CHAPTER 3 - A KINGDOM BETWEEN US

The concubine recoiled, her wide eyes fixed on the queen. The distant echo of a guard’s boots in the hallway only made the silence in the room more oppressive, as though the very air around them thickened with impending doom. "Then... what about the ministry? Won’t they act? They’re the second-most powerful force in the kingdom. If they don’t align with him, the kingdom will fall."

The queen nodded slowly, her expression unwavering, the weight of her words carefully measured. She took a deliberate step back toward the desk, her fingers grazing the polished wood as she traced the intricate carvings. The soft hum of the wind outside rattled the heavy wooden shutters, the only sound breaking the stillness.

"You're right," the queen said, her voice as cold and precise as the stone walls around them. "The ministry holds the power of law and order. But they won’t oppose him. Not while Rajeev has his claws in them. If they don’t side with him, they’ll watch this kingdom burn to the ground. It’s a cruel, inevitable choice."

The concubine’s face paled as if the very air had drained from her lungs. She took a step back, the soft click of her heels against the cold stone floor sounding louder than it should in the heavy silence. "Then why not hire an assassin? Why involve me?"

The queen’s gaze hardened, and for the first time, the concubine saw something dangerous flicker in her eyes. "How naïve you are. Do you not know? The military—nearly all of it—falls under Rajeev’s command. He’s more than just the king’s right-hand man. He’s the kingdom’s shadow, pulling strings from the darkness. And you," she said, her eyes narrowing as she stepped closer, "you come from a family near the Mahaawari temple. Don’t you want your daughters to survive this, Vina?"

The concubine flinched at the mention of her daughters, her heart sinking. "I’m not a murderer," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I can't—"

The queen interrupted, her voice icy and relentless. "Neither am I. But I will do what must be done to protect this kingdom. I will sacrifice even him, if I must. If I can make that decision, what are you?"

Tears welled in the concubine’s eyes, the firelight reflecting her turmoil, casting long shadows across the room. She trembled as her sobs broke free, her voice barely more than a whisper. "But... why not ask your father for help? He’s the wealthiest man in this kingdom. Surely he could—"

"Don't you understand?" The queen's voice cracked, as if the very mention of her father was an unbearable weight. "My family has been exiled for over a hundred years. The ministry won’t allow him to interfere. His wealth means nothing here." She paused, closing her eyes as she exhaled sharply, gathering herself. "They won’t lift a finger unless we take matters into our own hands."

The concubine wiped the tears from her cheeks, her hands shaking as the reality of the situation settled in. "What if I poison Rajeev instead? If he’s truly the one behind all this, wouldn't that solve everything?"

The queen's eyes darkened like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. Her voice, when it came, was laced with icy finality. "No. We can’t kill Rajeev. He’s an Asura. Have you heard the rumors? He’s returned from death more times than anyone can count. He’s not invincible, but he cannot die. He worships a demon, and that makes him nearly impossible to defeat."

The concubine’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide in disbelief. "An Asura? I’ve heard whispers... but I never thought it was true." Her voice faltered as she tried to make sense of the revelation. "That’s why he’s so close to the king. He must have used magic to manipulate him. And the only way to break that hold... is to kill him."

The queen’s face remained a mask, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps regret—beneath her cold, calculating eyes. "You're right. Centuries ago, our king ordered the execution of all Asuras. Rajeev is here for revenge. He can only be killed if we destroy the demon he worships. But we don't know who that demon is. If we poison him, he won’t die. And we'll be exposed. The king will never forgive us."

Her gaze hardened, and her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "That’s why we must strike quickly. The king must die, and we must frame Rajeev. Once we do that, the ministry will have no choice but to act. We’ll have time to prepare for the war that will come. Rajeev’s clan is twice the size of our army. They are Asuras, giants, savages. We don’t stand a chance unless we move first."

The concubine’s hands trembled at her sides as the weight of the decision pressed down on her like an iron cage. The room seemed to close in around her. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the shadows from the brazier stretched long across the walls. "I’ll do it," she said, her voice steady despite the fear that gripped her. "We have no choice now."

The queen’s expression softened, just slightly, as she stepped closer. "I promise you, Vina, if anything happens to you, I will protect your daughters."

The concubine nodded silently, her heart heavy with the burden of the decision. She turned and walked toward the door, her feet dragging with the weight of her choices. The heavy wooden door creaked open, and the queen was left alone in the silence of her chamber.

Meanwhile, in the queen's chamber, as the concubine stepped out, Rei stood motionless by the balcony, her thoughts swirling like a storm-tossed sea.

“I’m sorry,” she thought bitterly. “But she’s a sacrifice in this. The kingdom comes before anyone… even him.”

A flicker of doubt passed through her eyes.

“But how can I do this? She’s innocent. She’s done nothing wrong. She doesn’t deserve to die.”
She clenched her jaw. “No. This is fate. She must die... for the kingdom.”

Just then, the door creaked open behind her.

King Dacra entered, the evening light catching the dried blood on his sword. He looked regal—broad shoulders, heavy steps, an aura of authority clinging to him like his royal cloak.

Without a word, he strode up to her and kissed her forehead softly, then rested his hand gently on her swollen belly.

“How are you, my lady?” he asked.

Rei offered a faint smile. “Lonely without you, my king. But now… I’m glad you’re home.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Lonely? You? The woman who feels nothing and shows even less? You didn’t even say goodbye when I left for war.”

She let out a quiet laugh. “You know me too well.”

Dacra glanced around the chamber. “Vina? Where is she? Tell her to bring me wine.”

Rei’s face tensed. “She… had to leave. Urgently. I’ll pour it for you.”

He waved her off. “No. Sit. You’ve been through enough.”

He poured the wine himself, offering her a glass, then raising his own. “This is the finest in the kingdom. Cost me a fortune. Drink.”

“I can’t,” she murmured. “Not while carrying our child.”

Dacra’s smile faded, the air thickening between them.

“Tell me something, Rei,” he said slowly, his tone hardening. “How did we end up like this? A year ago, we were inseparable. And now… it feels like there’s something between us.”

Rei turned away, eyes fixed on the horizon beyond the balcony. “Maybe it’s the wars. The weight of the crown. Or maybe… maybe it’s your brother. Rajeev.”
She turned to face him. “Have you ever thought about me? Your wife? The woman you used to share everything with?”

“I do it for the kingdom,” he replied, but even he didn’t sound convinced.

Her voice turned sharp. “When we married, you didn’t want power. You didn’t want the throne. I pushed you into it. And maybe that was my biggest mistake.”

The words hit harder than he expected. Dacra looked away. “We both made mistakes.”

“Yeah,” she said bitterly, “we did.”

A silence settled. Then Dacra asked, “We’ve won a war, Rei. Do you need anything? Or is Rajeev pestering you again?”

She shook her head. “No. But I have one request.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Speak.”

“I want us to go back to what we were,” she said. “When you shared your thoughts. Your burdens. Now I feel like I’m married to a stranger.”

The king’s eyes narrowed. “What are you implying?”

“You’re hiding something,” she said, voice trembling. “The letter from my father—why are you so desperate to read it?”

Dacra’s expression darkened. “Don’t play coy, Rei. I know you have it. I am your king. I command you—give it to me.”

Her heart skipped a beat. The sudden shift in his tone sent a chill down her spine.

“I… I don’t have it,” she lied, voice barely above a whisper.

“You’re lying.” His voice rose, sharper now. “Give it to me. Now.”

Rei's composure cracked. Her eyes welled with tears. “Is that who you think I am? A liar? Another pawn you can control?”

For a moment, the king was silent. Her tears seemed to strike something deep within him. His posture slackened. The fury in his eyes dimmed.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered, voice low. “I’ll try to do better.”

Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving Rei alone in the fading light of her chamber.

She let out a shaky breath. “That was close.”

Meanwhile, in the corridor, Dacra’s steps echoed with growing urgency.

“I can’t make everyone happy,” he thought. “But the kingdom must come first. I love her, but she’s hiding something. And I have to know what it is.”

His pace quickened, his mind locked on a single destination—Rajeev’s chambers

CHAPTER 3 ENDS