Chapter 3: The Waiting Game

Through it all, the fourth prince, Raghav, endured in silence. He watched, and waited. He alone understood that, in this house, only those who survived could hope to rule. Evenings found him alone on the terrace, watching crows gather atop the ancient neem tree, his thoughts as restless as the wind. He forced himself to show patience, to listen quietly when elders gathered for pooja or when the women gossiped over chai, nodding and smiling but saying little. Let them think him harmless—he knew that was his greatest weapon in this treacherous game.

So the struggle for succession entered its most dangerous phase. The remaining princes eyed each other with suspicion, the old palace echoing with secrets and half-spoken promises. Even the servants kept their eyes down, careful not to get swept into the whirlpool of intrigue. The fate of the dynasty now hung in the balance. And somewhere in the shadows of the old palace, a pair of eyes watched, waiting for the storm to break.