He listened but said nothing.
"My king, may I leave now?"
"Go. But remember—one day, your wisdom and heaven will not save you from my hell."
Rudra walked out as if his words did not matter to her.
Meera was waiting in her chamber.
"Princess, is everything alright? Did you find anything?"
"No. I didn't search thoroughly. Did you find anything?"
"I went to the library, but a soldier interrupted me. I escaped by saying I was lost. But there must be something, Princess."
"Shall we go now?"
"As you wish, Princess."
"Let's do this—you go and search his study room. I'll search the library. You go first; I'll come after changing my dress. This won't be comfortable for sneaking."
"Alright, Princess. I'll go to his study. Be careful—the soldier I saw seemed very loyal. He might not take things lightly."
"I will handle it."
Meera moved silently, hiding behind pillar after pillar, making sure even her shadow did not fall where it could be seen.
Rudra changed her outfit and removed all her jewelry except her wedding chain. She looked at herself in the mirror—no ornaments, only that chain and a faint line of sindoor on her forehead. A dagger rested at her waist. She also took a veil with her.
She stepped into the corridor and walked toward the library. Two guards stood outside while others patrolled the halls.
She picked up a wall torch and quietly set fire to a curtain beside an empty guest room. Leaving the torch on the floor to avoid suspicion, she slipped away.
As the guards rushed to control the fire, she hid behind a pillar and then sneaked into the library.
She searched shelf after shelf. It was not easy, but she had no choice. She skimmed through a few books—most spoke only of the history of Agnikosha.
History…
Then she realized—she needed to compare it with the histories of Varda and other kingdoms to uncover the truth about the Great Puraj War.
She took one such book.
But by then, the guards had returned.
As she moved, she accidentally brushed against a shelf, creating a faint sound.
"Did you hear something?" one soldier asked.
The other remained half-asleep, his eyes barely open.
"Your Majesty!" he suddenly blurted, waking up in panic.
Rudra stiffened, but then understood—it was just fear.
The first soldier entered with a torch, scanning the room. He noticed a shadow.
"Who's there?"
Rudra quickly hid behind a shelf.
She froze when she saw him standing right before her.
He is no ordinary soldier, she thought.
"Your Highness! What are you doing here? And what is that book?" he asked, suspicion clear in his voice.
Hearing this, the other soldier rushed in.
Rudra tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said softly,
"I will answer… but only to one person. And there are two of you."
"You are a slave princess in this palace, and you dare to speak like that?" the second soldier snapped.
"Leave," the first soldier ordered firmly.
"...But, General—"
"I said leave."
The second soldier walked away reluctantly.
"Now speak, Highness."
"First… I did not know you were a general. I apologize. May I know your name?"
"I am Karna Veer. Do not test my patience—tell me the reason."
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"General… you know it is my night with the king… but he did not even…"
She hesitated.
"I… I don't know how to say it… so I came to find a book on…"
"Enough, Highness," he interrupted. "But you should know—no one enters this library without the king's permission."
"I understand. I have taken a book… please let me go. And do not tell the king. I would feel very embarrassed."
After a pause, he stepped aside.
"You may go, Highness."
****
Meera entered the study room and searched through the drawers.
A map of Agnikosha lay inside.