Lotus among the Roses

✨️Arrival and Investigation✨️

Before entering Jatila city, the group decided to make a stop at a larger village on the outskirts of Kalyanpur, where their servants awaited them.

After reuniting with them, all of them started their play for the people as they slowed to pass through the bustling streets....

The sounds of market vendors calling out to the customers filled the air, and the scent of freshly fried jalebis and spicy kachoris wafted through the open windows of their room.

"I overheard something at the last inn we stayed at," Subal, Vyom’s most trusted guard said, his tone lowering.

"A group of traders mentioned the Pradeshadhipati's son has been hosting secret meetings in Kalyanapur.......  Apparently, he's been seen with some... ah... " he hesitated before uttering the words, under Vyom's intense gaze, " he was seen ... with several prostitutes ... hosting... government... officials..." his voice died down towards the end, as he bowed his head lower.

Devsena frowned in disgust. " As expected of this lowly man... Tell me Do we have any proof of his involvement with the " traitors" yet ? And, did we find those traitors ?" She asked Vyom.

Vyom's expression darkened. "Not yet..... But these gatherings ... it's no coincidence. We'll need to keep a close watch on his movements once we arrive...... meanwhile my men have infiltrated his residence... "

Kumud's fingers tightened around the edge of the window frame as her thoughts drifted.

The mention of the governor's son stirred an unexpected thought —Sujata, Abeera's sister, had married into the  family, and her husband Dhananjay, who was Raaj Sabha Pramakh's second son was currently an official in the Ministry of Treasures , had ties to Kalyanapur.......

Could there be a connection?

She turned to Vyom, her voice quiet but firm. "Sujata's husband, ... he had worked in Kalyanapur, didn't he?"

Vyom's brow furrowed in thought. "Yes, Dhananiay...  Cheif Chamberlain  Bhadrak's nephew..... and Raaj Sabha Pramukh's son...  he's was of the governor's close advisors......"

A deep unease settled in Kumud's chest. "There may be more to this than we thought...... If the governor's son is involved in hiding the Crown Prince and Sujata's husband, Dhananjay is connected to him, we may be dealing with a larger conspiracy......"

Vyom's expression grew serious. "You're right. If Dhananjay is involved, it will complicate things more than we thought...  maybe ... we can trace those bastards in the capital through him ... Subal! I need everything!"

He raised his head towards Subal, who quickly bowed his head in acquiescence.

Kumud fell silent, her mind racing with the implications. Sujata had always been a peripheral figure in her thoughts, overshadowed by Abeera's schemes.

But now, the possibility of her husband's involvement with these traitors especially in this case... made everything more complicated.

This mission, it seemed like... was no longer just about protecting the Crown Prince; it was about uncovering the hidden web of betrayal...... probably that which stretched deeper than she had anticipated.....

Vyom, noticing her sudden quiet, gently let out a sigh and placed his hands on the carriage's window as he lightly said, "We'll figure this out together, Kumud....." he said, his voice sincere.

"You're not alone in this......" this voice lingered, while Devsena slowly patted Kumud's arms.

For a brief moment, Kumud felt the warmth of her hand and the steady assurance in his voice. She glanced at Dersena and smiled after which her eyes flitted towards him, and in that fleeting moment, the tension between them shifted into something softer.