Midnight. Thunderstorm over Rajgarh.
Aarohi couldn't sleep. Her mind replayed Inspector Veer Rana's words:
> "Vault under the Durga Mandap. Aviraj's greatest lie."
She crept out of bed, careful not to wake Bhavya who slept on a cot nearby. The palace corridor was dimly lit by flickering diyas. As she passed the ancient portraits of past Raghuvanshi kings, their painted eyes followed her.
Something about the palace felt… alive.
---
Durga Mandap – Lower Wing
She'd only seen this temple once—during her bridal welcome. It was forbidden to women after sundown.
But tonight, the lock was open.
She stepped inside. The goddess Durga's idol loomed tall, sword raised, eyes fierce.
At the back, she noticed an odd carving on the floor—slightly raised, shaped like a lotus.
She pressed it.
Click.
A hollow section of the marble base shifted, revealing a metallic hatch… with a royal seal scorched onto it.
Aarohi's breath hitched.
She bent closer. Something shimmered just below the surface—like gold... and ash.
Suddenly—a strong hand grabbed her arm.
---
"You don't listen well, do you?"
Aviraj.
He was wearing black again, drenched in rain. His jaw clenched, eyes unreadable.
"You followed me here last night, didn't you?" she accused softly.
His grip loosened slightly. "You don't know what you're doing."
"Then tell me! What's in that vault? Who's Anaya Raghuvanshi?"
His face went rigid.
"Don't say her name."
"Was she your mother?"
He stepped back, as if struck.
"I'm not your enemy, Aviraj," she said, her voice trembling. "But if I'm to survive in your world, I deserve to know what I've married into."
"You want honesty?" he said darkly. "Fine."
He walked to the goddess idol and pulled down the golden sword from its base. It wasn't just ceremonial—it was real. Bloodstains dulled by time were still visible near the hilt.
He handed it to her.
"This sword killed the only woman I ever trusted. Right here, beneath this mandap. My mother. By a traitor from your side of the bloodline."
Aarohi dropped the sword in shock. "What do you mean… my side?"
Aviraj stepped closer.
"There's something you haven't been told. Ask your father why you always fainted near temples. Why you have nightmares of fire and betrayal. Why you—"
Before he could finish, the palace lights flickered. A bell rang somewhere in the halls.
Aarohi clutched her head. A vision struck.
A fire. Screams. A hand pulling her as a woman in red fought off guards with that same sword.
The woman turned.
It was Aarohi's face.
But older.
Different.
---
She gasped, falling back.
Aviraj caught her. "What did you see?"
She looked at him, terrified. "I think… I've been here before. Not in this life."
---
End of Chapter Three
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Would you like Chapter Four, or a twist outline showing how Aarohi might be tied to a royal reincarnation or a forgotten dynasty secret?