Chapter 54: Whispers of the Forgotten

The town outside the palace had aged, but its soul remained unchanged. Narrow alleyways wound through old stone houses, their walls stained with time. Satya, Saanvi, Devraj, and Professor Raghav moved through the marketplace, their eyes scanning the faces of the locals.

They had one goal—find someone who remembered Meera.

Satya approached an elderly man selling handcrafted jewelry. "Namaste, Baba. Do you have a moment?"

The man looked up, his wrinkled face thoughtful. "What do you seek, beta?"

Satya exchanged a glance with Saanvi before choosing his words carefully. "We're researching the history of the Rathore palace. We heard stories about a woman named Meera. Do you remember anything?"

At the mention of her name, the old man's hands trembled slightly. His smile faded, replaced by something unreadable.

"Meera… The lost one." His voice was barely a whisper.

Satya leaned in. "Lost?"

The man's gaze darted around as if checking for unseen ears. Then, he sighed. "Some stories are better left buried, beta. But if you truly wish to know… seek the Weaver."

"The Weaver?" Devraj frowned. "Who's that?"

The old man hesitated. "She is the last keeper of forgotten tales. If anyone remembers Meera's truth, it is her."

Saanvi stepped forward. "Where can we find her?"

The man pointed toward the farthest edge of the town, where the buildings gave way to a dense grove of trees. "She lives beyond the old temple. But beware—she sees more than the past."

A chill ran down Satya's spine. But he nodded. "Thank you, Baba."

As they turned to leave, the man called out one last time.

"Be careful what you seek, beta. Some memories are not meant to return."

The warning lingered in the air as they walked toward the grove.