Rewriting the War (Duryodhan)

Chapter 2 - Selling a lie

I opened my eyes blearily. The ceiling above didn't match that of my room and, slowly, the memories of the previous night washed over me.

Sighing at the turn of fate, I simply remained lying upon the bed, admiring the view on top. Despite its height, it was painted with precision and the designs were simply a work of pure class.

"It looks beautiful, doesn't it?" A voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Craning my head to the side, I saw him seated on the couch rather comfortably, as if he had been there for a long time.

"Yes. It is." I mumbled, attempting to rise up straight.

"Wait." He ordered and I stilled. I watched him walk over to the bed with a pillow in hand.

"You can now lean back." He said, after placing it behind my back. Muttering a soft thanks, I leaned, completely befuddled by his utmost care.

"The physician said you haven't eaten for the past two days."

Having just spent minutes in the void, hearing I had lost two days was an unwelcome revelation.

He pulled the couch closer upon seeing my panic-stricken face.

"You don't work here nor has anyone seen you in the city." His voice was stern. "Pray tell me, why did you lie?"

I remained silent.

"I asked you a question, Amara." Despite my turmoil, I noted that I liked the way my name rolled out from his tongue. He made it sound exquisite.

"I am an orphan." I bluntly said.

"Oh?" He didn't believe it. Not that I blame him, he already knew I lied once. Anyone in his position would think twice before trusting my words again.

"I don't have a home to call my own. So, I travel from one city to another." I paused, sighing as if it pained me to tell him about my life.

"I came to Hastinapur just yesterday and felt like stepping into this beautiful place. I was trying to avoid getting caught, so I stepped into your quarters because there was nobody there."

It was all a fabrication, but even if he doubted my word, he wouldn't have anyone to vouch against it and, for now, I was safe.

"I see." His lips were curled in amusement while his fingers traced patterns on my palm.

I scrunched my eyebrows at his action. It made me certain that if Duryodhan was born in the 21st century, he would have gone around stating that his love language was physical touch and the thought, as silly as it was, made me a little less homesick.

"You can stop being a wanderer then."

"Huh?"

"I can give you a job."

"What job?" Was he just offering what I wanted? He was such a sweetheart for making my job easier.

"As my head maid." He said, matter-of-factly, and I was sure all the light in my eyes flew out of the window at his words.

"You don't look pleased." Duryodhan eyed me warily.

"I am tremendously pleased, it's just my face is a person of it's own. Don't you worry..." I replied, massaging my neck.

Perhaps it was better to adjust even if it wasn't my ideal choice of labour.

"What work should I do? I asked, coming to terms with my situation.

"Wake me up, arrange my bath, help me with clothing, bring food...."

He droned on and on, listing one after the other, but my brain only retained the first piece of information offered by him.

"Who would wake me up?" There was no way I would be able to wake him up early in the morning, without someone or my alarm waking me up first. The latter wasn't, unfortunately, an option to consider.

He looked stunned, for a second, before bursting out wheezing.

"I forgot you had never been to a palace." He managed to say, still laughing, and I was secretly pleased to note that he had believed my personal invention.

"There will be three beats to signal the start of the day and likewise, three beats to signal the end of the day."

"Oh." That was all I could say.

"But seriously, the expression on your face when you asked. So much concern." He chuckled, thinking about it while I watched him slap his thighs in between giggles.

Was my expression, even, that funny?

Before I could ask him that, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in." Gone was the laughing man, replaced by his serious contemporary.

"Your Majesty, the King of Gandhara has requested your presence." The guard said, bowing so low that I thought he would touch the ground with his head.

"Tell him that I will arrive shortly." With that, Duryodhan gestured the guard to leave and turned to me,

"I will be back in a while and the maid will bring the food. Eat it." He said, ruffling my hair while I nodded.

Leaving me behind, he set forth to meet his uncle, and I spent the rest of the time thinking of ways to start the mission I was sent for.