19 â¨ðª The Twisted courtroom
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Ivaan, Varun and Nimit of Virata had entered the palace gates after 3 long days of journey to the Kingdom of Rana to negotiate the release of Prince Arjun and King Aditya captured during the battle. They had brought a small army of 200 men with them, hoping the king's words were of sincerity.
As they entered the gates of the palace, they were greeted by the elderly woman and the king. The woman who was introduced as the old nurse of the king, Sudha, who had raised him since he was a child. She was like a mother to him, as the queen was not there currently she was the one welcoming them.
They bowed their heads in respect as they met the woman and the king.
Sudha smiled warmly at the visitors and performed the aarti, a ritual of welcoming and blessing. She put tilak (vermilion), a mark of honor, on the foreheads of Ivaan and Varun, who were cousins and the son of the king and the queen of Virata. She also sprinkled some flower petals on them, as a sign of respect and affection.
"Welcome to Rana," she said, "I am Sudha, as the Queen is not here i am here to welcome you on her behalf, as she is not here because of some urgent matters. Please, follow me."
She led them to the palace, where they would be given rooms and refreshments. She also told them that the king would meet them in the court later, where they would discuss the details.
King Ameya watched them from a distance, his expression cold and stern. He was not happy to see the prince of Virata in his land.
He nodded to Sudha, as she greeted the visitors.
"Welcome to Rana," he said, his voice rigid and stern. "I am King Ameya, the ruler of Rana."
Ivaan and Varun thanked Sudha and followed the king, along with Nimit and their trusted advisors. They felt a sense of relief, as they saw that the king did not seem to fake his disappointment. They knew that he was not happy to see them, but they also knew that he was willing to listen, that could be a good start for them.
Ivaan, Varun, Nimit and few of The gaurds and advisors followed them to the palace. while the rest of the army were allowed to stay at a near by makeshift tents at a bridge distance between the palace and the tent was where they were to stay.
As they walked towards the Palace they spotted the balcony the Princesses of Rana, Anya, Indu and Katha, watched from the balcony with mixed feelings. They had been wearing their ghunghats, veils that covered their faces, and pretend to be happy and welcoming.They tried to fake a smile, but their eyes betrayed their emotions even from their veil.
Ivaan, looked up at the balcony and spotted Indu in her Red attire he was amazed by himself as he had recognised her even through her veil, the princess of Rana who had him mesmerized in first sight. Partly he was able to recognise her as she glaring at him with boiling anger. He smirked at her, making Indu look away.
Ivaan found Princess Anya, beside her in her blue attire he felt a sense of guilt come over as he saw her staring at guests with sadness and void in a eyes. She looked like a porcelain doll, beautiful but fragile, and nonchalant.
Ivaan looked beside at Varun,who also looking up at the balcony and saw Anya, the elder princess of Rana. He had the same sense of regret as they were the people responsible for the death of her bethroned. He smiled looking at Ivaan, trying to comfort him.
"Come on, Ivaan. It's not your fault. Prince Nayan was not supposed to die, it was an acciden.You did what you had to do. War has only one rule - that's to Win " Varun said in a low voice, patting Ivaan's shoulder.
Ivaan shook his head. They had succeeded in their mission, but at a terrible cost. They had unknowingly killed the love of Princess Anya's life, and an innocent man she was supposed to marry in a few days.
Varun sighed, feeling a pang of sympathy for the princess. He knew she was innocent, a victim of her brother's schemes. He wished there was a way to make things right, to ease her pain. But he also knew that they had no choice, that they had to act for the greater good.
"We can't change the past, Ivaan. We can only hope for a better future. Maybe, one day, she'll find peace. Maybe, one day, she'll forgive us. Maybe we might be for the hell you know" Varun said, trying to comfort.
Ivaan nodded He felt a little sense of guilt as he looked at Princess Anya, the lady he had unwittingly destroyed.
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Nimit, did not look up at the balcony. He did not care about the princesses of Rana, or any other woman. "Don't be distracted by those girls! Im sure they hate you very much Focus on the meet! We have to stop your evil step mother's plans, and get out of here alive! Probably"
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It was already night by the time the lavish banquet at their grand hall set for the guests of Rana had ended.
Anya was in her chambers after the initial meeting of the guests from far they were led to the banquet while the Princesses let for their chambers, she was glad for the same as this gave them time now that the meeting for the deal will be held tomorrow. She was trying to understand power dynamics and the psychology of her enemies. They had to be one step ahead of her opponents, meanwhile the Virata seemed to be devising cunning schemes and strategies of their own
One of her greatest challenges was to deal with Varun,he seemed to be too wise for anyone he had outwitted them once. Arjun and King Aditya Singh were nowhere to be at sight atleast none of the spies were able to find the whereabouts.
She was starting to doubt if they even brought them to the deal.
Ivaan was ruthless and ambitious she knew the victors always had demanded a huge ransom and tribute in exchange for the release of their captives. She was anxious.
Anya knew that they were not here for a peace offering to free Arjun and Aditya. They would only use them as leverage to extort more money and resources from them, or to force them to surrender their sovereignty and freedom.
"Anya! They found the them." Indu came running towards Anya finally got the news she was waiting to hear.
The plan was to strike when they least expected it.The spies had located the tent where they were stationed where Arjun and Aditya. She instructed them to wait for her signal, and to attack the gaurd monitoring them and free the captives, while Ivaan and his army were preparing to rest.
The roads and bridges leading to the capital had been sabotaged, and planted explosives and traps along the way. She also had some of her trusted soliders inflitrate Ivaan's army as servents and to spread rumors and dissent among them. She wanted to create chaos and confusion among Ivaan's ranks, and to weaken the possible attack on them once they got the news of sabotage.
It was midnight when the plan was to be executed the soldiers and spies of Rana , who were waiting near the prison, received King's signal Anya and Indu remained in the King's chambers.
They had confirmed Prince and his advisors had officially retired for the day.
The soldiers immediately launched their attack, catching the guards and the prisoners by surprise. They secretly fought their way through the army, and reached the tent where Arjun and Aditya were held they where tied and black bags over their face. They freed them, and quickly escaped with them.
Unfortunately one of the tents was set on fire while the fight continued which raised the alarm within Ivaan's army.
The soldiers of Rana continued their mission and then headed towards a secret rendezvous point, where they had arranged some horses and carts to take them to safety.
Back at the palace, Anya, Indu and King finally recieved the news of their release.
However before they could be happy over the fact, they heard a loud explosion outside the palace, followed by the distant sound of screams and shouts. They realised as they saw smoke and flames rising from the tents and the camp.
The Bridge was broken. As the army must have set the explosive unto motion with their warernute
This must have also alerted Ivaan and his advisors and the army within the palace
The gap between the army and Ivaan was working in advantage of them.
King Ameya was quick to get his own sword and large army to march and capture Ivaan and his men within the palace itself before they are reuinted with their army outside and the war to begins.
Indu and Anya were waiting in the king's chambers anxiously as there was no clashes or struggle of swords to be heard this far.
The time was passing yet no news of the capture of Ivaan and his people was reached.
Indu lost her patience and decided to follow behind her father to the courtroom but was stopped by Anya.
"What is it Anya, we finally freed them what can they do to us this is our kingdom they are not going to win even if they fight with the 200 armies they brought.
You did it! You saved Arjun
I don't understand why has no gaurd reached to us with the news, I need to go! I have to see the face of that Ivaan defeated and captured by our soldiers" Indu said, hugging Anya tightly. She was overjoyed by the news that her brother Arjun, the crown prince of Rana, had been rescued from the clutches of Ivaan, "You did it! You saved Arjun and King Aditya Singh!" Indu exclaimed, She was grateful to Anya for leading the covert mission to free Arjun, who had been captured by Ivaan Anya tried to hide her anxiety. She was happy that Arjun was safe, But looking out the King's chamber nothing out of normal was to be seen which confirms Ivaan and his men must have surrendered to her father without a fight. which somehow felt more suspicious.
"I don't know Indu! This seems way to easy I-I dont feel good about this." Anya said holding Indu's hand.
"You- you remember the promise you gave me right! I don't know something doesn't feel right, take Katha with you right now! You-you have to get out of here." Anya says their is a weird calm in Ivaan's army this is not the reaction of a Tyrant who just has be betrayed and outwitted.
"Anya..... You want to to leave right now? But that Ivaan..... also in the night and what about you.... If it's dangerous for me and Katha, it is also for you and I can't leave you here." Indu says sternly.
"Indu you promised me, and we don't have time I will be fine, I just want you and Katha to be safe. You have to take care of Katha. Leave now, the men will be ready at the secret door with the carriage Indu, leave now don't worry about me! I will be careful. Father must have already captured Ivaan and his men." Anya says walking and pulling Indu with her who follows.
"I hate that you are elder and get to boss me like this, Anya why am I running I don't understand." Indu says while they both reach Katha's room who was asleep currently.
"Indu, I'm just being cautious, we can't all be here so near to the enemy." Anya says.
They wake Katha up explaining her the same.
They had to hurry. The palace was no longer safe for them according to Anya. After packing their bags with the essentials, and getting some of their loyal servant and friend.
Indu and Katha followed the gaurds quietly.Anya hoped no one would notice them leaving in the dead of night.
Anya released a sigh of relief as she saw Katha and Indu's carriage moving away from the palace. To her surprise a guard reached to her "Princess Anya you have been summoned to the court."
Anya felt a surge of fear as she heard the guard's voice. Q She wondered who had summoned her to the court and what they wanted from her. She prayed that Indu and Katha were safe and that they would meet again. She followed the guard with a calm face, but a trembling heart.
That shocked her, this was not at all excepted her father would not summon his daughters at any cost to the court with the enemies present.
"Why did my father summon me what happened was Ivaan and his advisors captured and prisoned?" She asked still not convinced.
"No my Princess, The King is helpless and shocked himself, they still have Prince Arjun and King Aditya Singh in the courtroom held a sword towards their neck."
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Cliffhanger!!!
What went wrong?
What do you think?
How they are still here?
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Remysolmoon
ð¥¹ð Latest 2 chapters are achieving no votes comment or views even.
Maybe I am fast posting and reader are yet to catch up the previous.
I will slow down the update.
A friend of mine suggested to have smaller updates.
So may be I can try slow posting.ð
Or fast posting small chapters.ð©·
Let me know your thoughts?
Hope you vote and comment if like the story.
Word dictionary
Aarti - The lamp in a is waved in front of the guest or the deity in five clockwise circles, while the vermilion is applied on their forehead.
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