With his impressive cooking skills, Harsha quickly earned his place in the palace kitchen. Day by day, he grew closer to the other kitchen staff, particularly to Mother Sika, the elderly woman who had served the royal household for over two decades. Through her, Harsha slowly began piecing together the dynamics of the palace—and more importantly, he learned about Nila.
"Mother Sika," Harsha began casually one afternoon as they chopped vegetables side by side, "since I arrived here, I’ve hardly seen Nila."
Sika paused for a moment, her knife halting in mid-air. "Nila is the Queen’s personal servant. She must stay by Her Majesty’s side at all times."
Harsha noticed the sudden sadness in her eyes. "Mother, why do you look so troubled? Is something bothering you?"
She blinked and gave a small, dismissive wave. "Oh, it’s nothing... But tell me, are you interested in Nila? You’ve been asking quite a lot about her." Her tone shifted to a teasing lilt. "You know she’s single..."
Harsha chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "Oh no, Mother, don’t get the wrong idea. She’s just... a friend. That’s all."
What he didn’t know was that his very presence had begun to stir something deep inside Queen Chandra.
.....................
Elsewhere in the palace, Queen Chandra sat alone in her chambers, her thoughts consumed by the new cook. Harsha’s broad shoulders, tall frame, and strikingly handsome face had made a powerful impression on her the moment she first laid eyes on him.
I want him. I must have him.
Her obsession had begun.
.....................
Back in the kitchen, Harsha often found himself sneaking away during breaks, trying to catch even a momentary glimpse of Nila. Most of the time, he ended up caught—and scolded—by Sika.
“What are you up to now?” she said, grabbing his ear playfully.
“Ow, ow! That hurts! I’m sorry!” Harsha winced.
Letting him go, Sika chuckled. “You never learn. Here, take this.” She handed him a warm piece of bread.
Sika cared for Harsha like he was her own child. She had never married, never had children, and in Harsha, she found a quiet joy. Harsha, too, had never known his mother. From a young age, he had taken the spiritual path, earning recognition as one of the youngest sages of the time. Yet here, in the palace kitchen, he found something oddly comforting.
“Dear Mother…” came a gentle voice from the kitchen door.
“Nila?” Sika turned with a smile.
“The Queen requests a glass of milk,” Nila said, rushing to hug her.
“Alright, my dear. Here, have some bread while I prepare it. Maybe a few snacks as well,” Sika said, patting her head and handing her the food.
Nila nibbled on the bread quietly before noticing Harsha across the kitchen. She gave him a soft, polite smile before returning to her meal.
“You’re Nila, right?” Harsha asked, stepping closer.
Nila blinked in surprise and nodded shyly.
“If you’re done eating, get back to work. No chit-chat,” Sika said, sending a warning glance at Harsha.
Sika handed Nila the prepared tray, and she headed off to the Queen’s chambers. When Sika turned around again, Harsha had vanished.
“Where’s that boy run off to now?” she muttered.
.....................
Outside, Harsha appeared beside Nila unexpectedly.
"Hey, miss!" he called softly.
Startled, Nila almost dropped the tray. Harsha quickly steadied it, his fingers grazing hers. Their eyes locked.
"S-sorry. Do you need something?" Nila stammered.
"Oh... I’m just new here. I think I got lost," he said, unsure why he felt so nervous.
"You must be the new cook," she said gently.
"Harsha. Nice to meet you, young and beautiful lady," he said with a wink.
Nila giggled. "I’d love to try your food someday. I’ve heard it wins hearts."
"Anything for you," Harsha replied, his tone playful. They both laughed.
But the moment was cut short.
"NILAAA!!" a voice thundered from the Queen’s chambers.
Nila paled. "I have to go," she said quickly, her smile vanishing.
Harsha watched her leave, his heart heavy. Something about her sadness troubled him deeply.
.....................
In her chamber, Chandra paced restlessly.
Where is that useless girl?
"NILAAA!" she screamed again, storming to the door.
As Nila approached, Chandra’s eyes moved past her and caught sight of Harsha. He was deep in thought, preparing to turn away. He hadn’t even noticed her.
Chandra froze.
He ignored me?
For the first time in her life, someone had failed to acknowledge her beauty.
"You there!" she called, voice sharp.
Harsha turned, startled. When he saw the Queen, his eyes dropped to the ground. She wore a revealing dress, and he didn’t know where to look.
"Yes, Your Highness?" he asked respectfully.
"I’d like some fresh fruit juice for dinner," she said coolly, searching for a reason to keep him near.
As she stared at him, her gaze travelled slowly over his form. She imagined being held in his strong arms, craving his attention.
But Harsha didn’t meet her eyes. He kept his gaze low, polite but distant.
"What was your name again...? Harsha, right?" she asked.
He finally looked up. His eyes, calm and steady, met hers.
"Yes, Your Highness. I’ll prepare it at once."
A strange shiver ran through Chandra. That gaze—it wasn’t lust, but something more unsettling.
A warning.
She blinked, momentarily speechless.
"Do you require anything else, my Queen?" he asked, his tone still calm.
Chandra opened her mouth, but no words came. She shook her head. Harsha bowed slightly and walked away.
Chandra watched him go, her fists clenched.
No one has ever looked at me like that. No one has ever refused my beauty.
I will make him want me. Those eyes... they will crave me.