Hirday stroked Sunlight's golden hair.
"Alisa didn't know about our teacher-student relationship," Hirday said. "She didn't know that your strength was the future of the Nexus Empire. I defeated Alisa, but I won your love. There are no secrets now. You are the Queen of this empire, which was yours from the beginning."
The Nexus Law's Justice
Sunlight was still looking at Hirday with melancholy. Queen Alisa was an obstacle to their teacher-student relationship, but the question of how she died kept revolving in Sunlight's mind.
"But how did she die, Your Majesty?" Sunlight asked in a calm yet firm voice. "The diary said she was ill. What is the truth?"
Hirday sighed deeply. The walls of this royal fortress seemed to be the silent witnesses to this secret truth.
"The answer lies in the Nexus Law you learned, Queen," Hirday said.
Hirday then explained the cause of Alisa's death, which was no ordinary murder, but a magical consequence:
"Queen Alisa hated me, and she knew that the Nexus bond would not weaken me, but could drain her own life force—if the bond was not made willingly. Alisa used an ancient, forbidden spell to break that bond. She wanted to weaken me through that spell and seize the throne."
Hirday looked at Sunlight.
"But the Nexus Law cannot be cheated. The law states—if the binder does not willingly reject the bond, the power to sever the bond backfires upon the binder herself. Alisa did not know that if that backlash fell upon her weak body and hateful heart, she would not survive. She brought her own death upon herself when she cast that spell. It was her hatred, not her power, that killed her."
Sunlight now understood. Hirday did not kill Alisa, but he put Alisa in a situation where Alisa ensured her own downfall. This was Hirday's strategy and the strict justice of the Nexus Law.
Hirday gently touched Sunlight's cheek.
"I protected you, Sunlight. Alisa's death was a provision of the Nexus, not a crime. And now this empire is yours, because your love honors this provision."
After this hard truth, Sunlight did not ask any more questions. She understood that Hirday was a ruler, and sometimes a ruler has to make decisions that may seem ruthless but are necessary for the stability of the empire.
A New Beginning
After hearing the hard truth of Alisa's fate, Sunlight remained silent for a moment. She released Hirday's hand, but there was no accusation in her eyes, only deep understanding.
"Wait for me, Your Majesty," Sunlight said in a calm voice. "I need to prepare for my new life."
She quickly went towards the room. A group of maids followed her.
This private room in the massive German palace was a perfect blend of modernity and royal comfort. Sunlight entered the room, where everything had been arranged for her beforehand.
First, the maids very carefully removed the massive, heavy white dress and the diamond ornaments from her—the symbols of their royal wedding.
Then Sunlight put on light, comfortable clothes. It was a deep blue silk gown, which further illuminated her golden hair and personality. Through this change of clothes, she stepped out of the role of the formal Queen and entered their personal life as Hirday's wife and companion.
She changed her dress and stood in front of the mirror. She was no longer the rebellious princess; now she was a powerful ruler who had accepted her teacher and husbandSunlight, now in her light-blue silk gown, regarded herself in the mirror. No longer the formal Queen, she was now the partner of Hirdoy—a Queen and a wife. She was confident, but a new resolve, a certain sternness, had settled in her mind after learning Alisa's fate.
She gently called out to the Head Maid, who was standing beside her.
"Tell me," Sunlight said to the maid, fixing her golden eyes upon her. "Where is His Majesty? Is he still waiting in the Hall?"
The maid quickly bowed her head. "Yes, Queen Mother. His Majesty is still by the wall of paintings. He awaits you."
Sunlight smiled faintly. This was the first time she was returning to her husband, stepping outside the boundaries of the throne. Curiosity was evident in the maid's eyes—they were watching how the Queen would treat her ruler after the rebellion, power, and war.
Sunlight adjusted the folds of her silk gown.
"Very well. Ensure that our private moment is not disturbed for some time. And... never call me 'Queen Mother' again," Sunlight stated, a gentle instruction in her tone. "Now, 'Queen' will suffice. I am coming."
Sunlight exited the room. Her walk down the corridor possessed the freedom of the new, lighter attire and the confidence of a liberated wife and ruler. Sunlight was heading toward the door to leave the chamber, her light-blue silk gown flowing, her stride a commitment to a new, free life. But before she reached the door, Lisa, the Head Maid, rushed in front of Sunlight with an extremely swift and frightened demeanor.
Lisa was kneeling, yet deep anxiety filled her eyes. The other maids nearby waited from a distance.
Lisa quickly looked around and spoke in a very low, almost whispered voice:
"Queen Sunlight, I must tell you something. I know about his (Hirdoy's) wife. My elder sister served Alisa. His Majesty Hirdoy is very dangerous—I've heard that he killed his wife."
Lisa's words severely jolted Sunlight's mind. Hirdoy had just told her the harsh truth of the Nexus Law—that Alisa had brought about her own death. And now, this maid, Lisa, was providing completely contradictory information—the brutal palace rumour that questioned Hirdoy's authority.
Sunlight's face hardened instantly. Her eyes fixed upon Lisa's.
"Are you certain, Lisa?" Sunlight inquired, her voice steel-hard.
Lisa shook her head, trembling with fear. "Queen, everyone says the same thing. Alisa was screaming loudly one night. In the morning, she was gone. Everyone says His Majesty himself..."
Lisa covered her mouth in fear. This rumour presented a cruel tyrant, the complete opposite of Hirdoy's persona as a 'Teacher' and 'Lover.'
Sunlight realised that her journey toward peace had not yet begun. She had only trusted Hirdoy's love, but the people and military structure of the Nexus Empire knew a different story. This rumour created a new conflict in her mind right before entering the military fortress.
She was now conflicted. Whom should she believe? Her Teacher-Husband, or the prevalent, brutal truth of the palace?
Sunlight quickly composed herself. She placed a hand on Lisa's shoulder.
"It is alright, Lisa. You may go. From now on, you are my personal trusted maid. But remember, spreading rumours in this fortress is a capital offence."
Lisa left. Sunlight stood still. Hirdoy was waiting outside. Sunlight knew that from this moment, she had to live within two truths, and she could not give Hirdoy the slightest hint of this new suspicion.
She took a breath and proceeded toward the hall.