Strings Attached ✨

23. A danger to the kingdom.

The girl inhabiting the quarters which fall on the eastern side of my own, perhaps, I have no choice but to address her rightfully as the heir to the queen's throne. I deem it insensitive to talk about such a crucial affair over a Letter. Hence why, I would like for the queen mother and royal heir to meet me in private. Also, the less people that know about this, the better. Yet, it's my request to acknowledge the urgency with which I'm lettering this paper.

(Royal stamp )
    ~ Raj Rishi Eknath

A shudder ran through me as my fingers brushed over the royal stamp at the close of the letter. The stamp didn't leave any place for doubt of foul play.

Something was not sitting right with Ruh being in the kingdom. Every action of Eknath and Shailav indicates that.

" मां, आपने हमे बुलाया? कहिए, क्या बात हैं" .....the manly voice spoke from behind.

I turned to see Aadhrit at the doorway. I immediately rushed towards him and pulled him into the room. I checked for anyone in the hallway before I closed the door swiftly.

" मां? क्या बात है-"

I pushed the scroll into his palm before he could complete his sentence. He threw me a bewildered look, to which I signaled him to go through the scroll in his hands.

He stood confused for a while before nodding and complying.

His eyes ran swiftly through the paper up till down and mixed emotions painted over his countenance, switching every second.
His fingers traced the royal stamp as he read the end of the letter.
His lips parted and he exhaled a soft breath.

I was not sure but I heard him murmur ' what is it now ' swiftly under his breath. A hint of frustration was noticeable.

He looked towards me with a fixed glance.

" Should we visit him now ? " ....he asked nonchalantly.

A bit of anger sparked through me at his carelessness. I knew he didn't believe much in what the priest had to say. It had been like that since his childhood, and I had let him get away with that thinking he would pick up the importance of the matter eventually.

However, he managed a respectful presence when with the priest, and seemingly that was the most we could expect of him now. Nevertheless, his ignorance of such a grave matter disturbed me more than it should have.

I wasn't intending on starting an altercation at this instant so I let it slide by.

" Yes, now would be better. " ...I said briefly.

" Ok. Just give me a moment, I have unfinished business. I'll be back in a moment. " ......He said as he turned on his heels not offering me a chance to speak.

" What business comes before the well-being of your kingdom-" .....I watched him cross the door even before I finished my sentence.

His actions recently have disturbed me beyond measure. I often wonder if it was morally justified for me to let him get away with almost everything since childhood. Would he even evolve to be a responsible ruler for the people?

Did I fail as a queen in raising the future of the kingdom?

The thought of it gave rise to an ugly sensation in my chest and I could feel it tighten.

I went ahead towards the balcony for a breath of fresh air. The feelings of failure were overwhelming especially knowing that the future of so many people depended on whether their ruler was competent enough.

A huge sigh left my lips which I didn't realize I'd been holding.

I looked towards the garden downwards. My glance lingered on the fresh flowers and groomed plants around the fountain.

A little movement on the western side drew my attention and my eyes went there immediately.

Everything started becoming obvious as I spotted Shailav standing there looking upwards. It didn't take me a while to trace his eyes and mine own ended up at the balcony adjacent to mine.

It was ruh's chamber, and he was staring at it attentively as if trying to spot anything and everything that could possibly be spotted.

I felt my heart beat a little faster.
If anything, I knew this had something to do with what guruji had summoned us for. This was important and I couldn't help but hurry to Aadhrit's chamber.

His priority should be the well-being of the kingdom, and I care not what his preference is.

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After a long break, here's the next part. sorry that I kept you waiting for so long, at the same time I am thankful to whoever has been waiting all this time. I appreciate you. thanks for giving this a chance. 

I'll try to make the updates frequent from now as much as I can.