Lotus among the Roses

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As Vyom and Aryan delved into Kumud's request, Aryan's brow furrowed in skepticism. "Are you certain about this rumor?" he questioned, his voice laced with doubt. "It seems like a risky gambit to spread such scandalous tales without concrete evidence."

Vyom's lips curved into a knowing smile as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Aryan with an air of confidence. "Ah, but you underestimate the power of rumors, my beloved brother," Vyom countered, his voice smooth and assured.

"Besides, who said that her words are without any scruples? There may be more truth to this particular rumor than meets the eye..... ." Vyom's voice sounded, filled with laughter.

Intrigued, Aryan leaned forward, his curiosity piqued by Vyom's cryptic words. "What do you mean?" he pressed, eager to uncover the hidden truths lurking beneath the surface.

Vyom's smile widened as he began to unravel the tangled web of secrets that surrounded the finance minister's family. "You see," he began, his voice low and conspiratorial, "there have long been whispers about the eldest daughter-in-law's fidelity to her husband...... ."

Aryan's eyes widened in surprise, his mind racing to piece together the implications of Vyom's revelation.
" Do you even know what you are stating? She? That -" Aryan couldn't finish his words.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed down a bout, only to say,

"But .... why would such rumors circulate? And, that Devi Kumud, out of all the people how would she know about it? " he questioned, his tone tinged with disbelief.

"Surely, there must be some basis for such scandalous accusations." Vyom's expression turned serious as he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper as he divulged the explosive truth. "It is said," he confided, "that the finance minister's eldest son is unable to consummate his marriage due to... certain deficiencies."

Aryan's jaw dropped in shock as he absorbed Vyom's revelation, his mind reeling from the implications of such a scandalous revelation.

" What? Surely, this cannot be true! No! How would that eldest daughter in law of theirs have such guts to even.... even be unfaithful to her husband.... " he protested, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Vyom shrugged nonchalantly, a sly grin playing on his lips as he leaned back in his chair. "Believe what you will, Bhaiya! You know I always speak the truth.... ," he remarked, his tone teasingly cryptic.
" It was you who always reminded me that in the game of politics, truth is often stranger than fiction, and yet here you are..... fraught with doubts, regarding your own teaching.... " Vyom shook his head, initially mischievously but after sometime, he too stilled.
" Believe me Bhaiya, the storm is about to rise..... and we are at that ship's helm.... which will either render us victorious or destroy the whole kingdom into dust..... "

With that enigmatic pronouncement, Vyom lapsed into a contemplative silence, leaving Aryan to ponder the explosive revelations that had been laid bare before him. As the weight of Vyom's words settled over him, Aryan couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lay hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered.

" Go back Bhaiya.... The celebration will start in two days.... Be mindful of the letter you receive from Vritra.

Hope he can send me one more by tomorrow....." Vyom said, as he moved towards his bed chambers, his last words almost a low whisper.

--------- THE VAJRAKOT MANOR  --------

As the moon cast its silvery glow over the tranquil land of the capital, Atula's quill danced across the parchment, weaving intricate letters that formed words of gratitude to Vritra, the fearsome leader of Sahastranetra.

With each stroke of her pen, Atula poured her new mistress's enigmatic ways, while she created more and more intricate plans, into the missive, expressing Kumud's profound intelligence.

Though Atula did not intend to, but her unconscious appreciation regarding this new master of hers, flowed though. She didn't forget to add a few words of gratitude from Kumud for Vritra's swift and efficient fulfillment of her requests.
After finishing writing the letter, she stood  near her room's window and slowly blew into a bird whistle.
" Kooo! Kooo!"  It sounded.
Soon, one could see a small myna bird flying away from her window, with a letter bound to its feet.

-------- THE SAHASTRANETRA----------

Meanwhile, in the dimly lit chamber of Sahastranetra's headquarters, Vritra sat at his desk, his keen eyes scanning the letter that had just been delivered to him. As he read Atula's words of thanks, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips, pleased by the acknowledgment of his efforts.

However, it was the unexpected addition to the letter that caught Vritra's attention—a small blue sapphire earring, gleaming softly in the dim light of the room. Intrigued, Vritra picked up the delicate bauble, turning it over in his hands as he pondered its significance.

At that moment, another guard entered the chamber, her brow furrowed in confusion as she held out another letter  to Vritra. "Sir," she began, her voice tinged with uncertainty, " Atula asked me to pass this along to you. She also asked me to remind you that the earring sent is crucial for ' The Lady's' request."

Vritra's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the earring, his mind racing to decipher its cryptic message. "What does she mean by this?" he murmured to himself, his thoughts swirling with possibilities.

The guard hesitated for a moment before speaking, her gaze flickering nervously between Vritra and the earring. "Sir, a few more words.... A secret message...... By Lady Kumud herself..... She said... she said to tell you that 'Varman family's Chaya Army is ruled by the Neela Ratna,'" she recited, her voice trembling slightly with uncertainty.

Vritra's eyes widened in recognition as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. "The Varman family..." he mused aloud, his mind racing to recall the long-forgotten details of a case that had eluded him for years.

Suddenly, it clicked—the Neela Ratna, the elusive figure who had long been rumored to control the shadowy forces of the Varman family's clandestine army. And now, with Kumud's cryptic message and the delivery of the blue sapphire earring, Vritra realized that he held the key to unlocking the secrets that had eluded him for so long.

With a sense of urgency coursing through his veins, Vritra rose from his seat, his mind ablaze with determination. "Prepare a team," he commanded the guard, his voice ringing with authority. "We have work to do."

" Sir, but what about Master ?" The guard urgently asked.
Her words made Vritra stop in his tracks. He thought for a while, before he sat down, " Bring me some Ink and some paper.... I will write the letter...."

As he said the words, he opened up the other letter sent by Atula.

When the guard brought back the ink and paper, all she could see was Vritra, staring stupidly at the letter in front of him, as of he could not believe the words written in it.

" .... Sir?"
" Huh! Ah! What? Um..... Yeah..... Team..... Perfume..... I Okay....." Vritra began stammering.
Taking a few deep breaths he held his forehead and said, " Send some Blue lotus perfume to Lady Kumud secretly. And yes,   ask Atula to write me a letter again as soon as possible....."
" ..... Yes Sir" The guard, stammered out a reply in surprise.

How could she not be surprised?
That blue lotus fragrance was the prized possession of Master, and to give it away..... She couldn't think of the consequences.

Her pace quickened as she rushed out while Vritra, still reeling from Kumud's audacious words, decided to write a letter to his master.

Thank you for reading ✨ ❤️ ✨.
Please rate and review and give your suggestions in the comments.

What do you think Kumud asked for to garner such reaction from Vritra???

Must be something really audacious..... 😏😏