mother.' She thought to herself.

---***---

Hope you are all staying indoors. Stay safe.

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