"The wintry palace breeze could at times make the rose wilt, a little warmth is required to save it."

"Help me out of these." I commanded Sugha as soon as I entered the room. By now, the sun was set and the obscurity of darkness started to creep out of the corners only to be warded by the flames of torches. 

The maids in my room together aligned to help me out of the pompous vestments that I had been wearing all day. Sure, the cloth was soft and luxurious but the feeling of cotton against the skin was far much better than some silken garment. If the heaviness of embroidery was not enough to repulse me at times, the heavy jewellery sure did the charm. I was used to these extravagant things but the difference between habit and desire were too stark for me to flick it away.

While I was trying to relax my sore muscles that were stiffened due to a long time standing in the same posture, the maids involved themselves in serving me and sought entertainment through their hushed whispers and gossip.

One particular maid was marvelling at a neckpiece that she helped me out with and whispered to the maid beside her, "Our Rajkumari is indeed too blessed to have a mother who pampers her to this extent."

Somehow, I restricted my urge to scoff and fiddled with the ring set on my finger. Encrusted with various stones, the jewellery shimmered underneath the scant lighting.

"I agree, not only does she have a doting mother, all her brothers cherish her too." The other maid whispered back and giggled. "I wonder which Rajkumar would have the guts to approach her. He would have to be valiant to face all the princes of Gandhar."

This got my attention and I couldn't help but smile a little before glancing at my reflection on the bronze mirror. Though it wasn't clear, I knew my cheeks were dusted with red. Perhaps, Sugdha noticed the change in my expression for she nudged me a little before arranging my hair.

"Yes, our princes cherish Rajkumari too much and I know they would never treat her like the prince of Mathura treated her sister. Poor Rajkumari Devaki, her brother imprisoned her." Someone butted in. It was no secret in the entire Aryavart that Rajkumar Kans was a very doting brother before that fateful day of her marriage. As soon as he got to know about his possible slayer, he forgot all his love for his sister and-

Shaking my head I tried to brush away the ideas that contrived due to that ominous statement and turned to look at the presumptuous maid who dared to utter these words. At the end of my line of sight stood Jasvi who pursed her lips on realising the gravity of her statement. Before she could speak anything further, I twisted my lips and sneered, "Mind repeating your statement?"

She shuddered at my tone and the apathetic expression splayed on my visage. Gulping slightly she shook her head and fell on her knees. The room turned dead silent and every eye was fixated either on Jasvi or the floor. No words were articulated by Jasvi who moments before this was being a blabbermouth.

"I asked you something Jasvi." I continued with my supposed interrogation, "What did you say?" 

"M-Mercy. Mercy Rajkumari. I s-shouldn't have said that." Jasvi stuttered and bowed her head in the apology which was not something I was seeking for. 

"You know Jasvi. The finance minister's abode is currently in peril. Like the convict at the court said, the dismissed maids could seek revenge; weren't you a maid there?" I arced my brow and drummed my fingers against the armrest. Listening to my words, her eyes widened, lips parted to mutter another round of apology and request of mercy but I stopped her again. "Get her out of my sight. She is dismissed from her post." 

My one command was enough and two guards rushed to drag Jasvi away. The girl thrashed to get out of their hold, screamed out apologies but the sight- my eyes were now trained to look at this. Just for a second, a scene flashed ahead of me and the figure of Jasvi transfigured to that of Dviti. Her bloodshot eyes stared at me, bearing a request to save her but soon it was shattered when Jasvi was taken out of the room.

With jagged breaths I clenched my fists, trying to comprehend the reasoning for my hauntings. Pondering over numerous aspects, nothing seemed plausible. There was guilt, I knew, perchance it wasn't a single reason but a mesh of causes that seem to be tangling.

I turned around, sitting straight, my eyes were boring holes on my visage that was sans any emotion. Wordlessly, the maids returned to their duty; them being scared affected little to their work efficiency and soon I was lying on my bed, tracing patterns on the ceiling.

The designs carved on the ceiling were beguiling to look at, a nexus where one pattern loses its identity to create something more exquisite than it could ever be alone. While I was connecting one engraving to the other, a junction of one vine to the other, I heard footsteps coming closer to me.

"Rajkumari," Sugdha whispered. "Your dinner is being served."

"I am in no mood to eat."

The silence yet again enshrouded the place but was yet again broken by Sugdha. 

"Rajkumari," she called out again. Signing at her pestering, I finally looked at her. Standing at some distance from the bed, my handmaid- my friend was pursing her lips. Her fingers were tightly knotted around one another and she finally articulated words. "Your health would deteriorate at such a pace."

"I am not hungry."

"At least have some fruit." She nudged.

"Later." And with this, she stopped with her request and retracted to her station.

Unlike my words, that night I didn't eat anything as the arms of sleep wrapped my conscience to deep slumber.

"Your weaknesses are your thorns."

"Be in your limits."

"Veiled exile or pompous escape?"

"....check on everyone who is entering or exiting."

"She was innocent but you are family."

"Don't they say that Ratranis attracts snakes?"

"I will be your stair-"

And with the last statement, my eyes jolted open and I started heaving deeply. Looking around, my eyes searched for nothing in particular. They just wandered as if soaking the familiarity of my room and coaxing my conscience that it was a mere dream. Somehow embracing myself, I lulled my senses, it wasn't easy but staring at the night sky that was peeking through the balcony helped me for a bit. The sun was yet to shine and the stars twinkled as if giggling at the mortals for their state, sharing tales with one another but also glancing at us every once in a while to ignite hope. 

For some reason, a sudden desire bloomed in my mind, a desire to touch these little jewels. With ginger steps, I dismounted my bed and started walking to my balcony. Standing for a long while in the same posture is a tough task, what was even tougher was to deal with the soreness that was left behind from the action. Perhaps this was one of the reasons that my movements were not so discreet, for my maids rushed by my side to help me. Raising my hand, I stopped them and limped to the balcony. The soothing fragrance of Raatrani lingered along with the warmth of the spring breeze.

Though silent, the torch of the far station of guards burned, providing a hoax of heat for the eyes witnessing it. The distant walls of the palace looked more towering than usual and the touch of comfort dwindled the longer I stared. 

"Sugdha," I called her all of a sudden. Nibbling onto my lower lips, I waited for nimesh before continuing. "When would the next trial be?" 

"Considering, Brahma muhurat is about to start, I perceive tomorrow, Rajkumari. Is there something of matter?" Sugdha added her question with the reply. Her face twitched in confusion but her lips wobbled to question the reasoning behind my interrogation. The incident with Jasvi must have been traumatic for them for none of them tried to make any movement and blend in the shadows.

"Good, the Brahma muhurat is here. I think today we should worship at the temple near the old palace." I smiled softly and ran my fingers through my tangled hairs. Considerably confused, Sugdha tried to probe further but before she could do so, I commanded other maids to ready my bath.

The moment I entered the bath, the warm steam of the scented water engulfed me, relaxing my muscles. The tingles on my feet that initially articulated when my feet touched the heated water, soon subdued. Groaning lightly, I closed my eyes and comfort shroud me when I heard whispers of my maids.

"What is the old palace?" An unfamiliar voice queried in a hushed tone; must be a replacement of Dviti or Jasvi, I pondered.

"It is the oldest part of the palace. It is mostly left abandoned and is the most desolate area of the palace." An experienced maid answered.

"Then why-" Before she could continue, her voice was muffled and the hurried footsteps walking away from my direction was enough to make me understand that she was being taken somewhere else to be berated.

By the time I was done with my bath, both the maids were back or I perceived as a young maid was fiddling at her spot. I glanced at that maid, her head was bowed down, marking the submission to serve me. Beside her was another maid who was arranging my clothes.

Finally, getting me ready, the maids arranged the plates filled with flowers and materials used for worship. The sweet fragrance of camphor laced with assortments made from roasted nuts was as enticing as various colours on the plate. I hummed in satisfaction and without further discussions, we headed towards the place. The gentle breeze brushed past my face while I walked through the network of corridors. Soon we reached the old section of the palace and the sheer silence was highlighted by the soft sound of my footsteps resonating at the place. Covered in dust, most of the surfaces were decorated with the patterns created by the cobwebs and at every corner, pests were lurking, perhaps analysing the stranger that entered their territory.

Subconsciously, my maids started to walk closer to one another, making sure the grime doesn't touch their pristine clothes. I, on the other hand, felt apathetic, the blood on my hands strengthen them to face even the dirtiest surface for they would always be there to mark my skin.

Due to me being lost in my musings, I missed out on my skirt being stained with dust and soon we reached our destination. Amidst the shambles of the old palace, the temple was standing in perfect condition. Though some of the carvings were covered in vermilion, it hardly diminished the beauty of the designs and the enigmatic ambience created by the approaching twilight gave it an ethereal touch.

My maids started to clean the place but coming here to worship was not exactly my goal and I started strolling, not towards the door of the temple but the area behind it. Sugdha tried to call me but they were subdued by my desire of witnessing something.

Behind the place stood Poornima with a figure whose back was facing me. I shook my head at the baffled expression of Poornima and chuckled, making the figure turn her head.

"Mother is getting too predictable Lekha kaki." I smiled at the lady and walked closer to her. As if petrified, she stood there, her eyes wide. With slow movements, my fingers trailed to the cloth covering her face and brought it down to marvel at the bewildered look on the face of the older woman.

"Could I get some time with lady Poornima here?" I smirked and eyed the woman who was trying to conceal her presence.

"Also, inform mother," I whispered in the ears of Lekha Kaki, "The wintry palace breeze could at times make the rose wilt, a little warmth is required to save it."