The palace, with its opulent corridors and extravagant chambers, had turned into a gilded cage. My once-comfortable room, richly adorned with silk and velvet, now felt like a prison. The heavy drapes kept out the outside world, but they could not block out the growing unease within me. The silence of my confinement was oppressive, a constant reminder of my limited freedom.

Each night, Anshuman visited me. Our encounters were passionate and filled with an intensity that left me both exhilarated and disconcerted. While I relished these moments of intimacy, a gnawing suspicion plagued my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Tonight, the knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts. A servant entered, her face masked with professional concern. "Maharani, Your mother, Maharani Daksha is here. She requests an audience with you."

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of my mother. I had wanted to meet her, but my confinement would not allow me to. Anshuman said that he had been visiting Maa on my behalf every day.

"Let her in," I said, trying to keep my voice calm.

Maa entered, her presence commanding as always. Her regal attire and the serious look in her eyes spoke volumes. She approached me with a blend of concern and determination. Looks like she wants me to return with her.

"Tara," she said softly but firmly, "I've come to tell you that I am going take you home. It's not safe here. I can't stand to see you confined like this."

I sat up in bed, the covers slipping away as I looked at my mother. "Mother, I—"

"Your safety is my only concern," she interrupted, her voice steady. "The palace is no longer secure. Your father and brother, too, are worried about you. Please come home with me."

My mind raced. Leaving the palace felt like a relief, but it also meant abandoning Anshuman during a time of uncertainty. "I can't just leave. Anshuman—"

"Anshuman has his reasons, but you must think of your own safety," Rani Daksha said. "This situation isn't right. Your presence here is putting you at risk."

I felt a surge of frustration and fear. "Mother, I understand your concern, but I need to stay. What if something happens, and I'm not here to support him? I'm his queen. His main support. He's been choosing me every day. He comes and spends time with me every night, Mother. He prioritises me. It's just like it was before Kanchana came. If I leave, what if she takes my place?"

Rani Daksha sighed, her eyes filled with worry. "Tara, it's not just about supporting him. It's about ensuring that you're safe. Which king keeps his queen locked up?"

Before I could respond, the door opened, and Anshuman walked in. His expression was determined, and my heart sank at the sight. I had hoped for a quiet moment with my mother to make this decision.

"Maharani Daksha," he said with a nod of respect, "what brings you here?"

"I was just telling Tara that it might be best for her to come home with me," Rani Daksha said, her tone resolute. "The palace is no longer secure."

Anshuman's expression darkened, his jaw set in a hard line. "Tara is safe here. I will not allow her to leave, not with the threats we are facing."

My mother stood up, her resolve firming. "Anshuman, my daughter will be safe with us in our kingdom, with her father and brother protecting her."

Anshuman's gaze softened, but his voice remained firm. "Mother-in-law, your daughter is safer here with me. I am doing everything I can to protect her. Please trust me."

Torn between my loyalty to Anshuman and my mother's concern, I glanced at my mother. Her expression was a mix of sadness and frustration.

"Mother," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "I can't leave. I need to stay and find out what's really happening. But I promise I'll be careful."

Maa's eyes reflected her disappointment, but she nodded slowly. "Very well, Tara. But remember, your safety comes first. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. Remember, you are my daughter. Daksha will always come to support her Tara."

As my mother left, Anshuman took my hand, his touch both reassuring and heavy with unspoken words. "I'll make sure you're safe," he promised.

Anshuman's gaze was intense, his eyes never leaving mine. "Tara," he said, his voice low and almost desperate, "I need you to understand how crucial it is for you to remain here. The palace walls are our protection, and I am determined to keep you safe."

I looked up at him, feeling a mixture of comfort and unease. "I understand, Anshuman. I'll stay, but only because I want to be here for you."

He cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing gently against my cheeks. "I cannot bear the thought of anything happening to you. You are everything to me. I need you here, by my side, where I can protect you."

The intensity of his gaze made my heart race. I could feel the weight of his words, the depth of his need, and though it was overwhelming, I took it as a testament to his love for me.

"I'll do everything I can to support you," I promised, "but please, don't let this obsession with safety consume you. I need to feel like more than just a prisoner in this palace."

Anshuman's expression softened, though his eyes remained dark with intensity. "I promise, Tara. My obsession is born from my love for you. Everything I do, every measure I take, is to ensure that you remain safe and secure."

He brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his touch tender and lingering. "You are my queen, my life. I want to ensure that our future is secure, that you and I—our love—can flourish despite the dangers surrounding us."

With a final, lingering kiss on my forehead, Anshuman left me to my thoughts. The weight of his words lingered, a heavy reminder of the complex web of affection and control that defined our relationship.

As night fell, the palace grew quiet. The grand chambers, illuminated by the soft glow of oil lamps, took on a serene, almost eerie calm. I was in my bed-chamber, trying to read a book, but my mind was restless, replaying Anshuman's fervent declarations.

A soft knock on the door signalled Anshuman's arrival. He entered with the same intensity that had marked our earlier conversation. His eyes were dark, his expression resolute, as he crossed the room towards me. The sight of him, so determined and focused, made my pulse quicken.

"You look absolutely irresistible tonight," Anshuman murmured his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. "Every time I see you, it's as if my need for you grows stronger."

I met his gaze, my breath catching in my throat as he reached out to push the fabric of my sari aside, exposing my bare skin to his touch. "I want to feel every part of you," he continued, his fingers tracing delicate patterns on my body. "You are my queen, and every inch of you belongs to me."

As he guided me back onto the bed with a mix of tenderness and urgency, I felt a thrill of anticipation. His hands were gentle yet firm, exploring my curves with a possessive reverence. "Every night, I want to lose myself in you," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "I want you to feel how much I crave you, how deeply I desire you."

His lips brushed against my neck, his touch both loving and demanding. "You're driving me wild," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I need to make you understand how enchanted I am with you. You are everything to me."

I felt a rush of warmth as he undressed, his movements slow and deliberate. "Ansh," I whispered, feeling the weight of his desire press against me.

He joined me on the bed, his body pressing against mine, and I let out a soft sigh as his touch ignited a fire within me. "You feel so incredible," he groaned, his voice filled with raw need. "I want you to feel how deeply I need you."

As he entered me with a slow, deliberate thrust, I gasped, my body arching towards him. "Ansh," I moaned, my voice trembling with pleasure.

He began to move with a steady rhythm, his hands gripping mine, his breath hot and ragged. "I want to see you lose yourself in pleasure," he said between breaths. "I want to know that every part of you is mine. I want you to say only my name. No one else's name. Only mine."

I squeezed his hands, my fingers gripping his tightly as we moved together. "I am yours," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the rush of our passion.

Anshuman's thrusts grew more urgent; his voice filled with a blend of dominance and tenderness. "I want to ensure our future," he said, his words a fervent promise. "I want you to carry our child, to bind us together forever."

I arched my back, a moan escaping my lips as I felt the peak of our shared ecstasy approach. "Yes, Ansh," I gasped, my body trembling with pleasure. "I want that too. I want to be yours in every way."

His movements became more intense, his breath coming in ragged bursts as he pressed deeper into me. "You are everything to me," he said fiercely, his voice a mix of love and dominance. "I need you to know that I am completely devoted to you."

As we reached the peak of our passion, our bodies entwined and our breaths mingling, Anshuman's grip on me tightened. "I'll always make sure you're safe," he murmured, his voice a tender vow. "You are my everything, and I will never let you go."

As the last wave of pleasure subsided, Anshuman's grip on me remained firm, his body pressing against mine with a consuming need. His eyes, filled with an intense, almost frantic desire, locked onto mine. His fingers, calloused from battles, tightened around my wrists, which were now bound by silken cords to the bedposts.

"I'm not finished yet," he growled softly, his breath hot against my skin. "Every time we're together, I want to be sure you're satisfied by only me and that you're exclusively mine."

I met his gaze, my own breath still coming in quick, shallow bursts. The silken cords tugged slightly with each of his movements, reminding me of the restraint he imposed. "Ansh," I whispered, feeling a mix of exhaustion and longing.

He adjusted his position, his body moving with a deliberate, almost ritualistic rhythm. "Feel me deeply," he commanded, his voice a rough whisper. "Let me see your body respond to mine. I want to know that our union is sealing our bond, that you're carrying my heir."

I gasped as he thrust into me again, the sensation of him so deep, so intimate. The cords binding me felt both restrictive and thrilling, "I want this too," I breathed, my voice trembling with pleasure.

His thrusts became more urgent, his movements driven by a consuming need. With every thrust, he repeated his desire, his voice growing more insistent. "I need you to be carrying my child. You're the only one I want."

I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him closer as our bodies moved together in perfect synchronization. "I'm yours," I gasped, my voice filled with both pleasure and submission. "I want to carry your child."

His movements were relentless, his need palpable. "I want to fill you," he said between breaths. "I want to feel you around me, to know that we're creating something that's entirely ours."

After the second round, his desire to possess me was evident in every motion. "You're mine," he declared, his voice low and commanding. "This body, this soul—everything belongs to me. We need to ensure that our child is conceived, that our bond is solidified."

As we reached the peak once more, both of us breathless and spent, he pulled me close, his arms enveloping me with a possessive tenderness.

"You're everything to me," he whispered, his voice filled with a deep, consuming love. "I want you to be mine in every way. Carrying my child will make sure that you are."

I nestled against him, my body still quivering from the intensity of our lovemaking. "I'm yours," I murmured, my voice filled with a mixture of satisfaction and devotion.

As I lay in the quiet aftermath of our lovemaking, my body still humming with the remnants of Anshuman's touch, I felt a strange mix of emotions swirling within me. The intensity of his passion had been overwhelming, as it always was, but tonight, there was something different. His need to possess me, to make sure that I was his and his alone, felt more desperate, more urgent than ever before.

I opened my eyes, glancing at him as he lay beside me. The light from the oil lamps cast shadows on his face, highlighting the strong lines of his jaw and the fierce determination in his eyes, even in sleep. He looked so peaceful, so strong, and yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was troubling him deeply.

My wrists still bore the faint marks of the silken cords he had used to bind me. I knew he had done it out of a desire to show his dominance, to ensure that I understood just how much he needed me, but it left me with a lingering unease. The cords had been a symbol of his love, yes, but also of his fear. A fear that I couldn't quite name but could feel pressing against the edges of my thoughts.

Anshuman's words echoed in my mind: "I need you to be carrying my child. You're the only one I want."

The weight of those words settled heavily on my chest. I knew how much he wanted an heir, how important it was for him to secure our future, to solidify our bond. But I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it. Was it really just about an heir? Or was he trying to protect me, to keep me by his side in the only way he knew how?

I turned my gaze back to him, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. The love I felt for him was undeniable, but so was the growing sense of unease. The palace, once a place of comfort and security, now felt like a gilded cage. Every decision Anshuman made seemed driven by a need to protect, but from what? Kanchana? Or something else entirely?

The thought of leaving him, even for a moment, sent a pang of fear through me. I wanted to trust him, to believe that he was doing what was best for both of us, but the uncertainty lingered like a shadow in the corner of my mind.

Despite Anshuman's nightly visits, which were filled with fervent passion, a growing unease gnawed at me. His obsession with keeping me close was both flattering and unsettling, and his frequent absences during the day only heightened my sense of confinement.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the palace began to cast long shadows, I noticed a troubling sensation within me. My body felt out of sync, a discomfort that couldn't be ignored. It struck me with sudden clarity: I hadn't had my monthly cycle recently. An unsettling realization dawned on me.

When Anshuman arrived, his face was marked by an intensity that suggested he was preoccupied with something, so I decided to address my worry. The palace healer, Lady Priya, was soon summoned. Anshuman's concern was palpable, his demeanour more anxious than I had ever seen.

"Tara," he said, his voice trembling slightly, "you seem different. Your energy, your mood—it's all been off lately. I need to know what's wrong."

I met his gaze, feeling a mix of apprehension and resolve. "I've noticed it too. I haven't had my cycle for some time now."

Anshuman's eyes widened with a mixture of fear and hope. "You think...?"

"I don't know," I replied, my voice trembling. "But it's possible. I have called for Lady Priya"

 When Lady Priya arrived, her face was a mask of professionalism, but there was a glint of concern in her eyes as she took in the situation.

"Greetings, Maharani," Lady Priya said with a respectful bow. "Your maid has informed me of Your Highness's concerns. May I proceed with an examination?"

I nodded, feeling a surge of anxiety. "Yes, please."

The examination was conducted with utmost respect and care. Anshuman's eyes never left me, his worry evident as he paced nearby. 

When the examination was over, Lady Priya approached Anshuman with a solemn expression. "Maharaj, the Maharani is indeed with child. The pregnancy seems five weeks along. Her health is stable for now, but it is crucial to monitor her condition closely to see if any effects of Rudrajaala might harm the child.."

Anshuman's face transformed, and he felt a mixture of relief and overwhelming joy. He handed over the necklace he was wearing as a reward. "Thank you, Lady Priya. Please ensure that Tara receives the best care possible. This news should not leave this room."

Anshuman's joy was palpable as he listened to Lady Priya's words. He looked at me with an expression that mixed relief and an almost childlike wonder. "Tara," he said softly, his voice filled with emotion, "you're carrying our child. This is the greatest gift I could have ever hoped for."

I felt a mix of emotions swirling within me—relief, joy, and a lingering sense of unease. The knowledge that I was pregnant was overwhelming, and it added a new layer of complexity to my already tumultuous situation.

Anshuman's embrace was tender, his hands resting gently on my abdomen. "This child will secure our future, Tara," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "It's a symbol of our love, and I will do everything in my power to protect both you and our baby."

As the reality of the situation settled in, I found myself torn between the joy of carrying Anshuman's child and the growing doubts about his motivations. His obsession with keeping me close, his constant need to ensure my safety—it all seemed to converge in this moment. Was it purely out of love, or was there something more?

The palace healer's departure left a heavy silence in the room. Anshuman remained by my side, his eyes never leaving me. "We'll need to be extra cautious," he said, his voice steady but filled with a protective fervour. "I want to make sure you're well taken care of."

"I understand," I said, trying to steady my voice. "I'll do my best to take care of myself and our baby."

Anshuman's hand moved to cradle my face, his thumb brushing against my cheek in a gesture that was both intimate and reassuring. "We'll get through this together," he promised. "Nothing will harm you or our child. I won't allow it."