Lotus among the Roses

✨️ Rangotsav Announcement ✨️

The moon hung low over the Vajrakot Manor, as she passed through the familiar gates, her mind still swirling with the events from the palace.

She had been summoned by the Samraat tonight, and though she pretended to be calm and composed all these while, but the weight of the Crown Prince's assassination attempt loomed heavy on her heart.

Her heart was in a turmoil . All her previous greivences which she still wanted to avenge, but now faced with her new responsibilities, she fell in a dilemma.

The door to her manor creaked open before she could even reach it fully. Her mother, Rajni Devi, was waiting by the entrance, her calm face betraying nothing, yet the way she wrung the corner of her shawl in her hands gave away her inner anxiety. Beside her, Kumud's younger sister, Ketki, fidgeted, her usually bright eyes filled with an unusual worry. They said nothing, simply smiling at her, but their eyes spoke volumes.

"Kumud, come inside, child," her mother said softly, her voice steady but with an undertone of concern. "You must be tired after the long day ....."

Kumud stepped in, unconsciously releasing her taunt nerves, as she took in the room. It was the same home she had known, but tonight, it felt different. There was a tension in the air, one that she knew would surface sooner or later.

Her father, The Vajrakot Saamant Keshav Gupta , was seated at the head of the table, his brows furrowed, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of his chair.

At her arrival, he sighed deeply, almost as if the sound would help him release the burden of his worry.

"Come, come Kumud, sit," Father Gupta said, gesturing to the seat beside him. His voice was firm, but his gaze was softer, almost pleading.

"Rajni, Ketki, go and quickly bring her some food...... My child's probably very hungry."

The women exchanged glances before disappearing into the kitchen, their hurried footsteps betraying their nerves. Kumud's father, too, remained quiet for a moment, his eyes resting on the table. The silence was thick, filled with unspoken questions.

Kumud, always perceptive, waited. She knew who would speak next.

Vikram, who was observing the scene all these while, stepped forward as he sat across from her. His usual playful demeanor was nowhere to be found.

His face was dark, not from the shadows of the night, but from the worry that had etched itself into his expression.
His lips were pressed into a tight line as if he had been holding back his questions for hours.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low but filled with concern. "Kumud, what happened at the palace? When the celebration ended, we waited for you only for us to be informed that you have been summoned by the Samraat. Please tell us... What happened... "

She met his gaze calmly, offering him a soft smile. " Vikram Bhaiya, when you went to the frontline, do you remember what I said to you?"

Vikram nodded, his eyes covered in a haze. " You had said that you will always protect the family, while I protected the country... "

Kumud smiled as she lowered her eyes to say, " Think of today's event as a way to fulfil my promise. I will be protecting a family, the one who will protect us all in return."

Vikram's eyes narrowed. He understood the implications behind her words. He knew his sister was about to get involved with the royal family, which made his fist to curl up in nervousness.

" Why you? Why not someone else? Will you be in danger? " Unable to contain his anxiousness, Vikram started to shower hem with questions one after another.