Lotus among the Roses

Blooming heart

The heavy door closed behind her, shutting out the night air and the faint scent of evening dust. Inside, the manor was quite, save for the soft echo of her own footsteps over polished stone, which led her away from Vyom.... Her face and stature calm, yet her heart was in turmoil. She had taken a few deep breaths when entering her room, when she heard someone coming.

Renuka appeared first, as if she had been waiting just beyond the threshold. " Devi you are back, how was your day?" she murmured, moving forward to slip the gold pallu from Kumud's shoulder, careful not to snag the fine silk.

Atula followed in, her step silent, eyes flicking briefly toward the door where Vyom had stood still before turning around, then back to Kumud. Without a word, she guided her steps towards the inner chamber, the clink of her anklets the only sound in the room.

The moon light in the room was soft, the air faintly perfumed with sandalwood. Atula poured water into a silver basin, setting it beside the low divan. Renuka meanwhile loosened the knot of hair at the back of Kumud's head with deft fingers.

Kumud exhaled, finally letting the tension from the evening slide from her shoulders. "How was it today? Any news from the capital? And what about Devsena.... Did she find something?" she asked, her voice low, almost distracted.

Atula knew that these questions were for her. She had not accompanied Kumud today as she was tasked to send and receive letters to and from the capital. Moreover, she also had to help Devsena investigate all the courtiers..... all of the information obtained through special means. Thus she nodded. " Rasika and Amita are in action. Rasika has been able to get into the manor. You can soon expect good news. As for Devi Devsena, she too had received a message... a report from one of her old contacts. He seems to be a bit off.... It seemed to mention a man.... umm... named.... Haran.. Yes!"

Kumud's gaze sharpened. "Haran? Tell me more!"

"Yes Devi, Haran seems to be someone from the Pradesh Pati"s courteir...... a revenue officer..... who is now treated as a mere accountant by that one.... " Atula confirmed. "Upon receiving the report, Devi Devsena went out herself to confirm the source's claims. She has returned with more information than she had expected....."

" Renuka... Go quickly and call Devsena inn... I would like to talk to her..." Kumud quickly turned and ordered. Renuka quickly bowed and ran to call Devsena in.

Kumud looked at her reflection in the mirror as she deftly removed her jewelry and combed her hair.

She had just put her comb down when the door slid open then, and Devsena stepped inside. Her hair was tied back, the edges damp from a recent wash, her saree still bearing the faint scent of the jasmine.

"I hear you found information about him.... Is he really the lead we were looking for ?" Kumud said.

Devsena's mouth curved, not quite a smile but something close. "Found information about him? I almost decoded his whole kundli......" She took a seat on the cushioned seat beside the divan, her posture easy but her eyes keen. "That Haran is no mere accountant...... He was once part of the late Crown Prince's supply network..... the one under Pradesh Pati, quietly moving grain and funds between outposts. After the Pradeshapati's disappearance , he was pulled into the lower ranks..... My guess? Voluntary exile..... The kind you choose when you're keeping yourself alive."

Kumud considered this in silence for a moment, absently tracing the rim of the basin beside her.

" Did you him tonight? " Devsena asked on. "What did you make of him?"

" Obscure.... " Kumud said after a pause. "Too restrained for such a capable man.... now surrounded by fools. I had approached his wife..." She hesitated. "Her gaze trembled when she spoke to me..... something regarding her child,,, her family which she wants to protect. I think they're both playing a part....."