The pale light of the moon bathed the chamber in silver as a little girl sat cross-legged on the soft carpet, her tiny hands busy weaving garlands from marigold flowers she had plucked earlier in the day. The quiet of the night wrapped around her like a blanket, but her ears remained perked, waiting for the faint sound of her mother’s anklets returning to her.

She was a child of innocence and beauty, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with curiosity and an ever-present spark of mischief. Her laughter could light up the dimmest corners of their secluded quarters, though that laughter was rare. Tonight, as she waited, her mind was occupied by a secret she planned to share with her mother. A hidden nest of sparrow eggs she had found by the palace walls.

Finally, the faint jingle of anklets echoed in the hallway. The girl  jumped to her feet, her tiny face lighting up as she ran to the door.

"Ma!" she whispered excitedly, careful not to disturb the silence of the night.

Her mother entered, her posture stooped and her face pale. Yet, as soon as she saw her daughter, she forced a soft smile. She knelt down, wrapping her daughter in a protective embrace.

"Abhilasha, my little flower, were you waiting long?" her voice, though warm, trembled faintly.

Abhilasha cupped her mother’s cheeks with her small hands, her brows furrowed with concern.

"Why are you so cold, Ma? Did Pitashree make you sad again?"

Her mother froze for a moment, then kissed her daughter’s forehead.

"No, my love. You are here, and that is enough to make my heart warm."

She guided Abhilasha to their bed, where they sat side by side. Abhilasha began chattering about the sparrow eggs, her tiny hands flitting animatedly as she described the discovery. Her mother listened intently, finding solace in her daughter's innocent joy, even as her own body began to ache, a dull, gnawing pain deep inside.

As the night wore on, the pain intensified. Her mother’s breaths became labored, and she clutched her stomach, her face contorting in agony. Abhilasha’s laughter faded, replaced by fear.

"Ma? Ma, what’s wrong?" she cried, tugging at her mother’s saree.

Her mother tried to hide the pain, but it was unbearable. She crumpled onto the floor, her hands trembling as she reached out to steady herself. Tears welled up in her eyes, not just from the physical torment but from the crushing despair that this was yet another life lost, a fragile hope extinguished by the King's unrelenting desires.

Abhilasha, though only a child, sensed the depth of her mother’s suffering. She wrapped her small arms around her mother, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Don’t cry, Ma. I’ll take care of you. I promise," she whispered, her voice quivering.

Her mother pulled her close, burying her face in Abhilasha’s hair as silent sobs racked her body.

"You are my strength, my little princess," she murmured, her voice broken. "You are the reason I endure."

As dawn approached, Abhilasha’s mother lay weak and pale, clutching her daughter’s hand. Despite her pain, she gazed at her child with unyielding love. She would endure every storm, every heartache, for Abhilasha. For the little girl was not just her daughter. She was her hope, her reason to fight against the darkness that threatened to consume her world.

As the tortured woman drifted into an uneasy sleep, she prayed silently to the gods to protect her daughter. For as long as she lived, she would shield Abhilasha from the cruel truths of their world, even if it meant enduring every heartbreak in silence. As her eyes surrendered to nothingness, she heard the whispers. The voice of the dark clouds---

In shadows deep, a secret lies,
Of a king's fall 'neath blood-stained skies.

From his own line, mixed with divine,
Shall come the end of his cruel design.

No sword nor war shall seal his fate,
But blood and gods shall weave his hate.

The crown he wears will turn to dust,
When kin and curse betray his trust.

A shadowed light, a whispered lore,
A secret kept behind closed doors.
Born of silence, bound by flame,
A destiny waits, without a name.

~~~Abhilasha

A/N:

Okay guys, no more female leads for now. Because I want to keep you in loop. Keep guessing who is going to be paired with whom till I reveal all....😁😁😁

Nilasi, Darsayamini and Pranali's pairs are pretty much obvious. Keep guessing the rest.

Next chapter will be the continuation of the story after twelve years jump in time.