Beyond The Palace Walls| ONGOING

Chapter - 34

In Pali, Bhuvan, and team returned, the air thickened with tension. Achintya's piercing gaze scanned the room, his voice dripping with venom.

"Where's that shameless girl?" Achintya spat, his eyes narrowing.

Bhuvan's Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped, his face pale. "We've searched Singh Mansion and Enterprises, your majesty. She's not there."

Achintya's scowl deepened. "Did you check correctly?"

Bhuvan's voice held conviction. "Of course, King. She's the pride of our kingdom. It's our duty to protect her."

Achintya huffed, dismissing Bhuvan and his team with a wave. "Jao. Mein hi sambhal lunga"
(Leave. I'll handle this.)

As the door closed, Achintya summoned his adviser.

"Find her," Achintya growled. "She can't hide forever."

His adviser, Kedar, suggested, "Perhaps we should expand our search to kingdoms where Agastya holds influence?"

Achintya nodded curtly. "Jo karna hai Karo par unhe doondho." He summoned bhuvan again.
(Do whatever is needed but find her)

Moments later, Bhuvan re-entered.

"Maharaj?" Bhuvan asked cautiously.

"Search all kingdoms tied to Agastya," Achintya ordered. "Leave no stone unturned."

Bhuvan's expression remained neutral. "As you command, majesty"

Achintya's glare shifted to Sumitra, who sat beside him on the throne, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

Sumitra gulped, her eyes wide.

Achintya's voice dripped with venom. "You! You're the reason I'm dealing with this Meera chaos! If you hadn't defied me and instead defied meera, I wouldn't be searching for that pesky girl!"

Sumitra's expression turned icy. "I'm not interested in arguing, Maharaj."

She rose from the throne, but Achintya's grip on her arm halted her departure.

"Sit down, Sumitra," Achintya growled, his eyes blazing. "It's been three days, and we still haven't found her. If she's not located soon, your death will be the news that brings her running back."

Sumitra's eyes flashed with defiance, but Achintya's hold tightened.

"Don't think for a moment that I won't do it, Sumitra," Achintya sneered. "You're nothing but leverage to me now."

Sumitra's voice dripped with venom. "You'll never find her, Arya. She's smarter than you."

Achintya's face twisted in rage. "We'll see about that."

Suddenly, Kedar cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. "Maharaj, perhaps-"

"Not now, Kedar," Achintya snapped, his gaze still fixed on Sumitra.

Sumitra's smile was a thin, mirthless line. "You're making a mistake, Maharaj"

Achintya's face contorted in rage. "Aap apna sthaan bhul Rahi hai, Sumitra. Aap ek mohare ke alawa kuch nahi ho "
(You're forgetting your place, Sumitra. You're nothing but a pawn.)

Sumitra's voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm the queen, Maharaj. And I won't be silenced."

Sumitra's words hung in the air like a challenge, her eyes flashing with defiance. Achintya's grip on her arm tightened, his face purpling with rage.