Elsewhere in the capital, far from the gleaming palace towers, a dimly lit hall inside a sprawling noble estate hummed with low, tense voices.
Around a long wooden table sat half a dozen figures — men in fine silks and heavy gold ornaments, their faces shadowed by the flicker of oil lamps.
One of them, a narrow-eyed noble with a neatly trimmed beard, slammed his palm against the table. "This is unacceptable! That so-called 'Prince' brings back a warrior who defeats Chalukya Veerabhadra in front of the entire palace? Where did he even find such a man?"
Another, older and heavier, grunted in irritation. "It doesn't matter where. What matters is that he's now his personal guard. With someone like him at his side, taking the throne from him will be far more difficult."
The bearded noble leaned forward, his voice dropping to a hiss. "We've been preparing for years. I will not let one stranger ruin everything."
A thin, sharp-faced woman at the table tapped her finger against a wine cup. "Tomorrow is the royal hunt, yes? The 'Prince' will surely be there. And the hunt takes place in the deep forest… far from the safety of palace walls."
Her lips curved into a cold smile. "An accident can happen there. A wild beast… an arrow gone astray… no one will question it."
The room went silent for a moment as the weight of her suggestion sank in. Then, slowly, the others began to nod.
"We'll position our men ahead of time," the bearded noble said. "Rough terrain, thick undergrowth… a perfect place for an ambush."
"And make sure the stranger doesn't interfere," the older man added darkly. "Kill him first if you can."
The woman's smile widened, though her eyes stayed cold. "Tomorrow… the 'Prince' will never return from the hunt."
.....
The next morning, the palace courtyard bustled with activity. Horses were being saddled, spears polished, bows strung, and hunting dogs barked restlessly as soldiers and nobles readied themselves for the grand royal hunt.
Among the riders, "Prince" Rudhra stood tall in her male disguise, dressed in hunting leathers, her face calm yet bright with youthful anticipation. By her side, Akg adjusted the sword at his waist, his sharp eyes scanning the busy courtyard.
Just as he mounted his horse, the familiar Ding! echoed in his mind.
System Alert!
Host, danger detected.
Probability of ambush during today's royal hunt: 89%
Recommendation: stay alert, protect the target at all costs.
Akg's expression didn't change, but inside, his pulse quickened. So it's true… someone's planning something.
He turned slightly, his gaze brushing over a group of nobles whispering in the corner, their eyes occasionally flicking toward Rudhra. He didn't confront them — not yet. Instead, he calmly mounted his horse and guided it closer to her.
"Prince," he said evenly, keeping his voice light, "do you often join these hunts?"
Rudhra glanced at him, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Since childhood. It is tradition. A ruler must know the forest as well as the battlefield."
Her confidence was admirable, but Akg caught a flicker in her eyes — the same restless anticipation he had felt last night. He leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping low so only she could hear.
"Then stay close to me today. Forests can be… unpredictable."
Rudhra gave him a curious look, tilting her head. For a heartbeat, her disguise as 'Prince' slipped — and she looked more like the young woman he had held and kissed just hours ago. Her lips curved faintly.
"You sound as though you expect danger."
Akg smiled faintly, masking his seriousness. "I just like being prepared."
The horns blew then, sharp and commanding. The royal hunt had begun. Riders surged forward, hounds barking as the gates opened and the group galloped out into the wild forests.
Akg tightened his grip on the reins, every sense sharpened.
They'll make their move today. Let them try.