Chapter 75: chapter 75

S A N M A Y I The palace was quiet, though the air felt alive with murmurs of a kingdom on the brink of change. Amaravati’s walls had long stood as a symbol of oppression to those outside them, but today, they had begun to breathe a new story. It was a small victory—fragile and precarious—but it was mine, and it was a beginning.I stood at the balcony overlooking the palace courtyard, my fingers brushing against the cold stone railing as I watched the gathering crowd below. Nobles mingled with the common folk—an unusual sight. I had insisted on it. If Amaravati was to survive, it needed to be a kingdom for all, not just the privileged few who had grown fat and complacent under King Jayavikram’s rule.Today, I had announced the abolition of an ancient law that granted the nobility untouchable status in matters of justice. Henceforth, all would answer to the same courts. It was a simple reform, but one that rippled through the kingdom like a stone cast into still waters.The commoners below cheered, their voices rising like the first drops of rain on parched earth. The nobles in attendance, however, were less jubilant. I saw their tight jaws, their veiled whispers, and their attempts to mask contempt with forced smiles. It was a start, but I knew their loyalty was a prize yet to be won.“Your Highness.” The voice of my attendant, Jivika, broke my thoughts. “A message from the western provinces.”She held out a scroll, her hands trembling slightly. News from the provinces rarely came without the weight of urgency. I unrolled it and read the hastily scrawled words. The rebellion’s leader in the west, Devadatta, had pledged his allegiance to me, promising to work toward peace if the reforms continued.I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Devadatta was no ordinary rebel. His men were among the fiercest fighters, and his loyalty was a gift hard-won. I had met him weeks prior, in secret, to discuss the future of the kingdom. It had been a tense meeting, filled with suspicion and guarded words, but I had made my case: justice would not come through war, but through unity."Good news, I hope?" Jivika asked, her voice cautious.I nodded. “The west has pledged their support. Devadatta’s men will stand down.”Jivika’s face lit up with relief. “That’s a triumph, Your Highness.”“It’s a beginning,” I said, folding the scroll. “But we’re not done.”The sound of footsteps interrupted us, and I turned to see Ranajay approaching. He wore the faint lines of exhaustion, though his gaze brightened when it met mine.“I heard the news,” he said, his voice warm. “Devadatta is not an easy man to sway.”“Neither are the nobles,” I replied, glancing back at the courtyard. “They’re waiting for me to falter.”“They’ll have to keep waiting,” he said, stepping beside me. His hand brushed mine, a small gesture of solidarity that sent warmth coursing through me.Before I could respond, another figure entered the room—a guard, his face pale.“Your Highness,” he said, bowing low. “We’ve uncovered a plot. Nandini...she’s made her move.”My heart clenched, though I forced myself to stay composed. “What has she done?”“She’s hired assassins,” the guard said. “Their target is Bhadra, one of your most trusted allies. He’s to be killed tonight during his inspection of the northern barracks.”The room seemed to tilt, but I steadied myself. Bhadra was more than an ally; he was a friend, a man who had stood by me even when others doubted. To lose him now would be a blow not just to me, but to everything we were building.Ranajay’s expression darkened. “We can’t let this happen.”“We won’t,” I said, my voice firm. “I’ll go to the barracks myself.”Ranajay turned to me, his brows furrowing. “Sanmayi, that’s too dangerous. If Nandini knows about Bhadra, she might know about you. This could be a trap.”“Then it’s a trap I’ll have to spring,” I said. “If I don’t act, we lose more than Bhadra. We lose trust. We lose hope.”Ranajay hesitated, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “Then I’m coming with you.”“No,” I said, shaking my head. “You need to stay here. If something happens to me—”“Don’t finish that sentence,” he interrupted, his voice sharp. “We’re in this together, Sanmayi. I won’t let you face this alone.”His determination softened the edges of my resolve, but I didn’t waver. “Amaravati needs you, Ranajay. If this goes wrong, the kingdom can’t afford to lose its king and queen. Please. Trust me.”For a moment, he said nothing. Then, reluctantly, he nodded. “Be careful.”---The northern barracks were quiet when I arrived, the air thick with the scent of sweat and oil from the forges. Bhadra stood near the entrance, his back to me as he spoke with a group of soldiers. I approached him quickly, my heart pounding.“Bhadra,” I called softly.He turned, his face lighting up in surprise. “Your Highness. What are you doing here?”“There’s no time to explain,” I said. “Your life is in danger. Assassins are coming for you.”Bhadra’s expression darkened, but he didn’t hesitate. “Then we’ll be ready.”Together, we quickly briefed the soldiers, positioning them strategically around the barracks. I hid in the shadows near the entrance, my heart racing with every passing moment.It wasn’t long before the assassins arrived—three figures cloaked in darkness, their movements swift and silent. They slipped past the outer guards, but before they could reach Bhadra, we sprang the trap.The fight was brief but brutal. The assassins were skilled, their blades flashing in the dim light, but they were no match for Bhadra’s men. When it was over, two lay dead, and the third was captured, his mask torn away to reveal a face twisted with fear.“Who sent you?” I demanded, stepping forward.The man hesitated, his eyes darting around as if seeking an escape.“Answer her,” Bhadra growled, his sword pressing against the man’s throat.“Nandini,” the assassin finally spat. “It was Nandini.”The name hung in the air like a curse, and I felt a surge of anger so fierce it threatened to consume me.“Take him to the palace,” I said. “Let the court see the truth.”---When I returned to the palace that night, Ranajay was waiting for me, his relief evident as he pulled me into an embrace.“You did it,” he said. “You saved him.”“We did it,” I replied, my voice steady. “But this is just the beginning. Nandini won’t stop. Neither will I.”As I stood before the throne later that night, the captured assassin at my feet, I looked out at the gathered nobles and courtiers. For the first time, I saw something new in their eyes—not fear, but respect.Vindication.