Lotus among the Roses

🏵 That vivid memory 🏵

Kumud's footsteps echoed faintly, as she walked away from Vyom and Devsena. Her mind, whirling mess of a tangle of thoughts.

The previous teasing words aimed distracting her, the unwanted yet Oh so loving warmth of Vyom's arms, Devsena's gentle actions, mixed with the unsettling revelations—it all seemed to blur together into a cacophony of confusion and irritation.

Her steps became faster, the heaviness in her chest Maising. Her eyes hardening, covering her being with a distinct coldness from the weight of those memories.

The servants bowed low as she entered but, sensing her mood, they didn't dare linger.

Her feet did not stop as she waved them off without a word, her gaze already drifting toward the open terrace where a gentle breeze stirred the curtains.

The cool air offered some solace, but it was the sight of the wide palace grounds below that triggered a flood of recollections—ones she hadn't let herself visit in a long time.

Her eyes glazed over as she drifted back to that fateful day at the Keerti Pariksha...

The day was bright and Sunny. A fifteen-year-old Kumud, clad in a dhoti with a Kurpasaka, with a leather vest, like what warriors wore, however her attire seemed to barely fit her slender frame as stood tall and unflinching amidst a crowd of noble youths.

The air was thick with excitement and mock bravado as several young boys exchanged cocky remarks, their voices mingling with the cheering crowd.

Among them stood Amar Sinha, not the Raaj Kavi of today, but . the spoiled yet well-meaning son of Princess Amba, the only sister of Emperor Makarand, who had lost her life not long after that

Amar was known for being sharp-tongued, and today was no different.

just as he caught sight of her, He leaned in close to his friends, his eyes glinting with mischief as he taunted, "You know, Kumud, for someone who has a warrior for a brother, you hide behind words a lot......

Maybe that's because you know you can't match up to your brother, Vikram."

The other boys snickered, feeding off his energy. Kumud's jaw tightened, but she refused to rise to the bait. Instead, she remained poised, her silence more cutting than any retort she could've thrown back.

Seeing that his jabs were met with indifference, Amar's teasing turned more direct. "Come on ! Prove that the blood of warriors runs through your veins! Let's see if you're as brave as your brother, or if you're all talk."

The young girl's eyes flashed at the challenge. Kumud had learned early on to mask her emotions with calmness, a trait she picked up from observing Vikram. But beneath that composed exterior lay a fierce pride and a desire to uphold her honor.

She wasn't one to back down, especially not when it concerned her Self esteem.

With a slow, deliberate step, she closed the distance between herself and Amar.

"You really think my courage is measured by what you, a boy who hides behind his mother's shadow, thinks of me?" Her voice was cool, steady, but there was an edge to it that made Amar swallow nervously.

"You? Compete? Don't be ridiculous ! " Amar had sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. The only son of Princess Amba, he was sharp-tongued, always eager to prove his superiority to others, though never malicious in intent. It was just his way.

"Your brother Vikram might be brave, but you?" He scoffed. "You're nothing more than a girl pretending to be a warrior."

Kumud had stood tall, her back straight despite the tension bubbling within her. "And what about you, Amar? Will you fight, or will you continue wag that mouth of yours? You say that I hide behind my words, but aren't you the same? " Her voice was calm, her eyes fixed on his face.