Chapter 76: chapter 76

S A N M A Y I The air in the council chamber felt suffocating, heavy with the unspoken grudges of generations. Nobles adorned in silks and jewels gathered at the long oak table, their faces veiled with expressions of politeness but their eyes sharp with suspicion. I, too, wore the mask of composure, though my heart was a battlefield of unease. It was not fear that gripped me, but the knowledge that today we would be walking the thin edge of trust and treachery.At the head of the table, Ranajay sat in regal silence, his gaze steady and his jaw set. Beside him, I studied the faces of our council members. Most of them had little love for me. A queen with rebel blood was an affront to their traditions, a crack in the ivory tower they had spent centuries building. But this was no time for pride; this was a time for strategy.My attention lingered on one figure in particular: Lord Devavrata, the Earl of Manipur. His presence dominated the room, not by his bulk—he was wiry, almost frail—but by the sheer force of his reputation. Devavrata was a man who had played the game of politics longer than anyone at this table. His alliances were many, his loyalty to none.“I must admit,” Devavrata began, his voice smooth as silk, “it is curious to see the crown seek my counsel after so many years of... estrangement.”Ranajay’s tone was calm but unyielding. “We are not here to exchange pleasantries, Lord Devavrata. Amaravati is at a crossroads. The rebellion has quieted, but the kingdom remains fractured. We need stability, and that cannot be achieved without the support of this council.”Devavrata leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Support, Your Highness, comes at a cost.”I interjected before Ranajay could respond. “And you would do well to consider the cost of inaction, my lord. The rebellion may have quieted, but it has not disappeared. Nandini and King Jayavikram sow dissent with every breath they take. If they succeed, this council will not be spared the consequences. Stability benefits all of us, not just the crown.”The smirk faded from his lips, replaced by an expression of measured interest. “A compelling argument, Your Majesty. But tell me, what is it you offer in return for my loyalty?”There it was—the crux of the matter. Devavrata was a man who traded in power, and he would not align himself without extracting a price.Ranajay met his gaze. “You’ve long petitioned for control over the southern provinces, citing your family’s historic claim to the land. Granting you that control would strengthen our defenses in the region and secure your loyalty to the throne.”A ripple of murmurs swept through the chamber. The southern provinces were a lucrative territory, rich in trade and resources. Offering them to Devavrata was a bold move, and one that would surely make enemies of other nobles.Devavrata steepled his fingers, his eyes narrowing. “A tempting offer, Your Highness. But forgive me if I question the wisdom of placing such trust in a single family. How do I know that once I secure the south, I won’t be discarded like so many before me?”“You don’t,” I said bluntly, earning a sharp glance from Ranajay. “Trust is a scarce currency in this court, Lord Devavrata. But consider this: aligning with us gives you a seat at the table when decisions about Amaravati’s future are made. Aligning with Nandini makes you a pawn in her schemes. Choose wisely.”The room fell silent. Devavrata studied me for a long moment, his expression inscrutable. Finally, he nodded, though his smile was far from reassuring.“Very well,” he said. “I will lend my support to the crown—for now. But make no mistake, Your Majesties, my loyalty is not a gift. It is an investment.”Ranajay inclined his head. “Then let us ensure it is a profitable one.”---As the council dispersed, I lingered in the chamber, my thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and determination. Devavrata’s agreement was a victory, but it was a precarious one. Aligning with him was akin to embracing a snake; we would need to tread carefully to avoid his bite.Ranajay approached, his expression unreadable. “You spoke well,” he said, though there was a note of caution in his voice.“We’ve bought ourselves time,” I replied. “But Devavrata is not a man to be trusted. He will look for any opportunity to turn this alliance to his advantage.”“I know,” Ranajay said, his tone somber. “But without him, we risk losing the south—and the nobles who follow him. For all his faults, he’s a stabilizing force.”I turned to face him fully, my hands clasping his. “Ranajay, we can’t fight this battle on two fronts forever. Nandini and your father grow stronger by the day, and the court is still divided. If Devavrata decides to betray us—”“Then we’ll deal with it,” he interrupted, his grip tightening. “We’ve come this far, Sanmayi. We’ll see this through.”His conviction was a balm to my fraying nerves, but it did little to ease the weight in my chest. “Do you ever wonder,” I asked softly, “if we’ve made the right choice? If we’ve sacrificed too much for this kingdom?”He studied me, his gaze steady. “I wonder every day. But then I remember why we’re doing this—not for the crown, not for power, but for the people who have suffered under its weight. Amaravati needs us, Sanmayi. And as long as we stand together, we can bear that burden.”His words were a lifeline, pulling me from the depths of doubt. I nodded, finding strength in his resolve. “Together,” I agreed.---Later that evening, as I prepared for bed, a knock at the door drew my attention. Jivika entered, her expression grave.“Your Majesty,” she said, bowing. “A message has arrived. It’s urgent.”I took the scroll from her hands, my pulse quickening as I read the contents. My suspicions were confirmed: Devavrata’s loyalty was as fragile as glass. The message detailed his secret correspondence with Nandini, promising her information in exchange for leverage against the crown.I let the scroll fall to my side, my mind racing. The alliance we had forged today was already under threat. Devavrata’s duplicity was not unexpected, but it was no less dangerous.“Burn this,” I instructed Jivika, my voice cold. “And send for Ranajay. We have much to discuss.”As the flames consumed the evidence, I stared into the fire, my resolve hardening. The road ahead would be treacherous, but I would not falter. Amaravati’s future depended on it..