'Every great story seems to begin with a snake.'

Rajeev just stared into Adi's eyes. His eyes proved that he didn't trust any of Adi's words.

Adi: I know, you will have a hard time believing the things I said right now. But this is the truth.

Do you ever think about the reason for someone like Dikshan, the King of L, to personally help you to avenge your father's death?

Have you ever thought about the reason for them to lie to you?

Why didn't they reveal their relationship to you?

Dikshan is your Grandmother's brother. It was not something to be concealed if they had good intentions.

The reason is, if you are revealed, then they have to announce your name in line to their throne, which they definitely never planned to happen.

They used your mother to kill your father and then used her to brainwash you from the beginning.

Rajeev looked at him scrutinizingly.

Adi: Yes, your father was killed. Because your mom revealed his connection to Z to your grandmother's family.

When they reached out to patch things and request Ramdev to usurp the throne of Z. He firmly denied.

Your father openly denied that he wasn't interested.

That was when they got angry and killed my uncle.

Rajeev's eyes didn't miss the way Adi gritted his teeth when he said that last word. He seemed genuine.

Adi: I am not here to ask you to trust me. I'm here to show you how foolish you were all your life.

Adi: Ranjan....

Ranjan who just reached earlier with Eeshwar entered the room with Latha.

She screamed her son's name as she entered. She had lost weight and there was a definite change in her demeanor. She was no longer haughty.

Rajeev looked at her without any change in his expression.

Latha: Rajeev, please forgive me.

Rajeev: What nonsense are you spouting?

Latha: Adi is not lying. He is telling the truth. I received money from L country.

Your father was a kind man. He married me when I had no one. He gave me a good life. However, when we had you, we struggled a little bit as he lost his job and I was helpless.

One day, I got to know about his lineage.

That Dikshan then found us through his wife's family and came to our house when your father wasn't home. They told me that your father deserved the throne and he was the rightful heir. I listened to them out of my selfishness.

When your father returned, I asked him to return to Z. He didn't respond to me and stormed out of the house. I didn't realise that was the last time I would see that face. Even though I had a bad history, he married me and provided a roof over my head.

She broke down in tears.

Latha: Your father was killed in an alleyway three blocks away from our house.

Ambrose and Dikshan told me that it was the empress of Z who killed your father as he might usurp the throne. However, I didn't know then it was the other way around.

I was part of your father's death. I learnt all these truths very recently.

Listen, Rajeev.

Listen to me just this once.

I lied to you so many times. But this time, I'm telling the truth. You're on the wrong side, son.

He cackled with eyes full of tears.

Rajeev: So, you're telling me that my father was killed by that Dikshan and I helped him all my life.

Everything he had built over the years crumbled in front of his eyes. He developed disgust and anger over the years towards this country. He wanted to shred it apart when he would become the ruler of the country. However, when he got to know that this country was the only thing that his father wanted to protect until his last breath changed something in him.

He was clouded by his anger. He suddenly reached his mother and choked her.

Ranjan and other guards came forward and Adi stopped them with a hand gesture as he continued to sit.

When Latha struggled to breathe, her son let her go.

Rajeev: Why?

Latha: I wasn't able to go against their power and I also got selfish. I wanted you to rule this country.

Rajeev: I don't mind if you were selfish or money-minded. But why did you keep me away from the truth?

Ranjan: Avan thirundhitana enna?

He whispered to big guy.

Big guy: No. He is angry that he got fooled. He has no remorse over his acts.

Ranjan responded back with a straight face.

Rajeev: and you.... what was the reason for you to reveal that to me now???

Adi smiled and stood up from his seat.

Adi: Did you really think that I revealed all these things to you now, so that you can regret and correct yourself??

Who am I kidding?

You're a snake. Un Amma kannuku adhu theriyama irukkalam. Enaku epdi theriyama pogum???

You always wanted to win. Isn't it?

Appo naan evlo ready ah irukkanum??

I planned your end five years ago. I bankrupted you when you tried to kill my brother. You came back.

I denied your entrance to my country and you found a loophole in less than three years to re-enter again.

That's when I realised that you have someone behind you so powerful.

When you abducted my wife, why did you think that I let you go?

It wasn't because you were my uncle's son. But it was because you were my enemy's powerful tool.

If I destroyed you then, they would have brought something new which I would be totally unaware of and that would definitely put my country and family in jeopardy.

Hence, I left my wife at your uncle's care and stopped you from entering the country in the meantime to identify the hand behind your back.

I learnt it eventually when I found your father's college.

Ennai paakure??? Your father didn't study in any namesake University. He was an alumni of Cambridge. That's where I learnt the connection between my Empress granny and your father.

From there, it was too easy for me to learn everything.

Then I slowly started planning L country's monarchy's end. The country which was terrorised by terrorism, gang wars and poverty.

Unfortunately, it currently has no terrorists as they are here to help you with 'your revenge'.

Rajeev was shocked beyond belief.

Rajeev: You played me????

Adi didn't respond instead looked at his wrist watch.

Adi: Why don't you call your Dikshan grandpa? Sorry, your benefactor. Don't you have straight line?

Rajeev: What do you mean?

He searched his pockets, fished his phone and dialled the number. However, the other end didn't connect.

Adi: Enna paakure??? Naan kaattava???

He showed the recent trending topic in his phone.

'Dikshan is arrested'

'Monarchy ended in L country'

'Elections are being conducted for the first time in L country'

Rajeev: you truly played me...

Adi: Do you really think I have time to tell you all the story???

I'm the prime minister of this country.  The most busiest man in this country. Still I chose to tell you the story of Decades to stall your time.

These thugs were supposed to leave the country by tonight. Right???

But I made them stay and held you here. Ippo sollu yaar muttaal nu???

Naan yean morning ezhinju ippo varanum??? I could have brought my battalion here. But I came alone. You thought that I was being proud.

In actuality, I just checkmated you in your own game.

Rajeev was scratching his head.

Adi: Idhule beauty enna na, nee en country le seat pudikka irundha party eh join panna...

Ana naan Anga oru pudhu party eh uruvaakiten. L will be ruled by someone who really means good for that country.

And this is your time to pay for your sins.

He said with all seriousness.

Rajeev: Hey Adi... Once in your life, fight me like a man...

Without any weapons.. Mortal combat..

Guards and others came forward to kick him. However, Adi stopped them.

Adi: You want to fight me??

Rajeev: Yes. If I win, you will resign from your post.

Eeshwar and Ranjan panicked. They knew about his health. He just recovered that morning. His lungs were still infected and he had fought those thugs on his way to this dungeon.

Adi: I agree.

Suhasini looked at him warily. Trust me read his eyes.

#Author's note: Delay in posting. Will post more chapters in this week or over weekend, guys. Good morning and have a great day!