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XI Not As Before
Last Updated:
2025-02-11 21:43:41
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The Rule XII "I Choose My GOD"
"Our ancestors have unwaveringly devoted themselves to the worship of one true God," Inayat began, her voice laced with a mix of reverence and concern."It was King Agamya who boldly chose to forsake the idols his family had revered for generations, instead dedicating himself wholeheartedly to the Lord. And it was this unwavering faith that earned him the Lord's favor, granting him a lasting legacy — a son to inherit his throne in every generation." Inayat's gaze locked onto her father's, searching for answers to the unspoken questions that weighed heavily on her heart. But instead of finding solace, she was met with an unsettling darkness in his eyes — a cold, hard glint that made her wonder if the man standing before her was truly her father.The warmth of devotion had faded from Agnil's eyes, replaced by an unyielding resentment that seemed to defy reason. The very God who had lavished him with blessings now appeared to be the object of his scorn. "Father, you've turned away from
Last Updated : 2025-02-13The Rule XIII "He's Back!"
A fortnight had elapsed since Inayat received the devastating news of Izhar's demise. The brutal execution of Commander Kenaz's entire family still lingered in her mind like an open wound. Her heart bled for the innocent kin who had been forced to witness the carnage with their own eyes. Queen Adah's detailed account of the past events had left Inayat traumatized, but it was the loss of the man she loved that cut deepest. Even now, a month after the tragedy, Inayat sat alone in her chamber, surrounded by the opulent furnishings of her plush couch, yet drowning in a sea of memories. Tears streamed down her face as she reminisced about the joyous moments she had shared with Izhar. Her mind also wandered back to a time when her father was a just and righteous man — a mythical era that now seemed lost forever.Inayat's world had also been turned upside down. She had witnessed a profound transformation in her father since the day she declared her devotion to her faith. To avoid any
Last Updated : 2025-02-13The Rule XIV Samarth
Agnil's thunderous voice boomed, shaking the surroundings. "Soldiers, get set!" The bodyguards charged into the crowd, navigating through the sea of people like a serpent. Agnil drew his sword, his eyes blazing with fury, and joined the fray. A hidden dagger provided an extra layer of protection against unexpected threats.The queens watched anxiously from a distance as the secret slayers clashed with the king's soldiers and bodyguards. The king's sons rushed into battle, wielding their swords. The air was filled with the deafening sounds of clashing steel and the cries of the wounded; victims, and the brave.As the battle raged on, men began to fall like autumn dry and lifeless leaves, their bodies crumpling to the ground as the slayers sliced through them with deadly precision. The soldiers watched in horror, their eyes wide with terror, as the slayers moved with a fluid motion, their blades flashing in the fading light. Each stroke was a masterclass in efficiency, the slayers' r
Last Updated : 2025-02-14The Rule XV The Hunt Begins
The palace was abruptly plunged into turmoil. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil atmosphere was shattered like an image on glass, as a harried messenger, fleeing from the worship grounds, burst into the palace courtyard on horseback. His disheveled appearance betrayed the urgency of his mission. Tattered robes clung to his dust-covered frame, and the straps of his garment hung limp, caked with sand and grime. The messenger's frantic demeanor commanded urgent attention, but the palace guards barred his entry. Protocol dictated that no individual bearing tidings of woe, clad in attire deemed unseemly, be permitted to enter the palace walls. The guards' firm stance, though unwavering, was tempered by a hint of curiosity, as they eyed the messenger's bedraggled form with a mixture of suspicion and annoyance. Even their eyes didn't take fondness for mourners. They scrutinized the unkempt man, they noticed the lacerations on his skin, his eyes wide with terror, and the beads of sw
Last Updated : 2025-02-23The Rule XVI Fallen Yet Alluring
Samarth rode forth on his steed, accompanied by a contingent of his men. The earth trembled beneath the pounding hooves. Their mission was to pursue the fleeing princess and her entourage, while the king and his family remained captive under Raj's watchful eye. The scorching sunlight beat down relentlessly, withering the plants that clung to the rocky terrain. The horses' iron-shod hooves trampled the parched vegetation without mercy.As Samarth ascended the mountain path, a messenger brought tidings that the princess, accompanied by her loyal bodyguard Kumar, had taken the winding route through the valleys of Kamalini. Renowned for their mystical beauty, these valleys were home to flowers that bloomed under the silvery light of the moon, only to close their delicate petals with the dawn's first rays. The shadows cast by the towering cliffs infused the valley with the heady scent of musk, rich earth, and dew-kissed petals and leaves, creating an enchanting aroma that filled the air
Last Updated : 2025-02-26The Rule XVII Achilles' Heel
Princess Inayat was forcibly reduced to her knees, her wrists bound behind her back. Her knees hit the rocky ground, her robe rustled, stirring the dust around her. A faint cry escaped her lips, but her jaw remained clenched, resolving not to betray her vulnerability. However, the sight of her father, battered and bruised before her, threatened to undo her composure. The men of Samarth had clearly subjected him to brutal treatment during his attempted rescue of Inayat. Behind her, Kumar and their comrades lay captive, their eyes fixed on Inayat and the royal family with a mix of concern and despair."Inayat," her father whispered, his voice barely audible. His lips, swollen and split, curved into a gentle, loving smile, one that only Inayat could discern."Father," Inayat replied, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes. Her heart quivered, like a bird frantically beating its wings against the confines of its cage. She gazed at her family, and the reality of their dire
Last Updated : 2025-03-04The Rule XVIII Daughter Of A Tyrant
Inayat's gaze froze on her father's lifeless body, her eyes wide with horror. Samarth's sword still pierced his heart, a merciless reminder of the brutal act that had unfolded before her eyes. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with the weight of her grief.Her breath caught in her throat, and she stumbled forward, her arms wrapping around her father's shoulders like a vice. A heart-wrenching wail tore from her lips, "Father!" The sound echoed through the eerie silence, a haunting lament that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth.The guards and Samarth stood unfazed, their faces etched with a mixture of curiosity and discomfort, as they witnessed the raw, unbridled grief of a daughter mourning her father's senseless slaughter. But Samarth, he had nothing to show. Inayat, however, was oblivious to her surroundings. Her world had narrowed to the lifeless body beneath her touch. She cradled her father's shoulders, her fingers digging deep into his still-warm flesh, as if w
Last Updated : 2025-03-10The Rule XIX The Triumphant King
As night descended, the palace was enveloped in a deep silence. The guards, stationed at their posts, stood vigilant in their duty at night. To pass the time, they exchanged hushed whispers, sharing quiet jokes to keep each other company. On the other hand, the kingdom was alive with anticipation, the air thick with the promise of change. The reign of Agnil had come to an end, and Samarth, the newly about-to appointed king, now held the reins of power. The advisors and servants, exhausted from their preparations, slept soundly, dreaming of the momentous occasion that would soon unfold. But Samarth found no rest. His mind was filled with thoughts of the future, his heart stirred by a restless energy. He rose from his bed, his silk night clothes rustling softly as he moved. The stone floor felt chilly beneath his feet as he walked through the darkened hallway, the only sound the soft echo of his footsteps. The guards, sensing his approach, stood to attention, their eyes fixed on the
Last Updated : 2025-03-14
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The Rule LXX Will The Lionheart Rise Again?
The morning sun had risen, casting golden light across the earth, but within the palace, a hush lingered. The air hung heavy, taut with fear and fasting. Though the world outside stirred with life, the walls of the royal estate held their breath.For three days, the kingdom was called for fasting, clinging to prayer like a lifeline, pleading for the life of the king. No bread had been broken, no wine poured. Even children knew to whisper their play. It was not a command born of authority, but one born of love — each soul offered silence and hunger for Samarth, the Lionheart. And now, as the final thread of sunlight stretched across the sky and kissed the palace roofs, a soft stir moved through the halls. From behind the tall doors of the king’s chamber emerged the chief physician — aged and stooped, yet upright in spirit, his presence commanding reverence.His beard flowed like threads of moonlight; his hair was tied back neatly, white as river foam. His fingers were stained with med
The Rule LXIX Fast Proclaimed
The night had settled heavily over the palace, its stillness pierced only by the flickering torches and the whispers of dread carried by the wind. Inside, silence did not bring calm — it brought fear. The court still buzzed with unanswered questions and shadowed glances, and beyond the walls of the king's private chamber, a storm of hearts waited in despair.From the far end of the corridor came the sound of hurried steps. Aabroo — little, tender, and shaken — burst through the hallway, her sobs echoing against the marble. Her hair fell loose from its braid, her cheeks flushed and wet with tears."Move aside!" she cried out, pushing through the startled guards and ministers. "Let me through! I want to see my brother! Please! I want to see him!"Gasps fell from the lips of many present, and the crowd parted like the tide before her broken wail. But before she could press past the heavy doors of Samarth’s chamber, Raj appeared. His expression bore both sorrow and patience, and he knelt
The Rule LXVIII Tainted Loyalty
The clank of iron rang loud in the dark, damp air as the cell door was thrust open. Inayat stumbled forward, her bare feet scraping against the cold stone floor as the guards pushed her in with careless hands. She tried to keep her balance, but the suddenness of the fall and the heaviness in her heart made her knees buckle. She reached out to the bars, trying to steady herself, and as she did, the door slammed shut with a shuddering finality.The clang echoed like a thunderclap in her soul.She rose slowly, fingers gripping the bars that now held her captive. Her wide, tearful eyes searched for the one man standing beyond them.“William…” she whispered, breathless, a broken plea in her voice.He stood before her, tall, composed, devoid of all softness. His expression was carved in marble — cold and unmoved.“Please,” she begged, her voice quivering, “I didn’t do anything. I swear upon all I hold dear — I did not poison the king. Why would I? Why would I ever harm the one who gave me a
The Rule LXVII "The King has been poisoned."
The world around her shimmered with an unfamiliar hue — neither memory nor waking reality. Inayat stood in a place she had never known, yet something in her soul felt tethered to it, as though she had been summoned not by accident but by love. The sky above her stretched vast and unbroken, blue like the lapis of old scriptures, brushed lightly with golden sun. The ground beneath her was velvet with grass, speckled in wildflowers that danced gently in the breeze. It was not the palace garden. It was not anywhere she could name. But it was beautiful.And there, under the shimmer of light and shade, was a child. He ran barefoot, chasing butterflies. His laugh was high, innocent, the very sound of joy unfettered. His golden curls bounced on his head as he stumbled across the grass, cheeks flushed, lips parting in a delighted gasp every time he came close to catching one of the winged creatures.Inayat watched, her lips curling into a smile. Her hands clasped softly before her, but her
The Rule LXVI A Gift
The evening had settled softly upon the palace, its golden limbs retreating beyond the spires as dusk began to wash the corridors in hues of lavender and smoke. Lamps had been lit, their mellow flames trembling in the breeze that slipped through carved jharokhas, and the faint scent of rose and jasmine perfumed the air, winding through every marble column like a forgotten lullaby.In the music chamber, a hush of gentleness reigned. Here, time moved slower.Inayat sat upon the velvet cushion, her fingers lightly resting upon the strings of the harp, a crescent-shaped thing of carved ivory and silver-leaf, as ethereal in tone as it was in form. Beside her sat Aabroo, cross-legged and bright-eyed, her small fingers mimicking the placement Inayat had shown her moments ago.“You mustn’t force it,” Inayat said softly, her voice a feather in the quiet. “Let your fingers fall like petals, not like soldiers. The harp responds to grace, not command.”Aabroo giggled. “So, I must be a flower?”In
The Rule LXV Debt Of The Homeland
Night had woven its silken veil across the kingdom, and within the warm amber light of the palace’s grand dining hall, King Samarth sat at the head of a long, embellished table. Gold-rimmed goblets gleamed under the chandeliers’ soft flicker, and silver plates reflected the glow of brass oil lamps. Servants moved noiselessly, placing the last courses before the royals and ministers gathered.Tonight, Inayat was absent. Again. So was Aabroo, Samarth’s young sister, who had sweetly requested to dine with Inayat instead. The king, as usual, had smiled and nodded, indulgent of her affection.Now the chairs were filled with the prominent officials of the court, their murmurs gentle under the clinking of cutlery. Among them sat Lord William, the man who had orchestrated the grand feast just days ago — a spectacle of splendour that had drawn noble houses, princesses from neighbouring lands, and esteemed merchants under one roof.Samarth leaned slightly forward in his seat, his voice calm,
The Rule LXIV All That I Am
He did not speak, not right away. His gaze held hers in the quiet flicker of the chamber’s low lantern light, a stare so heavy it seemed to press against her skin. He lifted her in his arms with a reverence that belied the hunger in his eyes, carrying her across the marble floor and laying her down gently upon the silk-draped bed.Inayat’s breath was shallow as he hovered above her, the weight of the moment pulling time taut. She looked up at him, mischief curling at the corner of her mouth.“So,” she murmured, “is the punishment over now? You kept me standing when I begged to fall.”The corner of his mouth curved, not into a smile, but something far more dangerous — half-amused, half-devouring.“For that question,” he said softly, “I believe another sentence must be passed.”She blinked, curious, uncertain.“Turn,” he commanded. “Lay on your front. Like the obedient one you’ve always been.”The smile faded from her lips, but not from her eyes. She obeyed without a word, her silence l
The Rule LXIII The True Feast
Night draped itself over the palace like a velvet shawl, the corridors hushed in reverence for the hour. In Inayat’s chamber, silence reigned — gentle and untouched — as if the stars themselves held their breath. The breeze of the waning year slipped through the open lattice, stirring the gossamer curtains and dancing with the perfume of sandalwood and rose that lingered faintly in the air.Inayat sat before her mirror, quietly unclasping her bangles. Each one gave a soft chime as it slid down her wrist, stacking beside the others on a silk cloth. Her golden blouse clung to her frame, the dark green of her saree pooling softly around her like a garden at twilight. There was no rush in her hands, no nervous tremble — just the quiet contentment of a long evening finally put to rest.The door creaked open behind her.She didn’t turn immediately. She knew the sound of that step — the measured, sure rhythm that carried the weight of a king and the heart of a man. Samarth entered, closin
The Rule LXII And Then, She Arrived
The palace was a theatre of gold that evening. Every arch glistened with lamps set into flowered niches, every corridor ran with the fragrance of sandalwood and saffron. The royal courtyard had been transformed into a haven of grandeur — drapes of silk, lanterns that hovered like floating stars, petals scattered across the floor in intricate patterns. Music thrummed faintly from a corner pavilion, played by veiled musicians whose fingers plucked notes as if they were weaving spells.It was the night of the feast.Guests had begun arriving early. Royals from allied kingdoms, merchants wrapped in the scent of foreign lands, nobles clad in arrogance and ambition. Women — young, bright, desperate — glided through the crowd like restless butterflies, their eyes scanning the space, lips curved in prepared smiles.Tonight, every girl wore hope. For he would be here.King Samarth.Whispers surged like tidewater.“They say he walks like a lion but speaks like a sage.” “I heard the moon dims
