HIS FIRST QUEEN

Chapter 15 [Nayantara]

I stared at the door behind me, the weight of Anshuman's words hanging in the air like a thick fog. The echoes of our argument reverberated through my mind, leaving me feeling hollow and lost. Anshuman's declaration—his demand that I remain confined until our child was born—was a prison of a different sort. His need for control, even in the face of our crumbling trust, left me feeling more trapped than ever.

My hands trembled as I leaned against the cold, ornate wall of the chamber. The realization of what had happened in the dungeon washed over me, mingling with my growing fear for what the future held for us and our child. The man who had once inspired loyalty and love now seemed like a distant shadow of his former self, consumed by darkness and ambition.

I glanced around the room, the opulence of the palace now feeling suffocating rather than comforting. The silence that followed Anshuman's departure was a stark contrast to the chaos we had just experienced. The enormity of what had occurred seemed almost surreal, as though it were a dark dream from which I might awaken.

Jyotsna's gentle knock on the door broke the oppressive silence. She entered with a concerned expression, her eyes searching mine with a blend of sympathy and trepidation. "Maharani," she said softly, approaching me with a cautious step. "Is everything alright? I heard yelling..."

I tried to compose myself, but the weight of the day's events pressed heavily upon me. "No, Jyotsna," I said quietly, my voice betraying the depth of my turmoil. "Everything is far from alright."

She moved closer, her hand resting comfortingly on my arm. "You need to rest, Maharani. You've been through so much. Perhaps talking about it might help."

I shook my head, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. "I don't even know where to begin. Anshuman... he's changed. I saw a side of him tonight that I didn't recognize—one that terrifies me."

Jyotsna's eyes were filled with understanding as she listened. "Sometimes, those who are in power become consumed by it. They lose sight of what truly matters, becoming something they never intended to be."

Her words struck a chord within me, resonating with my own fears about Anshuman's transformation. "But what about our child?" I asked, my voice breaking. "What kind of world is this child going to be born into? How can I protect it from the darkness that seems to have taken hold of Anshuman?"

Jyotsna's gaze softened, and she gently squeezed my arm. "You're not alone in this, Maharani. There are others who care about you and your child. Together, you can find a way to ensure a safe future for the both of you."

I nodded, though uncertainty still clouded my mind. "I hope so. I truly hope so."

Jyotsna remained quiet for a moment, her hand resting on my arm in silent support. The weight of my thoughts pressed down on me, and I knew what I needed to do—what I had to do.

"I need to leave, Jyotsna," I said suddenly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need to get away from here... to get home. I can't stay in this palace, not like this. Not when everything feels so wrong."

Jyotsna's eyes widened in shock, but she didn't interrupt. She simply nodded, letting me continue.

"I know Anshuman won't let me go easily, but I can't stay here and wait for things to get worse. For our child's sake, I have to find a way out—away from him, from all of this. I need to be somewhere safe."

Jyotsna's expression grew more serious, and she took a step closer, lowering her voice. "If that is what you truly want, Maharani, then we will find a way. But it won't be easy. The palace is well-guarded, and Maharaj's eyes are everywhere. He will know if you try to leave."