Chapter 51: ✨🪭 43 . He took a life, not in self-defense or in battle, but in cold blood.

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The sound of Varun’s heavy boots echoed through the dimly lit hallway of the royal palace. The marble floors reflected the warm glow of the brass lamps lining the walls, but none of it seemed to touch Varun’s stormy mood

He pushed open the ornate sandalwood door of his assigned guest chamber, the door facing the force of his frustration.

Inside, lounging comfortably on an embroidered silk divan, sat Nimit, his best friend, looking as comfortable as a cat laying in sunlight.

“Varun,” Nimit greeted lazily, swinging a goblet of spiced wine in his hand. “You’re late. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to get snached away from us for the court of this kingdom so did they like you or...... But wait—” His sharp eyes flicked to Varun’s reddened cheek. “What happened to your face? Tell me now, and I’ll make sure he regrets it before the sun sets.”

Varun let out a long sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose

tossing his sword belt onto a nearby chair. “Nimit, what are you doing here? You were supposed to be with Queen Nalini and Nayan. We can’t risk them being alone, especially with Queen Madhavi scheming under the same roof. And how did you even reach here so quickly?”

Nimit raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the barrage of questions. “Two reasons, my friend. First, because you’re clearly useless without me. And second, because Queen Nalini herself send me she let me in on a little secret—the palace’s hidden tunnel. Did you know it connects directly to the neighboring kingdom? Quite the shortcut. But don’t distract me!” He stood, crossing the room in quick strides, eyes narrowing as he pointed at Varun’s cheek. “That. What’s that?"

. “You’re like a stray dog sometimes, Nimit. Once you latch on to something, you just won’t let go.”“Stop deflecting!” Nimit snapped, his tone flicker from funny to of concern and seriousness.

Varun rolled his eyes, rubbing his sore jaw flexing it a bit

. “Calm down, warrior. It’s not he—it’s she.”

“She?” Nimit’s expression froze mid-anger, and then a grin slowly crept across his face. “Don’t tell me... You got slapped by a princess.”

A towel flew through the air, smacking Nimit squarely in the face.

Varun blinked as be looked himself in the mirror after washing his face but his own thoughts betrayed him, pulling him back to the moment in court. The fiery princess—Princess Anya—her trembling hand raised, her lips pressing into a firm line as her palm almost collided with his face. He could still feel the heat of her touch.

Nimit, still chuckling, tossed the towel aside. “Admit it, Varun. This is hilarious. You, praised as the sharpest mind and most skilled warrior of Ivaan, taken down by a princess half your size. Tell me, did she at least break a nail?”

“It’s not funny!”

Varun snapped, pacing now, his frustration mounting. “Nothing here is ever funny. Not the politics, not the court, not even the princesses.” He sighed, finally stopping to lean against the window, his face dark with thought. “And to answer your question, it wasn’t Princess Anya.”

“Who did this? Tell me now, and I’ll make sure they regret it before the sun sets.”

Varun let out a long sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “You’re like a stray dog sometimes, Nimit. Once you latch on to something, you just won’t let go.”

“Stop deflecting!” Nimit snapped, his anger bubbling to the surface. He grabbed Varun by the shoulders, forcing him to meet his eyes. “I am not joking. Who. Did. This?”

“Queen Madhavi?” he repeated Varun's words, his voice barely above a whisper. His shock quickly gave way to anger. “That venomous wench dared to raise her hand against you? In court? In front of everyone?”

Varun shrugged, but the casualness of the gesture was betrayed by the tightness in his eyes. “In full court, Nimit. Right in the middle of an audience. It wasn’t just a slap—it was a spectacle.”

Nimit’s hand went instinctively to the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning white. “That vile woman! She’s been a thorn in our side for years, but this—this is an open act of aggression. I swear, Varun, I’ll—”

“Hold it,” Varun interrupted, stepping in front of him. “You’re not storming out of here with your sword drawn like a fool.”

Nimit’s eyes blazed with fury. “You expect me to stand here and do nothing? She humiliated you in front of the entire court! Not just me let alone Ivaan would agree.”

“And that’s exactly what I wanted,” Varun said, his voice calm but laced with an edge of determination.

“What?” Nimit blinked, his anger giving way to confusion. “What do you mean you wanted this?”

Varun’s lips curved into a small, wry smile, though his eyes remained sharp. “Think, Nimit. What happens when a queen—known far and wide for her gentle, motherly demeanor—loses her temper in public and strikes someone, especially someone like me?”

Nimit frowned, the gears in his mind beginning to turn. “It... tarnishes her image. Makes her look unstable and bit hysterical But—”

“Exactly,” Varun cut in. “Queen Madhavi has spent years building her reputation as the soft-spoken, benevolent ruler as always and today, her mask slipped. She showed her true face to everyone in that room, including the  King of Virata.”

The realization hit Nimit like a bolt of lightning. “You let her slap you... to expose her temper?”

Varun nodded, his expression serious. “The King of Virata doubts of considering a marriage alliance with her house would be heightened She’s here to propose a union between her son Zain and Princess. He’ll think twice before tying his family’s future to a queen who can’t control her emotions.”

Nimit stared at him, a mixture of admiration and exasperation flickering across his face. “You’re insane, you know that? Absolutely insane. Who in their right mind lets someone slap them just to make a point?”

“Someone who knows the game is bigger than his pride,” Varun replied, his voice quieter now.

The tension in the room shifted, giving way to an uneasy silence. Nimit sat back down on the divan, rubbing his temples. “You should have warned me before pulling a stunt like this. I almost went charging into the court like an idiot.”

Varun chuckled, though there was no real humor in it. “And that’s why I had to be the one getting hit.”

Nimit grumbled, but his lips twitched into a reluctant smile. “Still, I don’t like this. Letting her slap you—it’s too personal. She must be sooo happy.”

Varun’s gaze grew distant, his mind drifting back to the moment in court. The slap hadn’t just stung his cheek; it had cut deeper, wounding something he hadn’t fully acknowledged before. He could still see Queen Madhavi’s in his bad dreams she truly had tortured Nimit and Varun to far extremes only because of their connection to Ivaan.

“Maybe,” Varun murmured, almost to himself. “But sometimes, the risks are worth it.”

Nimit tilted his head, studying him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Before Varun could answer, the maid returned with another tray, this one bearing a steaming bowl of spiced lentil soup and fresh naan. She bowed again, her voice soft.

Princess Anya and Queen Shalini have asked me to look after you. They’re deeply sorry for the abrupt end to lunch and would like to know if you’d prefer the meal to be served here in your chambers.”Varun’s expression softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Ah, look at that, Nimit. Someone actually cares about me.” He dramatically sprawled onto the divan, holding his mouth open like a child. “Feed me, Nimit. I’ve been mortally wounded.”Nimit groaned, snatching a piece of fruit and shoving it into Varun’s mouth. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”Varun chewed thoughtfully, staring at the ornate ceiling. "Yes I do!"

Nimit began. “Well, well. Looks like someone’s caught the princess’s eye.”

“Don’t start,” Varun warned, though the faintest hint of a blush crept up his neck.

“Oh, I’m starting,” Nimit teased.  But let that go soon enough. They both enjoyed the lunch served to them.

The warm afternoon sunlight of the day pressed against Varun’s face as he stood in the chamber. The dim light of the oil lamps cast flickering shadows on the walls, their movements almost as a painting. Nimit’s words hung in the air like a , confusing him.

“Wait,” Varun said sharply, his voice cutting through the uneasy silence. His eyes bore into Nimit’s, searching for any trace of doubt or deception. “Queen Nalini sent you here? What’s happened, Nimit? Tell me everything.”

Nimit’s usual air of levity had vanished, replaced by a gravity that made Varun uneasy. He glanced toward the door, as if ensuring no one would overhear what he was about to say.

“It’s Prince Nayan,” Nimit said at last, his voice barely above a whisper. “His condition has worsened.”

Varun straightened, putting a arm behind his neck stretching he was feeling the fatigue in his bones. “Worsened? That’s odd. He was recovering. I was told he was improving—”

“He was,” Nimit interrupted, his tone laced with urgency. “At a rate that defied logic. The court medics said it was nothing short of a miracle. But now... something has changed. A few days ago, his health took a sudden turn. He’s weaker than ever, and no one can explain why.”

The words landed like a blow, leaving Varun momentarily stunned. He could almost see Nayan in his mind the last time he had seen him before departure.

Nimit leaned in, his expression darkening. “ And if you thing that’s bad , you need to know about Queen Nalini…..she has grown... unhinged. She’s become paranoid, refusing to let anyone near Nayan except for a handful of her most trusted attendants. Even the royal physicians are being watched. She fears betrayal and wishes to speak to you that’s one of the reason im here.”

Varun clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. “And what do you thing about it Nimit Im sure that’s not the only reason you are here”

Nimit hesitated, the silence stretching unbearably before he spoke again. “There’s something unnatural about his decline. Varun, I fear this isn’t just illness.” He swallowed hard, as though the words tasted bitter on his tongue. “I fear it’s poison.”

The room seemed to tilt, the air growing colder despite the warm glow of the lamps. Poison. The word echoed in Varun’s mind, sharp and cruel.

“You’re certain?”

“I can’t prove it,” Nimit admitted, his gaze steady. “But the symptoms... the suddenness of it all... it doesn’t feel like any illness I’ve seen before. And the timing—Varun, it’s too perfect to be coincidence.”

Varun began to pace, his thoughts racing like a wildfire. Poison. But who else now? Was there more Treachery in the heart of Nanda. His mind darted to Ivaan’s absence now felt like would be a issue now.

“What about Ivaan?” Varun asked abruptly, his voice tight. “Has there been any word from him?”

Nimit hesitated again, his expression growing darker. “That’s the other thing,” he said grimly. “No one’s heard from him in days. We’ve sent scouts into the hills, the forests—nothing. It’s as if he’s vanished.”

Varun stopped pacing, his chest tightening. “Vanished?” he echoed.

Nimit nodded, his voice heavy with worry. “I know Ivaan is more than capable to defend himself but If someone wanted him out of the way, this would be the perfect time to strike. ”

For a moment, Varun stood frozen, the enormity of it all crashing down on him. Poison in the palace. Ivaan missing. And a kingdom teetering on the edge of chaos.

“We need to leave for Nanda immediately,” he said finally, his voice steady despite the storm within. “I’ll inform Queen Shalini of Nayan’s condition. And Nimit—make sure no one knows of Ivaan’s disappearance yet. We can’t let this spread panic.”

“And what about Queen Madhavi?” Nimit asked. “If we leave her here with the king, she might manipulate her way into—”

“Not yet,” Varun interrupted, his voice sharp. “We’ve created a buffer by exposing her temper. She’ll need time to recover her image before making any moves. Besides, the king still has three daughters. If she’s planning to marry Zain into the royal family, she might target Princess Katha instead. She’s uncommitted.”

Nimit raised an eyebrow. “So we’re just going to gamble on her vanity?”

Varun’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Not vanity. Vile practicality. Queen Madhavi would never risk her precious son marrying a mute princess, not even as a second or third wife. She values lineage and appearances above all else. I hate to say it, but I trust her selfishness to work in our favor for now.”

With that, the two began packing their belongings swiftly , Nimit hesitated. “Varun,” he said carefully, “shouldn’t you inform Princess Anya before we leave? She’s Nayan’s fiancée. At the very least, she should be there if...” He trailed off, unwilling to finish the sentence.

Varun stopped, his hand hovering over his travel bag. “You’re right,” he said after a long pause. “She deserves to know.”

---

The royal garden was eerily quiet, the usual hum of life dulled by the weight of secrets. Anya stood beneath the sprawling tamarind tree, her fingers tracing the rough bark as she gazed into the distance. The late afternoon sun dappled her face, casting shadows that danced like specters across her features.

Indu paced a few feet away, her movements restless and agitated. Her hair was disheveled, her usually sharp eyes rimmed red. She stopped abruptly, turning to face her sister with a look of barely contained anger.

“You don’t understand, Jiji,” Indu said, her voice trembling with a mix of fury and fear. “The things I saw... the things Ivaan did...” She shook her head, as if trying to banish the memories. “They will haunt me. The blood of an innocent is painted forever in my hands because , because of him”

Anya frowned, her heart sinking. “Indu, what are you talking about? Are you sure about it?”

Indu hugged herself tightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Ivaan murdered someone. Not in battle. Not in defense. He killed them... for no reason.”

Anya’s breath caught, her chest tightening as her mind struggled to reconcile the words. “That can’t be true. Prince Ivaan may be many things, but he’s not—such person can never gain the trust of his army-”

“He is,” Indu snapped, her voice breaking. “You’ve seen his temper. His violence. This isn’t the first time, Anya. It’s just the first time he didn’t bother hiding it. And , and the worst thing is I cant even tell this to mom and dad they cant worry about me more than this.”

Before Anya could respond, a voice cut through the air, low and steady.

“Princess Anya.”

They turned to see Varun standing at the edge of the garden, his expression grave. Indu’s eyes narrowed as she stepped protectively in front of her sister.

Varun hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. He had been waiting near to have his word with Princess Anya.

Varun’s chest tightened this was more than a passing grievance. Fear. It was not a word Varun could take lightly, especially from someone who would one day stand beside the prince as his wife.

He stepped forward, his movements deliberate yet hesitant. His boots echoed softly against the floor as he approached. “Forgive my intrusion, Princess Indu,” he said, his voice low but steady. “May I have a word with you? Alone.”

Both sisters turned to him. Anya’s gaze softened in recognition, but Indu’s hardened, her lips pressing into a thin, resolute line. She didn’t answer immediately, her silence as sharp as any blade. Finally, with a curt nod, she gestured for Anya it was okay.

Anya hesitated, glancing between them before retreating to the bench under shade of a nearby tree, her eyes still watchful.

Varun turned to Indu, his posture respectful yet firm. “Princess Indu,” he began, his tone gentle, “I understand that your feelings are strong, but I must speak openly. I overheard what you said just now, about Ivaan. And while I don’t know the full story of what happened, I cannot believe the man you described is him.”

Indu’s arms tightened across her chest, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “Of course. I should’ve expected this. Praise for the crown prince from his most loyal adivsor. Tell me, Minister Varun, are you here to recite his virtues or dismiss my fears?”

Her words stung, but Varun held his ground, his voice softening further. “I am not here to dismiss anything, Your Highness. I am here to listen—and to try to understand. But I also have a duty to speak for the man I have known my entire life. Ivaan is not without flaws, I’ll admit that freely. He can be impulsive, even reckless. But Malicious for the fun of it ? No . I cannot reconcile that with the man I know.”

Indu’s eyes narrowed, her voice rising. “You weren’t there, Varun. You didn’t see him—what he did. He took a life, not in self-defense or in battle, but in cold blood. Tell me, what kind of man does that?”

Varun hesitated, the weight of her words sinking in. He took a small step closer, lowering his voice. “I don’t know what you saw, Princess Indu, and I won’t pretend to. But I also know this: Ivaan is not infallible, but he is not a monster. He carries burdens that few can understand, and sometimes... sometimes those burdens twist his judgment. I am not excusing him. I only ask that you allow room for the possibility that there is more to this than what you witnessed.”

Indu’s jaw tightened, her eyes glistening with unspoken pain. “Room for possibility?” she echoed, her tone bitter. “You want me to consider his burdens while he destroys mine? I thought peace could exist between us, but all he seems to bring is violence. And now you’re asking me to trust him? To stand beside him as his wife?”

Varun took a deep breath, his hands clasped in front of him. “I am not asking you to trust him blindly, Your Highness. Trust takes time, and perhaps it will take more time than either of you expected. But what I am asking is this: don’t let anger or fear define how you see him. Speak to him, not as his fiancée, but as the woman who sees the world differently than he does. Challenge him, yes, but don’t give up on the possibility of understanding.”

Indu stared at him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, the air between them felt heavy, charged with unspoken thoughts. Then she shook her head, stepping back.

“You don’t get it,” she said, her voice trembling with frustration. “You’re his friend, his advisor. You see his strength, his victories. But you don’t see the shadows he casts on others. Maybe you should ask him about what he’s done, instead of standing here trying to convince me.”

Before Varun could reply, Indu turned and walked away, her pace quick and determined.

Varun remained still, watching her retreating figure disappear into the garden’s shadows. He let out a long sigh, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the conversation.

From a safe distance, Anya stepped forward, her expression thoughtful. She had watched the exchange with quiet intensity, and now she spoke softly, her voice laced with both empathy and quiet reproach.

“It’s pointless, you know,” she said, her tone gentle but firm. “You can’t blame her for feeling this way. Indu is... sensitive. Too sensitive, perhaps. To her, failing to protect someone, to save a life, feels like a failure of her own humanity. And your prince—” she paused, meeting his gaze steadily, “—your prince has made it a habit of bringing violence into her peace.”

Varun turned to her, his brow furrowing. “Princess Anya, Ivaan does what he must. Peace doesn’t come without cost. It doesn’t exist without someone willing to fight for it.” His voice softened, taking on a quieter, almost pleading tone. “If Princess Indu wishes to embody peace, then Ivaan can be the one who protects it for her. That is the balance they can strike. It isn’t perfect, but it’s what this alliance could mean for them—and for the kingdom.”

Anya’s lips pressed together, her expression thoughtful but unconvinced. “Perhaps. But not all battles need swords, Minister Varun. Sometimes, what people need is to know they’re safe—not because of the violence that surrounds them, but because of the peace within.”

Varun nodded slowly, her words striking a chord he couldn’t quite ignore. But there was no time to dwell. He straightened, his expression shifting to one of quiet resolve. “I understand, Princess Anya. But for now, I have to leave for Nanda. There are complications  that demand my attention. I’ve already discussed the matter with Queen Shalini, I  , she-- would let you in on that but the decision rests with you. Please make the right decision Princess.”

Anya frowned, worry flickering across her face. “Complications?”

Varun hesitated, seeing the concern in her eyes. “I can’t say more..Its better you hear this from someone who can handle….. you”

Anya nodded slowly, her worry deepening. “Thank you for telling me. I’ll speak with my mother.”

Varun inclined his head, his respect evident in the gesture. “Then I’ll leave you to it. Farewell, Princess Anya.”

With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing softly as he disappeared into the evening light. Anya remained where she was, her thoughts racing as she considered the choices before her—choices that could alter the fate of the kingdom with the help of Queen Madhavi and the fragile bond between Indu and Ivaan.

-------------_nj

Indu and Ivaan's relation is damaged and strained even before it begins.

But angst before happiness is the real romance...... wouldn't you agree 😶‍🌫️

Thank you for reading

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(In editing im still checking for grammatical errors but wanted this chapter out)