Ch-52: The Dark Reckoning

Amidst the laughter and teasing, the Chamber of Queen in the royal palace echoed with cheerfulness as the Queen enjoyed the humorous exchange about Princess Kundavai's engagement. Kundavai herself had tried to regain her composure, but her cheeks were still flushed from embarrassment.

The mirth abruptly halted when a soldier, clad in the royal colors of Vidya, approached the towering doors of the hall. He stood there for a moment, his presence commanding attention, until the King signaled for him to enter.

With a solemn expression, the soldier bowed deeply before the King and Queen, a gesture that conveyed the seriousness of the matter at hand. All eyes in the room were now fixed on this unexpected interruption.

King Rajendra leaned forward, his curiosity mingled with concern. "Soldier, what brings you here?"

The soldier straightened and spoke with unwavering determination. "Your Majesties, I beg your pardon for this intrusion, but I bear urgent tidings from the outside."

The Queen exchanged a quick glance with the king, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense. "Speak, soldier," she urged.

With that, the soldier retreated a step and signaled toward the entrance. A figure in resplendent attire, adorned with the emblems of the minister of external affairs a nd the father of the current Queen, entered the hall. It was Karikalan, the man known for his shrewd diplomacy and unwavering loyalty to Vidya.

Karikalan's expression was grave, and his footsteps resonated with purpose as he made his way toward the king and queen, as they watched with bated breath.

Kundavai, who had just been the center of laughter, now stood still after seeing her grandfather visit, her embarrassment forgotten as she observed the unfolding seriousness.

Karikalan finally came to a halt, bowing deeply before the royal couple. "Your Majesties," he began, his voice carrying the weight of the news he bore, "I come bearing news of utmost importance regarding the situation in Draviraja."

A hush fell over the hall as all eyes turned toward Karikalan, their previous joviality replaced with concern. The King leaned forward, his expression now etched with worry. "Speak, Karikalan. What news do you bring?"

Karikalan took a steadying breath and then continued, "Our spies have reported that Draviraja has formed a secret alliance with a traitor hidden in our Kingdom. They have significant military force, and their intentions appear to be hostile, as they blocked every path thus disconnected the Royal Capital from the rest of Vidya."

The Queen's hand instinctively reached for the King's arm, her eyes wide with apprehension. She and King Rajendra exchanged anxious glances, realizing the gravity of the situation.

King Rajendra's brow furrowed deeply as he absorbed this dire revelation. "This is troubling news indeed," he murmured as he pointed at the spy sitting, Karikalan, upon seeing him said, "Oh, so everyone have already got the news, that makes it simple".

Karikalan continued. "So let me also reveal the name of the perpetrator to you Your Majesty". Everyone was shocked, including Vijay. As the weight of Karikalan's revelation settled in the grand hall, Queen Malini was the first to speak, her voice quivering with a mixture of shock and anger. "Father, do you know the perpetrator? I couldn't find who did this."

Karikalan, the wily minister of external affairs, couldn't help but chuckle softly. "My dear daughter, it is precisely because I am your father that I am privy to certain secrets." He glanced at her with a knowing look that conveyed his vast network of information.

Turning his attention to King Rajendra, Karikalan spoke in a measured tone, "Your Majesty, the perpetrator behind this conspiracy is none other than Raghavraj."

The revelation hit them like a thunderbolt. Raghavraj, the banished uncle of the current king, was known for his treachery and ambition. He had been exiled by his own father for assassinating his brother, and his return could only spell trouble for Vidya.

As Karikalan revealed the name of the traitor, Raghavraj, a chill swept through his backbone. The ornate tapestries seemed to darken, and the elaborate chandeliers above cast eerie shadows as the atmosphere tensed.

King Rajendra's initial shock quickly transformed into a deep-seated fear. His voice quivered as he uttered, "Impossible... he should be dead."

Raghavraj's unexpected return had stirred up a haunting childhood trauma within the king. The memory of that fateful day, etched in his mind like a vivid nightmare, resurfaced with alarming clarity. He could vividly recall the scene—the lifeless, bloodied body of his father, a knife mercilessly buried in the man's abdomen. The gruesome sight had left an indelible mark on his psyche.

As the courtroom watched in somber silence, the King's body betrayed him. He clutched the arms of his throne, knuckles whitening with the force of his grip, desperately seeking stability amidst the torrent of emotions. But with each passing moment, his strength ebbed.

The Queen, Kamala, who had always been a pillar of support, recognized her husband's distress and rushed to his side. With great tenderness, she wrapped her arms around him in a protective embrace, whispering soothing words. "Rajendra, my love," she implored, her voice filled with concern.

However, the King's trauma proved to be an overwhelming force. The weight of his past, combined with the ominous news of Raghavraj's return, was simply too much to bear. In the midst of the court's turmoil, King Rajendra's strength finally gave way. He slumped in his throne, unconscious, succumbing to the memories that had haunted him for so long.

The chamber fell into a hushed silence, punctuated only by the shallow breaths of the King. Vijay and Vaishakhnandan exchanged worried glances, their faces etched with concern. It was a stark reminder that the return of Raghavraj was not only a threat to the Kingdom's stability but also a deeply personal trauma for their Monarch. The challenges facing Vidya had grown infinitely more complex, as they now grappled with both external threats and the King's inner demons.

Kundavai, standing nearby, felt her heart sink after seeing the condition of her father. At the mention of war she knew that the peace and prosperity of Vidya hung in the balance, and the Kingdom would need to face this looming threat head-on.

The Queen's chamber had transformed from a place of laughter and celebration into one gripped by tension and uncertainty. The fate of Vidya now rested on the decisions made in the moments to come.