The morning sun peacefully shone over the Imperial Capital.
Birds chirped outside.
A cool breeze flowed through the open window.
It was the perfect morning...
...except for one person.
Tara lay peacefully on her bed.
Fast asleep.
Her face was directly exposed to the bright sunlight pouring through the window.
Without opening her eyes, she lazily reached her hand beside her.
Searching...
For her blanket.
Nothing.
Still asleep, she frowned.
Her hand searched again.
This time for her pillow.
Nothing.
"..."
Her sleepy brain refused to accept reality.
She stretched her arm further, trying to grab the bedsheet.
Nothing.
Now slightly annoyed, she blindly reached toward the window, trying to pull the curtain shut.
Her fingers grabbed...
Absolutely nothing.
"..."
Her eyebrows twitched.
Half asleep and completely frustrated, she slowly opened one eye.
Immediately—
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"
She instantly shut both eyes again.
Tara:
"My eyes!!"
"My eyes are burning!!"
"Malini!!"
"Help me!!"
"I've gone blind!!"
The bedroom door slowly opened.
Malini walked inside carrying folded clothes.
She looked at Tara rolling around on the bed while rubbing her eyes.
A satisfied smile slowly appeared on her face.
Malini:
"Oh."
"You're finally awake."
"I've never seen someone move this quickly."
"You looked exactly like a dying insect kicking all its legs."
Tara sat up while still covering her eyes.
Tara:
"WHERE ARE MY BLANKETS?!"
"My pillow?!"
"My bedsheet?!"
"And WHO STOLE MY CURTAINS?!"
Malini calmly folded her arms.
Malini:
"I removed them."
Tara froze.
Tara:
"...You WHAT?"
Malini nodded proudly.
Malini:
"I figured out a much better way to wake you every morning."
"Now the sun wakes you up while I have enough time to prepare breakfast and finish the morning chores."
Tara looked at her in complete disbelief.
Tara:
"...You're evil."
"You literally burned my eyes."
Malini:
"That wasn't burning."
"That was your brain finally waking up."
Tara dramatically pointed at the ceiling.
Tara:
"One day..."
"I'm reporting you to the Ministry of Human Rights."
Malini:
"You are the Minister."
Tara:
"..."
"...Right."
Malini walked over to her.
Malini:
"Now stop complaining."
"Go take a bath."
Tara immediately laid back down.
Tara:
"No."
"I've already suffered enough today."
"I deserve another hour of sleep."
Malini smiled.
Malini:
"No, you deserve a bath."
Before Tara could react—
Malini grabbed her by both shoulders.
Tara:
"WAIT WAIT WAIT—"
With one clean motion—
Malini pushed her straight into the bathroom.
SLAM!
A second later—
"AAAAAAAH!"
Tara:
"MALINIIII!!"
"You monster!!"
"You tyrant!!"
"I'll remember this betrayal forever!!"
Malini simply smiled.
Malini:
"Take your time."
"But don't drown."
A little while later...
The three sat around the breakfast table.
Tara was happily eating while Satyadhara quietly stood nearby.
The room was peaceful.
For about ten seconds.
Malini gently placed her cup of tea down.
Malini:
"Devi Tara."
Tara:
"Hm?"
Malini:
"You remember what we're supposed to do today, don't you?"
Tara stopped eating.
She looked at the ceiling.
Then the wall.
Then the table.
She thought very hard.
Almost painfully hard.
Nearly a full minute passed.
Finally—
Tara:
"...Can I finish breakfast first?"
Malini sighed.
Malini:
"We're going to the market today."
"We still have to buy everything we'll need for the expedition."
"Winter clothes."
"Travel equipment."
"Medical supplies."
"And several other necessities."
Tara suddenly froze.
Then her eyes sparkled.
Tara:
"OH!!"
"YES!"
"The shopping!!"
"I completely forgot!"
Malini:
"I know."
"Which is exactly why I'm going with you."
Tara looked confused.
Tara:
"Why?"
Malini:
"So you don't buy everything for double or triple the actual price."
Tara looked offended.
Tara:
"Since when does a minister have to worry about shopping expenses?"
"I refuse to believe a Minister of the Empire is expected to bargain over vegetables and winter boots."
Malini looked directly into her eyes.
Malini:
"Normally they don't."
"But because you've spent an unbelievable amount of your salary on unnecessary things..."
"...our savings are only enough to buy what we actually need."
Tara almost dropped her spoon.
Tara:
"...WHAT?!"
"We don't have enough money?!"
Malini:
"We do."
"But only if we buy useful things."
"And only if we bargain."
Tara dramatically leaned back in her chair.
Tara:
"Man..."
"This sucks..."
"I should be much wealthier."
"I mean have you seen some of the other ministers?"
"They're covered in jewelry."
"They own mansions."
"They have servants everywhere."
"And I'm worried about boot prices."
Just then—
Satyadhara finally spoke.
Satyadhara:
"Because many of those ministers are corrupt."
"They happily accept bribes."
"And some even steal a portion of the money allocated to their ministries."
Tara slowly looked toward him.
A mischievous smile appeared.
Tara:
"...Maybe..."
"...I should start doing that too..."
"Hehehe..."
">:)"
Malini looked completely unimpressed.
Malini:
"Sure."
"But if you're caught..."
"...just remember they'll cut your head off."
Tara immediately choked on her food.
Tara:
"COUGH!"
"COUGH!"
"Can you PLEASE not say things like that while I'm eating?!"
Malini calmly continued drinking her tea.
Malini:
"Alright."
Tara finally caught her breath.
She looked outside the window.
Tara:
"Today's the weekly holiday."
"The market is probably going to be packed."
"How are we even supposed to shop with our whole escort following us?"
Malini nodded.
Malini:
"That's exactly why only the three of us should go."
"You."
"Me."
"And Satyadhara."
"We'll attract much less attention."
Satyadhara nodded.
Satyadhara:
"I agree."
"It'll also be much easier to keep you safe."
Tara smiled.
Tara:
"Perfect."
Suddenly—
She snapped her fingers.
Tara:
"OH!"
"I just remembered something VERY important that I need to buy."
Malini and Satyadhara both looked at her.
Malini:
"What is it?"
Tara slowly smirked.
Tara:
"Mhm..."
"You already know..."
Malini immediately looked away awkwardly.
Malini:
"...Are you talking about that warming body oil?"
Tara pointed at her excitedly.
Tara:
"ABSOLUTELY YES!!"
Satyadhara blinked.
Satyadhara:
"...What body oil?"
Malini awkwardly explained what it was.
Satyadhara's eyes widened.
His jaw dropped.
Satyadhara:
"DEVI TARA!!"
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
"Since when did you become interested in something like THAT?!"
"I've been with you since childhood!"
"I never imagined you'd grow up into this kind of person!!"
He dramatically covered his face.
Satyadhara:
"My innocent Devi..."
"...She's gone..."
Tara stared at him.
Tara:
"What are YOU talking about?"
"I need it because it keeps your body warm during winter."
Malini coughed awkwardly.
Malini:
"...Well..."
"Most people buy it for..."
"...other reasons."
She slowly looked at Tara.
Malini:
"Unless you have some secrets you haven't told me..."
Tara immediately interrupted.
Tara:
"HEY!"
"I'm buying it ONLY because it'll be freezing in the Himalayas!"
"Nothing else!"
Satyadhara folded his arms.
Satyadhara:
"But won't people assume something else if they see you buying it?"
A devilish smile slowly appeared on Tara's face.
Tara:
"Exactly."
"THAT..."
"...is why YOU are coming with us."
Satyadhara:
"...Me?"
Tara:
"You're going inside the shop and buying it for me."
Satyadhara's soul practically left his body.
Satyadhara:
"...But why meee...?"
Tara threw one arm around Malini dramatically.
Tara:
"Because YOU are the man!"
"If two young women walk into that shop together..."
"...people will gossip for the next ten years!"
Satyadhara slowly lowered his head in defeat.
Satyadhara:
"...I've protected you from assassins."
"I've fought bandits."
"I've fought wild animals."
"...And somehow..."
"...buying suspicious body oil is the greatest challenge of my career."
Tara smiled proudly.
Tara:
"That's why you're my Head Guard."
"Now finish your breakfast."
"We have a very important mission today."
Satyadhara sighed.
Satyadhara:
"...I already regret waking up today."
The scene shifted to the Imperial Palace.
Inside the Emperor's private chamber...
The room was unusually peaceful.
Morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows as three palace maids quietly attended to the Emperor.
One gently dried his long silver hair with a soft cloth.
Another carefully combed it, making sure not a single strand was out of place.
The third prepared his accessories on a nearby table.
Meanwhile—
Chandraveer simply sat there with his eyes closed.
Calm.
Elegant.
As if this entire routine happened every single morning.
Compared to Tara's chaotic mornings...
The Emperor's was almost unnaturally peaceful.
One of the maids quietly smiled to herself.
"His Majesty truly is handsome..."
Another couldn't help but agree.
"It's an honor to serve someone like him."
The youngest maid blushed slightly.
"No wonder so many noble ladies admire him..."
None of them dared say a word aloud.
Professionalism came first.
Just then—
The chamber doors opened.
Nayan entered, pushing a wooden clothing stand.
Unlike the luxurious robes usually prepared for the Emperor...
Today's selection consisted entirely of simple clothes.
Plain cotton robes.
Ordinary trousers.
Simple cloaks.
Nothing fit for royalty.
Nayan stopped beside Chandraveer.
Nayan:
"Your Majesty."
"I've prepared several outfits suitable for today's... inspection."
Chandraveer slowly opened his eyes.
He carefully examined every outfit.
His expression gradually became less enthusiastic.
Finally...
He sighed.
Chandraveer:
"...I don't like any of them."
Nayan blinked.
Nayan:
"May I ask why?"
Chandraveer looked back at the clothes.
Chandraveer:
"They're all so..."
"...bland."
"...And dull."
Nayan nodded.
Nayan:
"That is precisely the point."
"You are supposed to resemble an ordinary citizen."
Chandraveer looked unconvinced.
Chandraveer:
"So you wish for your Emperor to wear these... plain clothes?"
Nayan answered without hesitation.
Nayan:
"I wish for Your Majesty to avoid being recognized."
"You are not supposed to look like an Emperor today."
"You are supposed to look like everyone else."
Chandraveer reluctantly looked back at the clothing stand.
He clearly wasn't impressed.
Suddenly—
The chamber doors swung open.
Mira walked inside without the slightest hesitation.
She glanced at the clothing stand.
Then at Chandraveer.
Then back at the clothing stand.
A mischievous grin slowly appeared on her face.
Mira:
"Oh my..."
"Has your situation become this desperate?"
She covered her mouth dramatically.
Mira:
"Do Emperors wear clothes like these now?"
"What happened?"
"Did the treasury go bankrupt overnight?"
Chandraveer pinched the bridge of his nose.
Chandraveer:
"This is for a special mission."
Mira nodded dramatically.
Mira:
"I see."
She pretended to think deeply.
Then suddenly snapped her fingers.
Mira:
"Oh!"
"I know!"
"You've finally decided to clean the palace yourself."
She smiled innocently.
Mira:
"If that's the case..."
"You may begin with my room."
"I've been meaning to organize it."
She laughed to herself.
Chandraveer sighed.
Chandraveer:
"...Very funny."
Nayan decided to step in.
Nayan:
"Devi Mira, we're actually going to the mark—"
Before he could finish—
Chandraveer immediately covered his mouth.
Too late.
Mira's eyes sparkled.
Mira:
"...The market?"
She smiled wider.
Mira:
"Perfect."
"I need to go there today as well."
Chandraveer's expression immediately fell.
Chandraveer:
"...Why?"
"What possible reason do you have to visit the market today?"
Mira slowly turned around.
She faced the wall.
Her back toward both of them.
After a long pause...
She quietly spoke.
Mira:
"...Because..."
"...I know Tara is going there too."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Nayan froze.
Chandraveer froze.
Both of them slowly looked at one another.
Nayan quickly shook his head with both hands.
I didn't tell her.
I swear.
Chandraveer's eyes narrowed.
Then how does she know?
He slowly turned back toward Mira.
Chandraveer:
"...And what exactly does one of my ministers visiting the market have to do with you?"
Mira slowly turned around.
A smug smile stretched across her face.
She raised one finger...
...and pointed directly at Chandraveer.
Mira:
"Because..."
"...you're going there for exactly the same reason."
Silence.
Again.
This time even longer.
Both Chandraveer and Nayan stood completely motionless.
Their carefully planned "secret market inspection" had somehow been exposed...
...before it had even begun.
Chandraveer slowly lowered his head into his hands.
Nayan did the same.
Their perfect plan...
Had lasted less than five minutes.
After a long silence...
Chandraveer finally looked up.
Chandraveer:
"...Perhaps..."
"...I should appoint you to the Imperial Investigation Bureau instead of keeping you as my younger sister."
Mira folded her arms proudly.
Mira:
"Knowing what happens around me..."
"...has always been my greatest talent."
She smiled triumphantly.
Mira:
"And judging by your faces..."
"I'd say I solved today's mystery rather quickly."
The sun had climbed higher into the sky.
Outside Tara's residence, a modest horse carriage stood waiting in front of the entrance.
Several stable workers tightened the harnesses while a coachman checked the wheels one last time.
Malini walked out first, carrying a neatly organized list along with a small leather pouch containing the money they had carefully set aside for today's shopping.
Behind her came Tara, stretching both arms above her head.
Tara:
"Ahhh... What a wonderful day."
"I can already smell victory."
Malini glanced at her.
Malini:
"Victory?"
Tara nodded confidently.
Tara:
"Yes."
"I'm going to return with the greatest collection of expedition supplies this empire has ever seen."
Malini smiled knowingly.
Malini:
"As long as every item on that collection is actually on my list."
Tara looked away innocently.
Tara:
"...Mostly."
At that moment, Satyadhara stepped out carrying two empty travel sacks over his shoulder.
Satyadhara:
"I've brought these."
"They should be enough to carry everything back."
Tara looked at the bags.
Then at Satyadhara.
Then smiled mischievously.
Tara:
"Wonderful."
"One bag for the expedition supplies..."
"...and one for my shopping."
Satyadhara's face immediately filled with concern.
Satyadhara:
"Please don't say that."
Malini sighed.
Malini:
"Don't worry."
"She won't be buying anything unnecessary."
Tara looked at her hopefully.
Tara:
"...Not even one unnecessary thing?"
Malini:
"Not even half."
Tara dramatically lowered her head.
Tara:
"My freedom..."
"...has been stolen."
Ignoring her complaints, Malini climbed into the carriage.
Satyadhara followed shortly after.
Tara looked back at her home for a brief moment before smiling.
Tara:
"Alright."
"To the market!"
With a light crack of the reins, the carriage slowly rolled forward, disappearing into the lively streets of the Imperial Capital.
Meanwhile...
Inside the Imperial Palace...
Three suspiciously ordinary-looking figures quietly made their way through one of the palace's side corridors.
Chandraveer adjusted the plain cotton robe he was forced to wear.
His expression clearly showed his dissatisfaction.
Chandraveer:
"...I still dislike these clothes."
Nayan straightened the Emperor's cloak.
Nayan:
"Which means no one will suspect you're the Emperor."
Mira twirled once in her own commoner's outfit before smiling proudly.
Unlike Chandraveer, she seemed to be enjoying every second of this.
Mira:
"I have to admit..."
"We look surprisingly convincing."
Chandraveer glanced at her.
Chandraveer:
"I'm still questioning why you're coming."
Mira folded her arms.
Mira:
"Because if I stayed behind, I'd spend the entire day wondering what happened."
She leaned closer with a smug smile.
Mira:
"And besides..."
"I wouldn't miss watching you secretly follow Minister Tara for anything."
Chandraveer immediately looked away.
Chandraveer:
"...I'm conducting an inspection."
Mira nodded dramatically.
Mira:
"Of course."
"A very thorough inspection."
"One that just happens to follow a certain Cultural Minister."
Nayan quietly cleared his throat, pretending he hadn't heard anything.
He had already accepted that today's mission would be far less peaceful than he originally imagined.
The three finally reached one of the palace's hidden side gates.
Waiting outside was a simple wooden carriage.
No imperial crest.
No royal decorations.
No armored guards.
It looked exactly like the kind of carriage an ordinary merchant family would use.
Nayan smiled with satisfaction.
Nayan:
"Perfect."
"No one should recognize us."
Mira immediately climbed inside.
Mira:
"Wonderful!"
"I've always wanted to sneak out of the palace."
Chandraveer sighed.
Chandraveer:
"...Please remember."
"We are not sneaking out."
"We are conducting an inspection."
Mira laughed.
Mira:
"Whatever helps you sleep tonight, Your Majesty."
Nayan closed the carriage door behind them.
With a gentle crack of the reins, the carriage rolled away from the palace...
Toward the bustling market district.
Completely unaware...
That another carriage carrying Tara, Malini and Satyadhara had already set off for the very same destination.
By noon...
Their paths would inevitably cross.