The Lost Dynasty

Chapter 3

Undeciphered whispers were picked up from Kyda's hearing, but all she could see was black.

The 2 whispers were coming back and forth from two different sources, coming from her left and right ear. The whispers became more coherent and louder; she managed to identify a male and female present, and laughter began to fade in the background. Her senses were slowly coming back to her, and she was able to pinpoint where the source of laughter was coming from.

From another male.

Her eyes slightly opened, and the first thing that came into her vision was the vivid glass-stained dome of the ceiling. It was embellished with vibrant colourful glasses that were made into flowers and geometric shapes she could think of. "She's waking up," said a young female on her left, just a bit older than her. She leaned back from being over her and gave her a gentle smile. "Are you ok? Would you like to eat or drink anything?" her voice was angelic and sweet. Kyda tilted her head to a 45-degree angle to face her. "W water", she managed to croak out, still sore from the belly flop she did earlier.

The unknown female gave her a slight nod and left the room.

Kyda lets her head flop back in exhaustion. She closed her eyes as she sighed, recollecting the past events that happened in the day. "From what I just witnessed... I doubt you're a spy" a familiar voice was heard. Kyda's eyes shot open, and she rotated her head to the right to face the source.

The Dr

She groans and faces the exquisite masterpiece ceiling. "This is crazy... How can I be in 1784?".

The Dr seated himself where the girl was and stroked his beard for a moment. "Tell me, child... how did you get here? On a boat?". Kyda gave out a long, grieving sigh. "I don't know, through your damn box" Kyda struggled to sit up, her body aching from the chaos. She found herself on a king-sized bed, its wooden frame intricately carved. "Last time I remember, I was in the 21st century then I got trapped in your... well, the museum's rotten medicine chest, but when I was let out, I was here, the chest was not rotten and it's yours" she faced the Dr as if she didn't sound crazy, hoping he may have an idea what was happening, but his face exhibited obliviousness. Kyda continued, hoping he may have an answer.

"My name is Kyda Mahmood, and I was at a museum where my mother works-" Dread was present in her tone, and the Dr placed a hand up for her to halt. "Child, you must calm down. You have obviously been through a lot..." "No thanks to you", Kyda mumbled as she looked down at her banded arm.

"After what she did. She deserves a rest".

Kyda and the Dr faced the entrance to see a tall man by the door who could tower over them both. His chest and shoulders were broad and built, making it quite evident he was athletic. He was also blessed with a sharp jawline that could slice an apple with ease and black mid-length hair with slight curls as dark as the night. The guy's lips were slightly wide and pouty, pigmentated as dusty pink. His eyes were golden like sand, and his physique seemed to be handcrafted to perfection by Pheidias. The mystery man was just leaning against the doorframe in front of her.

As the man entered, the Dr placed his head down. Kyda stared at the guy cluelessly as he came to her bedside. The Dr glanced at Kyda, placed his hand behind her head, and placed enough force to bow her head to him but not enough to hurt her. "HEY!" Kyda pushed his hand away from her head.

The Dr huffed at her action. "This is the emperor's youngest son... the Khagan (Prince). He is the 2nd son to the great Emperor; you must bow your head to him". She glared at the old man.
Kyda rubbed the back of her head. "Careful there, I don't want you to have a heart attack; you seem fragile for your age", the Khagan burst out laughing as the Dr eyes bulged. "RESPECT YOUR ELDERS!".

Kyda faced him with fury in her eyes. "I DO RESPECT MOST OF MY ELDERS, AND GIVE ME A BREAK. I GOT CHASED OFF A ROOF!". The Khagan laughed nonstop and managed to step forward. "Seems like Dr Adil made a great impression on you, you two already seem close". "Close, I am much too respected as a scholar to mingle with this... "Jahil larki" (Translation: Crazy Girl). This resulted in her groaning in exhaustion from today's event and facing the prince, granting him all her attention, but he was quite a sight.

"I'm Saif, and I just came to say thank you".
"Thank you?" Kyda and the Dr said in sync in utter confusion.
"Yes,", he then placed his hand on the head bedframe behind her head, leaning forward slightly towards her "When you fell into the pool, you caused a big splash and soaked my older brother".

Dr Adil held his chest as if he was about to have a heart attack as he uttered,
"Oh no"

━━━━━━༻✧༺━━━━━━

Kyda stood in the centre of the grand hall, the weight of every eye upon her. Royal advisors, noblemen, and staff surrounded her, all dressed in lavish silks and sparkling jewels. The air was thick with tension, each person carrying an air of importance, their silent judgment pressing in on her. She felt small amidst their regal presence, unable to escape their stares.
The hall itself was a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, bathed in a golden glow as sunlight poured through the arched windows, reflecting off the gleaming white marble floors and gold-accented walls. At the far end, an enormous golden throne sat in silent grandeur, its intricate carvings and deep red velvet cushion far more luxurious than anything Kyda had ever imagined. It was a seat that demanded attention—fit for royalty.
Above her, two balconies overlooked the hall, draped in sheer champagne-coloured curtains that fluttered in the breeze.

Suddenly loud drums were heard causing vibrations beneath Kyda's feet. She did a 360 spin to assess the situation.

Was she safe?

Or is this a life-and-death situation for her?

She couldn't help but have the thought in the back of her head about a possible beheading.
She finally faces back to the throne.
She noticed on the left side of the throne, facing her was everyone, including Dr Adil. Kyda was afraid to form words into sentences; this could possibly get worse for her than it already is. On the other hand, the doctor noticed her state and gave her a slight nod of alliance and for some reason, it did make her feel much better.

At this point, he was probably the most reliable person in that room.

The drums that could be mistaken for thunder came to a halt.

Kyda was aware that someone was now sitting on the throne before her.
Out of the huge crowd in the royal court, he was the most lavished person adored with jewels, gold and the most purist silk that a human being could ever witness.

Any clueless person would know who this is.

The moment the Emperor entered, the entire court shifted in unison. Every noble, every staff member, even the most extravagantly dressed, bowed their heads in reverence. The air seemed to hum with respect, a tangible power that bound them all to their ruler. Kyda, still processing the weight of the situation, mimicked their gesture, lowering her head in acknowledgement of the Emperor's presence.
A nobleman, standing at the forefront of the gathered court, stepped forward with an authoritative voice that cut through the silence. "LONG LIVE THE 66TH EMPEROR, EMPEROR AKBAR!" The words rang out, thunderous and commanding, so loud that Kyda instinctively covered her ears, the sheer force of the proclamation nearly knocking her off balance. But before she could lower her hands, the entire hall erupted in unison, their voices booming in perfect synchrony:
"LONG LIVE EMPEROR AKBAR!"

It was as if the words themselves held the power to bind the kingdom together, a collective heartbeat that resonated throughout the room, uniting them in loyalty and reverence for the Emperor.

The words echoed through the marble hall.

"LONG LIVE THE 66TH EMPRESS, EMPRESS AKBAR!"

The same nobleman roared as he gestured to the left balcony that was now occupied.

Kyda could see a female silhouette through the sheer curtains of the balcony above the throne. Through the delicate fabric, a figure stood watching, adorned in gold that shimmered in the sunlight, their presence both enigmatic and commanding. Though the figure was hidden behind the curtains, their gaze was unmistakable, adding to the growing sense of claustrophobic power that filled the room.

"LONG LIVE EMPRESS AKBAR!" The grand hall reflected the same saying.

Two males stood beside the throne each.
One of them was Saif, giving her a cheeky grin.
And the other is unknown, but he was delivering her a glare.

"So, you must be the girl everyone is talking about? " Emperor Akbar spoke finally. Kyda faced him and removed her hand from her ears. "You put on quite a show", the old ruler was clearly unamused. "If I may, Emperor. She means no harm" Dr Adil tried to justify the chaotic actions on Kyda's behalf. "That does not mean she has the right to cause havoc in my palace, my kingdom and to my people" The male next to the Emperor stepped forward, and he was furious. "Do you have any idea who you insulted? HOW DARE YOU SPLASH WATER ON ME!" he was furious.

Kyda took a wild guess and assumed this was the eldest Emperor's son and the older brother of Saif.

Wait... is he the twat, Ammi (mum) doing her work on?

The 67th Emperor?

His face was red.

It was either from rage or embarrassment.

She rather not know.

"Calm yourself, Owais", the Emperor bellowed as he established the control he had over everyone in the room. "If you're going to be the future king, you must control your temper. An Emperor rules, not his emotions" the easily tempered prince pulled himself back and held his tongue. Consequently, he gave Kyda a vexing stare, but she kept her eyes on the Emperor.

But Owais does give out evil ruler vibes.
He had to be the 67th Emperor.

Kyda's feet felt like they were anchored to the floor as if the very ground had swallowed her whole. A wave of heat surged up from the soles of her feet, creeping slowly through her body, burning her skin as it rose. Her head swam, and her chest tightened, the air suddenly thick and suffocating. Her ears felt hot, almost as though they were about to burst from the pressure, and the overwhelming sense of dread made her stomach churn. She was trapped, with no way out, her body betraying her as the fear took hold—every breath harder to take, every movement heavier than the last.
"Where are you from?" The Emperor queried.

She felt all eyes were on her. A drop of sweat began to race down the side of her face, knowing what she would say next would make her look like a manic.

"From the 21st century"

Her words were being repeated over and over again through the grand hall.

Why does there have to be an echo?

"What on earth is she saying?" a nobleman spoke up. "She must be a spy from the enemies", shouted another "She is here to ruin us all".
Everyone began to yell, yowl and caterwaul in fury like wild animals ready to devour the prey.
The circle began to close in on her as they were ready to restrain her and trial her as an enemy of the nation.
Kyda was now in her alert stance.
Dr Adil tried to stop them from closing in on her like vultures; even when things got desperate, he started to hit them in the back of his cane. Unfortunately, the 73-year-old man doesn't have much energy or strength.

Saif's eyes widened as he watched Kyda's situation spiral. The urgency in her posture—the way she seemed to crumble under the weight of it all—pulled at him. He took a step forward, his hand instinctively reaching out as if he could somehow shield her, his mind clouded by a single thought: he had to get her out of this.

But before he could take another step, a firm hand gripped his wrist. Owais, his older brother, held him back, his tone cold and commanding. "You are a Khagan (prince) now—act like one."
Saif tensed; his body caught between two worlds. His gaze flickered back to Kyda, his heart pounding. He could feel the weight of his brother's words pulling him in one direction—the direction of duty, of reputation, of the family's legacy.

But the other part of him—the part that saw Kyda's vulnerability and desperation—wanted to defy everything, risk it all, and reach out to her.
Every second she stood there, struggling to breathe, was a second too long. The space between them seemed to stretch, the seconds bleeding into eternity. He could almost hear her gasping for air, each breath a reminder that time was running out.

Saif clenched his fists, torn between the man he was expected to be and the one who wanted to rush to her side, regardless of the consequences.

If only she could call for help-

OH MY GOSH!

Kyda pulled out her phone from her back jean pocket.

It was miraculously still working after jumping into a pool.
She placed on her phone flashlight and began to point the artificial light rays at them "BACK, I SAY BACK!" like she was taming lions in a circus. They screamed and panicked as they scattered away from her. The Emperor stood up from his throne in shock, and his eyes widened. "What is that contraption?" he grew curious. Kyda faced the Emperor, having brought with them these possible death situations.

"It's my lightsabre" she was completely done with them at this point and her phone is on seven percent. "I'm from the future; I'm not a spy; I just want to go home ... do you know how I can get back?" she said all this in one breath before anyone could interrupt her.

The hall became silent once again.

The silence was louder than her own thoughts.

The silence was not promising for her return.

Owais scoffed, "How can we believe such nonsense? Do you think we are fools?", "Seriously? Do you still think I am messing around? LOOK AT ME!" she exaggeratedly waved her arms from up to down to showcase her outfit. "LOOK AT THIS!" she waved her phone in front of them like she was at the edge of her sanity. Saif finally came forward. "That contraption is way more advanced than we have ever witnessed", he indicated to her phone. "And trust me, bhai (brother), we travelled so far, and we have never seen such a thing like it; she must be from the future".

She was so glad he was around right now.

Suddenly a gracefully, eloquent voice was heard from the balcony. "Does this mean you will know what will happen in our lifetime? To our beloved 66TH Emperor?" Empress voiced her opinion. All the judgemental eyes are now back on Kyda. "Well, not exactly. I haven't really studied on... whatever this is? I mean, where exactly am I?". "You are in the strongest, most innovative and revolutionary nation, the Mughal Empire", Owais spoke with pride and a cheer followed by the followers in the court.
Kyda stood there for a moment. "Ok, so I haven't really studied this specific time period, but my Ammi (mum) has; I mean, you guys are known to be quite advanced and pioneering, but that's all I know".

"Very well, it is obvious that you mean no harm... and this is an act of god. You were brought here on their command.
So, we shall treat you well as a guest," the Emperor announced, and the subjects in the room nodded in agreement.

"You shall stay in the Empress quarters in the palace and will be assisted if needed. But remember your place. And do not take my kindness as a sign of weakness," Emperor Akbar warned.