Chapter 7: Lessons in Power

Priya offended Rani Lakshmi as soon as she entered the palace, so her green bangle was suppressed for a month.

The courtiers whispered behind their hands, and the maids exchanged knowing looks in the kitchen. According to Priya, this was deliberate—the harder to get, the more cherished.

I used this month to study furiously.

Late into the night, by the flickering light of an oil lamp, I pored over ledgers, etiquette books, and secret notes. In my previous life, I only got to copy books in her handwriting when I was punished for her, learning a little that way.

Now, with such a good opportunity, I devoured every book Priya kept for show.

I learned everything, from the ways of courtly speech to the hidden power plays of the zenana. So, on the night in the royal bedchamber, when the Raja recited, "Eyebrows need not be drawn by Raja Ravi, Heaven makes them long at the temples," I didn’t ask who Raja Ravi was, as Priya had, but instead blushed and reached for the Raja’s brocade sash.

The Raja’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "We are both young—let’s not waste this good time."

The Raja couldn’t resist, scooping me up and pressing me into the bed.

His fingers traced the gold border of my saree. No one knew how much, as a lowly maid, I had admired the Raja.

I longed for his supreme favour, limitless power, and dreamed every day of sitting proudly in the golden palki.

I even fantasised about being favoured, with Priya washing my feet.

A foolish dream, perhaps, but the longing was real. When I woke, I’d slap myself twice, forcing my smile away again and again.

But today, the Raja sleeps in my bed, undoing my blouse string.

Years of dark fantasies, come true in a dream.

How could I not seize the chance to climb upward?

The fan whirred softly overhead, stirring the jasmine-scented air as I surrendered to a new destiny.