Khanna stood at the docks; her gaze fixed on the horizon as she anxiously waited for Reena's arrival. They had planned to meet here, amidst the bustle and commotion of the busy port city. But as the hours ticked by, Khanna's growing apprehension began to be replaced by a sense of unease. The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the sea. Still, there was no sign of Reena. Khanna's heart sank. There was a deep bond between them, one that had been forged through years of shared joys and sorrows. Khanna knew that something was amiss.

A whole day passed, and there was still no sign of Reena. Her husband, Veer, had disembarked from the ship they arrived with to find her, searching frantically amidst the crowd. Seeing his wife's worry etched on her face, he wanted to leave her be but, he knew they had to leave. Even merchant ships were not allowed to stay the night in docks unless they provided the necessary paperwork and paid the merchant tax. They came on a ship disguised as merchants so there was no chance, they will be allowed to stay any longer. Reluctantly, Khanna followed him back to the ship and they made their way back to, Gour, but her mind continued to churn with unanswered questions. 

Days turned into weeks, and still, there was no sign of Reena. Khanna's heart grew heavy with worry and unspoken fears. She had spent endless nights praying for her friend's safety, hoping that somewhere, somehow, Reena would return unharmed. But as time passed, hope dwindled, and the weight of uncertainty bore down upon her.

Then, just as Khanna was beginning to lose all hope, a letter arrived. It was addressed to her, the delicate script revealing the sender to be Noy – a trusted friend of Reena's. With trembling fingers, Khanna carefully opened the envelope, her heart pounding in anticipation of the words it held. As she read Noy's letter, tears welled up in Khanna's eyes. The words painted a picture of tragedy and betrayal, unraveling a tale she could scarcely believe. Reena, her dear friend, had met with an untimely death. The details were shrouded in darkness, with Noy only able to offer a glimpse into the grim reality.

According to Noy's account, Reena had been down the docks with the twins, but something went terribly wrong and when Loch returned, he only brought Ramona and Lana back, and there was no sign of Reena. For days she tried to find out what had happened down the docks, and one they she finally did. Reena was murdered by the hands of Loch. The shocking revelation left Khanna stunned, her mind reeling with questions and a burning desire for justice. She could not bear the thought of her one and only’s life being snuffed out so cruelly. The realisation that the king himself was under investigation only fuelled her determination to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible paid for their heinous actions.

Noy's letter also brought news of an impending trial. In just a few short days, the accusations against King Loch would be brought to light, and justice would be sought for Reena's unjust end. Khanna felt a mixture of relief and unease, for the outcome of the trial would impact not only her search for truth but also the kingdom's future. As Khanna held the letter close to her heart, she made a silent vow. She would not rest until she had obtained justice for Reena and put an end to the darkness that hung over the castle. With a renewed sense of purpose, she knew that she had to confront the depths of the secrets and lies that had engulfed her Reena’s life. 

Grief, an emotion as ancient as time itself, torments the heart of Khanna as she finds herself engulfed in the depths of mourning. With the loss of the love of her life, a chasm has formed within her soul, consuming her at every waking moment. Every breath she takes becomes an arduous task, as the weight of desolation presses down upon her chest. Her once vibrant spirit now dwells in the shadowed realms of sorrow, her days coloured in shades of grey, drained of the hues that once adorned her existence. The exquisite memories etched deep within her mind, once a source of solace, now serve as incessant reminders of what has been irrevocably taken. Each glance at an old photograph or gentle caress of a memento triggers a cascade of bittersweet emotions, transporting her back to the cherished moments shared with Reena.

The world once brimming with love and hope now feels cold and alien, a foreign landscape that she struggles to navigate. The nights become her cruelest companion, for in the darkness her loss looms larger than life, embracing her in a suffocating embrace. Swallowed by grief's relentless tide, she wanders through life, a mere spectre of her former self. The simplest of tasks become Herculean feats, her energy sapped by the weight of sorrow. This affected her duties to Gour her son Rogan and her husband Veen. Even the once familiar faces of friends and family seem distant and remote, unable to fill the void left by her beloved's absence.

Grief, a formidable force that can break the spirit, has also become the catalyst for her transformation. As she weathers the tempestuous storm of mourning, she discovers the immense power of healing and growth, slowly stitching together the shattered pieces of her heart. Though grief may forever haunt her, its sharp edges will eventually dull, transforming into a tender ache—a constant reminder of the love she once held, and the extraordinary strength she possesses to carry forward, honouring the love that was lost, and embracing the uncertain future that lies ahead. She was determined to be at the open trial.

As the day of the trial dawned, Khanna's heart brimmed with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The courtroom would become the stage where the truth would be unveiled, and the guilty would be held accountable. With Noy by her side, Khanna walked into the halls of justice, resolute in her pursuit of justice for her fallen friend.

Little did she know that the trial would only be the beginning of a tumultuous journey, one in which she would discover not only the extent of of Loch’s cruelty but also the depths of Reena’s strength far enduring this life. The battle for justice had just begun, and it was a battle that would test Khanna's resolve, strength, and unwavering determination to bring light to the darkest corners of the castle. 

The courtroom fell into a hushed silence when the judge entered, all eyes turned towards the stand where King Loch, stood tall and dignified in the witness box. His normally regal demeanour seemed to have waned, replaced by a weariness that etched lines on his face. Khanna, seated among the crowd, gripped the edge of her seat, eager to hear Loch's testimony. The judge took his seat and gestured to the guards, who shut the door and with this the trial began. The judge looked at the accused to start is testimony.

With a deep breath, Loch began to speak, his voice laced with a mixture of sorrow and conviction. "Ladies and gentlemen of the court, I stand before you today burdened by a tragedy that has forever changed my life. My testimony is one of despair and desperation, but it is the truth as I know it."

He paused, his gaze drifting towards Ramona and Lana, the young princesses seated at the back of the courtroom, flanked by trusted advisors. Their expressions were a mix of confusion, fear, and a glimmer of hope for justice.

"As you all know, I was married to Queen Reena," Loch continued, his voice steady despite the tremor in his heart. "Our marriage was one filled with love and happiness. But in recent months, my beloved wife began to show signs of a deteriorating mental state. Delusions, spiralling into bouts of rage and paranoia. She became convinced that our sweet daughters, Ramona and Lana, were plotting against her, seeking to take her life and seize the throne."

Whispers swept through the court, disbelief and skepticism evident on the faces of onlookers. Khanna leaned in, raptly listening to Loch's every word.

"I pleaded with Reena to seek help, to allow trusted advisors to guide her towards healing," Loch continued, his voice tinged with sorrow. "But her madness consumed her, erasing the woman I once loved. One fateful night, I found her in our chambers, holding a dagger, her eyes wide with a darkness I had never seen before. Consumed by fear for the safety of our children, I had no choice but to defend them."

A collective gasp filled the courtroom as Loch's voice faltered, his anguish palpable. He fought back tears and pressed on. Khanna narrowed her eyes as she saw through the deception.

"I struck her, hoping to incapacitate her temporarily, but she didn’t even flinch, to protect my innocent daughters, in panic I grabbed my dagger and pushed through which at that time I thought it was her shoulder. But in that moment... I saw the life drain from her eyes. My heart shattered as she fell to the ground, lifeless and the blood started pooling under her. I wish there had been another way, but I was driven by love for my children and the duty as a father to protect my little ones from harm."

The courtroom remained silent, amidst the tension in the courtroom, Khanna's heart pounded in her chest as she listened to King Loch's testimony. But as he wove his tale of the Queen's impending descent into madness, and his supposed act of self-defence, Khanna felt a wave of anguished disbelief wash over her. Unable to keep her emotions contained any longer, a scream erupted from her lips, reverberating throughout the courtroom. 

“LIAR! MURDERER!” The cry of betrayal echoed through the grand space, drawing the attention of all present. Guards rushed towards Khanna, their stern expressions revealing no sympathy. With firm hands, they escorted her out of the courtroom, their grip tight as they pushed her towards the exit.

Dazed and disoriented, Khanna found herself on the curb in front of the courthouse, the weight of her emotions crushing her spirit. Tears streamed down her face as she reflected on the gravity of the situation. How could the man, an authority figure, a King be capable of such deception? Her faith shattered like glass, leaving behind jagged shards of disbelief and confusion.

Feeling a mixture of anger and determination, Khanna wiped away her tears and resolved to uncover the truth hidden beneath Loch's lies. Khanna rose from the curb and made her way back to Gour. As the sun set on the horizon, casting an orange glow over the land, Khanna took her first steps towards a journey that would bring her face to face with the darkest secrets of the castle. She would not rest until justice was served, for the sake of Reena and the welfare of her children, Ramona and Lana.