The three days of punishment finally ended. Aaryan walked out of the underground storeroom slowly. His legs were weak. His stomach still ached from hunger.
But his eyes…
They were clearer than ever before.
One question burned inside him.
The truth about his mother.
The Dinner Hall The Varma palace dining hall glowed beneath golden chandeliers. The long royal dining table was already prepared.
Lord Varma sat at the head of the table — calm and unreadable. Beside him sat his wife, Lady Kavya Varma — graceful, elegant, and smiling faintly like a queen who ruled through whispers rather than commands.
Across the table sat Ashrit, dressed in fine crimson noble robes, eating with proud posture.
Aaryan entered quietly.
Servants immediately stiffened. Some exchanged glances. Others lowered their eyes.
He walked slowly and sat at the far end of the table — his usual place.
The atmosphere felt suffocating.
Rain clouds gathered outside the palace windows.
Food was served.
No one spoke.
Only the sound of utensils echoed through the massive hall.
Aaryan gripped his spoon tightly. His heartbeat pounded loudly in his ears.
Finally…
He spoke.
"Father…"
Lord Varma paused but did not look at him.
Aaryan swallowed.
"I want to know the truth about my mother's death."
The room froze.
Servants stopped moving. Ashrit slowly raised his head.
Lady Kavya smiled.
Not kindly.
But sharply.
"Oh my… suddenly you wish to know family matters?" she said gently.
Aaryan ignored her and looked only at his father.
Lord Varma remained silent.
The silence felt heavier than any punishment Aaryan had ever faced.
Kavya leaned back gracefully.
"Since you are asking… I will tell you."
Aaryan clenched his fists.
"She died because of you."
The words fell like poison.
Aaryan's breathing stopped.
"You were born with such terrible cursed luck… that her life was taken the moment you entered this world."
Ashrit smirked slightly.
Servants began whispering faintly.
Aaryan's fingers trembled.
But he controlled himself.
"I want the truth," he said quietly.
Kavya's smile widened.
"Oh? You think I am lying?"
She leaned closer.
"You were always a burden. Even your mother's mana collapsed during your birth. The palace burned because of you. You destroyed everything she built."
Aaryan's nails dug into his palms. He lowered his head.
He had endured insults all his life.
Trash. Failure. Bottom mage. Monster.
He endured all of it silently.
But this…
Was different.
Kavya's voice softened — yet became sharper than any blade.
"Your mother was foolish… sacrificing everything to give birth to a useless child like you."
Aaryan's chair scraped loudly against the floor as he stood up.
His entire body trembled.
"Say anything about me…" he said, his voice shaking violently.
"But do NOT insult my mother."
The dining hall fell into absolute silence.
For a moment…
Even Kavya looked surprised.
Then she laughed softly.
"Oh? So the trash finally barks?"
She wiped her lips calmly with a silk cloth.
"Tell me… are you even Lord Varma's son?"
Aaryan froze.
Kavya tilted her head slightly.
"Your birth destroyed this family's pride. A powerless wind mage born in the Varma bloodline… how embarrassing."
She leaned forward, her voice dropping into a venomous whisper.
"Maybe your mother is not here today… because she is not alive to tell us whose child you really are."
Everything stopped.
Even the rain outside seemed to pause.
Servants covered their mouths in shock.
Ashrit's smirk disappeared.
Lord Varma's hand tightened slightly…
But he still said nothing.
That silence…
Destroyed Aaryan completely.
A deep crack formed inside his heart.
His vision blurred with rage and pain.
Before anyone could react—
Aaryan grabbed the metal food plate before him and hurled it directly at Kavya.
CRASH!
The plate struck her forehead and shattered on impact. A thin line of blood slid down her temple.
Gasps erupted across the hall.
Aaryan stood there, breathing heavily, eyes burning with fury.
Lady Kavya touched her head, saw the blood, and turned toward Aaryan with murderous rage.
"You filthy pig! How dare you damage my beautiful face?! Guards! Kill this rat — make him suffer as much as possible!"
Lord Varma rose from his seat violently.
"ENOUGH!"
His voice thundered across the hall.
Aaryan shouted, "Father! You saw how she spoke about Mother!"
Lady Kavya clutched Lord Varma's arm dramatically.
"My Lord, you must avenge me by killing this brat! Or I will call my father's family to avenge this insult! Dear… do you think my words are lies?"
Lord Varma gently held her shoulders.
"My dear… how is your injury? Should I call a physician? Your words are right, dear."
Aaryan looked at him.
Not as a son.
But as a stranger.
Lord Varma's expression hardened into stone.
"You have crossed the final line."
He raised his hand.
"From this moment… Aaryan Varma is EXILED from the Varma territory."
His voice grew colder.
"And I have only one son — Ashrit Varma."
Servants froze.
Ashrit's eyes widened slightly.
Aaryan stood silently.
Rain suddenly began crashing violently against the palace windows.
Aaryan slowly walked toward the exit of the dining hall.
Then he stopped.
He turned his head.
His voice echoed across the hall.
"Listen carefully."
His eyes glowed with fierce determination.
"The day I become strong enough… the day I learn the truth about my mother…"
His fists clenched.
"I will return."
His gaze locked onto the Varma couple.
"And every person involved in that… will pay."
Lightning flashed across the windows.
The wind outside roared violently, shaking the palace banners.
Servants shivered.
For a brief moment…
It felt like the storm itself was responding to his vow.
Heavy rain poured across the village roads.
Aaryan walked alone.
No luggage.
No shelter.
Only the torn cloak on his shoulders.
Villagers watched from their windows but said nothing.
Thunder rumbled across the sky.
Behind palace windows…
A tall figure watched silently from the shadows.
His red hair glowed faintly under lightning flashes as he stared at Aaryan's retreating figure.
Then he whispered softly—
"Become stronger… much stronger…"
"…Next time we meet… stand beside me."
The curtains closed.
Inside her private chamber, Lady Kavya pressed a cloth against her bleeding forehead. Several assassins surrounded her, their murderous aura suffocating the air.
Her expression remained calm.
Cold.
"Follow him," she said quietly.
Several masked assassins knelt before her.
"Make it look like a wild beast attack. His body must never be found."
The assassins vanished into the storm.
Final Scene Aaryan crossed the final boundary stone marking the edge of Varma territory.
Rain soaked him completely. Mud clung to his feet.
But he never looked back.
Behind him…
Silent shadows moved through the darkness.
Waiting.
Hunting.
Far above the storm clouds…
The wind screamed across the mountains violently.
Almost like it was responding…
Protecting…
Guiding…