What you are about to read is Donna Paulsen approved
(Chapter 6)
The Moment of Truth
She woke up to the pulling grip of his fingers around her wrist. He was fast asleep with a pillow covering his face. Perhaps, to avoid her liquor breath or the tropical sunlight or both. She released herself from his hold and admired his flesh and bones for a minute. How she wished he was not a fool; how she wished she could tell him. She reminded herself of what was holding her back: nothing. Nothing but this unspoken distance between them had stopped her each time. But today, she would tell him all truths.
A sharp pain blurred her vision, the aftermath of binge drinking. She stripped down in favour of the birthday suit and took a quick bath. All this commotion had awoken the king. He walked in, with his eyes half open, as the queen struggled to cover up the veiny tint under her eyes with cake layers of concealer.
"Have some shame", she slipped on a bath robe.
"Like you said, I am your husband", he seemed quite pleased with his comeback.
As he opened up the toiler bowl, she sensed a disaster coming. She had quite possibly rubbed off too much on his majesty. Madhubala gathered up her change of clothing and rushed out the restroom.
Rishabh followed minutes later with an evil smirk on.
"Do you realize what you did yesterday?"
He watched her kneel down yet again and the scene was not pleasing on the eyes.
"Not that again", he sounded frustrated.
"There is something else you must know", her voice had tremble enough for him to pay heed. "Your father, the late king, was not murdered. He died of an incurable condition inherited down generations of royals. I vowed to keep this from you but, the time has come. You must know the degree of dangers surrounding the castle. Someone else knows about our covenant and so, the Prime Minister was poisoned. I have been trying to deliver this news to your majesty for the past one year. There is a traitor in the house".
"Anything else you haven't told me?"
"They are people with power".
"So you know? Spit it out".
"Sikander and Deepali".
"I knew it".
"Your majesty has them in charge of the islands".
"They will be out of charge and in the dungeons with my one look. Why haven't we talked? All this while I blamed your father for keeping secrets when really, they are your criminals. Why are you still kneeling? I can't help the queen if she does not wish to be helped. We have to start somewhere. We'll find the evidence. I only want to make sure the truth is out between us".
She stood up, taking care not to press on the crease of her skirt.
"If we fight back, the people may know of their king's health".
"I am fine, my mother had me screened".
The king paused sideways waiting for an "aha" which never came.
"I am sorry for drinking and yelling at you. I am sorry not telling you earlier".
"I am sorry for being mean and vindictive. I am sorry for being aloof. Now, there is just one thing………"
"What? Say it. Your grace, that stare is unsettling".
"Well.."
To be continued.
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
