Chapter 17
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"Come in, Putri," her aunt's voice immediately floated to her as the door creaked.

Surya sighed. "You always know whenever I enter!"

Her aunt winked. "You can blame it on the creaky door this time," she assured.

"You had called me for something, Bhagini?"

"Ah, yes." Is it just me, or did Aunt's mood just shift? She stood up, pulling her pallu a little looser so she could move easily. She pulled open the door of her cupboard, reached in, and brought something out. Necklaces? Three, to be precise. She placed them in her niece's hand. Surya turned them over in her hands. They were simple but strong strings with a glass bead each.

"Give these to your sisters before you depart, it will help you recognize each other when in disguise, or in any other situation."

Suruchi pulled her hand away as she spun towards the window, staring at the serene moon outside. "I... have some things to tell you, before you girls leave tomorrow. Sit down," she said the last part jerkily, gesturing to the thin-cushioned settee. Surya obliged, her heat running at a faster pace than usual. "As you know, I'm your mother's half-sister. I... was a bastard to Revati's father and a castle maid."

She let that sink as she pulled a rudraksha mala off of a nail on the wall. She turned away from Surya, facing the moon which had begun to dull in its brilliant light. She counted on them with her forefinger and thumb, turning it as the beads went past.

"One who simply gives birth is no parent, the one who raises the child is a parent. The king was a tyrant in my eyes. He may have been my biological father, but never a parent.  He began by committing a sin. Betraying his wife by forcing himself on my engaged mother. Yes, she was engaged and her marriage was in a week's time then. She was a happy seventeen-year-old. Until... she was pregnant with me." Surya felt the tinge of guilt color her aunt's words.

"It was merely an insignificant blunder to the king, but for my mother... it completely changed her life.

"Her family threw her out of the house when she refused to kill me when I was born. So in hopes of finding a means of livelihood she came back to the palace. The queen, that wretched woman with no sympathy whatsoever, sent us away. She should've understood as a woman, but she didn't." Suruchi's voice tread on thin ice, the layer threatening to crack and overflow with water.

"When my mother should've been living in her in-laws' mansion, she was living in a hut married to an old, ailing man. Lucky for us, he was harmless. A kind person. He even apologized for marrying her even though he was much too old for her. I don't remember him, but my mother told me that I used to play with him. He died not even a year after his marriage but left us some extra inheritance behind. It wasn't much but it was something to add to the charity given by the queen. The coin didn't last long, all that mattered was to fill our bellies with something. Where she was supposed to have been taking a relaxed afternoon nap, she was scrubbing dishes tirelessly at houses. 

"The royal couple stole everything from us," she whispered harshly, her strangled voice making Surya freeze. "They snatched our happiness. We were shunned wherever we went, no one knew of my identity, of course, but they knew we were a disgrace. But I didn't mind it. I loved my mother, my only parent, and my only goddess no matter her form.

"She couldn't bear the work, though. She was beaten, harassed, given scanty food... what could a woman do when her physical and mental health was clinging onto life by a mere finger? She let go, and I was glad. Not glad that I had lost her, but glad that her days of hell on earth were over."

Suruchi sucked in a breath, her last words dwindling. Her shaky hand reached out for the metal pitcher, but Surya was already on it. She had a tumbler with filled water ready minutes ago.

Her aunt took the glass, drank it, and set it back down on the table. She didn't even acknowledge Surya, it was as if she had forgotten about her when she entered the twisting web of the past. Surya listened intently, her heart reaching out for aunt wherever her voice cracked, wherever her words faltered.

"Then... where was I?" she muttered, her voice fresher than before, but still unstable, "I became an orphan when I was eleven. Then, the Veer Naaryaha found me and took me in. And that's how I came to be involved. Revati was born when I was around fourteen, fifteen. I was angry for some time, a few months, at the royal family. My own sister drank milk from spoons of the purest gold while I ate all my bland meals in a leaf. And that made me feel... unwanted. Don't mistake me, I didn't harbor any hatred for this place. I was so much at home here than anywhere else. But I was young, and a little bitter.

"When I was eighteen, I left the clan. They knew of my parentage, so they understood. I never told them my real intentions, though. I had planned out an elaborate scheme to expose the king and queen. They were so revered and regarded pure in their people's eyes that I just wanted to drag out all their secrets from their safe, little palace and scatter them on the streets!" Her voice went up at the last part, quivering with fury, but she sighed deeply after. She rubbed her forehead gently. "I went to the palace, to ask for the job of a maid, with a tiny bit of hope that he'd show some sympathy towards me. But I received none. Instead, I received insults and glowers. Not just from the king, but the queen as well. She demanded I remove my filthy presence from their pristine homes. But it was the king who came up with the sick idea to make me serve their daughter. The queen reluctantly agreed, a little satisfied to have fixed a tormenting job for me." 

Suryakanti clenched her jaw. She didn't have to have been there to feel her aunt's pain and humiliation. Suruchi's words were enough to re-live the memory for her. Surya fisted her saree in her right hand.

"I didn't meet the princess for some time, I had to make myself familiar with the place first. We can't have an incompetent maid to tend to the royal princess's needs, can we? That's what they told me. It was nearly two weeks familiarising myself with my duties, to navigate through the palace, what to do, what not to do, and all that. By then, I had collected enough information, enough evidence to reveal the secret. But the moment I saw her lovely face, my resolve melted. That was my sister, such an innocent, tender-hearted toddler back then. I couldn't possibly put her life at risk, could I?"

"So I chose to remain silent on the matter." Suruchi interlocked her fingers, the faint cracking of her knuckles filling the air.

"I decided to devote my time to my sister instead, keep her away from that witch of a queen. Cruel. Spiteful. Merciless. Revati never became like her and that's why I'm proud of her. She accomplished much more than both her parents combined. She was the best queen, the best sister, and the best human there ever was after my mother in my life. No one can replace a mother, not even a sister, she could be very close but never an equal." She spoke her last words in a fond tone, her breathing falling back into the steady pace and her voice soft.

Surya leaned against the settee in a comfortable position, her eyes feeling droopy. There was silence in every sense. The wind only managed to make a very light whoosh outside, the moon hid behind the clouds to let a soft halo replace its bright glare. The fragrance of the scented-dhoopa and everything else getting softer and softer with every calm breath of the two.

Suruchi suddenly stood up when Surya yawned gently. "I almost forgot that you were here," she said with a laugh, returning back to her normal self. "Get up, Putri, else you'll fall asleep here and wake up with a sprained neck."

The princess whined, stretching her arms above her head and her legs towards the side. "Yes aunt, but I have a few questions before I go..."

Suruchi was already nodding her head in approval, a smile on her face. "Go on, I know you're never short of questions, just your height. I'm jesting, I'm jesting!" she said when Surya scowled in the moonlight.

"Alright," she said with a suspicious squint in her direction, but she grew somber. "Is... your brother real? I mean, how do you know he's alive even now-"

"Oh, he'll be alive alright," Suruchi interrupted, waving her hand in dismissal. "I'd be unsure if he were a woman. Or unless... he was found by Abalabāhu's soldiers. The tyrant's reign is merciless towards people and more so towards women. That's what we'll have to put an end to, all suffering in the kingdom. But I have no clue where Dipankar might be. I would check the tribes and independent societies if I were you. It'd be difficult for him to hide and live where Abalabāhu's soldiers throng the streets. But you'll have to find him, for he has many answers and maybe more knowledge of the palace's working now. Your quest in the castle will be useless without his knowledge. God knows how your uncle is faring. I believe he is alive, but I don't know if he's safe, just like your parents are. Promise me, Surya-" she clasped her hand in here, blind eyes searching hers. "-promise me that you will rescue your kingdom, your people, your parents. Promise me, that you will put an end to the demon who rules a stolen kingdom, a stolen kingdom that belonged to your parents, to you."

Surya swallowed. It was a heavy responsibility. Much too heavy for a sixteen-year-old. But she nodded. "Yes, Aunt Suruchi. I will do the needful." She vowed.

"Then your old aunt will be content, Putri. Make us proud, child." She relaxed and sat down, her eyes closing as she leaned back. "You may go, Putri, for I have taken enough of your time. You must have a good sleep before you depart tomorrow."

"Yes aunt," she said, getting up from her place and heading towards the door. "Goodnight Bhagini," she wished her before closing the door which shut with a soft, inaudible thud.

She exhaled, not realizing that she was holding in a breath. Her stiff shoulders slumped and her back shared its weight on the door for comfort. Her eyelids slid over her eyes for a brief moment, a jumble of memories and thoughts flashing by. With a sharp inhale, she swiftly pulled herself forward, resting her spine in an eased, erect posture as she began to walk back to her room.

The building was eerily quiet, the hallways ominously dark. Their attempts at intimidation failed as Surya walked past them without a glance, her feet taking over the reins of her path. She entered her room, shutting the windows close for the first time since she'd been there, and went to sleep.

It's cold today, that is unusual, isn't it Surya? her brain asked.

She sighed. That isn't going to work, brain. What do I call you? Brain?

Yes, now that is interesting because you cannot call me your-

Your attempts are futile, she interrupted, don't waste your brain cells. And she tucked away that little voice far way in her head and pulled the covers up to her neck, feeling the warmth seep up her limbs. Her eyes closed readily, but sleep was reluctant.

I have made a promise, but can I keep it?

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I hope you liked the update!

If you did, I regret to inform you that Sanguine will be discontinued. Nope, just kidding :D

What I do regret to inform you, is that I will not be able to update for the next two Sundays. Why? I'm facing a huge writer's block and I haven't finished the book yet. But after the next two Sundays, I will be busy with my exams. BUT if I manage to write enough chapters in time, I will still be able to drop in an update. So sorry guys, but it is what it is...

I have made a promise, but can I keep it? Well, I don't know, but I'll certainly try :)