Sunlight and Hirday were having dinner in the private dining room of the South Wing of Hirday Fortress. A few trusted servants were silently attending to them. Although they were now husband and wife, their every action was measured and cautious, like that of rulers.
The menu that night consisted of local Nexus fruit and lightly roasted meat, prepared to Sunlight's taste. Sunlight ate slowly, while Hirday silently reviewed some important state documents, occasionally exchanging a gentle smile with the Queen.
Everything was proceeding normally when an unexpected guest suddenly entered through the corridor door.
It was a black, beautiful, but slightly thin cat. It had deep, dark fur and profound, greenish eyes. The cat walked silently across the floor and headed straight for the dining table.
The servants present gasped in fear. According to the internal customs of the Nexus Fortress, the presence of pets in the royal chambers, especially the dining room, was strictly forbidden.
Lisa, the Head Maid, was about to rush forward to shoo the cat away, but Sunlight gently raised her hand, stopping her.
The cat had reached Sunlight's chair. It stood silently for a moment, looking up at Sunlight.
Sunlight's face was filled with silent curiosity. The arrival of such a wild animal inside the palace was unusual.
The cat then let out a soft, muffled "meow," as if announcing its hunger, and looked at Sunlight with pitiful eyes.
Hirday looked up from his documents. He frowned slightly upon seeing the cat.
"A cat?" Hirday asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Where did it come from? Lisa, ensure it is immediately..."
Sunlight calmly interrupted Hirday before he could finish his sentence.
"Stop, Husband."
Sunlight took a small piece of roasted meat from her own plate. She extended her hand towards the cat.
Lisa and the other servants froze in terror. The Queen was feeding a wild animal from a royal plate!
The cat cautiously ate the piece of meat and then rubbed against Sunlight's gown in an expression of profound gratitude.
Sunlight smiled gently. This was not the chilling, victorious smile she had given Lisa before; it was a natural, simple smile filled with affection.
Hirday watched the Queen silently. He was somewhat surprised by this sudden affectionate side of Queen Sunlight.
"It might be Alisa's cat, Queen," Hirday suddenly said in a calm voice.
Sunlight gave the cat another small piece of meat. The cat then settled down quietly under the table.
"Perhaps," Sunlight replied calmly. "But from now on, it is my cat. I shall name it—'Shadow' (Chhaya). Because it has arrived in a fortress where both truth and shadow are dangerous."
She looked at Hirday. "Do you have any objection, Husband? Sheltering a harmless creature does not violate any Nexus Law, does it?"
Sunlight's question was subtle and commanding. She simultaneously exerted her authority and reminded Hirday that from now on, her every action would remain within the boundaries of Nexus Law.
Hirday sighed. A strange smile appeared on his face.
"No objection, Queen," Hirday said. "However, let this cat never enter our sleeping chamber. We shall discuss only law and order there."
Sunlight chuckled in reply, "Rest assured, Shadow will stay here. In this room, right under this table."
The dinner continued. The cat lay peacefully under Sunlight's chair. Sunlight ate silently, but a new thought was swirling in her mind—in this fortress, where people turned to stone, a harmless creature had become her new friend. After Sunlight focused on the cat 'Shadow' under her chair, Hirday resumed looking at his documents. Sunlight's quiet but commanding demeanor was capturing Hirday's attention.
After a while, Hirday looked at Sunlight.
"Are you wasting so much time on this mere pet, Queen?" Hirday inquired in a somewhat harsher tone. "Our dinner tonight was intended for discussions on important state matters. You are neglecting the future of the realm for a mere..."
Hirday could not finish his sentence. Sunlight suddenly leaned towards him, a challenging glint in her eyes.
"Be silent, Husband," Sunlight said in a calm but strict voice. "Pay attention to yourself."
Hirday was stunned. He had never heard such a command, especially in public (though only the servants were present), not even from Queen Alisa, or even his own mother. His inner ruler quickly awoke at Sunlight's extreme audacity.
Hirday's face hardened. His eyes narrowed, and his voice became as cold as ice.
"You forget who you are speaking to, Queen. I am Maharaja Hirday. Every command in this fortress is mine," Hirday stated.
Sunlight now chuckled softly. This laugh was even sharper and more dangerous than the victorious smile she had given Lisa.
"Get angry," Sunlight whispered, just loud enough for Hirday to hear. "That's what I wanted. Exactly like that."
Hirday froze. His anger seemed to chill instantly. He realized that Sunlight was not merely arguing with him; she was testing him.
Hirday slowly leaned back in his chair. "What did you want, Queen?"
Sunlight spoke more openly now, "I wanted to see if you can still control your emotions. You were getting accustomed to hearing me address you as 'Husband.' You were tolerant of me being distracted from state duties. Where is the sternness with which you ruled even your first wife?"
Sunlight leaned over the table. "I know I am not weak. But I wanted to see—does my minor audacity shake your control over your anger? Your anger proves that you are a strong ruler, not a weak husband."
Sunlight's statement was a form of harsh respect. She praised Hirday's power but simultaneously proved that she herself could manipulate that power.
The trace of fury slowly vanished from Hirday's face, replaced by a kind of fascination. He realized that this woman was not just his wife; she was his equal—tough and shrewd.
Hirday said calmly, "You have started a dangerous game, Queen. This game could end very quickly."
Sunlight retorted, "But it will be according to the Nexus Law, Husband. And I am loyal to that Law."
A thick silence suddenly descended upon the dining room. The cat 'Shadow' remained quietly beneath the table, as if enjoying this fierce game of power. The eyes of Sunlight and Hirday now held not love, but a new, dangerous understanding. Sunlight ended her game. Seeing the cold fascination instead of fury in Hirday's eyes, she understood—her message had been delivered correctly. She was not emotional like Alisa.
She slowly straightened up. She cast a steady look at Lisa, the Head Maid. Lisa was trembling with fear, for she had seen the Queen not only command the Maharaja but provoke his anger and then praise it.
Sunlight then stood up from the table.
"Dinner is over," Sunlight announced, her voice carrying a royal command.
Hirday remained seated, his gaze fixed on the Queen.
Sunlight began to walk slowly towards the door. She reached the door but turned just before stepping out and asked Hirday a direct question—a question that touched upon the hidden truth of their relationship:
"One last question, Husband."
Hirday nodded his assent.
Sunlight took a deep, steady breath.
"How many times have you been married? Once? Twice? Or five times? I don't know exactly."
Her golden eyes fixed on Hirday's.
"I am your fifth wife, am I not?"
The question shattered the silence of the dining room. Lisa and the other servants bowed their heads in fear—this was the first time anyone had publicly inquired about the Maharaja's secret personal history.
Hirday froze for a moment. There was no annoyance on his face, only a kind of weary truth.
Hirday slowly stood up. His height and military posture filled the small room.
"Queen," Hirday replied calmly. "You are currently the most important Queen of the realm. The existence of those who came before you is no longer relevant to Nexus Law. Do not measure my reign by numbers."
Sunlight smiled—but it was a mixture of amusement and frustration.
"I am not measuring you by numbers, Husband. I am merely assessing my position. Five Queens, five broken promises, or five victories for the Law?"
Sunlight gestured towards the door.
"I am leaving. Remain here tonight with your documents. I want you to reflect—what will you give Queen Sunlight? Love, or just Law?"
With that, Sunlight exited the room. The sweep of her blue gown and that terrifying question left a lingering storm in the room.
Hirday stood there alone, the documents in his hand tightly clenched. There was astonishment in his eyes—his new Queen was not just a companion; she was a fearless judge of his history of power. As Sunlight left the room, the atmosphere in the dining room instantly broke. The Queen's final question—"I am your fifth wife, am I not?"—was a sharp blow to Hirday's ruler's pride.
Maharaja Hirday stood perfectly still. His muscular hands first clenched into tight fists. His jawline hardened. Sunlight's question was a direct attack on the personal and hidden vulnerability of his reign.
He turned swiftly and advanced towards the table.