Hastinapura was built on unshaken loyalty, bloodlines, and carefully woven power plays.

Rhea had never wanted to be part of those games.

But now, she had no choice.

Because Duryodhana had caught her asking the wrong questions.

And in Hastinapura, that was a mistake that could cost her everything.

His grip on her wrist was not harsh, but it was unbreakable.

The conversation with the historian vanished from Rhea's mind in an instant.

She turned her head slightly, meeting Duryodhana's gaze.

There was no immediate anger there. No amusement, either.

Just quiet, calculating curiosity.

And that was worse.

Because Duryodhana only became curious about things he wanted to control.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, in a voice too casual to be real, he asked, "Looking for something, Rhea?"

Her pulse quickened.

She could lie.

Say she had been discussing meaningless history, an idle conversation with an old man.

But something told her that Duryodhana already knew she wasn't just being idle.

And Duryodhana hated being lied to.

So she went with the safest answer.

"I was only talking," she said smoothly. "Does that require permission now?"

His grip didn't tighten, but he didn't release her either.

"Depends," he murmured. "Some conversations are harmless. Others..." He tilted his head, studying her. "Others have consequences."

She forced herself to hold his gaze.

"I didn't realize speaking with the historian was a crime."

Duryodhana smiled slightly, but there was no warmth in it.

"Oh, it's not," he said. "But you see, Rhea—you're not a historian. You're not a noble. You're not a warrior. So when someone like you starts digging into things that have been buried—" He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "It makes people... uneasy."

Rhea exhaled slowly, keeping her expression carefully blank.

"I wasn't digging into anything."

Duryodhana smirked. "Then you won't mind if I ask Harish what you two were talking about?"

Her stomach twisted.

She knew Harish was not a fool. He wouldn't openly betray her. But if Duryodhana pressed him enough, he might say just enough to confirm the prince's suspicions.

And that would be bad.

Very, very bad.

She forced herself to shrug. "Do what you want."

Duryodhana's smirk widened, but there was something sharper in his gaze now.

"Interesting," he murmured. "You're getting bold, Rhea."

She said nothing.

For a moment, he simply watched her, as if waiting for her to crack.

Then, finally, he released her wrist.

"Be careful," he said, stepping back. "I'd hate to see you get caught in something you don't understand."

It was not a warning.

It was a threat.

Duryodhana gave her one last unreadable look before walking away, leaving her standing in the dimly lit corridor, heart pounding.

She had just made her first real mistake.

And she had no idea what it was going to cost her.

She barely slept that night.

The moment she closed her eyes, her mind replayed the conversation.

The weight of Duryodhana's stare. The quiet amusement in his voice. The unspoken promise that he would not forget this.

She had two choices now.

She could listen to the warning. Stop looking. Pretend she had never found that name.

Or—

She could keep searching.

And risk finding out why someone had erased a name from history in the first place.

She already knew what she was going to do.

But before she could make her next move, something unexpected happened.

Because the next morning, as she stepped outside her quarters, she found someone waiting for her.

Karna.

And he did not look pleased.

Author's Note:

Ohhhh, Rhea. You've officially made it onto Duryodhana's radar. 😏

👀 Duryodhana doesn't believe her lies. 👀 Harish might not be able to protect her. 👀 And now Karna is here??

Next chapter: Karna issues Rhea a warning—but is he trying to help her or test her? 🔥