In the court of Samrat two women stood in the center surrounded by the ministers and a few commoners who had entered the officialdom recently. The observers couldn't help but whisper to themselves.

"Isn't it the royal guests of Samrat who have been living in the palace for years already?"

"I have seen them many times during royal occasions" another one replied "they are the wife and daughter of the good friend of late emperor. I heard, the late emperor brought them here after the chaos of war. And also the princess was bestowed to the second prince to marry"

"They have always been treated so well and respected by the royals of Samrat. How come they are here in the court like culprits?"

"This is not the first time. Don't you remember? Last time the empress seeked justice for her maid and accused the royal guest princess Kashmin and also punished her heavily that the princess couldn't leave bed for months"

"Looking at her, she looks fine though"

"Why are they here today? Could it be that they have done something wrong again?"

"Sush, don't talk so loudly. It's a royal matter and not something we can gossip so freely"

The whispers around the officials couldn't be ignored. Those ministers who were sitting in high ranked positions looked at the two figures in the middle. They couldn't help but feel confused. The court matters are not something to be done with women but the emperor called this sudden court session without any notice and also brought the royal guests. The emperor did not reveal anything so they don't know what exactly the matter is.

In the middle, Kashmin clutched the dress tightly as she lowered her head when she felt gazes on her. Her heart was restless and she couldn't help but feel fear.

"Mother, why did Manik call us here? Could it be that he got to know about the truth?" Kashmin trembled as she whispered.

"Shut up. What are you saying? There are so many people yet you still dared to utter that?" Kumeka glared at her daughter.

"Mother, think about it. Why did Manik called for this sudden court session so suddenly? Don't you feel anything?" Kashmin looked at Kumeka.

"Even if he gets to know, so what? The loss is already done and he can't do anything about it. Just don't accept the guilt and everything will be fine" Kumeka assured. She knew that Manik is a cunning Emperor and he has many means to find out the truth. But so what? He already lost the child and after that Nandini couldn't have another child too. For a ruler how could he stay childless and it will create havoc in the court. No matter what Manik has to think about all the possibilities whether he likes it or not.

Suddenly the gatekeeper shouted loudly about the arrival of the emperor. Everyone turned to see Manik striding inside the court hall with his glory. His face was serious and hard and he didn't glance at anyone but walked towards the throne before sitting on it.

"Your majesty, what's the reason for this sudden call? Is there any serious matter?" The minister of justice asked standing up.

"Today I have called you all for a serious matter. It is too serious to wait for tomorrow's court time" Manik replied in this heavy tone.

Those ministers felt strange. Usually the emperor would already have a calm expression while dealing with court matters but toda his face was somewhat too serious.

"Your majesty, what happened?" The Minister of Wealth stood up frowning.

They don't have any idea about Nandini's condition as it was a matter of inner place and other males are not allowed to go inside without any invitation.

"A big thing happened. This matter was so serious that I had to call for the court" Manik replied as he looked towards the mother and daughter pair.

"How does your highness feel right now?" He asked.

Kumeka gulped before opening her mouth "your majesty, why are we brought here? I can't understand anything"

"Can't understand?" Manik laughed out "is your highness has such a short memory? The whole palace is in chaos and all the people are running here and there yet your highness couldn't understand the situation?"

Kashmin but her lips as she listened. She knew that the emperor must have found out the truth, that's why he suddenly called for the court to present at such an hour. When Kumeka heard what Manik said she couldn't help but feel fear in her heart but she didn't let it appear on her face. She looked confused as she stared at Manik.

"Your majesty, my daughter Kashmin has been staying in Lily Palace for months already. She has been undergoing the treatment of medics. And I was busy with her and refrained myself involving in inner palace matters so I am middle headed about your majesty's confession"

"Since your highness couldn't remember then I should do something that will help you remember" Manik replied then gestured his hand.

Soon a loud scream could be heard as black clothed man dragged a maid inside the court hall. The maid was crying and screaming as she was cruelly dragged on the floor by hair. When the ministers showed the scene, they felt pity towards the maid but also understood that the maid had done something which made the emperor treat her that way. Even though the ministers are pitiful towards the maid, they didn't dare to say anything. They just sat there watching the whole scene silently.

Kashmin's heart trembled as she saw the maid. Is it not the same maid who was ordered to put the pickle in the dishes? But her mother has already sent her away from the palace. Then how come she was dragged back in the palace and was treated in such bad condition?

"Please do look at the maid clearly, your highness. I hope you can remember her?" Manik said, smiling at Kumeka. But that smile was not warm but it was more like a chilling one that could make others' hearts tremble in fear.

Kumeka looked at the pitiful maid before shaking her head "your majesty she is from Lily Palace but why is she here? She has been absent from a weak and I was about to report it to the empress"

"Your highness, really do have ways" Manik smirked.

The maid on the ground cried out "your majesty please spare this servant's life. I have not done anything wrong, please I plead your majesty to spare my life"

"Spare?" Manik felt funny "why should I spare you? You have committed such a sin yet you still have the gut to ask for forgiveness?"

The maid trembled in fear "your majesty, I have done nothing wrong. Whatever I have done was to please my master and do my duty as maid. Other than this, I have done nothing wrong" the maid dragged her body and touched the cold floor.

"What does your highness think?" Manik turned to look at Kumeka who had a blank expression.

"Your majesty, she is from our lily Palace but if she has done anything wrong then she should be punished" Kumeka said without any mercy. The maid looked up with shock.

"Your highness" the maid cried out in horror "please save my life"

Kumeka sneered. Could not this useless just confess her guilt and stop this matter here? Is her life even more valuable than theirs?

"Impudent" Kumeka yelled pointing her finger at the maid "how dare you plea after committing a sin? Who do you think you are? I will never help such evil hearted person who seek to harm others and bring calamity to the royalty"

The maid on the floor was so shocked that her body trembled. What was her fault that she has been treated this way? Isn't it her highness who ordered him to put pickles in the dishes prepared for the empress? She didn't even know why she was suddenly pulled by a black clothed man and tortured before dragged by hair from her Lily Palace to the royal court hall? She crawled on the ground and grabbed Kumeka's legs.

"Your happiness, please don't say that. I am innocent. I don't know what sin I have done? Please save my life, your highness. My family depends on me for living, if I die here then how will they live?" The maid cried as she clutched Kumeka's legs. She thought if they hear her pitiful cry maybe they will show some mercy on her and let her go but who would know that the next moment she cried out in pain as she was pushed on the floor harshly.

Kumeka narrowed her eyes as she looked at the maid. She kicked her away as disgust filled her body. How dare she touch her and act so pitiful after dragging her in such a position?

"You still dare to use such tricks? After committing sin you are trying to pull me into your dirty water?" Kumeka glared at her.

Manik who was watching the whole drama clenched his fist. Even after this Kumeka is still trying to show herself as a loyal one and cover her sins. She is still not ready to accept her sin yet she is still slandering the maid before everyone.

"Your majesty, I have done nothing wrong" the maid cried as she looked towards Manik.

"Oh" Manik tilted his head "tell me what you have done recently?"

The maid gulped down her saliva before replying "your majesty, I have only send a bowl of pickle to her majesty"

Kumeka glared fiercely at the maid. Could not this slut just shut up her mouth? But she had to utter it before the emperor.

"You really have a big gut to personally add a bowl of pickle in the dishes" Manik said calmly.

The maid shook her head as she cried out "your majesty, please spare this servant's life. As a servant I will never do such a thing. I did not do it on my own accord but I was ordered by my master"

Manik's eyes turned dark "who gave you the order to put the bowl?"

The maid looked at Kumeka who shook her head then her eyes fell on the emperor who was looking at her with hawk eyes. Kumeka ordered her to do this but she was clearly refusing to acknowledge it and even pushing all the blames in her head. Then why should she bear all the sufferings alone. If there's no way she could live today then she had to drag Kumeka with her. A sudden rage flickered in her heart as she made up her decision.

"Your majesty, it was her highness," the maid pointed towards Kumeka.

Manik smiled, "Do you know what's in that pickle?"

The maid could not understand but looked at him confusingly. Wasn't it bowl of pickle?

"Since you are unaware, let me clear it for you. The bowl you added in the dishes was nothing but a poison to harm the heir of Samrat"

When these words fell the whole court sucked cold air. Isn't it that the Empress is currently pregnant? If the bowl was a poison then that means.... Those ministers didn't dare to think further and they suddenly realised why this sudden court session was called. The maid on the other hand sat on the ground silly stunned.

Poison? She unknowingly poisoned the heir of Samrat?

In the Rose Palace, Nandini was drinking water when Ageratina suddenly ran inside in hurry "my lady"

Nandini looked up at her "what happened?"

"My lady his majesty called for urgent court session"

Nandini frowned "court?at this hour?" She looked outside and it was almost dusk.

"Yes" Ageratina replied "it's said that her highness Kumeka and princess Kashmin was called to present in the court. They said it was a maid from Lily Palace who added the pickle bowl in the dishes that her highness Empress Dowager sent to you"

Nandini's fingers around the glass tightened as she listened to the last line. Them again? She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Looks like she was too polite last time that she again dared to scheme against her child. Nandini gently rubbed her abdomen.

"Mother will clear every thorn on the way before you come into this world" she whispered. When she opened her eyes there was a trace of viciousness. She got up from bed and grabbed her shawl.

"Come with me in the court"

"My lady, your health is too weak" Atropa was startled.

"Nothing is important than this court" Nandini gritted her teeth "and bring the blood flute"

Atropa and Ageratina's heart trembled as they heard the word 'blood flute'. Maybe others have no idea about it but they knew exactly what this blood flute means.