HOUSE OF LIES

1

The palace of Suryagarh was filled with an air of grief and tension after the sudden passing of the king. As the sun barely rose, the halls echoed with whispered conversations and the heavy silence of mourning.

Abhimanyu Rajvanshi, the youngest heir to the throne, approached his elder brother. "Bhai sa, all the guests are gathered in the funeral hall. We should join them," he said gently, his voice filled with sorrow.

"You go ahead, Abhi. I'll be there soon," Rajveer Rajvanshi, the first heir to the throne, replied, his gaze distant.Abhimanyu hesitated for a moment but then left quietly. As soon as he was gone, Rajveer called for Bahadur, their loyal servant. "Bahadur."

"Ji, Kuwar sa," Bahadur responded promptly.

"I need you to gather all the details of Baba sa's last days," Rajveer commanded, his tone firm.

"Do you think it wasn't natural, Kuwar sa?" Bahadur asked cautiously.

Rajveer's eyes narrowed, and he replied coldly, "Bahadur, I didn't ask for your opinion. Just follow my orders."

"Ji, Kuwar sa," Bahadur said, bowing before hurrying away.

Rajveer clenched his fists, his mind swirling with suspicion. "Baba sa, I swear, whoever is responsible for this—whether they're family or not—I will make them pay."

Meanwhile, in the funeral hall, Asha Rajvanshi, the queen and mother of the heirs, scanned the room anxiously. "Where is Rajveer?" she asked, her voice trembling with grief."He's coming, Maa sa," Advit, the second heir, reassured her.

Just as Advit was about to go look for his elder brother, the sound of footsteps echoed from the grand staircase. All eyes turned towards Rajveer as he descended, his presence commanding respect. Everyone lowered their heads in reverence—the first heir had arrived.

Asha's eyes were filled with tears as she asked, "Rajveer, where have you been?""I had matters to attend to, former Rani sa," Rajveer replied, his tone detached.

Her grief turned to anger. "Your father has just passed, and you speak to me with such disrespect?"

Rajveer stepped closer to her and whispered coldly, "And you are speaking to the King of Suryagarh now. So behave."

Asha was left speechless, stunned by her son's words. Abhimanyu intervened, his voice pleading, "Bhai sa, not today. Baba sa wouldn't want this."

Rajveer remained silent, walking towards his father's remains. He knelt, touching his father's feet with reverence. "Baba sa, please tell Maa that I'm doing well. I have no friends, but I have a brother who is like family. Suryagarh will always be safe under my rule, this is my promise as your son and as the king." His voice, though steady, was laced with sorrow.

One of the servants approached cautiously. "Kuwar sa, shall we proceed with the last rites?""Not yet. My sister will be here soon," Rajveer said, his voice firm.

Just then, the doors swung open, and Ishana Rajvanshi, the youngest sibling, rushed into the room. Tears streamed down her face as she ran towards her father's lifeless body. "Baba sa! Please don't leave me! First Maa, and now you? Baba sa, I promise I'll be a good daughter. Please, just wake up!" she sobbed uncontrollably.

Rajveer knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Ishana turned and clung to him, her tears soaking his clothes. "Bhai sa, tell Baba to wake up, baba sa meh apki sari baat manungi , baba sa meh kabhi zidd nhi karungi , app jo boleneg vo karungi , please uthiye na baba sa "

Rajveer gently stroked her hair. "Ishu, we have to say goodbye now," he whispered.Suddenly, Ishana's sobs stopped. Her tear-filled eyes turned sharp, locking onto her brother's. "Bhai sa," she said in a harsh voice, "who did this?"

Rajveer's face hardened as he replied, "whomever he was , meh usee aisi maut dunga ki uski rooh kapegi fir janam lene se " The vow of vengeance hung heavy in the air as they prepared to say their final goodbye to their father, the late king of Suryagarh.