Royal Secrets (Shhhh)

Chapter 10. ~ Echoes Of Thank You ~

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Dhara flung the door open in a hurry, only to freeze as she found Abhinav standing there. His eyes burned with a silent, angry glare, but he said nothing. He brushed past her into the room, and as she slipped out, he shut the door firmly behind her.

"Raanasa," Abhinav began, his voice tight with emotion, "please don't take this the wrong way, but this girl-she's not good for you. She'll bring trouble into your life. She's not someone you can trust. You know what Basant Singh did, and yet you let her get close? She'll ruin you. He's sent her like a slow poison to destroy you from within. Why can't you see it? You're always so careful, every step calculated-how could you stumble over a simple servant like her?" His tone grew sharp, almost pleading.

"Abhinav, watch your words," Samar snapped, his anger flaring. "I think you're the one slipping now."

"S... sorry," Abhinav muttered, bowing his head in shame, realizing he'd overstepped.

Samar stood there, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever.

"But Raanasa, she-" Abhinav tried again, only to be cut off.

"As far as I know you," Samar said coolly, "you've already dug up everything about her. So tell me-did you find anything suspicious? Has her behavior ever given you a reason to doubt her? You know the horrors Basant Singh and his wife put her through. And still, you question her? I've freed her from them. I've given her what she needed most-her freedom."

Abhinav shook his head, his voice steady but heavy. "No, Raanasa, you've freed her from them, but you've trapped her in your own cage for your own gain. She's still so young, so innocent-she doesn't even see your intentions. She grew up in Suryagardh, but she knows nothing of the dark secrets every palace hides, or what it means to live as a concubine."

"Abhinav, you're crossing the line now," Samar growled, his voice a low roar.

"I'm sorry, Raanasa," Abhinav replied, unwavering despite the rebuke. "But I have to warn you of the consequences. Your safety is my first duty."

Samar's jaw tightened, his anger simmering beneath his icy facade.

"She doesn't understand this cruel world," Abhinav pressed on. "But the day she does, she'll want to escape. She'll try to break free, but she won't be able to. Then, like a wounded lioness, she'll fight back. History proves it-great wars have started because of women like her. Palaces have crumbled at the hands of their own concubines. Brave kings and mighty kingdoms have fallen to ruin because of a single servant. I don't want that fate for you. The moment she feels trapped, she'll grow to hate you. And when that happens, she'll turn to Basant Singh for help. You can guess the rest."

Samar listened in silence, his face a mask of stone. Abhinav's words struck a chord-there was truth in them-but his heart refused to bend.

"Raanasa," Abhinav continued, his voice softer now, almost desperate, "you're cold, you're strong-don't let this change you. Think clearly. Dhara isn't right for you. There are countless beautiful girls in Rajgardh-choose anyone but her. She'll be your downfall. You're forgetting something-family is family. No matter what they've done to her, she'll return to them in the end. We can protect you from any danger, but not from her. What I see in your eyes when you look at her-it's strange, dangerous, toxic. Her sweetness will poison you slowly until it kills you."

Samar's gaze hardened. "I think we're late for the press conference," he said, brushing off every word as if it hadn't touched him.

"Raanasa," Abhinav said, his tone resolute, "I'll do whatever it takes to save you-even if it means standing against you. I won't let her be the one to end you."