Aarush and Rudra walked out of their room. Aarush walked at a normal pace, but to match him, she had to walk quite fast.
"King, are we going for a race?" she asked.
He suddenly stopped, and she bumped into his back.
"Did I ask you to walk with me?" he said.
"No, Your Majesty," she replied innocently.
"I can clearly see your act now."
"There is no need for me to act, Majesty—but you need to," she said, glancing at his mother, who was standing at the opposite corner.
"Walk fast," he said, lowering his pace.
They entered the courtroom. Everyone looked at them. Both of them looked good together. Some ministers even praised them, though not too loudly. Tara turned green with envy. She couldn't deny the fact that Rudra was far more beautiful than her.
Rudra sat beside her mother-in-law, while Aarush went to his throne.
A minister brought in an old merchant and said that he had no one, but a man had taken care of him. So, he was willing to give his wealth to that man. However, suddenly a woman appeared, claiming she was his daughter who had been lost 17 years ago.
"Bring that man and the woman," Aarush ordered.
"What do you think?" he asked the old man.
"I had decided to give my wealth to this man who cared for me," the merchant replied.
The whole court fell silent.
"The judgment will be given after three days," Aarush declared.
They stayed for a few more cases, and then the court ended.
Everyone began to disperse. Lunch was held, and everyone attended. Rudra noticed that Aarush was absent-minded.
Evening came. Aarush stood by the window.
"If the money goes to that man, then blood has no value. If it goes to his daughter, then his care has no value…" he murmured, deep in thought.
Rudra was adjusting the lamps. "We can pay for lamps and thread, but not for the brightness," she said, almost to herself.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"Nothing, Majesty."
"What do you think of me? Always talking under your breath."
"I think of you as my husband."
He pressed his palms together. "Enough. I am tired."
Rudra smiled lightly, thinking this was just the beginning. But Aarush noticed. Her face glowed in the lamplight.
"You can stare at me directly," she said.
"Don't overestimate yourself. I won't always remain calm."
"I understand, Majesty," she said softly, once again sounding innocent.
Aarush knew that—but he had other problems to think about.
"You said you would find a way to leave this room today."
"I did, Majesty, but it is improper for a wife to leave her husband when he is troubled."
"Again… stop this husband-and-wife game. You will be of no use to me."
Rudra's smile faded, but her eyes remained calm.
"No use to you?" she repeated softly. "Then why do you keep me in this palace, Majesty?"
Aarush turned from the window. His expression sharpened.
"I didn't keep you. You were placed here by law, not by choice."
She nodded slightly. "Law, yes. But even laws are written by people who are sometimes confused."
His gaze narrowed. "Be careful with your words."
A brief silence fell between them. The lamps flickered, casting shifting shadows on the walls.
Rudra walked a few steps toward the table where the documents were kept.
"About the court case," she said. "You are not thinking about the old man."
Aarush's eyes shifted to her instantly. "Explain."
She placed her hand gently on the edge of the table, without touching the papers.
"If the wealth is given to the man who cared for him, it rewards kindness. If it is given to the daughter, it restores bloodline truth. But…"
She looked up at him. "…you are only seeing two choices."
Aarush frowned slightly. "There are only two claimants."
Rudra shook her head. "No. There is only one question—who benefited from his suffering?"
Aarush did not respond.
His silence was heavier than words.
And Rudra noticed it.
"You already know something," she said quietly.
Aarush's eyes darkened. "Go back to your corner, Rudra. This is not your place to think."
But she didn't move.
Instead, she said one last thing before turning away:
"Then Your Majesty will keep choosing between blood and care… until you realize both can be lies."