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This is a very long chapter  😏

"Anamika" Lekha whispered looking at the woman standing in loki's room. Anamika bowed at meglos and lekha as she stood rooted in her place. Loki casted a bored look at her direction, with a wave he dismissed her.

Lekha couldn't stop her eyes following anamika's retrieving figure. She frowned looking at the woman what was she doing here? She wondered.

"I want it too?" Lekha turned around her gaze resting on meglos who was leaning on the table near loki pointing at the bowl, loki held in his hand.

"This is mine, get yours?" Loki fired pushing meglos away from him. Meglos glared at him as he wiped the whole bowl clean.

"What are you doing here, this late?" Loki asked both of them. Meglos looked at lekha who nodded shifting her gaze at loki.

"Yes?"  Loki ushered lekha to speak.

"Commander Loki, I wanted to inform you about something related to the attack which occurred on Tanirika" She stated. Loki knitted his brows processing her every word.

"What is with everyone barging into My chambers In the middle of night to inform me about the attack? Where were you all day?" He wondered.

"I was in a dilemma, I couldn't get on a side. But now I think I have arrived on a right time" She gazed at meglos who nodded at her boosting her confidence. She clasped her hands together in nervousness emptying everything she knew.

"If you allow me, can I ask you why was the woman here?"

"The same reason you are here. She was talking about a woman who had been shady her whole life and her mother is the one we have locked up as a accused. "

"That's Anamika and the woman she is been talking about is Kaya. Kaya arrived in the palace months ago before the war happened. During the war I grew closer to her followed by Anamika and one of the Royal courtier' daughter Neera. Anamika and Kaya belonged to the same village they were good friends. But since Kaya's mother is accused all I have seen her is trying to talk evil about her friend. She visited me yesterday with the same news she told me. I had promised her that I would talk to you about it but her coming on her own to meet you, seems very shady. "

"This does not help with anything related to the attack?" Loki sighed placing one of the scrolls on the table. He was already annoyed with this investigation. Every lead was ending in a dead end. He had locked every person who was in the kitchen that night. They were being constantly being interrogated but everyone sang the same thing, they were innocent.

"I feel like that she is trying to push it too hard to make us doubt Kaya. Kaya came to meet in the morning with neera, maybe she needed My help. I could not judge her because the whole situation is about the queen, but I would request you to please don't be harsh on Kaya. "  lekha whispered, there was something about Kaya which always made her feel indifferent something about her seemed so familiar.

"Why do you care so much about a maid, My little rose? You are too innocent. She could be manipulating you?" Meglos added making lekha look at him warily.

"Whatever it is a innocent should not burn in the conspiracy which someone else caused" She said. Loki nodded his head in understanding she was right.

"A low rank maid could not frame this whole attack. And the way this all is being handled there is someone stronger and powerful behind it. It can be that these people are just pawns there could be someone else who is pulling the strings! The poison which was added costs fortune you think a kitchen maid could afford it?"  Loki asked meglos who shrugged in return.

"I want to meet this Kaya, bring her to me tomorrow " Loki ordered lekha. She smiled nodding at him which made meglos scowl.

"Great, now let's leave this room, let's go little rose."

They say a new day brings new hope and will to live. Kaya desired the same the next day she woke up. She carried out basic chores of Neera trying to pay the huge debt neera was putting her into. She had nothing to give neera for all the emotional support her friend was blessing her into.

She made sure that Neera's chambers was cleaned before Neera came back. She had told her that she had some important matters to attend with her mother. Kaya scooped herself in a small ball sitting near the window as she stared outside. The window gave a clear view of the guards who were stationed around the warehouse. Several sacks of goods were transported to the warehouse, maybe they were filling the food stocks.

Kaya had spent the whole day sitting rooted on the same place, her mind and heart were frozen. No thoughts and feelings surfaced around her. Everytime she tried to think about something her mind would take her to her mother and then to the Persian man. Sadly,  she had no assurance that she would meet both of them again in this life.

Kaya remembered the days when she and her mother used to spend days talking to each other and sewing clothes. She never desired anyone else in her whole life span because she had her mother. The only person she needed to survive. Today not feeling the shadow of comfort lurking over her made her feel the worst pain one can endure.

A rash clearance of throat made her jerk away from her place, she turned around looking at an unfamiliar man standing at a few distance from her. The man was dressed as a soldier, his long and thick sword fastened on his waist, his eyes casted down as he glanced at her once.

Kaya gulped nervously asking the man why was he here.

"You are requested by his majesty, please follow me " He replied motioning towards the exit of the chambers. Before Kaya could ask him who had asked for her she found the soldier already walking ahead.

Kaya adjusted her veil following the man, her eyes fell on the knife kept on the food table. She threw a quick glance at the man walking infront of her, not feeling his eyes on her she quickly grabbed the knife and tucked it securely in her clothes.

"Where are we going? This route is away from the palace. Why are we moving towards the other end. Not everyone is allowed to enter that area" She ranted running behind the man who rolled his eyes moving faster. Kaya breathed in fear as the path started becoming secluded and silent.

"I am saying stop right there. Or" She threatened standing rigid in her place. The soldier turned around giving her a look.

"Or?"

"Or I will kill you" She whispered pointing the knife at the man. The soldier laughed looking at the little girl who appeared smaller compared to him stone built frame. He was one of the strongest Warriors of his nation and this woman was threatening him.

"It would take much stronger weapon than that knife to kill him, Noore chesme" A gruff voice traveled in her ears. Kaya turned around to face the person who stood near the end of the passage.

Ayas stood expressionless near the silent dead corner of the place they stood. The soldier bowed respectfully at his king with a wave of hand from ayas he created a comfortable distance between Kaya and ayas giving them privacy.

"Follow me "  Ayas ordered Kaya his face held no movement as he turned around moving forward.

"No, I won't " She whispered taking few steps back. Ayas sighed turning around, his gaze fell on the knife which was still in the air and then at Kaya who stood like a scared kitten. Too much acting of being I am the strongest woman.

"Kaya, do not make me pick you up and drag you to your destination " He threatened taking few steps towards her.

"You won't, it's not lady like to meet a man in the middle of night and that too in this kind of shady area" She conveyed moving her hand in different directions.

"Oh really " He laughed sarcastically moving further towards her.

"Where was this lady hidden when you met me near the pond and where was this lady when you entered my room at the middle of the night.  Huh?" Kaya stood there lip tight as he used her own actions against her. Why was he acting so hold tonight.

"At the pond, I came to get some air. It's a public place you do not own it. And about your chambers I came to return the ring. Yes the ring. " She fought back.

"Do I need to tell you what all I own Kaya?"

"You did not tell me the most important thing regarding you, and then you point at me?"

"And what's that? Please enlighten me?"

"You being the king of Persia?" She whispered hiding her gaze from him. He sighed walking towards her, Kaya looked at him looking her grey eyes with his. Ayas eyes softened meeting hers, adjusting her veil properly he snatched the knife from her hands. Kaya gasped looking at her knife before she could fight back, he signaled her to shut up.

"Not a single word. I am already mad at you for not considering me as someone who you can rely on, let me prove it to you tonight that how the king of Persia could be useful to you?"

"I do- I do not understand "

"You wanted to meet your mother don't you?" Kaya's eyes widened in shock hearing him utter those words. Ayas nodded his head, he knew.

"Your majesty, we should head towards the lock ups before the new guard is stationed. " The same soldier who brought her to ayas interrupted. Ayas nodded looking at Kaya one last time before ushering her towards the lockups.

Kaya mindlessly followed ayas and the soldier as they skipped various passages and narrow alleys. Finally she could see herself entering a stone alley, the pungent smell of blood and death made her realize that she had entered into the darkest part of the palace.

"Aban, where did he called us?" Ayas asked the soldier.

"He said to follow the brown stones and take left when they end. Women are kept in the other side of the jail" Ayas nodded placing a soft hand on kaya' back.

She looked at the Persian king covering her nose as the smell became unbearable for her delicate self. Ayas removed his silk Rich handkerchief from his coat, handing to Kaya he told her to sniff the cloth in intervals. The handkerchief had essence of one of the richest perfumes manufactured in Persia, it didn't took her time to recognize the scent as the one he had on his body.

Aaban walked towards one of the guards who waited near one of the corners, they talked for few minutes before aaban handed him a red pouch, the tinkle sound emerging from the pouch clearly signified that it had golden coins in it. Aban turned around waving his hand to the left he informed ayas about the cell Kaya's mother was held. 

"Kaya, walk left and slide the small rectangle window attached to the doors. The window is the only source of communication between you and the person inside the cell. We do not have the key to the door. " Kaya nodded at him clutching his handkerchief closer to her heart she moved towards the cell her mother was held in. Ayas stood behind near the corner giving her the privacy she needed.

Kaya could feel tears brimming in her eye lids as she slid the small window, the metal clashing between each other was the only sound ringing around her. She inhaled deeply rubbing her sweaty hands together as her eyes tried to look at the interior view. Apparently only her eyes could see the through sliding window. Kaya sobbed holding the metal handle as a silhouette grabbed her attention. Her mother was curled in a ball sitting in one of the corners of the small dirty cell as she gazed at the light prevailing through the the tiniest window at the top.

"Mother" She whispered hitting the metal door lightly. Saya blinked her eyes turning towards the door, she got up frantically running towards the door. Kaya blinked her tears as her eyes met her mother's.

"Mother" She cried trying to touch her mother but failed as the door created a barrier between them the only comfort she could get was the gaze of her mother.

"Kaya, Maa bhawani, Kaya what are you doing here?"  Saya asked desperately her eyes narrowed and a worried expression blowing on her face. The mother in her ached looking at the tears oozing from her daughter's eyes.

"Maa, maasa I came to meet you, " She cried looking at her mother who shook her head in denial. No! This was not good.

"Why!! Why did you come here Kaya. You , you should not be here " Saya concerned fiercely wiping her tears. Kaya frowned looking at her mother who appeared mad at her.

"I wanted to meet you, I was so scared. They took you I was so alone. Mother, I was so -" 

"No!!! Don't you understand no!!! This place is not safe for you. I am already here, I have thousands of eyes on me. I cannot take the risk of those eyes falling on you. I have shielded you, all your life Kaya. " Her voice was heavy as she tried to be harsh on her own daughter. Her heart ached at the every possibility of someone recognizing her and her daughter. She cried in agony as tears fell silently from her eyes.

"But why?? You are my mother and i know you are innocent and I am going to prove this to everyone. I am going to to the court -"

"NO! " Saya harshly whispered making Kaya shiver in fear.

"No you are not going to any court and to anyone. You have already crossed alot of lines by coming here. You are not going to do anything else. I want you to live can't you understand you are not safe here " Saya cried her voice crackling as she completed it turned into a painful whisper. Kaya blinked looking at her mother in disbelief.

"Why?" She whispered softly placing her hands on either side of the sliding woman as she gazed at her mother fiercely. Her eyes depicting the revolt she was having against her own emotions.  Saya looked at her daughter who stared back with a fierce gaze.

"Why do you always act like this? Why do you always pull me back and never explain me about anything. I have never questioned you back since childhood. I have always nodded at your every command. You said Kaya stay away from men, they are cruel and selfish I did. You said Kaya we need to switch places frequently I did. You said Kaya don't make any friends I did. I did because it was me butchering my own wishes. But today you are at stake. My mother is at stake and you want me to back up I won't. "

Saya cried clutching her head as Kaya announced her firmed decision. She had no answers her to her daughter's questions. She was the worst mother. Since Kaya was born all she could do was deny her everything she desired for. Right from her favorite to food Saya could not fulfill any of her wishes.

"I am going to fight for you, for us. And we are going to be together. I am Kaya, your daughter and I won't loose hope. "

"Loose the hope because your mother wishes to see you alive " Saya whispered her  broken gaze meeting kaya's.

"Break your hope one more time for your mother, my daughter. Do not let my Years of hardwork go into vain. All your life I have tried to save you from the monsters who want one chance to ruin you, my life line. Please, Kaya run away from here. Don't ever come back. If God forbids I will be out of here and will meet you. But right now please hide yourself from the eyes of the people who are lurking to hurt you" her mother pleaded.

"Why? This time give me the real reason to why I should break my hope and I will. But if you won't then I won't back out. I will get you out of here. I promise you" She replied holding the metal doors tightly, her innerself dreading the future revelation her mother could make. Something could break and it could be her heart.

Saya shook her head, tears flowing furiously down her eyes as she tried pressing her past in the deepest pit of her brain. She had promised herself to never reveal the brutal reality of her daughter's life. She had no courage even today to speak the truth.

"Then it's decided. I am going to the court and fighting for you" Kaya replied firmly moving away from the cell, she turned around ready to go, wiping her tears she had just made a move when her mother banged the metal doors harshly grabbing her attention back.

"Because you are a princess " She gasped spilling one of the  biggest secret in the history of Rakshatra. Kaya turned around slowly her face held shock as she looked at her mother.

"You are the daughter of King of Rakshatra, king Rametu and his third queen Queen Saya, Princess of Harishpur. You are one of that  cursed child whose father ordered their execution the moment you were born. You have royal blood flowing in your veins, you are heir to the throne of Rakshatra. The strongest kingdom in hind. Your father was the most brutal king of his time, he had killed the man I loved, kidnapped me out of will and married me. He had raped me when I was 17 and I had you when I was 18, I have lost all the hope to live but when you came into my womb I was born again. And I don't regret running away and protecting you from all those monsters. I have already lost my son and your twin brother I don't even know if he is alive and you want me to throw you into the fire. As selfish as it sounds, NO I won't do that" She screamed banging the door making chills run down kaya' body.

Kaya felt thousands of monsters running down her body as she struggled to breathe, every word her mother spoke pinching her like a hot iron Bruning her skin.  Saya cried clutching her heart as she fell down on the dirty floor inside the cell. Kaya stood rigid in her place gasping for air. She held the stone wall as the word princess rang in her ears.

You are a princess

I was raped

Royal blood

Twin brother

No!!!she was not some royal person. She was Kaya just a village girl. No!!!

Kaya hurried out her body slumping on the walls arbitrarily as her mother' words echoed in her head. Pain shot in her head making her loose her senses. This was too much to Grasp.

The moment Ayas's eyes fell on a worn out Kaya he ran towards the woman he admired. His hands wrapped around Kaya who gasped, her chest rising up and down as she struggled to breathe. Ayas scooped her in his arms moving out of the narrowed sophisticated passages he moved his feet aggressively, moving out. Aaban ran behind his master following closely.

"Call the hakim, " Ayas ordered throwing a quick glance at Aaban.

(Doctor)

Ayas gave zero concerns over if someone saw him with Kaya. The only concern he was having was the sobbing woman lying in his arms half passed out. Kaya has her fist wrapped on his overcoat as she silently sobbed in his chest. The golden silk thread and beads pushing themselves in her soft skin, marking their structure on her cheeks.

Kaya felt Ayas lowering her on the softest linen she had ever laid on. The linen sheets scrunched under her body as she clumsily laid on the bed. Her whole face was a mess, blood Shot eyes,kohl running down her cheeks as she silently sobbed.  Ayas caressed her cheek in care as she breathed softly her head hurting like someone had placed a mountain of bricks on it.

His hakim arrived in 10 minutes followed by Aaban. Ayas stood expressionless standing near his bed as the doctor checked Kaya. He examined her in fear as the man standing behind him shoved glares in him.

"She's fine. Just a little concussion. I think she has not eaten anything since past 24 hours. It appears it's most of emotional and mental health issue than physical. She needs proper care and food, your majesty. " The doctor replied prescribing some herbs for Kaya. Once he left ayas made himself comfortable on the bed as Kaya slept on his bed. Aaban stood at a comfortable distance looking at his master and the man he had grown up with caring with utmost care.

Ayas swiped the wet cotton cloth on kaya's cheeks wiping the dirt and tears off her face.   He moved her hairs away from her face removing her silver head band. He tried to ease her pain a little.

"Call her friend, I need to talk to her about something " Aaban bowed moving out of the room leaving ayas alone with Kaya.  He walked towards the chambers of the woman who had visited his master early in the morning after creating a havoc outside the door practically fighting the two guards stationed outside. The woman was insufferable yet courageous.

Before he could reach her chambers he found her standing near one of the pillars growling at another woman.

Neera had anamika pinned on the nearest pillar as she choked her to death. Aaban's eyes widened as he witnessed neera murdering someone. He ran towards the two woman and pulled neera away from the other woman. Anamika gasped falling down on the floor as Neera threw her hands in different directions struggling to get away from aaban's strong hold..

"Leave me, you mountain man, I will kill this backstabbing bitch today" She snarled gritting her teeth.

"No!  Your friend needs you-"

"Hush" She placed her palm on his mouth narrowing her small clove eyes at him. Aaban felt current racing down his body as neera sushed him up. She jumped out of his hold glaring at anamika who looked suspiciously between her and Aban. Neera grabbed one of the oil torches hung in the passage and In swift move she hit the torch right on anamika's head.

Aaban felt his soul leaving his body as anamika fell flat on the ground. Neera huffed throwing the torch away from the first floor to the bushes lying on the ground as she wiped the sweat dropping down her forehead. She turned around as if nothing hapoened and started walking towards the guest chambers.

Aaban called out to her pointing at the immobile Anamika lying on the ground.

"You are a high rank officer right? Clean her up. I will go and greet my friend "

Aaban stood rooted on his place for 10 minutes staring at neera's retrieving figure his mind not processing what just happened. The woman was nuts.

Aaban ordered his men to get rid of anamika before following the crazy woman to the guest chambers. He saw her standing near the other side of the bed, a worried expression settled on her face. She really did care for her friend.

"I expect you to take care of her, I have important matters to attend. Aaban guard both these woman. They are under my care " Ayas ordered making neera Bob her head at him.

"I do not thing this violent woman is qualified enough to take care of someone in this fragile state" Aaban informed his master, neera glared at the soldier making him squirm back. Ya Allah, she was one fierce eagle.

"I was, " Neera began fiercely but refrained herself looking at ayas. She bowed clearing her throat.

"I was teaching that backstabbing ex-friend of mine a lesson. She snitched about Kaya to commander loki and Lady lekha. She is so jealous of Kaya, I had more violent plans with her but you came in middle. " She accused aaban making him frown at her.

"Why is she jealous of kaya"

"What's not to be jealous of? Look at Kaya she has such a alluring moon faced shape, swan white skin and those grey eyes men literally swoon over her. Am I right, your majesty ?" Ayas sighed looking at neera who laughed nervously dabbing the cotton cloth frantically on kaya' face incoherent words coming out of her mouth.

"One of the guards informed me that loki had sent guards to retrieve Kaya when we were not here. And he knows that Kaya is in my care. I will pay him a visit. Take care of both the women " Ayas ordered feathering his knuckles on kaya's cheeks as he left the chambers.

Aaban took sit on one of the chairs looking at neera who glared at him.

"And you are not jealous of your friend?" Aaban asked neera who sighed adjusting her golden head band, twirling one of hair locks as she replied him back.

"I am different one if million. You see my personality is very entertaining and I have a strong aura someone like you won't understand. " She replied sassily making Aaban scoff at her.

"See I knew it men like you are jealous of women like me!"

"Woman like you?" He laughed.

"Yes strong and gorgeous woman like me!" She flipped her hand in the air raising her eyebrows at him.

HIYA!!!!!! MY LITTLE PUDDINGS!!!!

Have some sweets!!!!! Finally Kaya knows the truth.

Baby girl can't take it though. Atleast we have Neera to fight for her. Love Neera.
Neera is My spirit animal, she is so fucking savage. Lmao. In this world i need a friend like Neera.

And

Ek Ayas toh main bhi deserve karti hun.

( i deserve a Ayas too In my life)

No Zravi today apologies but we got Kayas.  This was a  Hella emotional and nerve thrilling chapter though.

We are finally on the main climax maximum 3 chapters left and it could be shortened if I decide to make them bonus chapters or Epilogue.

Anything you want to share with me? Give me your review of today's chapter.

Please take care of yourself and stay hydrated.

Bye guys!!!

Love Aditi 🤍