Royal Secrets (Shhhh)

Chapter 5. ~ Scars That Don't Heal ~

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The week had passed, yet Dhara had not stepped foot in the palace. She was too afraid, trapped in the nightmare of that night. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't forget it. The memory clung to her like a shadow, haunting her every moment.

Why did it happen? Why did Samar do that to her? She had only gone to thank him-nothing more. Then why had everything changed in the blink of an eye?

Every night, the same moment replayed in her mind, tormenting her like a ghost she couldn't escape. She couldn't share this pain with anyone, nor did she have the strength to carry it alone.

"H... Hukum, I had only come to thank you... but why did this happen to me?" she whispered, her voice breaking as tears spilled down her cheeks.

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Samar's grandfather had been watching him closely for days. Something was wrong. Samar had been losing his temper over the smallest things, raising his voice at every little mistake. In just one week, he had dismissed several members of his personal staff.

As the doctor dressed his wound, Samar sat before him, his face as cold and expressionless as ever.

"Ranaji, I am telling you again-please don't take stress. It's harming your health," the doctor advised gently.

"I've been saying this to him for years, but he never listens," Dadamaharaj said as he entered the room, his face heavy with concern.

The doctor sighed, looking at the old king. "Maharanaji, this is the sixth attack in a week. We can't keep this a secret for long. If this continues, it will destroy Ranaji's political career. And if it worsens..." He hesitated before adding gravely, "It could even cost him his life."

Dadamaharaj turned to Samar, his voice laced with frustration and worry. "Samar, what is wrong with you? How long will I keep hiding this from the world? If the news of your illness leaks, if the media even gets a hint of it, they will ruin you. Your opponents will use it against you. Is this what you want? You have to fight this, Samar. If you don't, this disease will consume you entirely."

Samar let out a bitter chuckle, his voice laced with pain. "Then tell me, Dadababa, what should I do? I can't change who I am. You don't understand... When I feel pain, it gives me relief. When I see my own blood, I feel at peace. I have been fighting this illness since I was ten. Seventeen years have passed, and what has changed? Nothing. I am still the same. If nothing helps-neither doctors, medicines, nor therapy-then what's the point? What more can I do?" His voice cracked, exposing a rare moment of vulnerability.

The doctor's face grew serious. "It's not just the illness, Ranaji. You have other addictions too. Alcohol. Drugs. If you don't take this seriously, it will destroy you. You need to free yourself from this before it's too late."

Dadamaharaj sighed deeply, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Doctor Sahib, we have done everything we could. But his condition is worsening day by day. If this comes to light, it will not only harm Samar but also bring disgrace to Rajgardh. Samar, I did not raise you to see you like this. I fought so much to bring you here. Don't throw everything away like this."

The doctor hesitated for a moment before offering a suggestion. "Maharanaji, there is one option left. If we could find a distraction for him, something that could pull him away from all this, maybe Ranaji could heal."