"Rajmata where is Sushim?" I asked Helena hurriedly.

She just stared at me for a few seconds, not knowing what to say. After the awkward silence, she began her broken speech.

"Oh, err - I can't seem to find him either. Well, he'll be here somewhere." She looked around and left me amidst the dancers all alone.

I blinked a few times, trying to understand the situation. Most of my recent days were spent in worrying, searching or being upset. Ahankara's depression really was contagious.

I decided to keep a smile on my face. How bad can it be? As long as she's in the palace nothing can happen to her.

But I was wrong.

"ARGHHHHHHH!" A ear piercing scream came from somewhere in the north west part of the palace.

My head jerked up in the direction of it and I gulped, not really knowing how to react.

"Kaurvaki, you're imagining things. Stop." I closed my eyes and began walking again when I heard it again.

This time is was excruciatingly fierce and gave me goosebumps on my skin.

Like a cat, I sprawled across the area in fright, trying to find Ashok.

"ASHOK?! ASHOK PLEASE - WHERE ARE YOU?"

I whispered, not trying to give my plan away.

In a haste, I ran over a few pieces of broken glass. I didn't even feel the sharpness prick the softness of the bottom of my feet, until I realized I had been leaving a trail of blood on the mat.

I stopped and looked at the glass. It definitely wasn't from anything near. The windows were fine, the flower vases were fine. I bent down and picked one up in my fingers.

My hand was shivering as I handled it carefully, observing the glisten in detail.

My confused brows straightened up in realization.

It was a ring.

I left the pieces as they were, not even taking a glimpse of my wounded feet and ran off, holding up my trailing lehenga.

"Ashok!? Ashok!" I ran into my room and I was crying, with tears cascading down my cheeks.

"Kaurvaki!??? What on earth???" He sat up from his war strategy planning model and cupped his hand around my cheek in sheer worry.

He tried to nod his head and calm me down but my breaths were heavy and I found myself unable to explain.

"T-t-t-here....." I pointed behind me, my hand shivering around.

Ashok looked around me but didn't get what I was trying to say. He looked at my suspiciously and ran off, leaving me breaking down in tears.

I sniffed and followed him.

Ashok went straight up to Ahankara's room and realized it was locked. He rested his head on the door and tried to listen out for any more screams.

My run came to a halt and I stopped a few metres behind him, watching in anticipation.

"ARFKKSKSDX....." a blood thirsty scream came from behind and a cold laugh followed after.

Ashok's eyes widened and he had an idea.

He left me and I followed him to the balcony from where he lassoed the rope and climbed up using his unimaginable strength.

I watched in awe as I had struggled so much with this task when I did it.

Now's not the time to get distracted Kaurvaki!

I ran back up the stairs in front the locked door and tried to stop panting by resting a hand on the pillar.

What should I do? If I stayed here, I would be able to hear what was going on but if I went, maybe it won't look suspicious.

Confusion surrounded me and I realized I had to take only one decision.

I began to wipe my tears and kept a straight face. I would go to Rani Dharma and tell her. This way, I didn't have to be all alone. No Ashok and no Ahankara.

I wasn't safe; not in this place.

Another scream came but this time, it sounded like a man. It made me jump and I turned round, my teeth clashing against each other.

I ran quickly and looked in each room to find someone. Maharani Charumitra was sat adoring her jewelry but I ran past her room and went straight into Samrat and Rani Dharma's room without even knocking.

It was their private time and I carried on with my frustrated avatar and stopped in front of their shocked faces.

"Kaurvaki! What happened? And - your feet! What happened?!"

They both stood up and just by analyzing my silence, Samrat ran off to the room and I looked at Rani Dharma who had a hand over her mouth. She looked at me worriedly and left me as well.

I managed to breathe finally, and I joined the company to the area in front of the locked room: the guest room.

To my surprise, Maharani Charumitra was crying and leaning against the door, knocking constantly. Rajmata and Siyamak were settled in the corner with neutral faces.

"Ahankara! Sushim?!? Where are you?" She spoke in her cracked voice.

The strongest woman of the household was in this state. Samrat's eyes were bulging with fury and his head vibrated with anger.

"Open the door! I want to see what's happening ! I tell you, if you don't open it I shall break it down! OPEN IT!" He banged and hit it with his scepter.

This didn't make the situation any better. I just wished Ashok was safe.

"ASHOK?!" I joined him and suddenly, everything went silent.

The door was now being smashed open and I watched in anticipation and grief as the planks of wood were now ripped down and an unexpected view came into sight.

I gasped and felt my feet losing their stability.

"Ashok?" I asked, pushing past everyone and looking around the room.

Suddenly, through the corner - I saw sturdy ropes being held up by a pin either side of a metal rod.

My eyes widened at the blood stains absorbed in the rope fabric and I turned around as quick as a bullet.

"AHANKARA!?" My mouth fell and I ran and dropped myself on the floor beside a body which was leaning against the wall.

"WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED TO YOU?" I gasped, trying to speak through my shivering teeth.

Her hands had been creased with cuts and blood had been dripping down her wrists. I guessed that she had been tied to the ropes.

She was absolutely solemn; she didn't lift her gaze off the ground and I shook her but still no response.

"Rajkumari?" Rani Dharma gasped and helped the blood-shredded Ahankara up.

She had tear stains and bruises all across her face and I saw a tall figure's shadow come behind me.

"Ashok!" I could barely manage a whisper.

He had a worried expression and I ran into his arms, clasping him tightly.

He wrapped his hands around me gently and I lifted my head up slightly to see his face.

He was no longer looking at me, but he was facing the front angrily.

I was confused. I broke the hug and turned round to see a drunk holding a sword.

Sushim.