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Chapter 18
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Her resolve faltered for a moment upon recognizing the unexpected visitor, but she regained her composure. She cleared her throat of any nervousness, or stuffed them down her throat, and spoke. Much firmer, clearer, and in a voice that clearly said, 'business time'. While Suruchi's body language seemed to say, 'you're not welcome here'.

"Speak, messenger of the enemy," she commanded.

"Please, I... I do not come representing him. I come in peace, in hopes of an alliance, in fact. I come to you, sister, as an elder brother who wants to apologize."

His last words hit her hard, but her face didn't disclose it. "So, what do I owe this pleasure, dear brother of mine?" Revati said, the word 'brother' like venom on her tongue.

"Please, please Revat-"

"You have lost all rights to call me that. I am now the unofficial queen of Vaibhavgarh, you are no more than a traitor of the country and brother only in terms of blood relation." The words were acid on her tongue, burning her and burning.

"Alright, my queen. Before you judge me, please hear me out."

"Speak."

His eyes darted to the general and Suruchi. "Alone," he emphasized.

"Absolutely not!" Suruchi lashed out. "He has gladly joined the enemy without sparing a thought about us, how can you be sure that all this not a pretense, my queen? How can you be sure that he will not harm you, Highness?"

"Nobody said that I'm sure, Suruchi. General, please proceed, the royal trainer and I can manage just fine. And call all the guards out along with you."

"But, Your Highne-" the general protested.

"General." Revati nodded at him, a sign of dismissal.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he said dejectedly, before following her instructions.

"It's a wonder to see you have grown into a proper ruler. I never saw this side of you when we were younger."

"Maybe you would if you had paid more attention." She hissed. "Enough with the 'nostalgic' mentions in hopes of gaining my trust!"

Dipankar fell silent. 

"You are a traitor who betrayed your kingdom, your family and broke your people's trust. Do you accept?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Do you know the consequences of treachery? Do you know the punishment for treason against your kingdom?"

"Yes. Death." He whispered.

"Absolutely, so what do you you think I'll do?" Revati studied her nails, looking unimpressed.

"I... I come in hopes of forgiveness, but if you feel death is the adequate punishment for my crime, so be it. Do as you see fit, my queen."

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I'm sorry for all that I did, for breaking all your trust, for not supporting my family. I realized my mistake after Roopvalli got me thrown into the prison, acquiring the position for herself. I apprehended that I had been misled by someone I barely knew. Please, forgive me for my sins and accept me back into your life as your elder brother."

"You think I'll forgive the only brother I had, who decided to betray his family, get his father killed, leave his sister to fend for herself, and eventually die in the face of war, so easily?" she asked, her tone harsh and piercing, but not just to him.

Exactly Revati, he's the only brother you have.

And he is the one whose betrayal stung the most. She shot back mentally. 

Dipankar flinched. "I-uh-I..." he took a deep breath, "Me being misled can't be an excuse for all the damage that I've caused, for all the hurt, for all the pain and suffering. But please, give me a chance. As a young prince, I was mostly neglected by Father who always turned to you.

When I finally had found someone to support me, or so I thought, I jumped at the chance. She was the only one who had shown interest in me, so I listened to her to get back my respect and attention. Then she poisoned my mind against you and Father. Er, about mother..."

"Yes, I understand that." Revati agreed.

"Yes and- what? You understand what I went through?" Dipankar began with a hopeful smile. "So you're decidi-"

"No," His smile dropped. "I mean the 'against mother' part."

"Oh."

"Yes, resume," she voiced sternly.

"Uh yes, so, I want to make amends for my mistakes. I realized that you were only what I have left now, please give me a chance. I know I'm not worthy of it, and me being naïve is no justification for my actions, but I truly am sorry.

"I want to support you, I can't live - or die - in peace knowing that you will be struggling or you will die struggling. Please, I am truly willing to do or give whatever I can to earn your forgiveness." He pleaded, going down on his knees, clasping his hands, tears streaming down his cheeks and in his eyes, Revati seemed to see true regret, sadness, guilt, and a bit of hope.

"No," Suruchi's hot breath fanned the back of her ear. "I know he's my half-brother too, but you can't give him a chance. What if this is all an act? What if he's here to harm you? I'm tempted to believe him-"

I doubt you are, dear sister,

"-but we cannot risk your safety. But, I have faith in you, too. Make your choice, princess. Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be wise."

Revati sighed deeply, running her tongue over her chapped lips, her hands combing her hair in an act of frustration. What should I do? What if it is one of Roopvalli's schemes that he is abiding by? But... he is my brother. 

Alright, no emotions should cloud my judgment. Think clearly Revati. If it was all a ploy, would he put on act like this? Mayhap, but I strongly think: No.

The 'high and mighty' Ballaraja wouldn't stoop so low. He thinks his station is far above me and can crush me easily, right? Yes.

He thinks I'm no match for him but a petty thing that has not realized her place yet. Her blood boiled when she thought of him. And he'd want to take me out in front of everyone with a small troop of his soldiers on the battlefield to humiliate me. His man-ego was too high.

I think, my brother has seen the error of his ways. I can read him well, I am his sister after all. I think he truly is with good intentions. But what if Suruchi's right too? What do I do...?

Dipankar now slowly stood up, not sure what would transpire. She paced the floor in front of him for a while. She sighed as she halted and walked towards him. 

Her glare burned his eyes but her actions melted his heart. 

Revati bowed low and touched her brother's feet.

She rose to meet his happy gaze. "I am younger than you and therefore should be in no position to forgive you. But in this case, you have to earn my forgiveness. I will pardon your punishment for treason, albeit not grant you forgiveness for your criminal actions. I have accepted you back, only into the kingdom, as a queen, but I have not accepted you into my heart as a sister. It will take time, but with that maybe, forgiveness will come. On a side note, keep your hopes low. Very low."

She clapped twice. "Dasi!" she called out as the Suruchi opened the doors to let a maid in. "Draw a bath in one of the guest rooms near the west wing and get food up to the room. Arrange a bed for the night as well. It is for the Prince until his room is cleared of the accountancy scrolls."

"I-" he cleared his throat. He knew the 'guest rooms' in the west wing were more of small, private quarters for a servant than what a prince would stay in. And 'draw a bath' was just polite wording. There were no private baths in the west wing or anywhere else for servants.

But he knew better than to argue for something he did not have a right over. The fact that she had even allowed him to stay was a huge feat. "I don't know how to thank you Revati. You have done so much-"

"Don't thank your sister yet, thank your queen." She replied, piercing his words with ice. "Two weeks later you will be called back here. We have some... things to resolve." The last line was directed with a glance in a particular direction, although he wasn't sure whether it was the open door she was staring at or Suruchi.

"Yes, your highness. And I hope in time, I can call you by your name." Dipankar said gratefully.

Revati nodded, dismissing him. She turned towards her sister once he left. "For your safety, I will still insist upon me watching over you when he's near. Even if it's a private conversation that doesn't require the royal trainer, I'll come in disguise."

"No need," the young queen waved her hand. "You'll be with us anyway. After all, he'll be meeting both his sisters."

Her eyes widened. "You're seriously not thinking of telling him of all people, are you?" Suruchi questioned.

"Of course I am. He is... our brother, he deserves to know," she said, her tone relaxed.

"Well with all he's done, I don't think he even deserves another chance!" she scoffed, crossing her arms against her chest.

Revati shook her head. "I think he left them for real, Suruchi. Besides, it doesn't matter anyway. Vaishaktinagara has outnumbered us and most probably, outmatched us too. We have nothing to lose, why not give him another shot at repenting?"

Her sister simply looked away, ignoring her question. "Meanwhile he freshens up, you do too. You haven't got proper rest at all in... weeks?"

"Maybe." She said with a dry chuckle.

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