Queen Omuro stood by the window of her private chamber.
The night air drifted softly through the open shutters as she sipped a cup of hibiscus tea.
She had already removed her heavy jewelry and ceremonial robes. In the quiet of her chamber, she looked less like a queen and more like a tired woman who had ruled too long beside a difficult man.
A knock came at the door.
Her attendant, Ruz, entered.
"Your Highness, Lady Gema wishes to see you."
Omuro raised an eyebrow. "At this hour?"
"She insists it's important."
The queen sighed.
"Let her in."
Moments later Gema entered and bowed deeply.
"Have a seat," Omuro said.
"I cannot sit until you do, my queen."
The queen shrugged slightly. "Then we will both stand."
She lifted her teacup.
"Hibiscus tea?"
"No, Your Highness. I will not stay long."
"Good."
Gema hesitated.
"I bring troubling news."
Omuro nodded, "We all heard about Tarula."
"It's not about Tarula. It concerns Kharivanpa."
The queen remained silent.
"A few nights ago," Gema continued, "she was seen embracing the king by the pond."
Omuro slowly set down her cup.
"She claims the king requested the embrace."
"So?"
Gema blinked. "My queen… she is attempting to seduce him."
Omuro raised an eyebrow.
"Are you frightened, concubine?"
Gema looked stunned. "What?"
"Are you afraid of being replaced?"
"My queen, she is a farmer's daughter!"
"And?"
Gema faltered.
"The king asked for a hug," Omuro said calmly. "Was the girl supposed to refuse him?"
"It's the king! Our husband! The man who loves you. Loves us."
Omuro sighed softly. "Imagine giving birth to a man's child," she said quietly. "Then hearing that he has found another woman."
She walked slowly across the room.
"And then another."
Gema said nothing. Her fingers slowly curled into fists.
"The king visits me only when he needs political advice," the queen continued.
Her voice held no bitterness. Only exhaustion.
"You call this love?"
Gema lowered her gaze.
"You entertain the king because you must," Omuro said. "Just as Kharivanpa embraced him because she must."
Gema's eyes filled with tears.
"You are the youngest wife," the queen continued. "You have enjoyed his favor for years. And now that a younger woman appears, you panic."
Gema wiped her tears. "My queen…"
Omuro shook her head.
"You have a beautiful home. A healthy son. Focus on him." She picked up her teacup again. "Fighting over an old man who refuses to accept his age is embarrassing."
Gema said nothing. She had been defeated.
"Go back to your quarters," Omuro finished. "And have a peaceful night."
...
Far across the palace grounds, Chiddi ran through the darkness. His lungs burned as he reached the palace dispensary.
He burst through the door.
"I came as soon as I received your message."
Two physicians stood beside Tarula's pale body.
"We found something," the chief physician said gravely.
He lifted a cloth from a tray.
A small seashell rested beneath it.
Chiddi frowned.
"What is that?"
"We found it clutched tightly in his hand." The physician's voice grew quiet. "We believe the priest was trying to leave us a clue."
Chiddi stared at the shell.
"Whoever this belongs to…"
"…may have killed him." The physician finished the sentence.
The room fell silent.
Because everyone in the palace knew exactly who wore seashells in her hair.
***