I was sitting all alone in the cell thinking about it again and again. Rewinding the same thing inside the mind. The cell have become so dark.

Also, the eerie silence was killing me slowly. I was afraid of that place and hugged my chest sitting in the farthest corner of the cell.

I was sniffing silently which was the only sound in the entire basement. I wish someone would come and save me.

I haven't done any mistake. Though, here I am. Getting punishment for the things I didn't commit. I never ever thought of hurting someone on purpose. But, I was the one who ends up hurt.

That's when I heard footsteps towards my cell and the whole basement lit up. I looked at the figure and it was Arjun's father.

I could feel how angry his father was. Because, it was his wife who died.

"Why did you do that?", He asked in a broken voice.

"I didn't do that. Actually, it was Aarthi. It was Aarthi who killed her infront of my own eyes.."

"The fire accident was also your plan, isn't it?", He asked further and I shook my head.

"I didn't. It was Aarthi. I'm sure about that. She was wearing a black dress hiding her face from others."

A man was dragged into the basement by two soldiers. They came towards my cell and I was able to get a clear view of that man.

His face was bloodied because of all the thrashings, his nose was bleeding and he looked so weak like he could die anytime.

"Tell her!", The emperor growled.

"Yeah! It's her who gave me money and asked me to fire the whole palace.", He said pointing his hand towards me where I was shocked.

"No! He's lying. I'm not-"

"All the evidence are against you! How can you deny that! You're going to get the punishment you deserve.", He said angrily and walked outside where the lights were turned off.

I heard punishments in ancient times would be brutal. I couldn't help but wish that I don't get any of the brutal punishments.

I started crying again in the dark. No one could hear what's happening in the basement. Even if there's any emergency, there's no better way than death.

I was in my palace cleaning my crown when my men came running towards me. I recognise them because they're the people whom I sent to Arjun's palace as spies.

Is there any problem?

I paid attention to them. Panic was evident in their faces.

"What happened?", I asked.

"Princess is in danger. She is arrested for killing the empress. Also, she's accused of setting up fire in the whole palace.", He said.

"What? Your serious right now? She would never do something like that!", I yelled at them.

"We didn't tell Princess did something like that. Maybe, she was blamed by someone purposely. It can be plan."

"What is Arjun doing? He said he would take care of her well. That's why even when he fought with me and took her with him, I didn't say anything. I was trusting him and he broke that trust."

"There's no time for this now, prince. We have to leave to Chera Dynasty immediately in order to prevent any danger..", he said and I agreed.

I immediately left to Chera Dynasty in my horse with few of my men. I was riding my horse fastly because each passing second gives me panic and fear.

I was afraid that something would happen to her. I was afraid they would kill her. I was afraid to lose my sister.

After few hours of riding the horse, I finally reached his land. I was standing right outside the main palace of the emperor.

I entered inside without second thought and made long strides towards the palace. Many soldiers were trying to prevent me from entering but my men took care of them.

I finally met the emperor where he made an angry growl on his face.

But I don't care..

"You know what your sister did, am I right?"

"I know my sister didn't do it. Not to be rude but you're really bad at catching criminals."

"How dare you to talk to me like that! Remember, it's my land. I can kill you right here so brutally."

"What if I prove it's not her who killed your empress?"

"I release her. In addition, I will apologise to her infront of my people. So, tell me what if you don't prove she was not the one who killed my empress?"

I was silent. I was having firm hope that I will be able to prove him her innocence.

"Even thousands of criminals can be punished but it's not right to punish a single innocent. I will do anything you say if I don't."

"Okay. I will kill her infront of your own eyes. Is that okay?"

"Okay..", I said.

"Do anything you want but if you don't prove her innocence in a month, she's definitely dead.", He said.

"I want to see my sister.", I said.

"She's in the basement. My men will take you to her cell."

I went to the basement along with my men and two of emperor's men. It was all dark and the lights were turned on as we were coming.

I stopped at a cell where I found her hugging her knees and hiding her face crying.

"Thara..", I said and she recognised my voice and looked at me immediately. She walked towards my crying.

"You'll be fine.", I tried to soothe her but she was still crying her tears out.

"I don't think I will be.", She said crying.

"Now, tell me what happened. I promise that I will save you from this.", I said.

"It was Aarthi. She was the one who set fire all over and killed the empress. She then ran away from the spot and I was framed of committing all the mistakes.", She said.

"Aarthi?", I was really shocked to hear that name out of her mouth because I never know Aarthi would go to this extend to get revenge.

"Please believe me, Tamizh! Please! It's Aarthi. I saw her stab the empress' neck with my very own eyes and she ran away before anyone could notice.", She begged.

"I believe you. I will always believe you. You need not to worry. I should collect the proof that you didn't kill empress within one month. Or.."

"Or what?"

"Or, death. That's what he said. But you don't have to worry. I am ready to bend the sky in order to save you.", I said and she nodded.

"What if you can't?"

"I can and I will. You don't have to worry about that."

"It stinks blood inside this cell, Tamizh. There is blood everywhere and it will be dark once again if you and the soldiers leave the room.", She said and I peeked into her cell which was indeed like what she said.

"Can you release her from the cell?", I asked a chera soldiers and he shook his head in negative.

"Then what the fuck are you planning to do, huh? You think I'll let her stay in this dark ugly cell!", I yelled at the soldier.

"The person you should talk to is our emperor, Prince.", He said politely.

I looked at her who was crying continuously. If father comes to know about this, he would surely be worried than ever.

"Is father informed about this?", I asked my men.

"He would've by now.", One of them replied and I nodded.

"Just wait here. I'll talk to the emperor and come back.", I said and left my soldiers so that she won't feel alone again.

I went to him again where he frowned to see me alone without my soldiers.

"Provide her a good and neat place.", I said and he scoffed.

"You think I would provide something like that to the person who killed my wife? If someone were in her place, I would've killed them immediately without hesitation.", He said.

"What if she's innocent? If you finally come to know that she's an innocent, you're going to regret putting her in such a cell anyway.", I said.

"I'm more confident than myself that she was the one who killed my wife. So, you better leave and search for the proof."

But I couldn't leave her all alone, crying mess.

"Okay, I'll leave but my soldiers will be here 24/7 to ensure that she's alright.", I said and he thought for few seconds before nodding his head.

That's when I saw Arjun entering the place. I gritted my teeth just having a glance at him.

Isn't he supposed to believe her, protect her? But this bastard didn't!

"What happened, Arjun?", The emperor asked him.

"I was arranging mother's funeral but all the people are protesting that mother should be buried only after Thara's death.", He said.

I felt my heart beating fast.

"I won't allow it until I'm alive!", I yelled.

I looked at Arjun who's face held some pain. I don't know about what exactly he's sad about but I assume it's for his mother and not for Thara.

"Tell me what I have to do in this case, Prince Tamizh."

"Y'all don't understand. It was actually Aarthi. She was the one who set fire and she was the one who killed the empress. But, Thara was framed."

"You're the one who don't understand. I enquired about it and Aarthi was in your palace when things happened.", Arjun said.

"No way! She's the one. Thara saw her!"

"Ok, where's the evidence?", He asked again.

"She's the evidence! What the heck do you want, Arjun? You want her die?", I asked and he stayed silent.

"You really think she was the one who killed your mother?", I asked him.

"I wouldn't have believed if I didn't see it in my very own eyes! Do you get it, Tamizh?", He yelled.

"I won't let you kill her.. I won't."

"She will be hanged tonight and then my wife's funeral will take place tomorrow.", The emperor said and my face turned pale.

"What if she was an innocent. After hanging her tonight, tomorrow if you come to know that she was innocent. Just think about the amount of sin you and your people are going to carry."

"Father, we can inform people that she's dead and then let us give them few days..", Arjun said.

"One month. I just want one month to prove that she's an innocent.", I said and we looked at the emperor for his answer.

"That seems to be a good idea. Inform the people that she's dead.", He ordered where I sighed in relief.

If I didn't come here, she definitely would've died tonight.

I went back to the basement towards her cell where she looked at me with her hopeful eyes.

"The emperor didn't allow you to shift to a clean place but he gave us one month time to prove your innocence.", I informed her and she nodded with her desperate eyes.

"Did you see Arjun? Does he really believe that I was the one who killed his mother?", She asked.

"Yes. Plus, the people out there were protesting that the empress' body should be buried only after your death. They're going to inform the people that you're dead and then bury the body. But, you'll be given one month time."

"So, no one wants me alive?", She asked tears brimming in her eyes.

"Come on, me, father, mother everyone wants you alive..", I said and she gave me a painful smile.

"I have to leave now. Just a few more days and I'll come back to save you.", I promised her where she nodded.

With that, I left the palace reluctantly leaving her in that dark, ugly cell. I don't want to leave my little sister alive but I have to do it in order to save her.

I'll come back for you, Thara..

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