Meera came as soon as he left.
"What happened? Is everything fine, princess?" she asked, noticing the book.
"Fine for now."
Meera took a palm leaf and began to draw the map.
"You memorized it?"
"Yes. We will be caught if I take it."
She looked at the map. Puraj—the border of Agnikosha, Virda, and Umair. Many had died in that war; all of Puraj had been destroyed. Agnikosha had won over the other two.
"How did he win? I don't see any way to escape."
"You don't understand. Puraj is at the center. Capturing it means controlling the movement of the surrounding regions—the trade routes, war paths, everything."
"So, to achieve this, King Aarush must have had a perfect plan."
"If you were him, what would you have done?"
"I am in no way equal to your husband's mind to think like that."
Rudra looked at her, making her fall silent.
"There are a few ways. Someone from Puraj might have helped him… or he might have created chaos between Umair and our nation first. After they exhausted themselves, his troops could have captured it."
"You are unimaginable, princess."
"It's just my guess. I will find the truth soon."
"Then may I leave, princess? It is very late. Please take rest."
"Go and rest."
Meera was about to open the door when Rudra called out,
"You did a good job today."
Meera smiled and left.
Rudra soon fell asleep.
Rudra woke up early the next morning. She was meditating when she heard birds chirping and workers changing shifts. On her way, she met Meera, and they went to the garden together.
"This looks beautiful, princess," Meera said.
Rudra was enjoying the breeze when she overheard whispers.
"The king didn't spend the night with her."
"Then… after all, she is just a slave princess. Even imagining that is impossible."
"I saw the king coming from the first queen's room."
"Maybe he doesn't want his wife to be jealous of an unworthy person."
Two maids laughed.
"I wish to pluck their eyes out," muttered Meera.
"Control yourself, Meera. They are not worth listening to."
As they walked, a servant informed Rudra that she was summoned to the Mother Queen's chamber.
She entered and saw Aarush there.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Mother."
The queen dismissed the servants.
"What did you do last night?"
"It's nothing, Mother—"
"I am asking you, Aarush."
"What was I supposed to do?"
"What a silly question. What does a couple do on their wedding night?"
"Mother, I was just tired from the journey and asked His Highness—" Rudra lowered her head, as if protecting her husband.
He watched her act silently.
"Look, she is defending you. Let me be clear—yes, you were enemies, but now you are bound by marriage. In joy and sorrow, you must stand together." She turned to Rudra. "Both of you will stay in the same room for a month. No excuses. Even if nothing happens, why did you leave the room? You will remain under my watch."
They both looked at each other. She appeared shy, while he gave her a cold, piercing glare.
They walked out of the chamber. The Mother Queen watched them from behind.
Suddenly, the king held her hand, making her look at him. He is quite handsome, she thought.
He pulled her into his room, shut the door, and locked it. Then he pushed her down.
"Are you satisfied? You couldn't seduce me for one night, so you planned for a whole month?"
Rudra fell to the floor, pain shooting through her elbow. She raised her head, her eyes filling with tears.
"What is there to seduce, my king?" A single tear slipped down. "I am not a dancer or someone of disgrace. I am your wife, and I will only be touched by you. I know that."
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stood, holding her arm.
"Please… just adjust for tonight. From tomorrow, I won't stay in your room."
Something in her tears unsettled him. He didn't like seeing women cry.
But his actions said otherwise.
He grabbed her hair and pulled. She winced in pain.
"Do you think these sweet words can change our relationship?"
She remained silent.
"You are my enemy. Your father killed my brother. Do you think those memories will fade?"
His grip tightened. Tears continued to fall, but she neither cried out nor resisted.
"My king… if this eases your anger, pull my hair until I die. I am willing to be a vessel for your wrath."
He pushed her away and walked out of the room.
Rudra rotated her wrist and wiped her tears.
"Just wait a few more days… I will show you how to defeat your enemy."