Ruthless

↠ Terah ↞

A FEW WORDS:
Acha - Okay/ Fine
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❝Insanity is like a beautifully written song that only a few can understand.❞

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THE morning sun was up in sky but it didn't feel bright. Waves and waves of clouds washed over the sun, obscuring the world from its warmth and protection. Akira's hair flowed with the bone-chilling wind and the palace came into view. The question of who was responsible for this clouded her mind.

'I told you to kill him, now, look what you have done. You really think whatever you feel for that boy is worth sacrificing your kingdom?' Her brain seemed to ask her as she closed up on the palace, 'Are these feelings worth your throne? Your people? Wake up before it's too late Akira. He is bad news.'

Her gaze was frozen and she could feel her own heart thumping slowly against the thin stretch of her chest as she looked at the palace in front of her. It didn't look like the place she grew up in. All the royal allure, the ambiance which made it seem powerful felt washed away like someone had stolen the thing which made her home feel like home.

Smoke rose from unknown places and it felt as if shadows had made home in a once bright and lively place. The grim atmosphere frustrated the queen beyond recognition because the grim atmosphere reminded her of her failure - her failure to protect her kingdom and its people.

The palace gates were pulled apart by two guards and Akira got off her horse just as they reached the gates. She led the horse inside and as soon as her eyes fell on the palace place, her heart dropped.

The place looked as if it was a still from hell come to life. The flower gardens which once stood inviting and colorful had been scorched to the ground. The greenery now stood painted in various colors of grays and blacks. The queen mindlessly let go of her horse - which proceeded to stand around - as she walked towards the hallways. The hallways stood silent which glass and marble shards on the ground and small splatters of blood here and there. A few bandaged up soldiers roamed the palatial hallways, guarding it. The queen walked through the halls, her eyes scanning for anyone she trusted enough to tell her the true story.

"Radhika" The queen whispered as the handmaiden rushed through one of the hallways.

"Radhika!" The Queen called out louder, finally catching the handmaiden's attention.

"Maharani?" The handmaiden looked towards Akira in confusion and came rushing towards her.

Akira spit out the first thing that came to her mind, "Where is everyone? How did this happen?" The questions were burning her throat and she wanted answers. Her mind was clouded with confusion. Who was responsible for this? Was it him?

'Of course it was him, who are you kidding Akira.' She found the voice tell her, 'You let a snake live and you are surprised when it bit you? You always said you were wiping off the snakes after your crown? Well you let one just willingly poison you. Ironic, isn't it?'

"I don't know all the details, I was out in the gardens, but a group of people dressed as villagers had come to the royal court and before anyone knew what was going on, the riot began. More people entered the palace during the commotion," The handmaiden casted a sad glance around the shattered marble hallways, "And soon enough fires and sounds of swords against swords filled the palace. Luckily, the soldiers here were enough to hold them off and protect the palace."

Akira looked around too, "And where is everyone?"

"Rajashree ji asked the healers to look after all the injured soldiers and servants and some of handmaidens fled the scene while the ones who stayed are currently resting in the spare rooms. Luckily, most of us are fine."