I remember your voice

part 21

"I mistakenly believed you to be a friend, yet your competitive hunger and greed tell me otherwise".

"Have you done a thorough check? Does anyone suffer harm? I don't want my folks to suffer as a result of someone else's negligence".

He stated with a stern expression carved on his brow.

"no thanks to bholenath everyone is safe, we didn't lose any life but....."

He stops in between completing his sentence, knowing his subsequent choice of words has the capacity to shatter the motives of Vikram.

"but what? Don't hesitate arjun our tiny stupidity can cost someone's life"

He said with even more intensity in his eyes

"but the bad news is that we lost a lot of royal grains and wheat, we saved everything we could but I am afraid there is not enough stock to execute your plans to distribute them among people who are deprived of necessities.

There was a sense of remorse in his voice as though it was his fault that couldn't take action on time.

"But we have extra stock in our tara bai mahal, we can import that here"

Vikram was not ready to lose his hope, it was still glowing brilliantly in his eyes, It took him several days to build a wonderful strategy to aid his people and to agree on ministers on the same who were not on his side, it can't be shattered in one day, all his efforts can't end up in vain.

"owing to harsh climates all routes are blocked and there are several complaints of thieves on the way which means we have to send high securities and our best horses which will take at least one month and if we distribute from the palace's stock next week, the palace will not be able to work in such condition, you are very well aware ."

Vikram's wrath swells in his eyes and he punches his fist against the wall.

"This is not possible, every time I think to do something good, it will end up worst, I was right her father send her here to spy on us, and ruin our plans"

Anuja's point of view

I changed my clothes and dasi arrived to take me to my chamber, as soon as I walk in mai hold me close and start crying I know her concern I literally almost blast her out with me.

"Why do you always put  yourself in danger"
There were tears in her eyes like usual, is she even real I almost killed her today and others and here she is thinking about me.

" I did that accidentally, I didn't mean it"

"but I think we shouldn't think about it anymore, the good thing is that my kid is safe, may the lord protect you from evil eyes,  I almost lost you today, thank god you are still healthy."

I nod simply I don't know how to respond her I am not used to someone worrying about me anymore.

"let's forget everything, I will teach you everything again, from the beginning, I don't want to take any risk like this ever again and mahranisaa had an incident covered as an accident caused by servants and you did nothing, so make sure you take care of your words if someone questions you, servants agreed on this."

"but why do we have to lie"

I don't want someone else to take the responsibility for me, that's unjust.

"if you have to kill a rabbit who is sick and can't run properly and the one who is healthy who will you be able to kill fast?"

Her question was a little weird but the answer was simple.

" the one who is sick because he can't run fast and protect himself"

I answered still confused.

"right, the palace is full of hunters who if came to find out the rabbit, i.e you are sick can kill you easily, so we have to pretend until you become healthy again because except few trustworthy people no one knows that you lost your conscious, especially king's uncle and aunt."

She stated, there was a lot of vital information in a single line

"I understand"

"Good"

she pats my face with one hand while smiling.

"It's time for breakfast now, so let's hurry".

"but"

"Don't worry, the maid has already made the food; however, Mahranisaa has strict instructions that you must act as though you are the one who made it because it is ritual."

I nod, I am sure they have reasons.

As we enter the spacious hall, we notice that there are several low stools with low tables and plates with numerous bowls instead of the single, enormous dining table that I had imagined would be present. In addition, maids were standing with bowls to wash their hands and another with a surai to pour water. There were two rows, but only men were seated, and women were standing in one of the corners. I nearly whispered my question.

"why women are not eating?"

"they will eat in jenana dining area",

She also gave a whispered response.

"so why we are here"?

I asked curiously.

Because it is protocol, today you are meant to serve the king as you prepared your first meal following your wedding.

' but I..."

"Everyone thinks that, so you did"

Vikram enters the dining hall, everyone bows, and he too does so in front of the elders. After bowing before them, he sits on a low stool and crosses his legs; he didn't even bother to look at me. Instead, he washed his hands, and Mahranisaa looked at me and motioned for me to serve him.

I didn't know what to offer him first, so the maid brought over a tray of sweets, followed by salad, chutneys, and several curries. They also had a variety of chappatis, so I took one in my hand before Mahranisaa spoke.

"You must keep half of the chappati with you and feed the remaining portion to the cow as part of our ritual."I agree and attempt to split it in half, but I am so clumsy that I can't manage even one thing correctly. One of my hands slid during the endeavour and landed on Vikram's face; although I didn't mean to beat him, it didn't matter.

Everyone let out a shocked gasp, and I was fully conscious of what I had done.

, "holy cow"

Escape from my mouth, the chappati fell from my grasp, and everyone's eyes turned to Vikram, who looked like a wolf on the prowl.

"I am ...... I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I don't fear him, but the way my voice was stuttering betrayed me.

The queen "seems to have quite a temper"

A senior male started to speak, but Vikram cut him off before he could utter another such jab.

"Since it was an accident and she had already served me, the ritual is already complete, it is not that significant".

He took a second chappati from Dasit, divided it in half, and gave me one half.

"Take this and feed the cow; if I need anything else, I have servants,"

I laughed at the pace. He managed the emotion on his face, and as I looked before, his face seemed to vanish behind the serene look. Wow, what a great dualism.

"But I must serve you, right?....."

He moves a bit nearer to my ear.

"I know the reasons, I'm just giving you a chance to get away; if I catch you in the next 24 hours, you'll be dead meat, and I'll be happy to feed you to the ravenous alligators in our lake,"

He spoke softly so that I was the only one to hear him and grinned innocently.

The beast I mutter to myself.

I forced a hard swallow and left the room, all the women following.