Closer Deadline
Yodhika stood before the full-length mirror, her reflection framed in polished silver. The saree draped around her fully pregnant body shimmered softly under the palace lights. Four months had passed since the incident at the banquet.
Four months of silence.
Four months of waiting.
She knew the truth.
The Pranvars would attack the Amirthyas in two months—perhaps even sooner. And the Amirthyas had no idea. They still lived under the illusion that they had at least five more months before the assault.
Time was slipping away.
Yodhika turned from the mirror and walked slowly to her bed, lowering herself carefully onto it. Her hand rested on her abdomen as her mind raced, searching for some way—any way—to warn them.
She had been forbidden from leaving the palace until her delivery. The one time she attempted to step beyond its gates had only deepened Devansh’s suspicions. Since then, two soldiers from Ashura’s elite warriors had been appointed as her personal guards.
She had not been able to contact Rudhra.
Or anyone from the Amirthya clan.
Closing her eyes, she tried to steady her thoughts.
A knock sounded at the door.
Her eyes opened slowly. With visible effort, she rose and walked toward it. When she opened the door, Devansh stood outside.
“How are you today, Yodhika?” he asked.
She said nothing.
His brows drew together. “What happened?”
“How long do you intend to keep me here like a prisoner, Father?” she asked quietly, though frustration trembled beneath her voice. “This isn’t good for the baby. I need to go out at least once. I need a change of scenery—from these walls, these floors, this lawn.”
Devansh placed one hand against the doorframe and looked down, silent for a long moment.
Then he lifted his head.
“You will remain here,” he said calmly. “I will have the workers redesign parts of the palace. The lawn can be altered as well. But my decision is final. You are not allowed to leave.”
Her breathing faltered. She searched for the right words.
“But—”
“Yodhika,” he interrupted, stepping closer. “I announced that your position stands above mine. That was for the public.”
His voice lowered.
“And you know it.”
He leaned slightly nearer.
“Do not question me.”
Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away.
Yodhika stood frozen for a moment before slowly closing the door. Her breaths came heavier now.
She returned to her bed and lay down once more, staring at the ceiling.
Then she closed her eyes again.
Bhuvan and Kousala stood frozen behind the dining table, both leaning forward with their palms pressed against its wooden surface. Their breaths came heavy as they tried to process what Rudhra, seated opposite them, had just revealed.
“W–what are you saying, son?” Bhuvan asked, his voice trembling. “Stop joking. The Pranvars… betraying us? No. They are the ones protecting us. Who filled your head with such lies?”
Rudhra remained silent for a moment.
“It’s true, Dad,” he said at last. “They’ve been raising us like pigs for slaughter. And soon, they’ll reveal their true faces and enslave us.”
“Tell me who told you this,” Bhuvan interrupted sharply.
Rudhra hesitated.
“Princess Yodhika.”
“Why would she tell you?” Bhuvan demanded.
“Because it’s the truth. I saw the weapons they—”
“No.” Bhuvan’s voice rose. “Why would she tell you?”
Rudhra swallowed.
“Because… she trusts me. She wanted to save me. To save all of us.” His voice faltered. “We’re in love.”
Bhuvan and Kousala’s eyes widened.
“What?” Kousala exclaimed.
“Yes,” Rudhra continued, forcing himself to say it. “We’re in love. And… she’s pregnant with my child.”
Silence fell.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
“But that’s not the point,” Rudhra pressed on. “We can trust her. I trust her as much as I trust you.”
Bhuvan slowly rose from his chair. He walked around the table and stood before Rudhra. Placing both hands on his son’s shoulders, he suddenly pulled him up and embraced him tightly.
“Oh, Rudhra,” he said, tears spilling down his cheeks. “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
Rudhra stiffened in surprise before slowly hugging him back.
“You’re… happy?”
“Of course we are!” Bhuvan laughed through his tears. “I’m going to be a grandfather!”
Kousala joined them, pulling Rudhra into her arms next. Tears streamed freely down her face.
“With that battle-head of yours,” she said between soft laughs, “we never thought you’d fall in love. Let alone father a child.”
Rudhra and Bhuvan chuckled.
But the warmth faded quickly.
Rudhra stepped back, his expression hardening.
“We don’t have time to celebrate. We have to save ourselves. The Amirthyas. And Yodhika… before the trap closes completely.”
His parents listened intently.
“They have weapons that can kill us. Their numbers overwhelm ours. I’ve gathered a few Amirthyas. We’ve crafted a plan—with Yodhika’s help.”
“Are you sure you can trust the others?” Kousala asked quietly.
“I trust them, Mom. And they trust me.”
“If you trust them,” Bhuvan said firmly, “then so do we.”
Kousala wiped her tears and suddenly brightened. “When can we see our grandchild?”
Rudhra placed his hands on his hips, thinking.
“She conceived four months ago. So… maybe five more months?”
Kousala smacked him lightly on the head.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“You kept such happy news from us for four months?”
“Sorry, Mom,” he muttered, rubbing his head. Then his face turned serious again. “But that’s also when they plan to attack.”
Bhuvan and Kousala exchanged a glance.
“Are you sure we can survive this?” Bhuvan asked.
Rudhra was quiet for a long time.
“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “But I’ll do everything I can to make sure we do.”
Pride filled their faces.
“I know you will,” Kousala said, cupping his cheek. “But don’t you dare throw your life away.”
“Sure, Mom,” he replied softly, covering her hand with his.
A knock sounded at the door.
All three of them flinched.
Rudhra walked cautiously to the door and opened it.
Sabo stood outside.
“Hey,” she said brightly, stepping inside without waiting. “Haven’t seen you around the palace lately. Thought I’d visit.”
“Y–yeah. All good,” Rudhra replied carefully. “How have you been?”
“Good. Things are different at the palace now. Ever since the princess’s pregnancy developed a complication.”
Rudhra stiffened.
“Complication?” His voice betrayed him. “What complication?”
Sabo narrowed her eyes slightly.
“Why are you so worried?”
“It’s the princess,” he said quickly. “We trained together for years. Of course I’m concerned.”
She studied him for a long moment before answering.
“The child is growing at an alarming rate. She’ll give birth sooner than expected.”
Bhuvan and Kousala spoke at once. “How is the princess?”
Sabo looked at them curiously.
“She’s fine. The doctors believe both mother and child will be safe. But the birth could happen within the next two months.”
Shock drained the color from their faces.
“Two months…” Rudhra whispered.
“I must say,” Sabo added with a faint, sarcastic smile, “your concern for the princess is… impressive.”
“They’ve protected us all our lives,” Bhuvan said steadily. “Of course we’re concerned.”
Sabo held his gaze a moment longer.
“Anyway, I feel like I interrupted something important. I just came to see that you are ok. I will take my leave now.”
They smiled.
She exited looking at them questioningly one last time.
Bhuvan quickly shut the door behind her.
They exhaled together.
“Good that they’re safe,” Kousala said first.
But Rudhra’s face darkened.
“What is it, son?” Bhuvan asked.
Rudhra spoke slowly.
“Didn’t you hear? The child will be born in two months.”
“So?”
“It means the attack will happen in two months.”
Silence filled the room.
“Don’t worry,” Bhuvan said at last. “I have a plan.”
Rudhra looked at him, eyes widening.
Outside, Sabo stepped into the streets of Avantaveera.
Well? she asked silently in her mind. You have nothing to say?
The voice responded within her.
I already told you. I don’t care what you do with the Amirthyas. Save them or destroy them. It’s your choice. Sabo held back a visible sigh of relief.
(To be continued)
Karun G Nath 
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