Krishnaa~The Princess In Making ✔(To Be Edited)

9: The Conspiracy

Arjun couldn't sleep. He didn't know why, but he was just too restless. He tossed and turned on his bed for a long time. Finally, he got up from his bed and left his room, aimlessly roaming around the palace.
The corridors were dark except for the flame of oil lamps flickering occasionally and casting strange shadows on the carved palace walls.

He was alerted when he heard hushed voices coming from the library.
'Who could have gone there at this time?', he wondered.
Curiosity got the best of him and he pressed his ear to the door, attempting to eavesdrop.

"The work will be done master", a familiar voice said.
"I trust you", another voice replied. "And since maharaj trusts you, it will be easier." Arjun's eyes widened. It was, undoubtedly a familiar voice, but he couldn't identify it.

"Will I get what I want in return?", the first voice asked in a warning tone.
"Yes. You will be maharaj of Indraprasth and I will ultimately rule Aryavrat."
Arjun's breath hitched. Who was this person?
The first person chuckled. "When did you start all this? I mean, executing your plans?"
"I started twenty years ago, with Panchal and now Indraprasth is my next target".
"Why Panchal?", the voice was curious.
"Isn't it obvious. It is because of the prophecy".

Arjun's heart skipped a beat. Panchal. He had heard about the terrible conditions of Panchal. He cannot let that happen to his home. To Indraprasth. He heard footsteps approaching the library door.

He rushed to his room before he got caught. He didn't know what to do. He was in a dilemma. He cannot tell his pitashree. Whoever this person was, he was trusted by the maharaj. Telling his pitashree would alert him. He felt trapped.

The prophecy.

The word echoed in his mind. He had heard of the prophecy before, it's words and what they meant. But he never took it seriously. Like a lot other people he too, thought that it was a myth. Just a story.

But reality had hit him. Everything he has heard, is true. And the secret lay in Panchal. What happened there, is soon going to take place here. There was only one thing he could think of doing in this situation. He has to go there. He needs to know the truth.

••••••••••••••••••••

When Krishnaa saw Parth the next day, he was sitting stiffly on a rock. His eyes held a faraway look. His face was serious. She was worried. He is never this serious. Did something happen?

Krishnaa walked upto him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you feeling alright?", she asked softly. Concern evident in her eyes. Parth looked up at her and shook his head.
"What happened?", she asked softly.
Parth sighed and told her that the incident last night. Indraprasth was in grave danger.

"But what were you doing at the palace?", she asked, suspicious. Why would Parth be at the palace and that too, late in the night?
"I-I work at the palace", he stammered slightly.
"Then, why don't you tell the Maharaj?", she suggested.

Parth sighed. "He is a trusted man of the Maharaj. We cannot let him know. If that person realizes that someone has overheard him, he will either be alerted or do something unexpected in a haste."
There was a pause.
"I need to know the truth", Parth stated.
"And I am helping you", she declared.
"But I need to go to Panchal."
"I know, and I am coming."

Parth looked at her. "Are you sure. It could be very dangerous. We don't know what or who we will be dealing with. I am not even aware of the exact conditions at Panchal."

Krishnaa sighed. "Parth. I know what is it to be a refugee. I have seen the hardships and trauma my parents faced. I know what it is like to be orphaned. I can't change what happened to my family but if there is a slightest chance that I can stop this from happening to someone else, I will."

Arjun looked at her with admiration and a newfound respect. She was truly one of a kind.
He was proud of her. And he was proud of himself for choosing a woman like her. He realized that he wouldn't be alone, now or ever. She would be there with him. All the time.