Page 205 of A King's Oath

The man folded his hands and stumbled back and out of the hall. Samarth’s gaze swept to the clock, then back to the ministers and clerks seated in court.

“Are there more?”

“No, Rawal.”

“We’ll resume tomorrow. Bade Rawal has commanded to take over this afternoon for any business-related meetings.”

Samarth stood to his feet, taking a moment to fully feel his feet. Once he did, he broke into a brisk walk down the hall, Sharan beside him, holding a dropper and matchbox like sacred relics.

“I think if I simulate stagnant drain water next time, we might actually see larvae hatch.”

Samarth sighed.“You’re not hatching anything in Durbar Hall.”

“Of course not, Bhai! I’ll do it in my garden tomorrow.”

“You’ll sit here tomorrow again.”

“I have to start studying for my prelims,” he protested.

“We all know what you do in that time. Four hours in the morning will not hurt,” Samarth kept striding.

“Why, Bhai, why?!”

As they stepped out into the courtyard, Samarth slowed down, feeling mildly breathless. He looked at his younger brother, having recovered his illness better due to age.

“One day this throne will be yours. You have to start learning, and start liking it.”

Sharan’s brows furrowed.“Even if I want to build greenhouses and study mosquito evolution?”

“Yes,” Samarth replied.

“Eeh!” Harsh strode towards them, in his favourite black kurta over jeans. He had grown old but his kurta and jeans hadn’t.

“Harsh Bhai?” Sharan asked. “What am I good for — court or lab?”

Harsh’s eyebrows went up. He began to gesture lab and Samarth glared. His hands went down.

“Don’t listen to Rawal!”

“Where have you been all day?” Samarth changed the topic, pushing his hands behind his back and walking towards the family living room.

Bike. It got delayed thanks to your dengue.

“Who asked you to sleep in the palace day and night?”

Queen of Hearts

Samarth stopped walking. He glanced at Sharan who had split from them and already walked halfway towards his garden — the one where he conducted his experiments.

“She has still been sleeping on my couch.”

Harsh nodded, his face just as impassive as ever.

“I don’t like it but also… I like it. These four days it’s been like I have started craving things that I never knew I would.”

Harsh nodded. Samarth lowered his voice — “I don’t ever remember demanding things like this from my mother… do you remember?”

He shook his head.

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