"Royal Secrets (Shhhhh)" unveils the shadowy tale of a royal family, where the ancient palace of Rajgardh guards centuries-old mysteries within its walls. Secrets so dark they could have shattered generations, buried alongside long-gone kings, whisp...
After her board exams, Dhara faced a turning point that would change her forever. She underwent plastic surgery-a complex and delicate procedure, not just for a part of her, but for her entire body. It was a secret woven with care, hidden from the world's prying eyes. Abhinav, ever loyal and meticulous, took charge of every detail, ensuring no whisper of it reached beyond their trusted circle.
In Rajgardh, Dhara had been absent for a long while. The excuse she gave was simple-her exams demanded her focus-and it wasn't entirely a lie. Rajmata, with her kind heart, had granted her paid leave to study in peace, a gesture Dhara cherished. But the truth stretched beyond that. The moment her exams ended, the surgery began, orchestrated with precision. Two weeks later, she was discharged from the hospital, every step of her journey planned like a delicate dance, leaving no room for suspicion.
Each day brought a quiet rhythm of healing. Morning and night, her dressings were changed with gentle hands. Medicines arrived like clockwork, and her diet was tended to with the utmost care. She wasn't just recovering-she was being nurtured, cradled in the safety of Samar's secret haven. There, she was treated not as a servant, but as a princess, surrounded by comfort she'd never known. Dhara's heart swelled with gratitude, her days soft and serene. Yet, beneath the happiness, a tender ache lingered-she missed him.
A month had passed since her discharge, and in all that time, Samar's presence remained a distant dream. He hadn't visited her in the hospital, hadn't stepped into this hidden sanctuary, hadn't even sent a single call. The silence from him carved a quiet hollow in her chest, a longing she couldn't voice. She was healing, yes, but a part of her still waited-hoping for the sound of his voice, the warmth of his gaze.
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Dhara POV:-
"Hukum, where are you? I wanted you to be the first to see me after the surgery. I longed to glimpse myself through your eyes, because this life-this new beginning-is your gift to me. Everyone calls me beautiful now, but it's you who gave me this beauty. You made me feel it, not just on the surface, but deep within my soul. You taught me to love myself when all I knew was shame. Where others in the palace looked at me with disgust, you never did. You peered beyond my scars, into my pain, and saw me when no one else would. Before you, they only sneered and turned away, but you-you healed me. You were right to say no one can touch me but you. It's your right alone, because it was you who reached into the ashes of my brokenness and brought me back to life. Thank you."
Dhara's face glowed like a constellation of stars, radiant with hope and gratitude. Lost in thoughts of Samar, she didn't notice Netra enter the room with a tray of food. Seeing Dhara smiling to herself, Netra paused, caught off guard. She cleared her throat softly, pulling Dhara from her reverie.
"Eat quickly," Netra said in a clipped, cold tone. "You need to take your medicine and get your dressing done."
Dhara nodded silently, picking at her meal with quiet obedience. After a moment, she gathered her courage. "M... Ma'am, um... has Hukum... did he call or leave a message for me?" Her voice trembled with fragile hope.
"No," Netra replied flatly.
Dhara's face fell, the light in her eyes dimming. She stared at her plate, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"Are you mad?" Netra snapped, her patience fraying. "Why do you ask me this every single day? Why would he call you? Does he have nothing better to do? Stupid girl."
Dhara bowed her head, washing her hands as tears pricked her eyes. "He's busy, I know," Netra continued, her tone sharp and unforgiving. "Raanasa carries the weight of countless responsibilities. Do you think he has time to spare for an ordinary servant like you? Why would he? Are you a princess? His lover? You're nothing to him. Stop pestering me with your nonsense-I'm tired of it."
Dhara's eyes glistened, her heart sinking under the weight of Netra's words. "S... Sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I know I'm no one. But... can you tell me why he did all this for me? You're right-a lowly servant like me shouldn't matter. So why? That's all I want to know." She tilted her head down, bracing herself.
Netra's gaze hardened. "Because you're his concubine."
The word struck Dhara like a quiet thunderclap. Her heart stuttered. That word-it had haunted her for months, whispered in corners, lingering in her ears. Yet its meaning still eluded her, a puzzle she couldn't piece together. She stared at Netra, lost and blank.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Netra asked, frowning in confusion.
"C... Can I... borrow your phone?" Dhara stammered. "I need to look something up."
Netra's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you don't even know what it means. The first night you were sent to Raanasa's room, didn't you understand why? What do you do there all night? Does he touch you or not? Maybe that's why he arranged this surgery. Does that answer your question?"
Dhara's cheeks burned with humiliation. For so long, she'd searched for clarity, only to find more shame heaped upon her. Netra's words cut deep, stripping away the fragile hope she'd clung to.
"And one more thing," Netra added, her voice rising with disdain. "Your family has served Suryagardh for generations-except your uncle. This is just the reward for your loyalty, nothing more. It's not special or grand. In Rajgardh, this is routine. The palace looks after its servants-it's Raanasa's duty as Maharana, nothing personal. You're not some princess from a fairytale. You're his concubine, a servant kept in the shadows. That's why it's all a secret." Her glare was cold, piercing, laced with disgust.
That word again-concubine. It echoed in Dhara's mind, heavy and unfamiliar, a label she couldn't escape. Before she could respond, the nurse entered, interrupting the tension. She handed Dhara her medicines and began changing her dressings with practiced care.
"Sister," Dhara asked softly, her voice trembling, "how long will I stay here? When will I be well?"
The nurse smiled gently. "It depends on your reports, but you're healing beautifully. The way your body's responding, I think you'll recover soon-fully, like everyone else. You'll return to your life, free and normal."
Dhara nodded, a flicker of relief warming her chest, even as Netra's harsh words lingered like a shadow.
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