29 â¨ðª The game of power was in full swing!
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Now enjoy the 3k + words feels like the biggest update. I wanted to give a big chunk after the break.
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Palace of Virata
Queen Madhavi's face twisted into a mask of fury, her clenched fist crashing down into the delicate foliage of the garden. The once meticulously tended plants, symbols of serene beauty, were now a chaotic jumble of broken stems and scattered petals. The onlookers, the planters who had so lovingly cared for the garden, stood by in silent trepidation. They knew better than to intervene; she was the queen, and her wrath was a force to be feared.
"That King Vyasa, the uncle of yours, is clearly useless," Ragini, the king's widowed sister, sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "It seems the victory of Nanda, led by Ivaan, has frightened him. He has backed out from our plan."
Madhavi's fury flared even hotter at the mention of cowardice. Her eyes, cold and calculating, narrowed as she processed Rangini's words. Without warning, she turned and, in the way, accidently thrust her hand into the thorns of a rosebush, her face went blank as she saw the blood trickled down her fingers. Ragini watched, a twisted sense of amusement and fear dancing in her eyes. Why does Madhavi never cry out loud, even in pain? she wondered, the queen's masochistic defiance both fascinating and terrifying.
As the blood dripped onto the soil, Madhavi's gaze sharpened, a sinister determination settling over her features. She would not be thwarted by cowardice, not from her allies, and certainly not from her enemies.
Turning to a servant, Ragini called her voice cold and commanding, she ordered, "Call the medic."
The servant, trembling, bowed and scurried away to fetch the healer. The air was thick with tension, the once serene garden now a battleground of shattered dreams and unspoken fears.
In the stillness that followed, Rangini's gaze never left Madhavi. She had always admired the queen's unyielding spirit, but now she wondered if it bordered on madness. The stakes were higher than ever, and the future of their kingdom hung in the balance. Could they trust Madhavi's ruthless ambition to lead them to victory?
As the medic arrived and began tending to Madhavi's wounds, the queen's mind was already plotting her next move. Plans needed to be revised, alliances forged through fear and manipulation, and strategies recalibrated. She would not allow a momentary setback to deter her. The victory of Nanda and the cowardice of Vyasa would be but a footnote in the dark legacy she intended to carve out.
The night deepened, and the garden, now a scene of destruction, stood as a silent witness to the queen's malevolent resolve. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but Queen Madhavi was ready. She had faced worse and had always emerged victorious. This would be no different.
She motioned to another servant, a cunning glint in her eye. "Prepare a message," she instructed, her voice low and dangerous. "We need to remind our allies and enemies alike of the consequences of betrayal."
As the servant hurried to obey, Madhavi's lips curled into a predatory smile. She relished the power she held, the fear she instilled. There would be no mercy, no compassion. Only the relentless pursuit of her ambitions.
"Queen Madhavi's anger isn't going to get us anywhere. We need to find a plan B, if you have any" Ragini said, her voice thick with sarcasm as she watched Madhavi burn King Vyasa's letter, leaving no trace behind.
The letter had announced Ivaan's victory and exposed the King of Nanda's desperate search for a groom for his child and the truth behind the child lineage.
"The girl is the adopted daughter of the King of Nanda," Ragini continued, her tone mocking. "Adopted by his kind wife, whom he cheated on with a much younger girl who's now pregnant. Heâs eager to find her a groom and send her away, so he doesn't have to give her any land. But publicly, it looks like the king is so kind, seeking the best for his adopted daughter by finding her a royal husband."
Ragini smirked, amused. "Good thing Zain was spared from this marriage. How dare they wish for a son of Virata? Only the best women for him," she said mockingly.
Madhavi shot her a withering glare.
âZain isnât marrying the princess to be her knight in shining Armor; he needs to secure their land rights through marriage,â Madhavi asserts.
"But now that Ivaan, your stepson, has dethroned the King of Nanda, what's your plan?" Ragini asked, her eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and dark amusement.
Madhavi's eyes narrowed, a sinister smile creeping across her lips. "Oh, dear Ragini," she began, her voice dripping with malice. "Ivaan may have won the battle, but the war is far from over. The adopted girl, alone and vulnerable, will be our pawn. Weâll spread rumors about her true parentage, sow discord within their ranks, and strike when the time is right but thatâs for the future, I want to know first what he decides with the land he just won"
Ragini chuckled darkly. "You always have a way with words, Madhavi. But what about Zain? How will you secure his future?"
Madhavi's smile widened. "Zain will do as heâs told. He'll marry any girl, not out of love or chivalry, but to secure our claim to their land. Once the marriage is sealed, it doesnât matter the girl is seen as a liability, a burden too great to bear. Zain will divorce her or leave her as many of his wives here whatever he wishes, and we'll take control of the land through legal means. It's a win-win situation. I need to find powerful nations for that soon as possible before Ivaan"
Ragini's laughter echoed through the garden, mingling with the scent of crushed roses. "You are truly diabolical, Madhavi. I almost feel sorry for them."
"Don't waste your pity on them," Madhavi replied coldly. "They would do the same to us if given the chance. We must stay one step ahead, always."
The two women stood in the darkened garden, their plans intertwining like the thorns of the roses at their feet. As the night deepened, their resolve hardened. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but they were ready. The game of power was afoot, and they intended to win.
"The way you ask for the plans to destroy Ivaan boosts my ego," Madhavi said, her voice dripping with contempt. "He doesn't even have his blood aunt, the king's sister, by his side. What can that boy possibly do against me?"
Ragini scoffed but couldn't deny the truth. Her resentment for Ivaan stemmed from his mother, whose death had transformed her brother into a cold, loveless man. He had become a hollow shell of his former self, only now showing some semblance of stability.
Ivaan reminded Ragini so much of his mother, and her brother saw it too. She didn't want him to experience the same heartbreak he had with the queen. If keeping Ivaan away from her brother meant resenting him, then so be it. She saw the defiance in his eyes. The same fury and calmness his mother possessed you never could predict them.
Ragini snapped back to the present, watching the queen scold the medic who was trying to help her. Madhavi's fury was as sharp as the thorns that had pricked her, and the poor medic was enduring the brunt of it.
Ragini interjected to shift the queen's focus. "Have you heard about the King of Rana? He is powerful and has many daughters. But the catch is, He trusts his daughters and doesn't force them into marriages. He even allows the princesses to reject political matches."
Madhavi's interest was piqued. "So, he won't send a proposal to us? We have to go there and assess the situation ourselves. What do you think? Will they reject a proposal from the Queen of Virata herself?"
Ragini laughed darkly. "I guess they will not. No one in their right mind will, unless they have already been promised elsewhere."
Madhavi's eyes gleamed with malevolence. "Then what are we waiting for, Ragini? We should reach their kingdom before anyone else, especially Ivaan. He might try to conquer Rana too."
The two women shared a wicked smile. Their plan was unfolding perfectly, and they relished the thought of the chaos they would unleash.
The next morning, they were in front of the king the last thing they wanted was to offend the king, Queen Madhavi knew well to play this game give the fake authority to the King Narasimha.
"Your Majesty," Madhavi began, her voice honeyed with false sincerity. "We come with a proposal that will benefit kingdom. I was thinking about A union per say between Rana and Virata that will strengthen our ties and ensure prosperity."
The king listened; his expression thoughtful. He was known for his wisdom. He would not make this decision lightly.
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Madhavi continued, her words carefully chosen to manipulate and entice. "I have heard only praises about Rana's daughters are renowned for their beauty, intellect and grace. And our son, Zain, might find a worthy match. Together, they can forge a powerful alliance."
The king hesitated, his eyes reflecting confusion where these came from, Madhavi sensed his hesitation and pressed on, her tone now laced with fake hesitation herself. "Surely, Your Majesty, you would not deny your son the opportunity to marry into a prestigious family, just because he is young that Ivaan, will you? After all, rejecting our proposal might lead to...unfortunate consequences on their image we canât differentiate between brothers can we."
Ragini smirked, adding, "And we wouldn't want any...unpleasantness to befall on your sons, would we?"
The king's face showed pain as he considered Madhavi's words. He knew he had always pampered his younger sons, who often felt like outsiders in their own home. Slowly, he nodded, conceding to her demands. "Very well, Queen Madhavi. I will consider your proposal, but I doubt the King of Rana will send any alliance. He is known for his deep love for his daughters."
Madhavi, with a falsely sweet smile, embraced the king, making a celebratory noise. "My King, you are such a wonderful father, always ensuring your sons are treated well! Let me now do my duty as their mother. I will personally travel to their kingdom and assess their daughters for our son."
The king laughed, agreeing, and called for soldiers to prepare for the journey. "Ragini, I insist you accompany the queen. I've heard the King of Rana has many daughters. Perhaps there might be a suitable match for our Ivaan as well."
Madhavi's smile wavered at this mention. The king still couldn't stop thinking about his firstborn. "My king, do you not trust me? I will look for the best girl for Ivaan, but I doubt any father would willingly marry his daughter to him, given his reputationâ¦â¦â¦â¦â¦. But as his mother, I will try my best, my love."
As they left the palace, Madhavi and Ragini exchanged triumphant glances. Their plan was moving forward perfectly, and soon, they would have Rana under their control.
"One step closer, Ragini," Madhavi whispered, her voice dripping with dark satisfaction. "One step closer to absolute power. When will king stop mopping for Ivaan, itâs almost like the king canât stop to think about him."
the halls, a chilling reminder of the lengths they were willing to go to achieve their goals. The game of power was in full swing, and they intended to win, no matter the cost.
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On the way Palace of Nanda
Ivaan tugged on the reins, slowing his horse to a trot. "Feels like someone's cursing me; my ears are itching so much," he grumbled, vigorously scratching at his ears.
Nimit, riding alongside him, chuckled. "Must be someone with a lot of ill wishes for you," he teased.
On the other side, Varun was deeply engrossed in a book, skillfully reading as the chariot rocked gently along the path, the chariot meant for the prince himself, but he always preferred the horse. Without looking up, Varun quipped, "It's probably Princess Indu. She could curse you for a lifetime."
Nimit laughed heartily. "Add her sister, Princess Anya and that brother of her, to that list as well," he added with a grin.
Ivaan smirked; his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Bold of you to assume these princesses even spare a thought for me. Though, I do suspect someone in Virata is thinking about me right now. The news of my victory in Nanda must have reached them by now, donât you think?"
Varun finally glanced up from his book, a knowing look in his eyes. "Oh, definitely. Your stepmother must be furious. She was plotting to get Zain married to the daughter of Nanda. I got word from our spy," he said, his tone dripping with intrigue.
Nimit furrowed his brow in confusion. "Wait, the King of Nanda has a daughter? I thought Nayan was his only child."
Varun sighed, closing his book and giving his full attention to the conversation. "Technically, yes. But the girl is his adopted daughter. Apparently, the King adopted her Itâs a complicated story, filled with deceit and hidden agendas," he explained, his voice tinged with mystery.
Ivaan explained, "To be exact She's adopted by the queen found her near a lake with no guardian and felt sorry for her. The king, eager to please his wife, brought her to the kingdom and gave her his name. It was a strategic move, benefiting him in two ways: it made his wife happy and earned him praise for his kindness.
Nimit whistled in amusement. "Sheâs lucky she became a princess overnight. Seems like the king wasn't that bad after all?"
Ivaan's tone darkened. "Thatâs why he did it, Nimit. It made him look good while serving his interests. But it's a nasty game the rumors are he never let the siblings meet. The sister was always sent away for her studies, and now, he's trying to marry her off at barely 18. It's almost like he wants her out of the picture now that his son is taking over."
Nimit nods understanding.
Ivaan's expression darkened, his voice carrying a hint of grim humor. "I wouldn't be surprised if my dear stepmother is cursing me right now. The thought of her precious Zain losing out must be driving her mad," he said, a smirk playing on his lips.
Nimit grinned. "She must be pulling her hair out. I can almost hear her screeching from here," he joked, making Varun chuckle.
Varun added with a chuckle, "Knowing her, she's probably plotting her next move already. She never takes defeat lightly."
Ivaan's eyes glinted with mischief. "Well, let her plot. The more she schemes, the more she'll reveal her hand. And we'll be ready," he said, his voice full of resolve.
The trio shared a moment of silent understanding.
"By the way," Nimit continued, turning to Ivaan, "what do you think about this adopted daughter of Nanda? Any information on her? Where is she"
Ivaan shook his head. "Not much, except that sheâs been kept out of the political spotlight. Probably to protect her," he speculated.
Varun interjected, "Or to use her as a secret weapon. There's more to this than meets the eye. We need to be cautious," he warned, his tone serious.
Ivaan nodded; his expression thoughtful. "Agreed. Let's focus on our next steps. We need to anticipate their moves and stay one step ahead," he said, determination in his voice.
As they rode on, the sun began to set, casting long shadows on the road. The air was thick with tension and the promise of impending conflict. They knew the game of power was in full swing, and they were ready to face whatever came their way.
The landscape around them was a mixture of rolling hills and dense forests, the path winding through the kingdom's diverse terrain. Birds chirped in the distance, and the sound of hooves clopping against the dirt road echoed through the air.
Nimit sighed, suddenly remembering his hunger. "This journey is too long. We didnât even stay at Rana for a proper meal and sleep! By the time we reach Nanda, I'll be famished."
"Just about five more hours, Nimit," Ivaan said, nodding. "I need a bath and a soft mattress. I just want to roll on it and not wake up for two days."
Varun, closing his book with a snap, cautioned, "Are you two forgetting weâre still considered enemies in Nanda? The prince's life is on the line, and let's not forget the assassins your lovely mother sent. I suggest we postpone the sleep talk and focus on how weâre going to handle the power distribution of the new land."
Ivaan and Nimit yawned in sync, causing Varun to roll his eyes. "Isnât that what our head of advisors is for?" Ivaan winked at Varun, who sighed heavily.
"You two never share my responsibilities yet drag me to the battlefield. This is double the work," Varun complained, closing his book on the internal power structures of Nanda.
Ivaan laughed. "Iâll make sure you become my richest minister once I'm king, Varun!" He ducked as Varun threw his book at him, catching it with a grin.
"Hey, what about me?" Nimit asked, looking hopeful.
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