I walked into the palace lawns for my evening walk, leaning heavily on Jyotsna for support. The garden, usually a haven of peace, felt different today. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the manicured lawns and blooming flower beds.

As we strolled, Jyotsna's presence was a comfort amidst the chaos that had become our reality. She walked beside me, her steady pace matching my slower gait, offering silent support in the face of uncertainty.

The tranquillity of the evening was abruptly shattered by Kanchana's sudden appearance. Like a storm cloud on the horizon, her presence disrupted the fragile peace of the garden. She approached us with a smile that did little to hide her underlying motives.

"Your Highness, how are you feeling today?" Kanchana inquired, her voice laced with false concern.

"I'm managing, Kanchana. Thank you," I replied curtly, my tone revealing my lack of patience for pleasantries.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she wisely chose not to push further. Sensing an opportunity to end the uncomfortable encounter, I excused myself. "If you'll excuse me, I need to head back."

Back in my chambers, I found Ashutosh waiting for me, his demeanour serious and sombre. My worry deepened at the sight of his grave expression.

"Ashutosh, what is it?" I asked, a knot forming in my stomach.

"Bhabhi sa, there's news about the case involving the dacoits," he began cautiously. "It's about the developments we've been monitoring."

Before he could elaborate, Anshuman entered, followed closely by Ranimaa. Their presence added to the palpable tension in the room.

"Tara," Anshuman spoke, his voice heavy with concern. "We need to discuss the case and recent revelations."

Ranimaa interjected, her tone urgent. "We've uncovered something that changes everything."

As we settled into a serious discussion, a sudden knock on the door interrupted us. Kanchana stood outside, her curiosity clearly not sated.

"May I join you?" she asked with false sweetness, attempting to insert herself into our private affairs.

Her curiosity piqued, Kanchana pressed further. "I couldn't help but notice the gathering inside. Is something important happening?"

I paused, meeting her gaze with a guarded expression. "Just some family matters. Nothing that concerns you."

She hesitated, clearly displeased by the dismissal, but eventually turned and left, her presence a lingering annoyance.

Once she was gone, Ashutosh continued with the troubling news. "We've received information suggesting someone within the palace may be aiding the dacoits. Someone with significant influence."

My heart sank at the revelation of betrayal from within our own walls. "Who?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"We don't have a name yet," Anshuman admitted grimly. 

"What about the attack that happened to me?" I asked, knowing he was investigating this.

" 'Maya' is a name that keeps cropping up in our investigations," Anshuman replied, running his hands through his hair. He always does that when he is irritated or disgusted with someone or something.

"Maya?" I repeated, my mind racing with questions. "Who is Maya, and how is she connected to all this?"

Ranimaa's expression darkened as she spoke, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Maya was someone from Anshuman's father's past, the woman with whom he had an affair."

Anshuman paced the room, and his frustration was evident. "We need to learn more about Maya and her role in this. She could be the key to unravelling the mystery."

Ranimaa nodded in agreement, her thoughts clearly occupied with the implications of Maya's involvement. "If Maya is indeed connected to the dacoits, she must have allies within the palace. We cannot afford to underestimate her."

Ashutosh added, his voice tinged with concern, "We must proceed cautiously. Maya is not someone to be taken lightly. She has managed to evade detection for this long, which means she is cunning and resourceful."

I had heard about King Aravind's affair from Anshuman. She was described as a striking, beautiful woman who had bewitched the king. Maya's name seemed to carry a weight of its own, resonating with both intrigue and danger.

Anshuman paused in his pacing, his gaze piercing as he recounted more about Maya. "Maya was more than just a fleeting affair for my father. She wielded influence over him, manipulating situations to her advantage. It wasn't just love; it was power that bound them together. The way she would pull him away from us."

Ranimaa nodded solemnly, her eyes reflecting the bitterness of old wounds. "Maya's presence in our lives constantly reminded us of Aravind's weaknesses. She knew how to exploit his vulnerabilities, weaving herself into the fabric of our kingdom. If I remember correctly, Aravind wanted to promote her to the position of a Rani from a Rakhael(a mistress) before he lost his life in his last battle. He never came back, and Maya disappeared."

Ashutosh interjected, "If Maya is involved with the dacoits, it suggests a deeper conspiracy. She could be using her connections to destabilize the palace from within."

I took a deep breath, trying to process the gravity of the situation. "Why would Maya resurface now? What does she stand to gain after all these years?"

Anshuman's voice was edged with frustration. "That's what we need to find out. Maya disappeared years ago, leaving behind a trail of broken trust. Now, she's back, and she's targeting us."

Ranimaa leaned forward, her expression hardening with resolve. "We can't afford to let Maya manipulate us again. We must uncover her allies and cut off her influence before it's too late."

"I will not let Maya destroy us," Anshuman growled.

I watched Anshuman's frustration manifest in his clenched fists and restless pacing. I didn't know King Aravind personally, but from everything I'd heard, the similarities between father and son were striking—the same fiery determination.  The same determination coupled with stubbornness that leads to downfall. As I observed him, my heart clenched with a mix of anger and fear. Anshuman's relentless pursuit of justice, his insistence on handling everything himself, was commendable yet infuriating. It felt like he was trying to prove something, to atone for mistakes he never made but felt responsible for.

"Anshuman," I started, my voice tinged with the anger I could no longer contain. "You can't keep shouldering everything alone. This is just about protecting the kingdom and not about avenging old wrongs."

He paused, turning to face me with a mixture of surprise and defiance. "This is exactly about protecting what is ours, Tara. Maya's return threatens everything we've worked for."

I shook my head, my frustration boiling over. "No, this is about you refusing to see beyond your obsession with finding and ruining Maya. You're so determined to erase your father's mistakes and lunacy that you're blind to the dangers you're leading us into."

Anshuman's expression hardened, his resolve solidifying. "I am not my father, Tara. I won't let Maya destroy us."

"You're right, Ansh," I shot back, my voice cutting through the tension. "You're not him. I know that, but you're so intent on proving that you're different that you're ignoring the risks. We need a strategy, not reckless heroics driven by personal vendettas."

His jaw clenched, frustration evident in every line of his face. "This is not a personal vendetta, Tara. Maya is a threat to all of us."

I took a step closer, meeting his gaze with unwavering intensity. "And your stubbornness is a threat, too, Ansh. You're pushing away those who want to help you, who can see beyond your father's mistakes."

Anshuman hesitated, his defences momentarily faltering. "I can't lose focus now, Tara. Maya is cunning and won't stop until she sees us fall."

"Then let us help you," I pleaded, my voice softer but no less resolute. "We're stronger together. But if you continue down this path alone, you risk repeating history. Let at least Ashutosh help you."

Doubt flickered in his eyes for a fleeting moment before he squared his shoulders, determination burning bright. "I won't let that happen. No one from this palace will be harmed again by Maya. I almost lost you this time. I will find Maya and end this threat once and for all. I cannot lose any of you."

Ranimaa's voice cut through the tension, "Anshuman, Tara is right. We need to approach this with caution and unity. Your father's downfall was his inability to trust those around him."

Anshuman turned to his mother, his expression softening slightly, "Ranimaa, I understand the gravity of the situation. But I can't let anyone else get hurt. I'm not that weak. I can take on that witch by myself."

Ashutosh stepped forward, his voice calm yet firm. "Bhai sa, none of us think you're weak. But even the strongest warrior needs allies. You're not alone in this fight. I'm with you whether you like it or not."

Anshuman's eyes darted between us, a mix of frustration and resolve. "No, Ashutosh. If something happens to me, you are the next in line. I have promised Father that I will protect you even more than this kingdom." His eyes moved to me, "I have promised your father that his daughter will never have to get into a war. I have made promises to Kanchana's father and to this kingdom. I can't break them."

What promises did he mean? How does he know that woman's father? I needed to know.

"Anshuman," I started, my voice tinged with the frustration I could no longer contain. "Why did you marry Kanchana? Who is her father? Couldn't you have entrusted her care to someone else, perhaps a trusted general or advisor?"

He turned to face me, a mix of surprise and reluctance in his eyes. "Tara, Kanchana is not just anyone. She is the daughter of my Guru Parthasarthi from Gurukul. Before he passed away, he entrusted her care to me. Marrying her was a promise I made to him to ensure her well-being and honour his wishes."

His explanation only fueled my confusion. "But why you? Why not someone else who could fulfil that promise without the complications it brings to us?"

Anshuman sighed heavily, the weight of his responsibilities evident in his posture. "Tara, it wasn't just a promise to her father. The promise symbolized my commitment to uphold our traditions and honour the bonds forged in Gurukul. Kanchana's marriage to me ensures her status and protection in ways that no other arrangement could."

My anger flared, drowning out his explanations. "And what about your promise to me? To us? Did that mean nothing?"

"Tara, I never wanted to hurt you," he pleaded, his voice tinged with regret. "But I had to honour my Guru's wishes. I couldn't break that promise."

Ranimaa stepped forward, her voice gentle yet firm. "Anshuman, Tara's anger is justified. You made a commitment to her, to us all. Keeping such a significant decision hidden has caused deep hurt."

Ashutosh nodded solemnly, his usually calm demeanour showing signs of agitation, "Bhai sa, we understand the importance of tradition and duty. But this decision has divided us. "

Anshuman looked at each of us, the weight of his responsibilities heavy on his shoulders. "I know, and I'm sorry. But Kanchana's well-being is now my duty, just as protecting this kingdom is. And, she hasn't meddled in anything as such. She's just another person in the kingdom."

I shook my head, struggling to understand. "But at what cost, Anshuman? This marriage is causing division among us. You kept this from us, from me. How can we move forward if we're not honest with each other?"

His jaw clenched, frustration evident in his voice. "I thought I was protecting everyone by keeping it to myself. I didn't want this to affect our unity."

"But it has," I countered, my voice breaking with emotion. "You've made decisions that affect all of us without consulting us. How can we trust you when you keep important matters hidden?"

Anshuman's gaze softened, regret etched into his features. "I never wanted to hurt you, Tara. But I had to honour my Guru's wishes. I couldn't break that promise."

Ranimaa stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "Anshuman, we understand the importance of honouring your Guru's legacy. But keeping such significant decisions from us has caused rifts that weaken us all."

"And what about us?" I asked, my voice breaking. "What about our marriage, our family? Are we just supposed to accept this division, this constant reminder of the past? I don't know. You might have had feelings for her in Gurukul."

He looked away, his shoulders sagging under the weight of my words. "Never, Tara. I swear. You are the only one I love. I never wanted this to happen, Tara. I never wanted you to feel second to anyone."

"But that's exactly what's happening," I said, my anger giving way to sadness. "We're caught in the crossfire of your promises, your father's legacy, and Kanchana's presence. It's tearing us apart, Anshuman. We're losing ourselves in this fight."

Anshuman's expression softened slightly, the weight of my words sinking in. "I don't want to lose you, Tara. But I can't break my promises either."

I felt my own anger rising to match his. "And what about me, Anshuman? What about our family? It was just you and me.  Are we just supposed to accept that your promises to others outweigh your commitment to us?"

His eyes flashed with hurt and defiance. "That's not what I'm saying. I made those promises to protect everyone I care about, including you. But I can't just ignore them because it's inconvenient."

"Inconvenient?" I echoed, my voice trembling with emotion. "Do you think this is about convenience? This is about our marriage, our lives. You're so focused on your duty that you're forgetting what it means to be a husband, a partner."

Anshuman took a deep breath, his expression a mixture of regret and determination. "I never wanted this to hurt you, Tara. But I can't let go of my responsibilities. "

"And I can't stand by and watch you destroy yourself in the process," I said, my voice breaking. "You're not the Ansh I loved."

Anshuman's frustration boiled over. "You're not listening, Tara! This isn't just about us—it's about the kingdom, our people. I can't let my personal feelings get in the way of what needs to be done."

I stepped back, my eyes filling with tears. "And what about my feelings, Anshuman? What about me? Am I just collateral damage in you fulfilling your promises?"

Ranimaa stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Anshuman's arm. "I shall move out with Ashutosh. Fix this."

Ashutosh nodded in agreement and followed his mother out of the room. Anshuman looked stricken, but his resolve didn't waver. "I love you, Tara. But I can't abandon my duty. I can't break my promises."

"Then maybe it's not just Maya we need to worry about," I said bitterly. "Maybe it's you too. You're too stubborn and blind to see what's really important."