The King's Shield

Chapter 26 - The Blank Space

Empty, numb and distant these words would describe Adhiveer's state of mind perfectly. He was lying on his bed motionless, staring at the blank space between him and the ceiling of his chambers. He didn't remember when he had fallen asleep, didn't know when he woke up. He didn't realise that it was dawn till the faint light from the window shone on him. He mechanically sat up and out of habit moved towards the window. His eyes darted towards her quarters.

Hope...

He couldn't help but hope to see her standing there. Even though she was gone, even if she had betrayed him, why did he still hope for her presence? The yearning and wanting could not be controlled.

His mind had refused to believe that she was gone. When he looked at her quarters, his eyes were still searching and waiting for her to walk out of the door and look at him and smile the same way she had done every day.

After the executions, when he had come back to his chambers he'd leaned on the window and looked for her. Refusing, that she wouldn't be there.

When he heard someone knock on the door, he'd wished it was her but Bhairava had entered and stood beside him for a while. Adhiveer didn't speak to him and Bhairava didn't pursue him. After some time Bhairava had placed a ring in his hand. The same ring which he had given her when they were in Satjaya. The same ring which had not fit her and he had put it in her thumb. She had promised him never to lose that ring but then again she had also promised him that she wouldn't leave him. She had not kept her promises. She had left him, traitor... traitor... traitor... His heart echoed.

"Adhiveer," you have to be strong..." Bhairava said. He kept his hand on his shoulder." My king, you have to be strong for your people, for your kingdom." he said.

" I am ... I am tired. I need to be alone for some time." He muttered. He couldn't even look at his uncle in the eyes.

" Somethings are inevitable, they have to be done. It's for the betterment of your kingdom. Your court has to see that you stand tall and unmoved. You will have to put on a face and pretend that nothing has changed." Bhairava said with concern in his voice.

" These things do not bother me, uncle." His voice sounded hoarse and unrecognisable to his ears. A lump formed in his throat but he continued. " You don't have to worry about me. I just need some time alone, that's all."

" Adhi... I understand," Bhairava said and placed his hand on Adhiveer's head.
" Take rest. I will meet you in the morning," he said and had left him pondering on his state of mind.

At dawn, his surroundings felt lifeless and dry even if the sun's rays shone brilliantly and brightly. The room seemed too vast and open. He opened his palm to still find the ring in it. He had slept with it, laid tightly, tucked in his palm, somewhere in his mind still hoping that he would give it back to her or she would ask it back and promise him that she would not lose it and this time keeping the promise.

He walked out of his chambers and out of the palace. He went straight to her quarters and pushed open the door but when he was about to step into the room, he was halted by pain... Immeasurable and permeating throughout his body, he staggered to the bed and sat down. He placed the ring on the bed beside him. He could feel her presence there, he could smell her as if she was around. But he knew that his mind was playing tricks on him. The comprehension of her absence was not yet registered.

He walked around the room and rummaged through her things. Why did he do that? He didn't know. What was he searching for? He couldn't tell. He went through all her things each little object reminded him of her. Each of her clothes felt like her. He was frantically going through everything. Treachery... lies... liar ... liar...liar.. his mind was screaming.