(Book 5) Hayden Mackay and The Pride of Haima-Endira

12.2 Web of Deception

Lithika gazed at him for a moment, sitting firmly on the chair and then loosened up. "What is the Pride of Haima-Endira? I'm curious."

He looked highly uncomfortable and aloof. "That's impossible. Even with the company of the girl possessing such an ability, Doctor wasn't able to find it. And Hayden Mackay is just a boy," the King said to himself, although quite loudly.

"What, what is not possible?" she said, her voice husky enough to coax him into revealing.

"But he killed Shaytan Rup. He is powerful. So maybe..." he mused, looking distant.

"Your Majesty, tell me!"

"Why are you so interested?" he asked, at once coming out of his trance. Lithika's face hardened. "If you are done being a compulsive gossip, then please leave the room. I've got someone else to keep company this evening."

"Alright. I'll leave you now. See you at dinner."

Lithika stood and was about to leave, her anklets tinkling again. But then she abruptly stopped, and turned around, gaping at the king with a fierce hard look on her face. "What happened to the women of this royal family?"

Bhupathi who seemed to be in deep thoughts looked up. "Excuse me?"

"What happened to Archit's mother? Heard Archit is your sixth child. Where are the other five? Were they...girls?"

"Lithika, leave. Now."

"Not unless you give me some answers."

Bhupathi banged a tight fist on his table. "How dare you question me!"

"I'm curious. Very curious. All you talk is about having a grandson. What if I give birth to a girl? Will she disappear too?"

"You are blabbering too much today. Your sister did lead you to believe in something, didn't she?"

"Some of her reasonings are honestly bothering me. I just want to know the truth. Archit wouldn't tell me. He says he doesn't know and asked me to ask you instead."

"So you dare..."

"Yes, I do. This is the matter of my child. What if it's a girl? Will she be given a similar status as the men have been receiving since generations?"

"Disgrace. Remind me to talk with Archit..."

"Who is living in the cellar?"

"What?"

"The servants, they know. They talk in hushed voices but clear enough to reach my ears. They hear womanly cries and screams every now and then. They are even scared to go anywhere near the cellar and asked me not to go there as well. Why?"

"You stop right there...."

"Just tell me, your Majesty. I'll stand by my words. Nothing shall go out of these four walls. Tell me!"

A tense silence fell between them, both staring daggers at each other.

"Repercussions for giving a woman the liberty," he said, keeping his jaw stiff. "Maybe I should throw you in the cellar with my wife and daughters. Men in my family shall be delighted to suck your blood. Archit told me you taste good."

Lithika looked angrier. "So it's true."

"Yes, it's true!" he admitted. His eyes bulged as he slowly slid aside from the table and walked placing heavy steps towards her. "Almourah's teachings- Women are misfortune. They cause nothing but sorrow."

"You killed Queen Premila," Lithika said, stepping back as Bhupathi was now face to face with her.

"Yes, I did kill her. My cousin was done seeking the pleasure out of that old bag. The unceasing weeping of that girl was torture. I'd had it. I slashed the widow's throat and left the girl to rot in that stinking hut. Only if that man hadn't shown up, I would have taken no mercy on her. So that is it. That's the full story. And now you know what I can do to you if you don't shut up and leave me alone."