The dim corridor stretched endlessly before me, a shadowy labyrinth of stone walls and flickering torches. My wrists throbbed where the iron shackles had dug into my skin, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the pain in my mind.

I clenched my fists, the bite of the manacles grounding me. I couldn't afford to let despair take over. My people needed me, and I wouldn't let them down. I need to escape from this place, whisk my wife away, and return to the kingdom.

The sound of heavy boots echoed from a distant corridor, breaking my thoughts. Two guards approached, their silhouettes distorted by the wavering torchlight. They were laughing, their voices low and cruel.

"...the Rajkumari," one of them said, his words cutting through the stillness like a knife.

I froze, straining to hear more.

"The council's playing their games, but it's a waste of time," the other guard scoffed. "She'll bend, just like the other royalty. These royals always do."

My blood boiled. How dare they speak of my wife this way! I will make sure to have their tongues slashed. First I need to figure a way out of these shackles, pull out my knife and do the deed.

The guards passed by without noticing me, their conversation fading into the distance. I took a deep breath, steadying the fury that threatened to consume me. This wasn't the time for reckless action. I needed a plan.

I had spent the past few days—if it had even been days—watching, listening, and piecing together the rebellion's movements. Every guard rotation, every whispered order, every creak of a door became part of the picture of what exactly was happening I was building in my mind.

The faint memory of my father's voice surfaced: "A king who charges into battle without knowing the terrain is a fool. But a king who waits too long to act is a coward."

I wouldn't be either.

A scuffle of movement behind me made me turn sharply, my instincts honed from years of warfare. A shadow moved along the far wall, slipping into the light just enough for me to see a face I hadn't expected.

Kanchana.

She moved closer, her silk sari trailing silently across the stone floor. Her eyes sparkled with emotions I couldn't clearly distinguish, but her lips curved into a smile that sent a chill down my spine.

"Maharaj," she murmured, her voice a blend of relief and something darker. "I feared I wouldn't find you."

I stiffened. How had she suddenly stumbled in front of me right to the dungeon I was in?

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, my tone sharper than I intended.

Her expression faltered, just for a moment, before she stepped closer. "Saving you, of course."

"I don't have time for games, Kanchana," I said, my patience fraying. "If you're here to help, speak plainly. How did you reach here?"

Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms. "I'm risking everything to find you, and this is the thanks I get?"

"I don't have time for this," I snapped. "Tara—"

"Tara, Tara, Tara!" she hissed, her voice rising. "Is that all you think about? She's the reason we're in this mess. If you hadn't brought her into your life, none of this would've happened!"

"You don't know what you're talking about. Nayantara is my first wife. Not you," I yelled at her.

Kanchana's face twisted with a mixture of anger and something darker, more possessive. She took a step forward, her eyes flashing with a fire that I had never seen in her before. "Nayantara, Nayantara, Nayantara!" she spat, her words dripping with venom. "I've spent years loving you. Always second, always overlooked. And you're still blinded by her, by your first wife. Don't you see? She's the one who's been holding you back. She's the reason I'm not queen."

My chest tightened, and a cold knot formed in the pit of my stomach. This was the true face of Kanchana.

"You're insane," I muttered. Kanchana's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Oh, I'm not the one who's blind, Maharaj. I've watched you for years, and I know exactly what's been keeping you from the power you deserve. You deserve to rule all the kingdoms around yours. You are meant to rule an empire."

"First let me out of here," I said. I need to get out.

Kanchana's eyes gleamed with triumph at my words, but I wasn't fooled. Her obsession, her bitterness—they were dangerous. Still, I needed her now. Whatever her motives, she was my best chance to escape this wretched place and get to Tara.

She stepped closer, her fingers brushing the lock on my shackles. "I knew you'd see reason," she murmured, her voice honeyed and insincere. "But you must trust me, Maharaj."

I said nothing, forcing myself to remain calm as she fished a slender iron pin from the folds of her sari. With a practiced twist, the lock on my shackles clicked open. The manacles fell away, leaving raw, reddened marks on my wrists.

I flexed my fingers, ignoring the sting. "How did you get here? The guards, the rebellion—how did you pass them all?"

Kanchana smirked, clearly pleased with herself. "You underestimate me, Maharaj. I have my ways. A few well-placed bribes, a little charm, and no one questions a woman carrying a tray of offerings to the temple wing."

I resisted the urge to sneer. Her arrogance was insufferable, but her cunning was undeniable.

"Now, follow me," she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I know the guards' routes. There's a hidden passage beyond the storage chamber. It leads straight to the outer courtyard."

I nodded, my mind already racing ahead. "Do you have weapons?"

"Only this," she said, producing a small dagger from her sash. It was ornate, more ceremonial than practical, but it would do. She handed it to me, her fingers lingering on mine for a moment too long.

"We'll need to be quiet," she continued, her tone softening. "And quick. If we're caught—"

"We won't be," I interrupted, striding toward the doorway. "Stay close, and don't make a sound."

The corridors were darker here, the torches fewer and farther between. I moved silently, my years of battlefield experience coming back to me. Kanchana followed, her steps surprisingly light.

We reached the storage chamber without incident. The room was cluttered with barrels, crates, and sacks of grain, the air thick with the smell of damp wood.

"There," Kanchana whispered, pointing to a stone panel on the far wall. "It slides open. I saw it when I was being escorted in."

I hesitated, scanning the room for any sign of a trap. My instincts screamed at me to be cautious—Kanchana's sudden appearance and eagerness to help felt too convenient. But I couldn't afford to waste time.

I pressed my hands against the stone panel, feeling for a latch or a mechanism. With a low groan, the panel shifted, revealing a narrow tunnel that sloped downward into darkness.

"This will take us to the outer courtyard?" I asked, glancing at her.

She nodded. "Yes. From there, we can steal horses and escape."

I turned back to the passage, my grip tightening on the dagger. "Stay close," I said again, stepping into the tunnel.

The air grew colder as we descended, the walls slick with moisture. The sound of dripping water echoed around us, masking our footsteps. My mind remained focused on the goal: escape, find Tara, and return to the kingdom and then reconquer this Kingdom and win over my wife's family.

As we reached the end of the tunnel, a faint light ahead signaled the exit. I motioned for Kanchana to stay back, crouching low as I peered out into the courtyard.

Two guards stood near the gate, their backs to us. Beyond them, the stable was visible, the silhouettes of horses shifting in the moonlight.

"Two guards," I whispered to Kanchana. "We'll need to—"

Before I could finish, she stepped past me with a sly smile.

"I'll handle this," she said, her voice dripping with confidence.

"Kanchana, no—"

But she was already moving, her sari shimmering in the dim light as she approached the guards. I gritted my teeth, watching as she played her game. Her charm was undeniable, and the guards seemed captivated, their weapons lowering slightly as she spoke.

At that moment, I knew she was dangerous—not just to them, but to me.

As the guards' attention wavered, I slipped out of the tunnel, the dagger ready in my hand. Whatever Kanchana's game was, I wouldn't let her or anyone else stand between me and my wife. I need to find Tara.

As Kanchana distracted the guards with her smooth words and coy laughter, I crept closer, my movements silent. They never saw me coming. With a swift, precise motion, I knocked them unconscious, catching the second guard before he hit the ground.

Kanchana turned, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Impressive, Maharaj," she said, brushing imaginary dust from her hands.

I didn't reply. My mind was already elsewhere. If Tara was somewhere in this palace, I wouldn't leave without her. The stable was quiet, the scent of hay and horses thick in the air. Kanchana sat on a horse ready to leave but I had to try to figure out where Tara might have been held captive.

"What are you doing?" Kanchana asked, frowning. "We need to leave now!"

"I'm not leaving without Tara," I said, my voice like steel.

Kanchana's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're serious? She could be anywhere—or she might not even be alive!"

I glared at her. "She's alive. I'll find her."

Her mouth tightened, but she said nothing more. The sound of hurried whispers reached my ears. I gestured for Kanchana to stay silent, moving closer to the stable door. Outside, two servants passed by, their voices low but urgent.

"...the Rajkumari," one of them whispered.

My heart stopped.

"She escaped with that priso," the other replied. "The council is furious. They've sent trackers after them."

"Do you think they'll get far?"

"Not likely. The prince is injured, and the forest is crawling with rebels. They'll be caught before dawn."

Their voices faded as they hurried away, but their words rang in my ears like a war drum. Tara... had escaped. And with Hemant.

Kanchana appeared at my side, her expression a mix of curiosity and something darker. "What did you hear?"

I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my emotions in check. "Tara has fled the palace. She's with Hemant."

Her eyebrows rose in mock surprise. "The Rudravaya prince? How... convenient."

I shot her a warning glare, silencing whatever venomous remark she had ready. My mind raced. Tara had escaped the palace, but she was far from safe. If the council's trackers were after her, she wouldn't last long—not with Hemant injured and rebels swarming the forest.

"We're leaving," I said, striding toward the horses.

Kanchana followed, her expression sceptical. "What about your plan to find her? To save your precious wife?"

I mounted the horse, gripping the reins tightly. "We'll track her down. If the council's men are after her, they'll leave a trail."

Kanchana hesitated for a moment before climbing onto her horse. "You're really going to risk everything for her, aren't you?"

"Yes," I said without hesitation. "She's my wife. My responsibility."

"And what about me?" she asked, her voice trembling with something between anger and desperation.

I didn't answer. There was no time for her games, no time to soothe her wounded pride. Tara was out there, vulnerable and in danger. Every moment I spent here was a moment she might not have.

I spurred the horse forward, the cold night air biting at my face as we galloped out of the stable and into the darkness.

Kanchana followed reluctantly, her words echoing in my mind: What about me?

But I pushed them aside. All that mattered now was Tara.

The trackers would be on her soon, and I couldn't afford to waste any more time. My mind was focused, but my heart thudded painfully with the thought of her in danger. Every second counted. I pushed my horse harder, my heart racing as the thought of losing her hit me like a blow.

I didn't care about anything else. Just Tara. She needed me.

The moonlight barely pierced through the trees, but I knew this place. Every turn, every path—it was all burned into my memory. I just had to find a clue, something to tell me where they'd gone.

I got off my horse, feeling the urgency in my chest. Every sound, every rustle of the leaves, made my heart skip a beat. I had to be quiet. I couldn't let them know I was coming.

And then, I saw it—a broken branch, some crushed leaves. They were close.

I moved quickly, trying to stay as silent as I could. I couldn't risk getting caught by the trackers, but I couldn't let Tara out of sight.

The rustling ahead made me freeze. I knew I was close now.

Then I saw them.

Tara and Hemant. Standing there, too close to each other. My stomach dropped.

At first, I didn't understand. Tara was leaning on him, her hand on his torso, pressing on him, and they were talking quietly. Hemant's hand was on her arm, not like someone just protecting her, but... too close.

My breath caught in my throat. Was this really happening? Was I seeing what I thought I was seeing?

I stepped forward, my mind racing. No. This can't be what it looks like.

I couldn't stop myself. "Tara?" I called out, my voice shaky.

She turned, and her eyes widened in shock when she saw me. Hemant's hand immediately went to his sword, ready for whatever was coming.

My heart was beating so loud I could barely hear anything else. But when I spoke, my voice came out angry, full of pain. "You're with him?"

She looked confused. "What? No! Hemant's helped me escape. He's not—"

"Helping you?" I cut her off, my voice harsh. "I thought you were in danger. I thought you—"

"I am in danger!" Tara's voice was sharp now. "And Hemant is just trying to keep me safe. He's not my enemy, Anshuman."

I didn't know what to think anymore. My head was spinning. "I came to find you, Tara," I said, my chest tight. "You don't need him."

I turned away, the anger rising in me. This isn't how it should be. This isn't what I came back for.

Tara reached for me, calling my name. But I didn't stop. I couldn't. I didn't know how to fix this. Didn't know how to make her see that I was the one who was always there for her.

I grabbed the reins of my horse, not looking at her anymore. "I came to save you," I muttered. "But I guess you don't need saving."

I rode off without looking back, my heart breaking. Every part of me wanted to turn around and hear her say something that would make it all okay. But I couldn't. I couldn't trust what I had seen. The way Hemant was standing there with her, so close, it felt like a betrayal.

The ride back felt endless. My mind kept replaying the image of them too close, and I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe I had lost her forever.