Scene – Palace Corridor (Observation)
The corridor outside the ministry wing remained quiet, the guards standing at a distance, unaware of the eyes watching from the shadows.
From behind a carved pillar, the Emperor's Mother stood still, her gaze fixed ahead.
Chandraveer had just stepped out of Tara's office.
Alone.
Not surrounded by ministers.Not in discussion.Not in urgency.
Just… leaving.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Emperor's Mother: …
She watched carefully—
The way he paused for a moment.The way his expression wasn't as rigid as usual.The way he walked away… not like an emperor concluding work, but like a man leaving something behind.
Emperor's Mother: Who is that girl…
A brief silence.
Emperor's Mother: And why is my son going to her… personally?
Her mind moved quickly.
No wasted thought. No hesitation.
Emperor's Mother: This is not administrative.
A faint shift in her expression.
Colder.
Emperor's Mother: Something has changed.
Without another moment—
She turned.
Scene – Princess Mira's Chamber
The doors to the princess's private chamber opened quietly.
Inside, the atmosphere was entirely different.
Soft fabrics, polished mirrors, and scattered ornaments reflected the setting of comfort—but not peace.
Princess Mira sat before a mirror, slowly adjusting her hair, her movements precise but slightly irritated. A servant stood behind her, carefully assisting, though clearly nervous from Mira's mood.
Mira: No… not like that.
The servant flinched.
Mira: How many times must I repeat the same thing?
Before the tension could rise further—
The door opened.
The Emperor's Mother entered.
The servant immediately stepped back and lowered her head.
Servant: Greetings, Your Majesty.
Mira glanced at the mirror—
Then turned slightly.
Mira: Mother.
Her tone carried respect—
But no warmth.
The Emperor's Mother walked forward calmly.
Emperor's Mother: Leave us.
The servant immediately bowed and exited.
Silence filled the room.
Mira returned her attention to the mirror, continuing to adjust her hair as if nothing important had happened.
Mira: You rarely come here without reason.
A pause.
Mira: What is it this time?
The Emperor's Mother didn't respond immediately.
She walked slowly around the room—
Then stopped.
Emperor's Mother: There is someone in the palace I want you to look into.
Mira's hand paused for a brief moment—
Then continued.
Mira: Someone?
A faint hint of disinterest.
Mira: And why would I concern myself with that?
The Emperor's Mother's gaze remained steady.
Emperor's Mother: A girl.
Now—
Mira's movement slowed.
Just slightly.
Emperor's Mother: She works within the ministry.
Mira: There are many who do.
Still uninterested.
Emperor's Mother: This one… has caught Chandraveer's attention.
Silence.
Mira stopped completely.
She slowly lifted her gaze—
Meeting her mother's eyes through the mirror.
Mira: …What?
The Emperor's Mother spoke calmly, but every word carried weight.
Emperor's Mother: I saw him leaving her office.
A pause.
Emperor's Mother: Alone.
Mira turned her head now.
Fully.
Mira: My brother?
A faint disbelief.
Mira: Walking into someone's office… on his own?
The Emperor's Mother gave no expression.
Emperor's Mother: That is why you will look into her.
Mira leaned back slightly, crossing her arms.
Her expression returned to indifference.
Mira: No.
Flat.
Mira: I have no interest in chasing after some unknown girl.
A pause.
Mira: If she exists, she is irrelevant.
The Emperor's Mother didn't react.
She simply spoke—
Emperor's Mother: Or perhaps… she is not as irrelevant as you believe.
Mira didn't respond.
Emperor's Mother: A girl who gains access to the emperor… without position, without status… does not do so without reason.
Now—
Mira's eyes sharpened slightly.
Emperor's Mother: What if she is not ordinary?
A pause.
Emperor's Mother: What if she is attempting to get close to him… to influence him?
Another pause.
Emperor's Mother: To gain power… within the royal bloodline.
Silence.
That—
Caught her attention.
Mira's expression changed.
Not anger.
Not shock.
Something else.
Interest.
She slowly stood up.
Mira: Someone trying to reach that high…
A faint smile appeared.
Mira: Without my knowledge.
She turned toward her mother.
Mira: That alone is… impressive.
The Emperor's Mother remained still.
Watching.
Mira walked a few steps forward.
Mira: What is her name?
Emperor's Mother: Tara.
A pause.
Mira repeated it softly.
Mira: Tara…
A slight smirk.
Mira: Fine.
She crossed her arms again.
Mira: I will look into her.
A brief pause.
Mira: And if she truly believes she can reach beyond her place…
Her smile sharpened slightly.
Mira: Then I suppose I should be the one to remind her where she stands.
The Emperor's Mother said nothing.
But her objective—
Was achieved.
Scene – Palace Administration Hall
The administrative wing of the palace was calm, structured, and disciplined—rows of scrolls stacked neatly, clerks moving with quiet efficiency, every action measured.
That calm broke the moment she entered.
Princess Mira stepped inside.
The air tightened instantly.
Movements slowed. Conversations died. Every head lowered.
Clerk: Greetings, Princess.
Clerk: Greetings, Princess.
Mira didn't acknowledge them.
She walked straight ahead, her steps unhurried, her presence alone commanding enough to silence the entire hall.
Mira: Bring me the records of a girl named Tara. She works within the ministry.
The head administrator stepped forward quickly.
Administrator: At once, Princess.
Clerks rushed to obey. Scrolls were pulled from shelves, records gathered, files stacked one over another until a neat pile formed before her.
Mira sat.
She picked up the first scroll.
Unrolled it.
Read.
Mira: Name… position… date of assignment…
She moved to the next.
Mira: Duties… attendance… reports…
Another.
Mira: Recommendations… approvals…
Her pace slowed.
Her expression remained still—
But the irritation began to show in the slightest tightening of her fingers.
Mira: …
Another scroll.
Mira: This tells me nothing.
She picked up yet another—
Barely read the first few lines—
And suddenly—
She tossed it forward.
The scroll landed sharply in front of a nearby clerk.
The entire room froze.
Mira leaned back slightly, clearly annoyed.
Mira: You.
The clerk flinched.
Clerk: Y-Yes, Princess—
Mira: Read it.
A pause.
Clerk: …Princess?
Mira's eyes shifted toward him.
Calm.
But heavy.
Mira: If I wished to read meaningless records myself, I would not have asked for them.
The clerk quickly picked up the scroll, hands slightly trembling.
Clerk: Yes, Princess… this record states that Tara was assigned to—
Mira cut him off immediately.
Mira: I am not asking what is written.
Silence.
Mira leaned forward slightly, her tone quieter now—but sharper.
Mira: I am asking what kind of person she is.
The clerk froze.
Clerk: P-Princess… such details are not—
Mira's gaze didn't move.
Clerk: …not recorded.
A long pause.
Mira slowly exhaled.
Mira: Of course they are not.
She stood up.
Mira: You record actions.
She turned slightly, her expression returning to calm superiority.
Mira: Not nature.
Her eyes drifted toward the pile of scrolls—
Then away, completely uninterested now.
Mira: Useless.
She began walking toward the exit.
Administrator: Princess… shall we gather verbal accounts? Perhaps from those who work with her—
Mira stopped.
A small pause.
Then—
A faint smile.
Mira: No.
She glanced back just slightly.
Mira: Words from others are either exaggerated… or filtered.
Another step.
Mira: I prefer truth.
A pause.
Mira: And truth reveals itself best…
Her expression sharpened slightly.
Mira: In person.
She walked out.
Leaving behind a silent hall—
And a pile of scrolls that had failed her.
Scene – Corridor Near the Ministry
The corridor was active with movement—servants walking, guards stationed, officials passing by with purpose.
Near a carved window—
Princess Mira stood, trying to get a clear view toward the ministry offices.
Toward Tara's office.
Mira leaned slightly, trying to look through the narrow opening—
Servant: Princess, do you require anything?
Her jaw tightened.
Mira: No.
She shifted again—
Guard: Princess, shall we inform the ministry of your presence?
Mira closed her eyes for a brief second.
Mira: I said no.
She tried again—
Just for a moment—
Servant: Princess, would you like—
Mira turned sharply.
Mira: Do all of you have nothing better to do!?
The servant froze.
Mira: I am standing here for a reason. Stop interrupting me every breath I take!
Silence dropped instantly.
No one moved.
Mira turned back—
Tried once more—
But the moment was gone.
Too many eyes. Too much attention.
Mira: …
Her hand clenched.
Mira: This is ridiculous.
She stepped away abruptly.
Mira: I cannot even observe someone without half the palace hovering around me.
She exhaled sharply—
Annoyed.
Frustrated.
Mira: Fine.
A pause.
Mira: If I cannot watch the girl…
Her eyes narrowed.
Mira: I will watch the one she affected.
She turned immediately.
Scene – Following Chandraveer
Chandraveer walked through the corridor, his convoy moving in perfect formation.
Guards beside him. Officials behind.
Behind them—
At a distance—
Mira followed.
Not perfectly hidden—
But using pillars, timing, and movement just enough to stay out of direct sight.
Her gaze locked onto him.
Mira: …
She watched carefully—
His expression.
His silence.
His posture.
Nothing.
Mira: You look exactly the same.
Irritation flickered again.
Mira: Don't tell me that was nothing.
They reached his office.
He entered.
The doors shut.
Scene – Outside the Office
Mira moved quickly to the side, positioning herself near a carved wall panel, close enough to hear.
Inside—
Voices.
Reports.
Routine discussions.
Orders.
Nothing.
Mira listened.
Waited.
Still nothing.
No mention of Tara.
Not even a hint.
Mira's patience snapped.
Mira: Seriously?
A quiet but sharp whisper.
Mira: Not even once?
She clenched her fist.
Mira: Are you hiding it… or is he really that blind?
A pause.
Then—
Her expression changed.
Mira: Fine.
Her voice dropped.
Mira: I will make you speak.
Scene – Calling Nayan
Nayan was walking through the corridor when—
Mira: Nayan!
He froze instantly.
Turned.
Nayan: P-Princess—
He bowed quickly.
Nayan: How may I—
Mira walked straight toward him.
Fast.
No patience.
Mira: You're close to my brother.
Nayan blinked.
Nayan: I serve him, Princess—
Mira: That is not what I asked!
Nayan stiffened.
Mira: Answer properly.
A pause.
Nayan: …Yes.
Mira crossed her arms.
Mira: Good.
A step closer.
Mira: Then you will go inside that office…
She pointed.
Mira: And you will bring up Tara.
Nayan's eyes widened.
Nayan: Princess, I can't just—
Mira cut him off sharply.
Mira: You can.
A pause.
Mira: Or do you think I am asking?
Silence.
Mira leaned slightly closer, her tone lower—but more dangerous.
Mira: You will say her name.
A beat.
Mira: And you will make him respond.
Nayan hesitated.
Nayan: This is not appropriate, Princess—
Mira's expression hardened instantly.
Mira: What is not appropriate… is you refusing me.
A long pause.
Mira: Should I start wondering what you are hiding?
Nayan's face went still.
Mira straightened.
Mira: Go.
A beat.
Mira: Now.
Scene – Trap Set
Nayan turned—
Walked toward the office.
Clearly reluctant.
He paused at the door.
Took a breath.
Then entered.
The door shut.
Outside—
Mira stood still.
Listening.
Waiting.
Her eyes sharp.
Focused.
Impatient.
Mira: Say it…
A faint, intense look.
Mira: Let me hear it from you.
End Scene
Scene – Inside Chandraveer's Office (with Mira listening outside)
The doors closed behind Nayan as he stepped inside.
Chandraveer stood near the table, reviewing documents, his posture straight, expression composed as always.
Chandraveer: You took your time.
Nayan bowed slightly.
Nayan: Apologies, my lord. I was delayed.
Chandraveer didn't look up immediately.
Chandraveer: Speak. What is it?
Nayan hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Then walked a little closer.
Nayan: It is nothing major, my lord… just a small observation regarding today's matter.
Chandraveer finally looked at him.
Chandraveer: Go on.
Nayan chose his words carefully.
Nayan: That girl… Tara… she was quite involved in solving the pavilion mechanism.
A pause.
Chandraveer: …
He didn't respond immediately.
Nayan continued, casually—
Nayan: She seems capable. Not many would have understood something like that so quickly.
Chandraveer turned his gaze back to the documents.
Chandraveer: Yes. She has a sharp mind.
Simple.
Controlled.
Outside—
Mira listened.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Inside—
Nayan pushed just a little further.
Nayan: Though…
A pause.
Chandraveer: Speak clearly.
Nayan: It is just that… she is relatively new, yet she was allowed into a matter of that level quite quickly.
Silence.
Chandraveer's hand stopped mid-motion.
Just for a second.
Chandraveer: …
Nayan continued, careful but deliberate—
Nayan: I only mean… do you trust her judgment already, my lord?
That—
Landed.
A long pause filled the room.
Chandraveer slowly placed the document down.
Chandraveer: You speak as if there is something to doubt.
His tone was calm—
But sharper now.
Nayan immediately lowered his head.
Nayan: Not doubt, my lord. Only caution.
Another pause.
Chandraveer's gaze shifted slightly.
Not toward Nayan—
But somewhere else.
For a brief moment—
Something flickered.
Chandraveer: She proved herself in that moment.
A beat.
Chandraveer: That is all.
The answer was firm.
But not as immediate as usual.
Outside—
Mira caught it.
That slight delay.
That slight change.
Inside—
Nayan gave one last push.
Nayan: Of course, my lord.
(pause)
Nayan: It is just… you rarely involve someone so directly without prior evaluation.
Silence again.
Chandraveer's expression hardened slightly.
Chandraveer: Are you questioning my judgment?
Nayan immediately bowed deeper.
Nayan: Never, my lord.
A pause.
Chandraveer exhaled quietly.
Chandraveer: Focus on the work assigned.
A beat.
Chandraveer: That will be enough.
The conversation ended.
Scene – Outside (Mira)
Mira stood still.
Completely silent.
Mira: …
Then—
A slow shift in her expression.
Mira: So…
A faint, sharp smile formed.
Mira: You do react.
Her eyes gleamed slightly—
Not with anger now—
But interest.
Mira: Not openly…
A pause.
Mira: But enough.
She turned.
Mira: This might actually be worth my time.
End Scene