Amara's sentence was delayed.
A familiar Mughal tactics–when death is postponed,to make the mind of the imprisoned restless.
That evening,I went to Adrian,hoping for clarity.We sat in the balcony embraced by the same orangish sunset that once whispered Amara's name to me.
I asked softly,"Do you truly believe Amara killed Helena?"
Adrian said while looking at the same flock of birds under which he told me about Amara a week ago,"Then who else killed those ten Persian women?My mother was Persian as well."
"But why would Amara kill them?"I asked with confusion.
Adrian sighed,"I don't know.She was the only one with access to the poison."His jaw tightened,"If only I knew her true self...perhaps her miserable life was fitting,she deserved it."He added,"I have done a lot of sin,I just hope God kills me,I have lost all hope in living."
But I was sure Adrian still didn't hate Amara.
Because a man who despises a women does not keep her portrait hidden beneath his blanket.Close to him as a wound he refuses to heal.
Yep,I know EVERYONE'S secrets.Hehe.
Still...Amara killing those women made no sense.Because Helena was killed by herself or...me but not Amara.
But then–who killed the others?
The court gathered the next morning,grief clinging in those beautifully decorated marble walls.Confusion was more than mourning.
Man Singh was...different.
The man once loud with pride now scratched at his lowered head,eyes darting,fingers restless.He avoided gazes,shifted his stance.Guilt had rewritten his posture.
The King announced that a new cheif minister would soon be chosen.After all,empty places invite blood.
The Empire was cracking slowly as I wished but not planned.
As the court dispersed,Birbal walked beside me,his voice was calm indicating problem"The King has lost two of his heart's closest souls."He said,"But doesn't it strike you as strange?A mere harem girl killing without noble assistance?"
I said quickly,"Ye..yes.B..but I thi–"
Birbal stopped walking.Looked at me straight in the eyes,
"Oh,don't insult me,"he smiled faintly."You can't hide secrets from me. Now tell me–why did Adrian kill his wife?"
"Wait–what?Mir Za–"
"Silence,"he said."Liars talk too much."
"Okay,fine."I exhaled,"But you must swear–no one else."
Birbal tilted his head.
"Have I ever broken my promise?"
"Adrian actually loved Amara."I said,"So he planne–"
"Love?"Birbal scoffed."For love,he butchered two lives?"His face showed that he wanted to spit on Adrian,"What an assholic piece of loose motioned shit!"
"Dude,what is wrong with your cursing vocabulary? "I chuckled.
Birbal asked,"But what about the other women?"
"That remains a mystery."
"Man Singh?"He asked.
"His behavior was suspicious,"I admitted,"But I don't think he's the blade."
Birbal frowned,genuinely this time,"I smell rebellion.Civil war doesn't begin with banners–it begins with quiet murders."
Then as if nothing happened, he handed me a bag,"Your snacks.Bribe for accounting."
"Yaaaay!Thanks!"
I then visited Amara.After seeing me,she instantly said with confidence,"He still has my picture,right?"
I nodded,terrified to say anything.
She looks at the small window,the only light present in that dark closed chamber,"These people think poison defines me,how fool they are!"She adds with a smirk,"Had I truly been the monster they think I am,this empire would have already bled from its throat."
She said while giving me a death stare,"Do you think I don't know how Helena died?"
My eyes widened. She said while chuckling,"Don't worry,I won't tell anyone.You are way too cowardly to be facing all these."Then she started laughing hysterically.
I thought her to be a calm and soft girl.Now I know why Adrian loves her.I left without saying anything...more like I couldn't say anything.
But as Birbal said a civil war?Perfect for my plan to overthrow the monarchy though.
Every victim was a noble.
Whoever orchestrated this must hate nobles influence,their inherited authority.
And suddenly, the answer pressed inside me.
Because I knew exactly who shared that hatred.
And for the first time,I wondered whether the killer was hunting the nobles– or–trying to show the empire what happens when you choose blood over talent.
But if it's the second one,then he isn't an enemy but my future partner in crime.