The grand courtroom of Aryavarta was filled with tension as people gathered to witness the verdict.
The atmosphere was charged, whispers echoing throughout the marble hall as the citizens questioned the queen-to-be's integrity.
Maya stood tall, though inwardly she fumed with anger and frustration.
She wouldn't let the past repeat.
Rudra, on the other hand, sat on the grand throne, appearing calm, unbothered by the storm brewing around him.
His composed demeanor was in stark contrast to Maya’s growing irritation.
"How can we trust a woman who roams freely with men other than her husband?" one of the ministers demanded, his voice full of judgment.
The accusation hung in the air, drawing nods of agreement from many in the crowd.
Maya’s fists clenched at her sides, her patience worn thin.
It had been the same rhetoric over and over—her character under scrutiny while the men, especially Arjun, who was as much a part of the situation as she was, went unquestioned.
She had heard enough.
"How dare you!" Maya finally snapped, her voice ringing loud and clear across the hall.
The room fell into a stunned silence as her words cut through the air. "Even in this era, it’s the women who are questioned, while men walk away unscathed. Is it a crime for me to have friends who are men? Or does your so-called tradition only allow women to be prisoners of their roles?"
Her eyes blazed with fury, meeting every gaze in the room.
She had grown tired of being the center of these accusations.
The whispers of her character, the judgmental looks—it all stemmed from the simple fact that she was a woman.
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, clearly uncomfortable with the fire in her words.
"But you are married, and yet you claim otherwise," another voice challenged from the crowd.
Maya’s eyes flickered with disdain. She inhaled sharply and then spoke, her tone now cold and sharp.
"Yes, I am married. But not by choice." Her words sent a shockwave through the court.
She paused, letting her statement sink in before continuing. "Maharaj Rudra married me without my consent."
A collective gasp echoed through the chamber.
Even the staunchest supporters of Rudra looked shocked, their faces reflecting disbelief.
The tension that had been simmering now turned into outright chaos, as murmurs and whispers spread like wildfire.
"Is this true, Your Highness?" one of the councilmen finally asked, turning toward Rudra, his voice shaking with the weight of the revelation.
Rudra, who had been silent until now, slowly rose from his throne.
His expression remained calm, though his eyes softened as they briefly met Maya’s.
"It is true," he said simply.
His voice was steady, unafraid of the consequences of his confession. "I married Maya without her knowledge, and I take full responsibility for it. If there is a punishment to be given, I am prepared to accept it—whether it be from the people of this kingdom or from Maya herself."
The crowd erupted again, this time in confusion and anger.
The ministers huddled together, debating what should be done.
YOU ARE READING
RudraMaya ~ A Cursed Love Story
Historical Fiction'Not all stories end with a happy ending' When a fierce 21st-century CEO crosses paths with a powerful King from the 15th century, their worlds collide with passion that defies time itself. He is driven by selfishness; she is his very obsession. He...
