"It's all my fault, sir! Please, it's all my fault!" The old woman dropped to her knees, clutching at the leader's feet. Tears streamed down her weathered face as she pleaded, her voice trembling. "He's just a young lad. Please have mercy on him. He meant no harm—"

Tiasha knelt beside her, gently lifting the woman to her feet. "Don't beg them, Maa," she said softly, brushing away the older woman's tears with the edge of her sleeve. "Mothers don't beg." Her voice was calm yet firm, a quiet strength in her words. "If they wish to arrest me for standing against injustice, so be it. I will accept whatever punishment comes. I don't want to have mercy at the cost of your dignity."

-"But Putra..." The old woman touched her face "...I can't let you get punished because of me..."

"Enough of this nonsense!" the leader barked, his tone sharp. He gestured for his men to bind Tiasha. "This young man is guilty of assaulting innocent men and causing disorder in the marketplace. We'll let the King decide his fate."

One of the soldiers stepped forward, binding Tiasha's wrists with coarse rope. She stood still, unflinching.

"You don't need to tie me. I won't resist or run," she said calmly, looking the leader directly in the eye.

The leader sneered. "Whether you try to escape or not, you are a convict now. This is the procedure." He yanked the rope tight, causing Tiasha to stagger slightly. She quickly regained her balance, refusing to show any sign of weakness. Her eyes narrowed. The silent fire in her heart reached new heights with every passing moment.

Tiasha smirked faintly, her voice edged with defiance. "Shouldn't you take the victim along? Sanatan can confirm what happened. Wouldn't it make your case stronger?"

The leader hesitated, narrowing his eyes as he glanced at his men, Sanatan, and the murmuring crowd. He couldn't understand what this young foreigner was planning and couldn't let the king know about Sanatan's conduct. After a moment, he growled, "All right then, Santan and his men will follow."

Sanatan threw a venomous glance at Tiasha. He looked at the leader of the soldiers who tried to give him a reassuring nod.

The soldiers began to lead Tiasha away, their firm grip on her arms ensuring she wouldn't escape. Behind them, the old woman's cries rang out again.

"Please, don't take him to the King! Please don't punish him..." she wailed, stumbling as she tried to follow. "...he's innocent! He did nothing wrong—"

The bangle seller, watching the scene from the crowd, stepped forward, "Enough! We have endured enough," he declared, his voice rising above the murmurs of the onlookers. He turned to the old woman and said, "This young man risked everything to stand up for one of us. He acted where we were afraid. We cannot abandon him now!"

The woman wiped her eyes and nodded her resolve hardening. "You're right. He saved me. I can't let a mother's lap get empty. I can't let him face this alone."

"I think we should all go to the king," the bangle seller said, raising his voice to address the gathering crowd. "That young lad stood up for us, but in this foreign land he has no one to stand for him except us..."

The crowd murmured in agreement, emboldened by his words. One by one, villagers stepped forward, ready to follow Tiasha to the court. The fruit vendor clutched her basket tightly, nodding in solidarity. A young weaver joined, his face set with quiet determination. Even the fainthearted gathered courage, drawn by the stranger's unwavering bravery.

The leader of the soldiers looked over his shoulder, scowling at the growing group behind them. "What do these scoundrels want now?" He murmured. Tiasha cast a glance at the people who had chosen to follow her to the court, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. The weight of her bindings suddenly felt lighter.

The group moved through the marketplace, the crowd parting as the procession passed. Tiasha walked with her head high, the faint murmur of support from the villagers swelling behind her. Whatever awaited her in the royal court, she knew she had the strength to face it all.

--

The troupe brought Tiasha, Sanatan and his men to the court. The soldiers on guard held their spears to block their way.

-"What is the matter?" One of the guards asked.

-"This foreigner was causing mayhem in the Market. He assaulted innocent men and a Royal employee. We have brought him to the court, so justice could be served to the victims."

The guard nodded and went inside the court to inform Jarasandh about the incident. He came back a few moments later, "Bring him inside to the court."

The soldiers brought Tiasha inside the court. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of incense and the low murmur of courtiers discussing matters of state. Tiasha was ushered forward, her hands still bound, past rows of finely dressed nobles who turned curious, disdainful eyes upon her. Sanatan and his men followed closely behind, their expressions smug.

At the far end of the hall sat King Jarasandh on his throne, the lion among men radiating authority. 

Tiasha stood in the middle of the court with her head held high. Her confidence weaved when her eyes fell on an unexpected figure sitting beside Jarasandh. His dark vulture-like gaze scrutinised her from head to toe. Chedi Naresh Sisupala. Tiasha tried not to show any emotion on her face but she felt her breathing getting heavier every second and her ears getting hot.

The lead soldier approached the throne, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice loud and clear, "we bring before you a foreigner who caused a disturbance in the marketplace. This man assaulted Sanatan, your appointed tax collector, and his men. He challenged the peace of our kingdom."

Jarasandh's gaze shifted to Tiasha, his expression unreadable. "A foreigner?" he mused, his voice deep and commanding. "And what do you have to say in your defence, young man?"

Tiasha closed her eyes for a moment. She reminded herself that Sisupala's presence should not affect her, she was not Tiasha, not Dasi Shyama, she was a foreigner, a young man standing in front of Jarasandh to demand justice.

Tiasha stepped forward, her movements deliberate and steady despite her bound wrists. She met the king's gaze with unwavering eyes. "Accept my Pranam, Magadh Naresh" she began, her voice firm but respectful, "I have heard many great things about your state. I have heard many great things about you too. You are celebrated as one of the most kind and empathetic kings when it comes to your subject. It baffles me how a man like Sanatan can be your royal employee..." She threw daggers at Sanatan with her eyes. Sanatan felt a chill running down his spine when Tiasha's eyes fell upon him. "...He was abusing an elderly woman, a poor vendor in your marketplace, by dragging her by her hair and extorting more than the taxes owed. I simply tried to stop him. His men attacked me first. I just defended myself."

Sanatan immediately stepped forward, pointing an accusatory finger at Tiasha. "Lies, Your Majesty! This man attacked me and my men unprovoked. He has no respect for your laws or your court!"

Jarasandh raised a hand, silencing Sanatan. "You will get your chance to explain your side. Let the accused finish speaking."

Tiasha inclined her head slightly in gratitude. "Maharaj, I ask only that you hear from the people at the market themselves. Let them tell you what they are experiencing and what exactly went down there today. If you find I am guilty of wrongdoing after that, I will accept whatever punishment you see fit."

Sanatan smirked. He acted as if he was about to melt in respect for the king. He started in his honey-dripping voice, "You will find nothing Maharaj trust me. I am your most loyal servant. I can't even think of doing any wrong to your dear subject. I am sure this foreigner has some malicious intentions, he was trying to provoke the people..."

The couriers heard a commotion near the entrance. A guard came running in, "Maharaj, a lot of people have gathered in front of the court, they are demanding the release of this young lad."

Jarasandh frowned while Tiasha smiled to herself. She said, "Looks like you don't have to do much Magadh Naresh. Your people themselves have come to seek justice."

-"Let them in." Jarasandh ordered. The guard bowed and left. All colours drained from the soldier's face who brought Tiasha to the court.

Sanatan's hands started shaking, and sweat bids started forming on his forehead. 

A group led by the bangle seller and the old woman entered the court. The old woman folded her arms and fell to her knees, "Please don't punish this Young lad, your majesty..."

-"This, this Sanathan is the villain, Your Majesty. He had been exploiting us and the soldiers, they were with him..."

-"Yes Sanatan is the villain, he should be punished..." The murmurs turned into a strong demand within a few moments. 

As the demand became louder Sanatan started shouting frantically, "Lies, Lies, all lies!! They have conspired against me, Your Majesty!!" 

-"Silence!" Jarasandh's voice boomed above everyone. The chants for justice stopped but Sanatan kept acting hysterical. The guards of the court struggle to keep him retained. "Lies! Lies! They are all liars!" 

"They are all liars and you are the only truthful one?" Jarasandh asked in a cold voice. Sanatan stopped, "Your...Your Majesty, I...I am your most loyal servant..."

-"Enough!" Jarasnadh turned towards his Army general, "Senapati, look into these matters, till then, Sanatan and this Young Lad should be kept behind bars."

-"No Maharaj, you cannot put the young lad behind bars...he is innocent." Protest rose from the crowd again.

-"He is guilty until proven innocent..." Jarasandh declared his orders firmly.

-XX-

Hello guys! I am so sorry for the late updates, I have a lot of things going on in the back that I can't even bring myself to sit down and write. 

By the way, Tell me if you liked the chapter or not. And Shisupala is back, I am sure he is going to do something to make Tiasha's life, I don't know if I should say good or bad, but well he is going to do something. 

Thank you all so much for reading, I am so grateful to have readers like you guys, like I completely disappear for a month and then when I come back, I see everything is still the same. You guys are the best. And thank you for 150K reads! Like what! 150K, 150!! I can't believe my eyes.

See you again with another chapter I don't know when, but you guys don't forget to take care of yourself. Adiós lovelies. ❤️