Royal Secrets (Shhhh)

Chapter 19. Who Is Nisar ?

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At School

The lunch bell rang, and the courtyard filled with the buzz of children-some laughing, some chattering, and many huddled over their plates of mid-day meals. Among them sat Dhara, quietly eating under the shade of a neem tree. As always, she took a little extra food to carry home-her dinner for the night. It had become a habit now, one rooted more in necessity than choice.

Her days in Rajgardh, She would slip out of Samar's chamber before dawn broke across the sky, only to return to the palace by 7 o'clock sharp. Four days a week, she scrubbed floors, hauled water, and jumped at every order-there was no room to mess up. The other three days, she dragged herself to school, trying to keep her eyes open for classes.

Discipline there was iron-clad-no excuses, no mercy. A minute's delay could cost her punishment, or worse, expulsion. Four days she worked within those royal walls, and the remaining three she attended school, desperately trying to hold onto a fragment of her childhood.

The routine was unforgiving. By the time night arrived, she would once again find herself in Samar's chamber-regardless of her exhaustion, regardless of her health. Her body may ache and her spirit falter, but she had no choice. Only after he was satisfied would she be allowed to leave.

And by then, she was always drained to the bone-hollowed out and breathless. She barely had the energy to cook a proper meal. On most nights, it was the food she saved from school that kept her going.

That school food was her lifeline-the only thing she could count on.

From a distance, a boy was watching her-his eyes full of worry, heart heavy with helplessness.

"Dhara... I can't see you like this anymore."

He thought, his gaze clinging to her fading smile.

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A

fter School

Dhara pedaled her rickety cycle down the dirt road, the afternoon heat sticking to her skin. School was over, and she was already stressing about getting back to the palace on time.

"Dhara! Wait up!" someone yelled from behind.

She glanced back and slowed down. Nisar rolled up on his cycle, huffing and puffing, wiping sweat off his face.

"Man, Dhara, you ride like you're in a race!" he said, grinning through his gasps.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you," she mumbled, looking down, her apology quick and automatic.Nisar's smile dropped, his voice turning soft but a little annoyed.

"You don't even talk much anymore. You don't come to school with us, don't head home together-what's up with you?"She fiddled with her cycle's handle, her voice small.

"It's not like that, Nisar. I've just been busy with palace work lately. You know how strict they are about time in Suryagardh."He sighed.

"Yeah, you're right. We work in the other parts, but you're stuck on Raanasa's floor-no mistakes allowed there."Dhara didn't say anything, just stared at the ground, quiet as ever.

"Forget it," Nisar said, brightening up.

"We've got some time-let's go to our old hangout, that garden where we played as kids!"Her eyes went wide, panic kicking in.