The Samragyi Mahal is crowded again. When Manik and Kashmira rushed in they found two men, an old and younger one was kneeling on the floor with their head low. Beside them Medha was standing there. Isha led them inside and glared at the two men again.

"What happened? How come things like this happening again and again?" Kashmira asked as soon as she saw the sevikas.

"Replying to Rajkunwaji" Medha came forward to reply, "today imperial vaidya came to check on Samragyi and brought a medical soup to drink. But before Samragyi could drink she felt unwell and puked. Then it was confirmed that the soup has poison in it"

"Who found the poison?" Manik asked.

"It was Kanika, Samragyi's Saheli. Samragyi has invited her here. If she wasn't there then Samragyi's life must be in danger"

"Where is Samragyi?"  Kashmira asked.

"She is resting in the inner chamber"

Kashmira turned to Manik, "Samrat did you hear? Samragyi's life is in danger. Now that she is expecting I don't want this kind of thing to happen again and again. You should be careful about her safety" after saying this she went to the inner chamber. Medha also followed her behind while Isha stayed in the hall.

Manik's expression turned more serious when he turned to look at the two men kneeling on the floor. "It's such a surprising that the medical has also become a scheming place and even going against its own master. Is this what I should expect?"

The old vaidya cried out, "Samrat please forgive us for not being careful. But it's true that we never had such malicious intentions. We are innocent and being framed for another's scheme. I request Samrat to investigate this matter" he banged his hand on the floor.

"Oh? So I was just raising a bunch of useless people in the medical hall for years? It was such a shame" Manik gritted his teeth. At this moment his chest was filled with anger. Not only that his unborn child was mere away from being killed, he could have lost his wife in the process. Never in his life he felt such anger bursting inside his chest which was about to explode.

"Samrat, the soup was made by Rajvaidya himself. He asked us to deliver the soup to Samragyi. I came here to check on Samragyi's condition and make her drink the soup. Samrat, I didn't know the soup was poisonous" the old vaidya seemed terrified as he went further to explain himself.

"What's the point of you being a vaidya if you couldn't even detect a poison?" Manik asked.

"Samrat..." Old vaidya's eyes widened.

"Quiet" Manik cold snap had him stop. "Bring the Rajvaidya here instantly" he ordered.

Pallav nodded and left immediately to complete the task.

⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️

In the inner chamber Kashmira rushed in to see Nandini was sitting on bed while her two other sevikas standing at side. There was another girl standing near Nandini which she never saw before.

"Nandini" Kashmira called out of concern making Nandini look at her.

"Buashree?"

"How are you feeling now? I got here as soon as I heard what happened" Kashmira sat on bed taking her hands in her.

"I am fine Buashree" Nandini couldn't help but smile. "Kanika helped me with the situation"

"Yes, your sevika told us about it" Kashmira nodded and looked at Kanika. "You are Samragyi's Saheli?"

"Yes, I haven't met Samragyi since she got married. So when I got the invitation I couldn't stop myself" Kanika replied.

"I heard everything. If it wasn't for you, our Nandini would have been in danger" Kashmira nodded, "I am glad you are here"

"It's my pleasure" Kanika was humble and gentle with her tone even though it wasn't her style.

Kashmira focused her attention to Nandini again, "Samrat will deal with the matter this time. Looks like because of little ignorance things are getting higher and others started to underestimate the power. This time they had gone too far to place the word of forgiveness in the list"

Nandini was quite surprised to see the serious expression of Kashmira which was tangled with anger and frustration. She has never seen her like this before.

"Buashree, Kanika is expert in medical treatment. This is also the reason I had to invite her here. I wanted her to take care of me till I give birth"

"It's better" Kashmira instantly agreed, "after seeing the situation, even the whole imperial medical hall has fallen under accusation. How can we trust them anymore? It's better your trusted one to help you" she nodded.

"Thank you Buashree"

"Now...tell me about how did you find the poison matter ..."

⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️

"Samrat" The Rajvaidya walked in with a worried expression. He ignored the two people kneeling on the ground like he couldn't see them at all. He bowed to Samrat and felt nervous seeing the dark expression.

Manik's eyes napped towards the old man who just rushed in. Of course he don't have to remind him about what happened since Pallav would have feed the news on the way. Besides looking at the expression of the Rajvaidya he could predict already.

"The medical hall was established for the well being of the royal families years ago. Dadashree has always said that the medical hall would enhance the stability of health and would help the whole country. He even went far appointing the best Vaidya's so that there wouldn't be any mistake in the near future. He wanted to ensure that his people lives peacefully under the care of royals. Rajvaidya you have been Babashree's companion and shared a series of ups and downs with him. Is this what I should expect from you at the end?"

Dragging down the past and even reminiscing the old bond? Rajvaidya seemed to be uncertain of what he should reply. The medical soup he made was to enhance the stability of the foetus but he never thought it would turned out poisonous. Living in the Mahal and serving almost his all life he was sure that there's a huge misunderstanding. Calming down his head he started to point his explanation.

"Samrat please calm down. It was true, I personally made the soup for Samragi. Since Samragyi is in her early stage, the foetus's stability in her womb is too important. So I have used some rare herbs to improve her condition. I have been serving the royals all my life as has never bear any ill intentions. This matter, there's a huge scheme behind to manipulate the matter and tangle it. I request Samrat to investigate it" Rajvaidya replied with composure.

Manik observed his expression then glanced towards the two other men kneeling on the ground before turning his gaze to Rajvaidya again.

"There's a thick line of trust and I believe it won't break. But the matter involves my wife's life along with our child so I would want to see who actually dared to commit such crime and not afraid of the consequences"

"Yes, Samrat please investigate this matter thoroughly. My sincerity has put in question in the process. I would like to offer any help if I could give"

"Was there any strange things that happened earlier?" Manik inquired.

"Actually there's none. I made the soup in my private chamber because all the rare herbs are placed in the secret chamber of the medical hall. After that I handed the soup to senior vaidya so that he can check on Samragyi and deliver the soup directly" Rajvaidya frowned. Except him no one is permitted to visit the secret chamber. So there's no chance for the soup to be poisoned inside the chamber.

Suddenly the young man kneeling on the floor cried out, "Samrat there's something I want to say" raising his hand he said desperately. Even though he still looked terrified but there was a determination in his eyes.

The old vaidya beside him hissed, "what are you doing? If you couldn't say anything valid you will be punished hard"

"Samrat, please hear me once. There's really something important" the young man urged again.

Manik looked at him, "let's hear then"

The young man gulped hard. "The soup.... Wasn't delivered directly after Rajvaidya instructed. There was some discussion about herbs in the medical meeting hall which delayed the process sometimes. When I returned back to grab the soup I saw a young vaidya just left the table where soup was kept. At that time I didn't think much of it and only predicted he just passed by"

"What?" The old vaidya almost screamed, "why didn't you say it earlier?"

"I never thought that he would have such intentions. I didn't see with my eyes him doing anything with the soup so I stayed silent" the young man looked guilty.

"Who was the vaidya?" Manik asked.

"It was....Joyal"  the young man replied.

Manik glanced towards Pallav who was waiting behind him. Pallav immediately nodded and left. Manik turned to look at them, "until the investigation is done you two have to stay under detention" then he looked at Rajvaidya.

"Rest assured Samrat, we all will comply with your words" Rajvaidya assured. Manik nodded before leaving.

Rajvaidya sighed shaking his head. There were times when he saw Samrat getting angry but today his look is kind of different. He looked towards two men again, "you should be more careful about this kind of matter. Don't forget that the heir is precious for Gangghor" then he turned around and left.

⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️

In the private chamber of Samrat a young was thrown on the floor harshly. The man hot his jaw on the ground and winced. With pain covered his face he looked to see Manik looking at him with his dark eyes.

"Sam....ra...t" Joyal gulped hardly. A fear gripped his chest. He knew his scheme was exposed and he couldn't hide at all.

"I never knew a young man who's teeth hasn't grown well yet has such big audacity to pull a vicious scheme. I must say, I have underestimated the youngs of Gangghor" Manik's grave tone has terrified the young man more.

"Samrat ....I didn't do anything. Please believe me. I didn't do anything" Joyal started to plead.

Manik's eyes darkened more, "believe?"

"Samrat....it's a misunderstanding—" Joyal started to get up. He wasn't even half way when Pallav stepped on his back making his body press on the floor harshly. He winced again.

"Who gave you the right to get up?" Pallav pressed harder.

"I ..." Joyal couldn't make any voice.

Manik got up from the chair and grabbed his jaw pinching it, "no one touches what belongs to me. And you, an ant tried to kill her? Do you think you can escape the tragedy you welcomed yourself?"

Being pressed by a heavy foot and his jaw pinched Joyal was in a vulnerable condition. At this moment he regretted his decision of accepting the offer. If he just didn't took it then he wouldn't be in such mess. It's because of Sambhara that he had to suffer like this. Anger burst in his chest and he took any decision.

"Samrat ...it's not my intention to....but ...there...." He started to say.

Manik left his jaw and Joyal started to cough. Pallav also removed his leg and glared down at Joyal. Feeling light Joyal tried to catch his breath. But he couldn't feel happy.

"Samrat...it wasn't me who wanted to commit such crime. The intention was to kill the child. And I was just following am order to save my family" Joyal was in a hurry for explanation.

Manik didn't say anything. Thinking he was not convinced Joyal continued with his explanation, "I was in need of money. I never intended to commit such crime... Samrat please forgive me for this. I was asked to do this task"

"Who told you to do this?" Pallav grabbed his hair pulling his head backward causing his face to rise up.

"I ...." Joyal hesitated. At this moment his life is in danger. Then how could he be certain about future? If it wasn't because of her he would be doing good. He gritted his teeth in anger. "It's kunwari Sambhara who asked me to kill the unborn child" he exposed finally.

Manik closed his eyes. Sambhara again? He had ignored her approaches and schemes before but this time she has gone too far. Does she thinks he wouldn't do anything because she is a minister's daughter and has become a kunwari?

"Fetch the guards ... Bring the culprit in the hall" Manik ordered. "And throw this man in the cell"

"Yes" Pallav nodded and dragged Joyal away.

⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️

A/n

How are you doing my loves? I hope you are enjoying the new chapter of 25. It has been such long since I interacted with you guys. I couldn't reach out with everyone through IG since many of you don't use it. There are many updates I have shared.

Ah! Coming to the chapter :)

Sambhara's chapter is coming close. What do you think what will be her punishment?

Any expectations?