Chapter 5

Sahil was extremely angry at himself for putting his sister in this situation. The sweat that made his her hair cling to the side of her face was evident that she was trying to endure the pain. "Gauri...I am so sorry...if not for me..." Gauri smiles gently at her little brother "Sahil....take this as a valuable lesson. You will be King one day and the most important thing to remember is not to let your anger cloud your judgement. You need to look at things with clear eyes so that you can see far and wide. Your enemies will want to trap you whenever they can...only you can save yourself by always being a step ahead." As they approached Gauri's courtyard which was located at the most desolated corner of the Palace they could see a frantic maid come running towards them "Princess!" Sahil could only look down at the floor as the maid pulled Gauri away from his small arms. "Prince...What happened?" Gauri knew that her brother must be feeling too guilty "Bhavya...is that anyway to talk to the Crown Prince?" Realizing her mistake Bhavya quickly kneels down "Forgive me your Highness! I was just worried for the Princess."

Sahil: It is okay. You may rise. I feel very ashamed...for it is my...

Gauri angrily looks at her brother: Sahil! You are the Crown Prince. There is no room for self blame. You do not have to explain to anyone.

Seeing Sahil looking dejected Gauri's tone softened up as she pats her brother's head "Sahil...You are 13 now...I can't baby you anymore. As future King of Ashen you must make your power known now. Be a benevolent King but also a ruthless one when necessary...no one should be able to look you straight in the eyes. Now go back to your place...Bhavya is here to help me." Not wanting to leave his sister side but at the same time he had to listen to her teachings "I will remember Gauri. I will make you proud. I will remember the lesson today." Smiling at her obedient brother "Khanna...come out." From outside her window a shadow jumps down and immediately kneels down onto the ground "Princess."

Gauri: Escort the Crown Prince back to his residence and when done I need you to see if there is any movement over at the Queen's quarters.

Khanna: I will do as you say Princess.

Looking at the skilled man dressed in all black that followed her every order Gauri could only think about the past yet again. Before her death Gauri's mom had told her to never trust anyone within the Palace and that you must have your own eyes and ears within these walls. That was when Khanna appeared infront of her from the darkness. "This is Khanna. He is someone I trust and he will soon belong to you...Gauri. He will be your eyes and ears as well as your protector when I am gone." As her mother's voice slowly fades away from her memories Gauri looks down at her loyal guard "Report back to me later tonight."

Khanna: Yes Princess.

Khanna quickly jumps and hides while secretly escorting the Crown Prince without having to reveal himself in the process. He knew every inch of this Palace so making himself invisible was very easy. He owed his life to the previous Queen when she had saved his family from bandits. He was only 10 then but he vowed to repay her for the rest of his life as long as she could help his poor family. The only thing Khanna ever regretted was not knowing about the inner politics of the Palace soon enough. The day he found out that his savior was poisoned was the day he felt like he failed in fulfilling his promise but with Gauri and Sahil still struggling he wasn't going to repeat the same mistake the second time around. His main job right now was to listen to Gauri's commands and so far it was to keep tabs on the Queen and protect the Crown Prince's life. Luckily for him the Princess was a very smart and skilled physician because there was many times he had come back with wounds and poison from the Queen's hidden guards she even gave him poisons that she made herself to deal with his opponents. The only thing he didn't like was letting her go to Mordis every fourth night on her own while he had to stay here to protect the life of the Crown Prince.

When Gauri saw that Sahil finally left she turns to her maid "Bhavya...take me to my room and help me apply the ointment." It took years for Gauri to trust Bhavya with the task of getting information from other palace maids and servants. Just like Khanna who was her eyes and ears beyond the darkness Bhavya was responsible with filtering the everyday gossip that traveled amongst the servants. Gauri learned quick that even the most powerful person could not hide everything...especially when you rely on someone else to help you dress, eat, bathe and run your errands. That is the reason why Gauri was satisfied with only having Khanna and Bhavya by her side in this desolated corner of the Palace. Many times the Queen tried to give her more servants and maids but Gauri quickly either told them to leave on their own or she will make it happen herself. The Queen finally stopped when a pile of bodies ended up in her private garden with wounds that neither of the palace physicians could tell what really happened. The stench of the bodies lingered for days in the Queen's quarters prompting her to stay in the King's private quarters in which he was not so keen about.

Even though he loved his passionate nights with Svetlana Kali was King of Ashen and he knew better than to keep a woman like Svetlana too close. It was too late when he finally realized his lust had clouded his mind back then. Not only did he neglect his Queen and let a snake slither it's way into his bed he didn't even feel remorseful when she died. Only after her death that the people of Ashen was seeing him in a bad light which forced Kali to wake up from his lustful nights with Svetlana. Rumors of his two brothers trying to overthrow him was circulating everyday. Years ago he had already killed all of his step brothers leaving only his two blood brothers but now it made him so paranoid that he killed both of them and executed every single person connected to them. His own nephews and nieces were no exception...be it how young or old..each and everyone was greeted with death. The screams of men, woman, and children that bloody night rang throughout the entire land of Ashen as if the King himself has given a warning to his people who were thinking of a rebellion. Because of that no one questioned Kali when he married Svetlana and made her two daughters Princesses of Ashen. Though they hated the fact that Princess Gauri was robbed of her position as Crown Princess they didn't dare oppose their heartless King. The people of Ashen can only bow their heads and curse in their minds that their ruler was truly a monster. And now that the only person to the throne was his only son Sahil who was just 13 years old, Kali felt more at ease because he was still a healthy man who could easily rule another 20 years and right now he wanted to be King of not only Ashen but also Mordis. A land full of gold and diamonds to mine was enough to make Kali plan for war but the Mordis Army was too powerful for him to take on himself. He could only use his Queen's daughters as pawns to help him secure relationships with his neighboring countries Gopar and Uthon and with their army he could easily overthrow the young King of Mordis who was known to be more powerful than his late father.

After making sure that Sahil made it safely back to his place did Khanna head over to the Queen's Palace. The resident was huge compared to the small courtyard Gauri had. The place had many beautiful gardens as well as man-made ponds that was filled with colorful fishes and beautiful water lilies. With decorations like this throughout the Queens residence it wasn't hard for Khanna to hide himself. Even her hidden guards were no match for him but in large numbers they would be able to subdue him like before. So to prevent making the same mistake twice Khanna was more alert than ever. When he finally spotted the three women sitting underneath a huge canopy outlooking a large lake he quickly jumped up a nearby old tree that was purposely planted to create shade during the hot summer days.

Ishana: It felt so good seeing you beat that girl Riddhima. I wish I could get a chance to whip her too.

Riddhima who was busy looking at her small cut on her face "She deserved it! Look what that brat did to my face!"

Svetlana was calmly sipping on her tea "You should take care of that cut. The Princes of Gopar and Uthon is coming next week. You both know what you need to do. Especially you Riddhima. I want you to make sure to get the attention of Prince Samarjeet of Uthon. He is the only prince of Uthon whose father is gravely ill. If you were to marry him then your days of being Queen is not too far away."

Thinking of being Queen of Uthon made Riddhima's heart pound with excitement. "Don't worry mother. I will get the palace physician to send over some cream for my face."

Ishana proudly chimes in "Don't worry about me mom. I will surely get the attention of Prince Veer of Gopar. I heard he was very strong and powerful."

Svetlana puts down her teacup "Yes. Prince Veer is indeed strong but he is bringing his little brother Prince Ajay who is known to be a womanizer. I want you two to steer clear of him. I have plans for him."

Riddhima: Plans?

Svetlana's lips curves up in an evil smile "Since the Prince loves the pleasure of women...why not let him have a taste of Princess Gauri? We can't let him leave here unsatisfied can we?"

Ishana: Why mom?! What if she becomes Queen of Gopar?

Svetlana: Silly girl. You will become Queen of Gopar after marrying Prince Veer and then you can live your life torturing your sister in law. I doubt Prince Ajay would even care. He lives his days with a different woman every night. But if we can force him to marry Gauri who will be caught defiling her here in Ashen then there is no way he could refuse it. He wouldn't dare to insult the King of Ashen. And by removing Gauri from my sights I can finally get rid of that Crown Prince!

Svetlana clenches her fists remembering the palace physician telling her years ago that she could no longer have children. This was the same as being Queen without ever being able to rule. Even if Kali died she would not be able to sit on the throne if she could not produce an heir. Dreams of ruling Ashen behind her son was shattered the moment the physician gave her the news. "I will kill that little boy and soon get rid of that stupid King. Then I will finally be able to have Ashen."

Ishana whispers "Mother. How will you kill the King? Are you not going to wait for father?"

Svetlana: Of course. Without your father's help I wouldn't dare to make a move on the King of Ashen. I have to wait till he has secured Mordis but it seems he is having a hard time. We have to make sure everything is in place before making the final move. So you girls make sure to do your part. We have to have our hands on Gopar, Uthon, Ashen and Mordis. And when the time comes we all will be their rulers! 4 powerful countries falling into the hands of our family!

The thought of having such power made the three women laugh with joy not knowing that Khanna had heard it all. When he returned to Gauri's courtyard she was already sitting in her small simple garden with her face leaning against her palm enjoying the afternoon breeze. She had on a light pink chiffon dress with simple gold trimming. Her hair was long and wavy as it slightly danced with the soft wind. As he came closer to Gauri who had her face half covered with a pink silky fabric showing only her eyes that was closed at the time.

Khanna: Princess.

Gauri's golden eyes started to open slowly "Any news?"

Khanna proceeded to tell Gauri all that he had heard. Gauri's eyes just became colder and colder as she listened.

Gauri: So...it seems the Queen is anxious to make her move. She has become so arrogant to even dare to utter such words out in the open like this.

Khanna: Princess.....

Gauri: What is it?

Khanna: About Prince Ajay...

Gauri smiled evilly under her pink mask "Let the Queen set her trap. I will happily play with her."

Tapping her fingers on her small stone table that she had set up to enjoy the afternoon breeze Gauri takes out a pouch from her sleeve "Go put this in the ointment that the palace physician is sending to the Crown Princess."

Khanna quickly grabs it and tucks it in his waistband "What is it?"

Gauri: A price she must pay for whipping me. Soon they will come begging me. Now go.

Khanna quickly goes to the physician's building which was resided near the King's private quarters.

Closing her eyes to listen to the leaves rattle as the wind blows Gauri was strategically thinking of what her steps should be. "So she wants me out of the way. But what I want to know is who is this "father" they were talking about." Gauri always thought that Svetlana was a widower who was just trying to use her beauty to grab onto the King of Ashen. Who would of thought that this was part of a bigger plan. A plan to claim all 4 countries. If she went to her father now he would only grow angry at her because she knew that he was planning to use Riddhima's and Ishana's marriage to put his own plan into motion. Gauri didn't care about anything but her brother. "Sahil will be King of Ashen." She could not allow Svetlana's plan to succeed. Bhavya finally comes with a bowl of ointment "Princess it's time to re-apply the medicine." Gauri walks back into her room to slowly undress "Did you follow my instructions on how to prepare the ointment?"

Bhavya: Yes Princess.

Gauri: Good. If you have any questions ask me. You are my student now Bhavya.

Bhavya happily smiles "Thank you Princess. Because of you I am able to manage my mother's illness."

Gauri lays down as Bhavya carefully applies the ointment. She could tell that Bhavya's hands were trembling everytime she yelped out in pain. "Remember Bhavya..this ointment stings and burns but it is worth it because it will leave no scars behind. And my wounds will heal much faster too. So don't be afraid and keep applying."

Bhavya: Yes. Princess.

The ointment was sticky enough for Bhavya to put a thin layer of fabric on top of each wound for better absorption. "Princess I am done."

Gauri: Help me dress.

Bhavya: Why? You should rest a bit more before dinner time.

Gauri smirks "Because our guests will come barging in at anytime."

Bhavya was confused "Guests?"

Gauri: You will see. So come....help me dress. We should also prepare dinner early too.

Bhavya: Yes Princess.

***************

Mordis Palace

Omkara sitting in his own yard looking up at the full moon . "The time is approaching soon. Is dinner prepared?"

Dandi: Yes your majesty. Should I go escort Princess Priyanka here?

Omkara: No need I will go get her myself. I think she will enjoy the show I have prepared for her. You just make sure our Guests are seated comfortably.

Dandi: Yes Your Majesty.

Omkara continues to look at the dark sky and smiles "It will be fun tonight."

**I know it's been awhile but hope you guys enjoy this update. Do vote if you do. I love reading your comments and happy to know that you are interested in this type of story.**