“Few people outside this palace have seen Princess Manju” Lily’s eyes were wide and bright. “Many say there are countless similarities between the princess and me.”
“What is your meaning?”
“I could replace the princess. I could stand in her place and be your wife!”
The prince puffed and took a step away. “That is not possible. The palace servants shall know the truth.”
“Only a handful of servants have seen the princess. I have been often mistaken for her. Besides, once you have assumed command of the kingdom, they can be silenced.”
The prince creased his brow and shook his head. “Surely King Dhaval would recognize his own daughter.”
“He shall soon perish. I would not worry about him.”
“Minister Pratap seems wise and powerful. I am certain he would not stand by while–––”
“You say you love me, ” Lily pushed him away, “but make a hundred pretexts not to be with me.”
She pouted. The prince pulled her toward him again and kissed her head.
Once more, she gazed into the prince’s eyes, making him weak with desire. “This plan can succeed. Simply command your minister to kill Minister Pratap. I shall take care of King Dhaval, and you shall end the princess’ life.”
Prince Kamal paled. He staggered away from her. His knees wavered, and he placed a hand against the wall for support.
She strolled to him and embraced him. “If you desire to reign as King of Kokin and spend your life with me, this is what must be done.” She held his gaze while offering a small, sly smile.
He was soon convinced she was right, and agreed to execute her plan.
*
Minister Rama let himself into Princess Manju’s room, which adjoined Lily’s bedroom. In his hand, the minister carried a vial filled with a purple substance: the potent toxin derived from the stems and leaves of the Lahota flower.
Hearing an appealing voice singing nearby, Minister Rama hid behind a large wooden screen with delicate ornate carvings. He stole a glimpse and caught sight of Lily dressing herself. She had enjoyed a bath and sang as she clothed her naked body. Rama lost focus for a moment.
She opened a small, colorful bottle. A captivating fragrance traveled through the air, entering the minister’s nostrils, causing his body to quiver. She dabbed the fragrance on various areas of her body. When she was done, she left the chamber.
Minister Rama hurried and entered her bedroom. Sitting on a small table was the colorful bottle of the Lahota flower’s fragrance.
The minister opened the bottle, once more allowing the enticing fragrance to pirouette its way into his nose. He poured in the purple toxin, making sure none of the harmful substance fell on his skin.
One of the palace chemists had revealed another secret to Minister Rama: the Lahota flower alone was harmless, but if the toxin of its foliage were to be mixed with the flower’s essence, the poison would be ten times more powerful.
Minister Rama imagined the consequences as he poured the poison into the perfume bottle. He heard the door to the princess’s chambers open. He closed the flask as fast as possible and hid once more.
Princess Manju slipped into her room, excited about the night’s festivities and thrilled to see the prince again. She took a bath and patted her skin dry. The princess remained nude as she sashayed to a table laden with beautiful bottles, carved jewelry boxes, and ornate jars. She searched the contents of the tabletop, but seemed unable to find what she was seeking.
Her calm and pleasant demeanor slowly changed. She grimaced in all-consuming anger; her nostrils flared and her hands clenched into tight fists.
“I have warned Lily a hundred times not to use my fragrance.” The princess banged on the table as she muttered. She would reprimand her as soon as she set eyes on her. She would not be lenient for her servant had taken advantage of her tolerance and become quite a nuisance.
The princess stomped to Lily’s room. She spotted the small, colorful bottle containing her fragrance.
As she approached Lily’s table, the minister, who was hiding nearby, held his breath. He did not comprehend why the princess was strutting toward him. His body tensed and he watched in amazement as the princess grabbed the perfume vessel and opened it.
“Troublesome pest! I shall win Prince Kamal’s heart tonight, and his eyes shall cease to wander in your direction. I shall make certain of it!” Princess Manju griped as she dabbed the inside of her ankles with the perfume.
Minister Rama jumped to his feet, but it was too late. The poison coursed through the princess’s body to grotesque effect: her feet and ankles began to distend and turn a deep blackish purple. Where the toxin flowed, so did the hideous purple color. The princess groaned and clutched her aching extremities. She collapsed to the floor. Horror and agony were etched on her face. She wailed gaping at her swollen, purplish-black lower body.
Minister Rama’s face dropped in remorse. He stood paralyzed and trembling with fear. “What have I done?” He ran to the princess and placed one of his large, bony hands upon her mouth to suppress her cries of torment. Her face, not yet attacked by the purple malice, was pale and her eyes were large with anguish.
As he crouched by the princess, the poison carried its malignancy to every tissue in her body, resembling violet tentacles sent out in every direction. The princess’s entire body became the deep, blackish purple color. Her skin grew rough and bumpy. Her long, lustrous hair fell in clusters. Every muscle began to tighten and draw together simultaneously, causing her body to contort in disturbing ways. Her howls were reduced to quiet moans as her mandibles locked. Constant spasms of her facial muscles made her appear to have a heinous grin.
Minister Rama trembled and wept. Exhausted and sickened by what he beheld, he released her and watched the spasms spread to every muscle in her body.
Princess Manju underwent many convulsions. As the tremors progressed, they increased in intensity and frequency. The spasms became so violent, the minister heard several of her bones break.
Her mouth gaped and continued to open until the corners ripped. Thick dark colored blood gushed from the gashes. Her tongue, now the color of ripe mulberries, grew too large for her mouth and no longer fit. Her eyelids were stretched as far apart as possible, and her eyeballs bulged.
He turned away disgust twisted his features. She was no longer the young pretty princess with whom he was acquainted but a grotesque aberration.
“Die already––please perish before someone hears your cries.” He wiped his eyes and covered his ears.
Princess Manju’s backbone arched exaggeratedly many times, and she shrieked as more of her bones fractured.
“How could a body take so much suffering?” Minister Rama squeezed his eyes shut.
The princess’s body became wet with perspiration. Purplish-black vomitus oozed out of her mouth, and it smelled sweet and fragrant like the Lahota flower.
Lily opened the door to the princess’s chambers and proceeded to her room. She saw Minister Rama and stood at a halt.
“What are you doing in my bedchamber?”
The color drained from his face. His mouth moved but words did not come, there was no need, for Lily soon saw the horror before her.
Her hands sprang to her mouth to stifle a scream. She inched forward, her eyes becoming slits to avoid taking in the entire grotesque scene at once. She scrutinized the repulsive purple-black creature thrashing on the ground, producing unnatural sounds.
“What sort of creature is this?” Lily’s eyes widened, and her lips parted. She raised her brows, realizing who the monstrosity before her was. “No, it cannot be.” She took a closer look. “It is hard to believe that this hideous, broken creature was once a beautiful princess. How did this happen, Minister Rama?”
A powerful scent intruded upon her consciousness, and she swooned. The fragrance meant to lift her off the ground and carry her away. She stiffened, but the smell commanded attention. She covered her nost
rils with the back of her hand and gained control of herself again. She noticed the small, colorful bottle of perfume lying near Princess Manju’s body. A purple fluid ran from it and stained the floor covering.
“You must have poisoned her perfume!” She pointed at the minister. He trembled but remained silent. How had he known the perfume was property of the princess, and not hers, since it was on her table in her chamber? She gathered her brow in thought. Minister Rama thought the perfume belonged to her, since it was in her room. She was his intended victim!
Her hand gradually floated to cover her mouth. While she stared, the princess’ convulsive tossing gradually ceased, she began to gasp for air; and in a few moments she died of asphyxiation.
Lily trembled, clenched her jaw and curled her hands into balls. She glared at the minister as he gaped at the princess’s corpse. When the minister lifted his eyes, she changed her angry expression.
“Minister Rama, you have done Prince Kamal and me a great favor by extinguishing Princess Manju’s life.” She smiled. “Please, do tell me how you accomplished this deed?”
Minister Rama cleared his throat. “I used the toxic stems and leaves of the Lahota flower to formulate a poison. Later, I mixed it into the princess’ fragrance and waited for the intended outcome.”
“I see. Was this the conclusion you envisioned?” she asked to make him squirm.
“Of course! What other result could I have intended?” His voice trembled.
She nodded while searching his face. “You have many talents. The prince shall be most grateful to you.”
“The prince knows I am devoted to him and his father King Dhaval.”
She turned away from him and frowned. “Come, we must inform him of your good deed at once.”
She took the minister’s hand and pulled him toward the door, but he quickly released his hand from hers.
“What of Princess Manju’s body?” He appeared tormented.
“No one enters this chamber other than me or the princess, so we can dispose of it later. We must leave this place at once––the scent is overwhelming.”
They left the princess’s chambers in search of the prince and found him sitting in the large open room with the spiral staircase and crystal walls, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace.
“Minister Rama, please wait here. Allow me to break the news to the prince.” Lily smiled.
“Go on then.” He dismissed her with a wave of a hand.
“I shall call you when the time comes,” she said through clenched teeth.
She ran to the prince and told him everything. “The poison was meant for me. He intended for me to be the one writhing on the ground, deformed and in pain. Your minister wanted me to suffer a terrible death.”
“And for that, he shall pay with his own life.” The prince grabbed her by the shoulders. “If you had been the one to fall under his wicked poison, my life would have been forfeit, for I can no longer live without you.” They kissed while Minister Rama watched from a distance wearing a sullen expression.
“Yes, my love, the minister must pay with his life, but not before ridding Minister Pratap and King Dhaval of theirs.”
“That is brilliant!” Prince Kamal clapped his hands and chuckled. “Summon him.”
Lily beckoned the minister to come, and Prince Kamal rose to greet him. “Minister Rama, I am grateful for what you have done for us. You shall be greatly rewarded.”
The minister grinned with relief—his foolish blunder had transpired for the best. He bowed to the prince. “I have dedicated my life to you. I shall always be at your service.”
The prince glanced at Lily, who smirked. “I am glad to hear you say those words, for I have two other tasks I need you to execute.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Anything you wish.”
“As you know, I shall be king soon. Clearly, I have no need of two ministers.”
Minister Rama’s expression turned bleak.
“Since I prefer you to Minister Pratap, I suggest you get rid of him. I am certain he has already conceived of the means to replace you.”
“You wish for me to end Pratap’s life?”
Lily’s face bloomed cerise with fury. “Surely you do not find what your prince asks to be too difficult a task? Princess Manju was young, beautiful, and innocent, yet you did not hesitate to bestow upon her a most heinous death.”
Rama looked down and shuffled his feet. “I refuse my prince nothing he desires.”
“Good, that is what I expected to hear.” The prince placed a hand on his shoulder. “I shall also require you to take King Dhaval’s life. After all, how long do you suppose you shall draw breath once the king discovers you brutally slaughtered his daughter?”
Rama lifted his pale face and stared wide-eyed at the prince. “I shall do all that Your Majesty asks.”
“And for your deeds, you shall be rewarded.” The prince smiled at Lily.
“Make haste,” Lily said with a derisive grin. “Time is of the essence. Take Minister Pratap’s life first. Afterward, you may slay King Dhaval. Be sure to notify us before and after each deed.”
Minister Rama scowled at her and sulked.
“Do as Lily commands minister. Do not disappoint me,” the prince said, in a brusque tone.
“I shall depart at once and execute your initial command. I shall notify you when Minister Pratap no longer draws breath.” He bowed to the prince before taking leave.
As he walked away, he heard Lily’s sniggering laughter. He gripped the jewel-encrusted hilt of his dagger as he dragged his feet along the long decorated corridor leading outside the Crystal Palace.
Outside it was snowing, but not too cold. Minister Rama wondered if the temperature was becoming milder in the land of Nihar. He needed to determine how he would achieve Prince Kamal’s detestable orders. Then a thought occurred to him.
Minister Pratap had left to run errands for the king. There was only one road leading in and out of the palace. Perhaps if he waited along the road and convinced him to go for a stroll, he could make his move then.
The minister walked along the road and came across a small bench overlooking a frozen pond. He sat and waited for his victim’s carriage to come. Lost in his thoughts, he stared at the snowflakes as they tumbled from the bright pink sky. He looked at the frozen pond and noticed peculiar little fish swimming underneath the pond’s thin ice cap.
Soon the minister’s carriage approached. He jumped to his feet and stood on the road, waving the carriage to stop. “Minister Pratap!”
Pratap craned his head outside the carriage window and saw the long, dark, sinewy figure of Minister Rama standing in the road waving his arms in the air. “What are you doing out here in the cold?”
“I needed the fresh air to clear my head, and I found this bench––” Rama extended his arm and indicated the bench.
“You shall freeze without your mala coat shielding you from the frigid bursts of wind. Come inside my carriage. I shall return you to the palace.” Pratap beckoned him.
“It is a mild day and I prefer to return on foot, but thank you for the offer.” Rama forced a smile. “I have been meaning to speak with you about Prince Kamal and Princess Manju for quite some time now. Perhaps you would like to walk with me for a while. Your mala coat shall keep you warm.”
Come. Walk with me. You shall not feel the chill for long. If things go as planned, soon you shall feel nothing at all. Rama sneered.
Minister Pratap opened the carriage door and stepped into the cold.
“I shall accompany you.” He gestured to the driver of the carriage to go. Rama watched the carriage roll away, taking with it all witnesses.
“I shall accept your company and enjoy it.” Minister Rama flashed another lackluster smile. “Come have a seat with me. We have not had the time to become properly acquainted yet.”
Pratap sat beside him on the bench. Rama tried to deflect his scrutiny.
“There are small fish swimming in the pond und
erneath the ice, but I cannot distinguish them well. Does the pond ever thaw completely?”
“No, this is actually the thinnest I have ever seen the ice. Overnight the temperatures shall plummet. The pond shall be frozen solid tomorrow, and you shall not be able to see the fish underneath at all,” Minister Pratap explained while gazing at the pond.
“Shall the fish die as a result?”
“No. Perhaps you may catch a glimpse of them under the ice on another day, but the mild temperature today is a rare occurrence.”
“The ice appears so fragile, as if it might crack if I toss a pebble at it.” Rama smirked.
“Perhaps a large rock.” Pratap smiled.
“Or a large corpse––”
Rama pulled his dagger from its covering and before the other man could react, plunged the nine-inch, serrated blade deep into his chest and twisted the weapon, causing irreparable damage. Pratap’s eyes opened wide. His gaping mouth dripped with blood from the explosion of his heart.
Rama worked fast. He grabbed Pratap and pushed him into the frozen pond before his last gasp of air. The bloody corpse lay upon the ice for a while. Rama watched the road and then the pond. “Come on, come on––break––crack before someone comes!” Before long the thin ice shattered and gave way, plunging the body into the freezing depths.
Rama exhaled and stood overlooking the pond until Pratap’s body sunk to the bottom and disappeared. Afterward, he marched to the Crystal Palace.
Prince Kamal and Lily were in the prince’s chambers when a knock on the door interrupted their lovemaking. The door was bolted from the inside, so the prince left the warmth of his bed to open it.
The prince opened the door enough to wedge his face between it and doorframe without revealing his naked body. “Have you good tidings for me?”
“Minister Pratap no longer draws breath.”
“Excellent. And what of the minister’s body?”
“His corpse lies frozen at the bottom of a pond not two miles from here.”
The Fall of Lilith Page 11
