Beyond Destiny ~ A Saga Of Timeless Love

43 ~ Resounding Response

"Loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will."

Ruhanika

She came up and stood before us, smirking in triumph as her gaze settled on Rani Maa, her expression dripping with mockery.

"Anamika," Queen Takshila sneered, her voice laced with condescension, "you have quite the knack for usurping others' rights, don't you? Surely, you must know the first queen should always begin the rituals. But then again, I’m not surprised. This is so very like you."

Her words hung in the air like a poisoned blade. She stepped closer, lowering her voice so that only we could hear, though her cutting tone made every syllable pierce like a dagger. "You would do well to remember your place. The only reason you have this privilege is because, despite your lowly status as a servant, you managed to grant the king his wish for a daughter."

Her whispered barb struck with such venom that I saw Dev's jaw clench tightly, his posture rigid. But Rani Maa? She stood still, her face unreadable, a serene mask that betrayed no emotion.

The tension was palpable, thick and suffocating, and it sent shivers racing down my spine. Then Dev spoke, his voice deep, authoritative, and commanding enough to still the air itself.

"Queen Takshila," he said, his tone steady yet menacing, "mind your words. Everyone, out. Now."

The room emptied in a flurry of startled movement. Servants and ministers bowed before leaving us alone with her. Queen Takshila smirked again, unfazed, her eyes gleaming with malice as she turned her venom toward Dev.

"Oh, my dear Prince," she said mockingly, "I always watch my words. Perhaps you should try doing the same. After all, if not for you, my son—the rightful and best candidate for the throne—would be sitting where you are today. Your incompetence for the throne has been proven time and again."

Her words became sharper, more calculated, as she stepped closer to him. "And your decision to marry this lowly servant instead of Princess Avantika only underscores your lack of royal wisdom. Tell me, who even knows what kind of blood runs through her veins? Perhaps she is the daughter of a prostitute."

Her insult was a slap in itself, an attack not just on me but my mother. Rage burned through me like wildfire. How dare she? My vision blurred as red-hot fury consumed me. I stepped forward without a second thought, my hands trembling with indignation.

Grabbing her shoulder, I spun her around to face me. Then, without hesitation, I raised my hand and slapped her. Hard. The sound echoed through the hall like a thunderclap, sharp and unrelenting.

I heard Rani Maa gasp softly behind me, but my focus was on the red imprint left on Takshila's cheek.

"Who are you to question my mother?" I demanded, my voice shaking with anger. "How dare you? What gives you the right to decide who does or doesn’t deserve this throne? Who are you to call Rani Maa a lowly servant? Just because I’ve been silent until now doesn’t mean I don’t know how to speak. And let me tell you this—I can make you regret every vile decision you’ve ever made with the snap of my fingers."

She blinked in stunned silence, but I wasn’t finished. The floodgates had opened. My voice rose as I advanced on her.

"You dare to question my mother when your own character is filth? You, who are nothing but a namesake queen! Even in a hundred lifetimes, you wouldn’t measure up to Rani Maa. She is a true queen—one who knows how to love and when to draw boundaries. And me? I may be what you call a low servant, but at least I have a personality. What do you have? Nothing. Nothing. Do not ever speak of my mother again unless you want me to destroy you."