The door opened with a light sound. Some people turned towards it. The music slowed.
Rudra walked in.
Her anklets echoed softly. A few men shifted their gaze. She ignored every whisper. The dancers separated, leaving space for her.
Aarush saw her.
The lights fell over her, her hair swaying slightly in the breeze from the windows.
He noticed everything.
What are you up to, Rudra?
She brought her hands together and greeted him and his mother. Then she turned to Tara.
"You look beautiful tonight, sister." She glanced at the hall. "Almost everyone has forgotten to look away."
"You flatter me, Queen. After all, it is your gift."
Aarush's gaze shifted slightly to Tara.
So… you are playing again.
"I only thought it would suit you. And it does."
Rudra walked towards a group of women and sat with them.
The dance continued, but the minister's gaze stayed fixed on her. She noticed it.
Tara's maid kept pouring wine for him.
"Seems like you've had too much, Minister. Leave some for us," a man joked, and the group laughed.
The minister slowly stood up and walked out.
Tara signalled her maid.
The maid approached Rudra and said she was being called outside regarding some arrangements. Rudra was not foolish, but out of curiosity, she went.
The corridor was silent. Only a few guards stood at a distance, already drunk.
She continued walking.
From the shadows, Meera appeared.
"Something is not right, Meera," Rudra said quietly. "But this is the right time for our investigation. I will search his study."
They went in separate directions.
Meera walked down the corridor.
Suddenly, a hand pulled her inside a chamber.
"Leave me, my lord. I am the personal maid of the second queen. Please," she said, pretending fear.
"Second queen?" he scoffed. "She herself is nothing."
His eyes lingered on her.
"I aimed for her… but this is fine. You are pretty too."
His hand moved towards her back.
Meera's expression changed instantly.
She slapped him hard and kicked him.
"Can't even stand straight, and you want my princess?" she snapped.
"How dare you?" he shouted.
Meera laughed and punched his stomach.
He fell to the floor, clutching himself in pain.
She walked towards the door.
"Does the king know this?" he asked, trying to threaten her.
Meera paused, then turned slightly.
"He doesn't know yet. But if you wish, go and tell him."
A small smile.
"Tell him that a slave's servant beat a noble minister."
She walked out.
Rudra sneaked into the study . She searched the table first . Nothing was found. Her fingers moved through the shelves . She carefully read some scrolls .
" i cant read all . I have to find something " she muttered .
She noticed a drawer inside a shelf . She tried to open it but couldn't . It had symbol of Agnikosha .
*****
Rudra walked into the hall . Tara noticed her . Dissatisfaction could be seen in her face .
Rudra ignored everything and enjoyed the scene .
After some time Rudra went to their chamber after saying to her mother in law .
Rudra searched the chests to find few jewels and coins . She began to search among his dresses . She found a box and carefully opened it . Seals . She checked everything . Symbol of eagle , deer etc but not symbol of Agnikosha .
Sounds heard . She kept everything in its place and acted normal .
Door opened .
" you came before the celebration over "
Rudra was standing by window taking roses one by one from her hair .
" my head ached a little . So i came majesty . " she said turning her head .
" Rudra " he called .
She was quite surprised to hear him calling her name , normally.
He walked towards her . Her back facing him , she was still facing the window .
" you are too bold , aren't you ? "
" i can't understand you majesty . "
He caught her shoulder and pulled her . His face near her ear .
" you act obedient , humble and modest but your silly tricks can never cheat me . "
He said coldly but not loudly .
His breadth was felt by rudra on her neck .
" i am not sagacious like you king . Please explain . "
Her body shifted slightly with the pull, the movement causing her earring to sway softly against her neck. The roses in her hair brushed his hand as her head tilted just a little in his hold.
She didn't turn fully.
Only enough for her breath to change.
Aarush's gaze followed that small movement, noticing how she stilled herself again, as if trying not to react.
"You didn't think before doing all that?" he asked quietly.
Rudra's fingers slowly gathered the edge of her saree, not in panic, but as if she needed something to hold.
"I only did what I was told."
Her voice stayed low.
Measured.
Her lashes lowered, but not tightly—just enough to hide her eyes.
He watched her for a moment, then his grip shifted slightly, his thumb pressing just enough for her to feel it.
"That is not what I saw."
His face remained close. When he spoke, his breath moved the loose strands of her hair near her ear.
Rudra's lips parted for a second, then closed again.
A small pause before she spoke.
"I didn't realise it would be… noticed."
The last word came softer.
Her earring brushed her neck again as she lowered her head further.
Aarush's eyes dropped briefly—to that movement—before returning to her face.
"You always realise," he said.
His voice didn't rise.
But it held.
Rudra shook her head faintly.
The motion was small, almost slow.
"I don't."
She didn't try to move away.
Didn't try to step out of his hold.
Her breathing had changed—but only slightly, controlled enough that it wouldn't be obvious unless someone was this close.
And he was.
Too close.
His fingers tightened just a fraction, as if testing whether she would pull back.
She didn't.