The Promised Queen

𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝓎 𝒻𝒾𝓋𝑒

Ridhima and Ishaan moved quietly through the palace corridors, their footsteps hushed against the cold marble floors. The faint golden glow of the evening lamps cast long shadows, adding to the air of secrecy surrounding them.

"I still don't understand why we're doing this," Ishaan muttered as he adjusted the cuffs of his kurta. "You do realize that if Bhai catches us snooping around Rani-sa, we're dead, right?"

Ridhima shot him a determined look. "Something is off, Ishaan. I can feel it. She's been acting strange ever since Avni and I returned. And she's been protective of Avni, too protective, almost like she's hiding something."

Ishaan sighed but followed her as they carefully maneuvered down the hallway, stopping just outside the grand study where Rani-sa was speaking in hushed tones with a servant. They pressed themselves against the wooden partition, listening closely.

"Make sure Avni does not get disturbed every now and then," Rani-sa's voice floated through the air.

Ridhima and Ishaan exchanged quick glances.

"What do you make of that?" Ishaan whispered.

Ridhima's brows furrowed. 

"She's trying too hard. She knows Avni remembers something, and she's making sure no one hears it. Maybe she's keeping Avni under control so she doesn't say something that could expose her."

Ishaan hesitated. "Ridhima, that could just be a concerned mother talking. You're reading too much into this."

Ridhima shook her head. "No, Ishaan. She's the only one who had motive. She never wanted me to marry Hruday. She's always treated me like an outsider. What if she staged everything—Avni's kidnapping, my abduction—just to make sure the wedding didn't happen?"

Ishaan's jaw tightened. "That's a huge accusation."

"Think about it," Ridhima pressed on. "Hruday and I were just about to get married. Then suddenly, Avni and I were taken. Who benefits the most from that? Rani-sa."

Ishaan sighed. "Look, I won't say I trust her, but hurting her own daughter? I don't fully believe she'd go that far either."

Ridhima crossed her arms. 

"Still... we don't have enough proof to dismiss your theory."

"Then let's find proof. We have to tell Hruday."

Ishaan ran a hand down his face. "You do realize that if we're wrong, Bhai is going to murder both of us, right?"

Ridhima smirked. "Then let's make sure we're right."

Ishaan groaned. "This is the last time I let you drag me into one of your investigations."

Together, they turned and made their way towards Hruday, completely unaware of how wrong their assumptions were.

As they turned to leave, Rani-sa sighed and finished her sentence, oblivious to their departure.

"She was having bad dreams again. I don't want her waking up distressed. I just don't want her to relive the trauma so soon. Avni is too young to bear such weight."

But by then, Ridhima and Ishaan were already gone, their suspicions unknowingly misplaced.