Chapter 91: chapter 91

S A N M A Y IThe sounds of the palace were louder today, somehow. Perhaps it was the weight of responsibility that had settled more heavily on my shoulders in Ranajay's absence, or the growing awareness of the tension that had begun to creep through the halls once more. The steady rhythm of life had, for a time, returned to the kingdom after the tumultuous wars and the unrest that had followed. But even in this moment of relative peace, I could not ignore the subtle shifts in the air—the invisible current of unrest that was slowly stirring beneath the surface.Ranajay had left just this morning. He was heading to the borders to resolve a dispute with one of our neighboring kingdoms. It was necessary; the threat of conflict still loomed large in the south. The borders had never been entirely secure, and the last thing we needed now, after everything we had fought for, was another war. I understood his duty, of course. But it didn’t make his absence any easier to bear.The weight of the throne was far heavier than I had anticipated.---As the sun dipped lower in the sky, I sat at my desk in the palace chambers, my fingers hovering over a parchment filled with reports from the eastern provinces. There were too many problems to address all at once, too many demands from the people, from the nobles, and from those who had once been my enemies. My mind was a whirl of duties, but it kept circling back to one thing: Nandini.She had been a prisoner here for months now, stripped of any real power, confined within the palace’s walls. And yet, despite her lack of formal authority, she was not idle. I had known from the start that she would not go quietly, that her scheming mind would find a way to poison the air around us. What I hadn’t expected, however, was the subtlety with which she worked.She had begun planting seeds—quietly, discretely—whispers in the ears of some of the nobles, questioning my ability to rule in Ranajay's absence. "She lacks the experience," I had heard one noble murmur behind closed doors. "A woman alone on the throne? It is not the way of our kingdom." And though those voices were few, they had begun to grow, and with them, my sense of foreboding."She is not ready," another whispered, the words barely audible as they passed through the corridor. I had caught the tail end of that conversation, the one that had come from a trusted advisor.I had known the palace was full of hidden sympathizers—those who still longed for the old ways, for the days when men ruled and women were but pawns in their games. But to hear these words spoken openly, in such a way, sent a chill through me. It was not just the words that unsettled me. It was the realization that Nandini was playing this game with greater finesse than I had expected.---I could feel the tension tightening in the air as I made my way through the corridors. My every step seemed to echo with uncertainty, my every decision questioned, both by the nobles and by my own instincts. The servants, who had once greeted me with smiles, now cast furtive glances as I passed, their faces a mix of uncertainty and caution.Even the air in the council chambers felt different when I entered. The long table, once a place of eager debate, now felt heavy, as though the weight of doubt pressed upon it. The nobles who had once been so loyal to me now sat in stony silence, their eyes lingering too long on each other, avoiding my gaze."Your Majesty," Lord Vardhan said as I entered, his voice polite, but distant. "We have much to discuss today."I took my seat, noting the way the room seemed to shift when I did. It was as though every eye had turned inward, considering, judging. Even Vardhan, who had always been one of my most steadfast allies, seemed somehow more distant now."Yes, Lord Vardhan," I said, my voice steady, though I felt the tightness in my chest. "What news from the northern territories?""Trouble is brewing," he replied, his gaze flickering across the table. "There are rumors that the people are beginning to question your leadership, Your Majesty."I held his gaze, my expression unchanged. "What kind of rumors?"He hesitated, then spoke carefully. "It is said that, with Ranajay gone, the kingdom may be... vulnerable. There are some who believe that you are not suited to lead alone, that the court may need stronger guidance than what is offered at present."The words stung, though I had been expecting them. It was as if a cold hand had closed around my heart. The nobles had always been fickle, and when faced with uncertainty, they would seek a leader who appeared more certain, more powerful. It was not my gender they questioned—not entirely, at least. It was the perception of my inexperience."We are in a fragile time," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "But I assure you, Lord Vardhan, I am more than capable of leading this kingdom in Ranajay’s absence."He nodded slowly, though I could see the doubt in his eyes. It wasn’t just his words that troubled me. It was the way the others reacted—some with subtle, imperceptible shifts in their posture, others with barely concealed expressions of discontent.---Later that evening, I took a walk through the palace gardens, my mind racing with the discussions I had had earlier in the council. I could hear the faint rustle of leaves in the cool night breeze, but it did little to quiet the unease gnawing at me. The whispers, the doubts—they were growing louder. Nandini’s influence had begun to seep into the very walls of the palace, a creeping poison that threatened to undo everything we had built.I had once believed that the key to power was to win the loyalty of the people, to show them that I could be a fair and just ruler. But now, I realized that loyalty was not always enough. What I needed was to show them strength—strength not just of the sword, but of the will. I could not afford to show weakness now, not even for a moment.As I walked deeper into the garden, I saw a figure standing in the shadows near the fountain. It was Nandini. I hadn’t expected to see her so soon after the council session, but there she was, standing with a calm expression, her hands folded before her."I trust your day was productive, Your Majesty?" she said, her voice smooth as silk.I froze, my heart quickening. "What do you want, Nandini?""Nothing much," she said, stepping forward. "Merely to remind you that power is not so easily held. Especially when those around you are eager to see it fall."Her words struck like a dagger, and I could feel the weight of her gaze bearing down on me. She was a master of manipulation, of undermining everything that I had worked for. And now, as I stood before her, I realized just how much danger we were truly in."You’ve already lost everything," I said, my voice cold. "Your schemes, your lies—they have failed."She smiled, though it was a bitter, twisted thing. "Not yet. Not entirely."---The next few days passed in a haze of political maneuvering. Nandini’s whispers had begun to grow louder, her supporters more numerous. Even as I fought to maintain control of the kingdom, I could sense the growing unrest. The nobles had begun to divide into factions once more, some remaining loyal to Ranajay and me, while others had begun to shift their allegiance, uncertain of my ability to lead.The fragile peace we had fought so hard to create felt as though it was slipping through my fingers.I had thought that we had won—thought that the battle was over. But now, standing at the heart of a kingdom that seemed so uncertain, I realized that the true struggle was only just beginning.