Chapter 82

I stayed at the ashram with my mother all night. The King and his second wife left to let us talk in privacy. I started confessing to my mother about my disgraceful sins. How I was brought to the celestial city of Amaravati during the first game and laying with Goddess Kemira. My unfortunate encounter with Queen Sovannmacha, whom I violated with my foolishness in order to win the second game. I also confessed about my affair with my own handmaiden Kesar.

Reliving the memories, I felt my heart crumbling and failing.

"Now you know, I am unworthy of the kindness and honor you do me," I said. The older Queen heaved a long sigh.

"My dear child, if there is a fault in your actions, surely it all belongs to me," she whispered with unwavering compassion. "You and the other children are mere victims of my own doing. It was your mother alone, who has brought you this misfortunes."