Everyone in the court couldn't help but gasped in shock. Even those ministers and their subordinates who witness so many things in these years but no one have thought the new empress would say such thing. Blood? What exactly she mean by that?
On the throne Manik gazed around the expressions of the presented people before his eyes fixed on Nandini who was staring at him calmly "my empress, what do you mean by blood?"
Nandini smiled when she heard about it "your majesty, as you witnessed in this whole situation the one who suffered the most is my maid who is still present here wounded without treatment. She has endured brutal beatings and now to satisfy the royalty court she had to cut her wrist to prove her innocence. For a weak lady it is such a torment to endure all these in one day" then she sighed "so I request your majesty to allow me to draw blood from princess Kashmin's heart"
When Kumeka heard this all blood drained from her face. She fell on the ground and cried out "your majesty, I beg you to think about this matter again. Kashmin is a delicate princess pampered from childhood. She has weak body. Tough she made this mistake but it might be unintentional. If she knew about this matter clearly she would not have done such thing"
Nandini glanced at her. Internally rolling her eyes she gazed at Manik again. Manik looked at her then to the person who was knocking her head on floor.
"Your highness Kumeka is the former empress. And as an empress you know clearly about what rules and regulations are followed in royalty. It was your responsibility to teach the princess neatly about everything so that in future she won't do any mistake. But since situation has turned into this, I can't just consider the title and give other injustice" Manik said clearly.
"Your Majesty" Kumeka looked up "this matter is too delicate. It involves the life of royal Princess where other is a lowly maid. If something happens to my daughter what would happen to the promise that late Emperor made?"
"Kumeka what do you meant by sush words?" Chityakanta is in rage "his majesty took care of everything when he is alive because your husband the emperor was his benefactor. He even made decree to arrange marriage for Kashmin. We have been taking care of you and Kashmin giving all right that you deserve as royal highnesses but how could you bring his majesty in today's matter?"
Kumeka was shocked by her slip of tongue. She did not want to dig in past matter but she did not have choices because today's matter involves Kashmin's life and death situation.
Manik turned to Chityakanta "mother shouldn't get angry. This son request you to calm yourself. This matter is sensitive so it need to handle in such a way where no one gets injustice"
Chityakanta gazed at Kumeka and sneered inside. She was so angry that she forgot the etiquette of empress dowager. She couldn't hold back when her husband was dragged out of nowhere.
"I beg the empress dowager to calm your anger. I am a mother and when it involves my daughter's life I was muddled for a moment and get overbroad" Kumeka tried to justify herself.
"Your Majesty" the minister of justice sudden stood up and bowed to Manik "Her highness Kumeka is not wrong in her point. Though this matter is sensitive this involves the royal life. And comparing to the low maid, princess life is given more importance. To solve this matter his majesty can reward the empress's maid"
Nandini turned her head and looked at the middle aged man "how come there is comparison minister of justice? As far I know in the eyes of law there is no maids nor princess. Everyone is equal before law. But hearing you say such thing I feel like there is sudden changed. Since you the minister of justice, please enlighten me who made such law? You?"
On the throne Manik's lips twisted as flash of amusement played in his eyes. And on the other side Ageratina who was taking care of Atropa bite her lips stopping herself from snickering.
"Your highness this is exaggerating" minister of justice bowed "this minister does not meant in such a way. It is true the law is equal to everyone but in some cases it also has some rules"
"Oh I never knew that the law of justice in Samrat changes according to person's identity. But minister of justice forgetting something this matter does not involve only princess but it also involves me because I am the seeking for justice here. So does the minister of justice think that comparing to princee title my title is low?" There was a mockery in Nandini's voice.
Minister of justice fell on his knee "this minister does not dare" he couldn't believe how things turned like this. He thought he can refute but now that this kind of certain thing has pointed out how can he find appropriate words to retort.
Nandini averted her gaze to Manik again "your majesty has given me the right to decide. So I don't want to deley any moment. My maid also needs treatment and couldn't wait any longer. I request your majesty to fulfil the punishment"
Kumeka cried out "your majesty, please think over it. Kashmin is not only a princess but also would be daughter in law of Samrat. Her engagement with second Prince couldn't be denied. If something happens to her does not it mean violating the decree?"
Everyone in the court started to whisper lowly. It was right Kashmin will marry the second prince some day and for this matter to punish her severely means violating the rules of royalty. Nandini looked at Kumeka and sighed. But before anyone could say anything another voice echoed in the court.
"Your Majesty"
Everyone turned around towards the entrence. And the hall keeper announced the arrival of second prince. Vaibhav walked with glory and bowed to Manik, Chityakanta then to Nandini.
"Vaibhav do you have your say?" Manik asked.
"Your Majesty, I would like to request you to give me the annulment decree of my engagement"
When everyone heard this they are shocked. Kumeka couldn't understand what's happening. She wanted to use Vaibhav's name to spare Kashmin's life but how come Vaibhav suddenly appeared requesting annulment decree?
"Second prince do mot joke. How can you say such thing. This engagement is what Kashmin holding for years. It was a decree made my the late Emperor himself and it couldn't be rejected" Kumeka voiced.
Vaibhav turned to her "your highness is right. I respected father's wish and have been holding on this engagement for years already. I have waited too long to fulfil it and to take my responsibility that father gave me. But your highness never proposed for it in time being. The original marriage years has already been passed and whenever this matter suggested your highness always neglected it. I have had enough patience and now I couldn't bear it anymore" he turned to Chityakanta "mother, I have been holding onto a false hope and I don't want to involve myself in it anymore. I request mother to grant me freedom from this arrangement"
Chityakanta looked at her son and her melted. She turned to Manik "your father made this decree and also made certain year to fulfil this arrangement. But since it has already passed and second prince want the annulment now it's depends on you. You are ther successor of your father so you have the right to decide about the decree"
Manik nodded "based on the root words and all the justification I hereby declare that the annulment of the engagement between Vaibhav and Princess Kashmin is granted. Pass down the annulment decree"
Kumeka and Kashmin rooted on ground numb. They could not believe what happened just now. Nandini smiled before turning to them.
"Since everything related to this matter is settled down, now it's time to fulfil the punishment process. Bring the knife" she ordered.
Kashmin on the ground trembled. She never thought a moment of rage would throw her in such a misfortune. The engagement is over and today she is humiliated to death.
"Since Princess likes blood then I also like to draw some from you as a collecting debt that princess owe to my -" before she could finish Kumeka screamed in her top lung.
Kashmin fell on ground with thud. Her body was weak and unmoving. Everyone gasped at her condition. Kumeka gathered her in her arm.
"Please call for imperial doctor" she pleaded.
Nandini stared at her body and sighed in heart. Just few words and she fainted? So weak comparing to Atropa who cut her wrist to prove loyalty.
Soon few maids brought Kashmin out of the court while Kumeka following behind. Nandini turned to Manik and bowed.
"Situation is not appropriate anymore since Princess is too weak to draw blood, I will take my leave first"
Manik nodded and then she turned around and left while Ageratina pushed the wheelchair following her.
In Lily Palace, doctor checked Kashmin's body. She was lying on bed unconscious.
"Princess is scared so much that it caused her to faint. There is nothing serious injury. I will send a nurse to give medicine" then he left quickly.
Kumeka stared at Kashmin and strock her head. How come she is so dumb to take such action? And now the situation is out of control. She was thinking when Kashmin regained her consciousness. Her eyes flattered and she called out "mother"
Kumeka looked down "you are awake. How do you feel?"
"Mother what about the punishment. I couldn't let her draw blood from me. I don't want to die" she was anxious.
"You are too weak to have any punishment now. They won't force you. Royalty has some rules that can not be violated" Kumeka assured.
Kashmin was about to say when two guards appeared in the room. Kumeka frowned at them.
"Her highness empress has sent a gift for princess Kashmin" one of the guard informed.
Kumeka saw them holding a big tray covered with red cloth. What did the empress sent? One of the maid walked forward to take the tray. Kumeka stopped her and ordered the guards to remove the cloth.
The guards looked at eachother before removing the cloth. Once the gift exposed the whole room filled with screams. The maid which was near the guard jumped while screaming and her hand mistakenly collies with the tray making the thing on tray bounce in the air and landed on bed near Kashmin's hand. Kashmin was so scared that she screamed loudly before fainting. Few of the servants fainted on floor. Kumeka stared at the thing like statue. Her whole body was numb to react.
The thing on bed covered with blood while the posture was to scary to look. It was nothing else but the head of the one of the maids who were beheaded earlier. The gift Nandini sent was the heads of the main in blood which scattered on ground and covered the white floor with blood.
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I request you all, if anyone is not comfortable with such violating scene then please do not read. This book is will full of vicious means and violating acts so do read it in your own risk.