"The Queen was attacked, Maharaj," the chief of guards of my palace informed me.

Tara!

"Is the queen safe?" I asked him.

He stayed mum. I ran towards Tara's individual chambers and saw her fallen on the ground next to who looked like a palace maid clutching her wound. I knelt beside Tara, my hands trembling as I pressed them against her wound, trying to stem the flow of blood. Panic gripped my chest, my mind racing with fear and desperation. The sight of Tara, pale and wounded, tore at my heart in ways I couldn't bear to acknowledge.

"Tara, hold on," I pleaded, my voice cracking with emotion. "Help is coming. Just hold on."

Her eyes fluttered open, a glimpse of recognition flickering in their depths. "Anshuman..."

I shushed her gently, trying to hide the anguish in my voice. "Don't speak, Tara. Save your strength. We'll get through this. I promise."

But her strength was fading, slipping away with each passing moment. I felt utterly powerless, my hands slick with her blood, my heart breaking at the sight of her pain.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. "I should have protected you. I should have been there."

Her fingers brushed against mine weakly, a faint smile touching her lips. "It's not your fault, Anshuman. None of this is."

I shook my head, unable to accept her forgiveness, my voice choked with grief. "I failed you, Tara. I failed us."

"Yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "you failed me. But this attack was not your fault."

Before I could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor. The palace healer rushed into the room, followed closely by guards and servants. I moved Tara to her bed. They quickly took over, gently moving me aside as they assessed Tara's condition and began administering aid. My mother and brother reached the room with hurried steps. They glanced at me but then moved their attention to Tara.

I watched helplessly as they worked, their movements swift and practiced. The healer, well-versed in Ayurveda, assessed Tara's pulse and breathing patterns, looking for signs beyond the physical wounds.

The healer's brow furrowed with concern as he examined Tara's wound. "Her prana vayu (life force) is weak," he murmured to himself, his hands moving with purpose. "We need to stabilize her doshas (bodily humors) and restore balance."

With swift efficiency, the healer instructed the attendants to fetch specific herbs and oils known for their healing properties in Ayurveda. They prepared a poultice infused with turmeric, neem, and sandalwood, applying it to Tara's wound to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Minutes felt like hours as I stood by, my gaze fixed on Tara's pale face. Her breathing steadied slightly, a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. The healer's confidence bolstered my own resolve, a belief in the power of ancient remedies to heal even the deepest wounds.

Finally, the healer turned to me, his expression grave yet tinged with hope. "She's stable for now. The herbs will aid her recovery, but she needs rest and time."

I nodded, gratitude flooding my heart. "Thank you, Guruji (respected teacher). Please, continue to do whatever is necessary."

He smiled faintly, a reassurance in his gaze. "Keep her in a quiet and peaceful environment. Let her sleep undisturbed."

I nodded again, turning back to Tara with renewed determination. "I will."

Hours passed in tense vigilance. I stayed by Tara's bedside, holding her hand and whispering words of love and encouragement. My mother was seated on her bed with Tara's head in her lap. The healer checked on her periodically, adjusting the herbal treatments and monitoring her progress closely.

As dawn broke over the palace, a sense of fragile hope blossomed within me. My mother and brother had gone to rest as soon as Tara's breathing had steadied. The healer's careful ministrations and the healing touch of Ayurvedic remedies had begun to work their magic.

When Tara finally stirred, her eyes fluttering open, relief flooded through me like a tidal wave. She looked at me with a mixture of confusion and recognition, her voice barely a whisper. "Anshuman..."

"I'm here, Tara," I said, tears of relief pricking my eyes. "You're going to be okay. We got through this."

Her fingers tightened around mine, a silent affirmation of our shared resilience. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice hoarse but filled with gratitude.

I leaned closer, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead. "Rest now, my love. I'll be right here."

As Tara drifted back into a healing sleep, I vowed to cherish every moment, to rebuild what had been shattered between us.

I walked outside Tara's chambers, my heart a turbulent sea of emotions. The corridor was dimly lit, the flickering torches casting eerie shadows on the walls. The palace was quiet, the stillness amplifying the pounding of my heart. Every step I took felt heavy, burdened by the weight of guilt and regret.

My mother, the Queen Mother, was waiting for me just outside the door. Her expression was a mix of concern and tiredness. She probably hadn't slept a wink despite leaving to rest. "Anshuman," she said softly, her voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "How is she?"

"Stable," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "But it was close. Too close."

Ranimaa placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "She is strong, Anshuman. Stronger than you realize. But we must find out who is behind this treachery."

I nodded, my resolve hardening. "We will. We must. I thought you hated me."

"You disgust me for your actions similar to your father, but you are the king," my mother said, "I have called the council for a meeting regarding this."

"I am sorry, Maa(mother)," I said, "I wish I could change things. Let us go."

Together, we made our way to the council chamber, where the chief of guards and several ministers were already gathered, their faces etched with concern. The atmosphere was tense, the air thick with unspoken fears.

"Your Majesty," the chief of guards began, bowing respectfully. "We have detained several palace staff for questioning. But we have yet to uncover who orchestrated the attack. All we know is the maid who attacked was Latika, a close handmaiden of the Maharani. We didn't find anything in her room."

"Intensify the interrogation," I commanded, my voice firm. "Someone in this palace knows more than they are letting on. We must uncover the truth, no matter the cost."

The chief of guards nodded, his expression grim. "It will be done, Maharaj."

I turned to the assembled ministers as he left to carry out my orders, "We must also address the security of the palace. How could this happen under our very noses? We need to ensure the safety of everyone within these walls."

One of the ministers, a seasoned advisor named Virendra, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, we have already begun increasing patrols and tightening security measures. But we must also consider the possibility of a larger conspiracy. This attack may be part of a broader plot against the throne."

His words sent a chill down my spine. The thought of a conspiracy within the palace, a network of traitors plotting against us, was almost too much to bear. "What do you suggest?" I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me.

"We need to be vigilant," Virendra replied, "We must question not only the palace staff but also our advisors, guards, and even members of the court. No one can be above suspicion."

I nodded, my resolve firm. "Then let it be done. We will root out this threat and ensure the safety of the kingdom."

The council dispersed, each member tasked with a specific aspect of the investigation. As I made my way back to Tara's chambers, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched, that unseen eyes were observing our every move.

When I entered her room, my brother Ashutosh sat by her bedside. He looked up as I approached, his expression a mix of relief and worry. "She's resting," he said quietly. "The healer says she's responding well to the treatment."

I nodded, grateful for his presence. "Thank you, Ashutosh. I don't know what I would do without your support. I thought you also hated me like Maa does."

He smiled faintly, his eyes filled with empathy. "We're family, Anshuman. We stand together, no matter what. I will always hate what you have done to Bhabhisa(sister-in-law), but it doesn't change the fact that you are my brother and are going through a rough time. I still don't understand why you had to marry the other lady."

"I will tell you all once Tara is better," I said to my brother, who just nodded and left.

As I took a seat beside Tara, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the people around me. Despite the betrayal and danger, there were those who stood by me, ready to fight for the safety and stability of the kingdom.

Tara stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She looked at me with a mixture of exhaustion and pain, "Anshuman," she murmured, her voice weak but resolute. "We need to find out who did this."

"We will," I assured her, taking her hand in mine, "I promise you, Tara. We will uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice."

She nodded, "That still does not mean I forgive you."

It hurt my heart to hear that, but I stayed mum as she yawned again, mostly to fall back asleep. As she drifted back into sleep, I sat by her side, my mind racing with thoughts of the investigation and the challenges ahead.

Days passed in a haze of investigations and sleepless nights. The palace was on high alert, every corner scrutinized, every whisper examined. Tara's recovery was slow but steady, thanks to the relentless efforts of the healer and the ancient Ayurvedic remedies.

But despite her physical healing, a storm brewed within her. Anger simmered beneath the surface, a constant reminder of the betrayal she had endured. Each time our eyes met, I could see the pain and resentment etched in her gaze.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the palace, I entered Tara's chambers. She was sitting by the window, staring out into the fading light. The sight of her, so fragile yet so fierce, tugged at my heart.

"Tara," I began softly, "how are you feeling?"

She turned to look at me, her eyes flashing with a mixture of emotions. "I'm healing, Anshuman. But it's not just the physical wounds that need mending."

I nodded, understanding her unspoken words. "I know. And I'm so sorry for everything, Tara. For the pain I've caused you."

Her gaze hardened, the anger she had kept at bay now surfacing. "Sorry? Do you think your apologies can erase the betrayal, the humiliation? You brought her into our home, Anshuman. You shattered our life together."

"I know," I said, my voice trembling with regret. "I made mistakes, terrible mistakes. But I never stopped loving you, Tara. You are my heart, my everything."

She looked away, her expression conflicted. "Love? Love doesn't justify what you've done. You broke my trust. You... you let her take my place."

I took a step closer, desperation clawing at my chest. "Tara, I will do anything to make this right. She can never take your place. Tell me how I can earn your forgiveness."

She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "I don't know if you can, Anshuman. I don't know if I can ever forgive you. But I do know one thing - we must find the person behind the attack. We must ensure our kingdom is safe."

"Yes," I agreed, my voice resolute. "Together, we will find the traitor. We will protect our people."

Tara stood, her posture regal and determined despite the pain. "Then let us start now. We cannot afford to wait any longer."

"You need to rest," I said, lifting her in my arms and placing her on her bed, "I might have lost your respect as a husband but not my ability as a king. I can find out who did this to you."

The palace buzzed with activity as the investigation intensified. Guards and advisors were questioned, and their loyalty was scrutinized. I was walking towards the questioning halls when I noticed the sound of anklets. Kanchana, the new Rani, moved through the halls with quiet grace, her presence a constant reminder of the upheaval in our lives.

"Your Majesty," she greeted, bowing slightly. "How is the Maharani?"

"She is recovering," I replied, my tone guarded. "But the road ahead is still long."

Kanchana nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "She is a strong woman. She will overcome this."

"Yes," I agreed, though a part of me wondered if the wounds between Tara and me would ever truly heal.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Kanchana asked, her voice gentle.

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond, "Just continue to be respectful and supportive. This is a difficult time for all of us."

She nodded again, a faint smile on her lips. "Of course, Your Majesty. I will do my best."

As I walked away, I couldn't shake a lingering unease. Kanchana's words were kind, her demeanor gentle, yet something about her presence left me unsettled. I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand - finding the traitor who had dared to strike at the heart of our kingdom.

After hours of questioning, a breakthrough came. One of the guards, a young man named Rajan, had been acting suspiciously, and when whipped, he broke down.

"Who?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin. "Who is behind this?"

"I don't know," Rajan repeated, his fear palpable. "I don't know the person's real name. Latika told me to take care of her family because she was being threatened."

"Who was threatening her?" I yelled, pulling his hair.

"Some person who was known as Maya," he stuttered

I dismissed Rajan, ordering the guards to watch him closely. This perpetrator would sooner or later come to eliminate him. I walked out of the room towards my father's library. He had collected details about various assassins and sects with pseudo-names. Maybe this 'Maya' had been someone old seeking revenge right now.

"I heard you entered his library. Learning his ways, are you?" Ranimaa walked in.

"I was investigating Maa," I replied.

"In notes which were made five years ago?" she queried.

I looked around and dismissed the guards, "Ekaant(Solitude). Lock the doors outside."

"What is it?" My mother asked once all the people had left us alone.

"I found the name of the perpetrator. But it is not the person's real name," I explained.

"What name?" My mother asked and moved to pull out one of my father's old diaries.

"Maya," I said, and Ranimaa's hand let go of the book she was holding.