Meanwhile, deep in the prison cell of Anga

"The queen will see you now," said one of the guards gesturing for Vedavalli to follow him.

"I apologize for the actions of my guards," she said, her voice soft. "They were acting on false information, and I take full responsibility for their mistake."

Vedavalli nodded, her eyes meeting the queens'. "I appreciate your apology," she said. "And I accept your offer to agree to our demands on Kshatriyapuram."

The queen's smile was as small as a seed, barely perceptible to the naked eye. "I am glad to hear that," she said. "But I also have a proposition for you."

Vedavalli raised an eyebrow, curious. "What proposition?"

The queen leaned forward, her expression serious. "I have heard of your reputation as a skilled investigator and advisor," she said. "And I believe that Anga could benefit from your expertise."

Vedavalli had initially considered the new queen as her prime suspect in the attempted murder of Prince Mukund. The queen had both the means and motive to carry out such a heinous act, and her position of power only added to the suspicion. However, the queen's request for help from Vedavalli in solving the crime made the situation more complex; like a tangled web, each strand connected to the next, making it difficult to discern the truth.

"I still do not believe that you willingly allowed the guards to seize you. Is Prince Mukund really dead?"

Vedavalli took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She noticed a faint scent of roses in the air, adding a touch of sweetness to the otherwise tense atmosphere. She wondered if the queen had deliberately chosen that fragrance to put her at ease.

"Yes, it is true," Vedavalli replied, her voice steady. "His beloved, Avanti, confirmed it."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Vedavalli realized that she may have given away more information than she intended. She felt a pang of regret, like a stone sinking to the bottom of a river. But if the queen was truly the suspect, she would have already known about Avanti's involvement. It would also give Vedavalli a glimpse into the queen's level of knowledge about Prince Mukund's life and relationships.

The queen's expression remained unreadable. Vedavalli couldn't tell if the queen was satisfied with her answer or if she was becoming more suspicious.

Her saree was a rich shade of burgundy, embroidered with intricate gold designs that glimmered in the light. The fabric draped elegantly around her, accentuating her regal bearing.

As the guards left, their footsteps fading into the distance, the queen's gaze shifted back to Vedavalli.

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"You suspect me, don't you? For trying to kill Crown Prince Rajesh?"

Vedavalli was surprised by her bluntness.

"I have to consider all possibilities," Vedavalli said, her tone measured. "And as the new queen of Anga, you do have the motive and means to carry out such an act."

The queen's expression remained stoic. But Vedavalli could see a hint of anger simmering beneath the surface, like a pot about to boil over.

"I assure you, I had nothing to do with the death of Crown Prince Rajesh," the queen said, her voice laced with icy determination. "And I will do everything in my power to find the culprit and bring them to justice."

"I would not have revealed this but I have to do it in order to win your trust" the queen said defeatedly.

"I put the necklace in your belongings," the queen confessed. "I wanted to find a way to meet with you without alerting the king or his advisors."

She felt like a boat lost at sea

Adrift in a stormy political swell

No land in sight, nowhere to flee

The weight of her responsibility heavy to bear

She had suspected the queen of Anga to be the culprit behind Prince Mukund's attempted murder, but now, she was unsure. Vedavalli had spent years honing her investigative skills, but even she was fallible at times.

Her thoughts drifted to her father's condescending looks when she told him about her desire to become an investigator. He had scoffed at her dreams, dismissing them as frivolous and unworthy of a woman of her stature.

Vedavalli felt a twinge of sadness and frustration at the memory. She had always taken her feminity as baggage as if it was her weakness. Her father had wanted her to marry a wealthy and influential man, someone who would help advance their family's status in society. But Vedavalli had always wanted more than a life of comfort and luxury.

She had taken up the role of a bodyguard and investigator, putting herself in danger to protect those who were vulnerable. She had never once questioned her decision, but now, in a strange new land, with Prince Mukund's life hanging in the balance, she was beginning to doubt herself.

Vedavalli took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. She reminded herself that she had a job to do, and that was to protect Prince Mukund at all costs. She needed to focus on the evidence at hand, rather than her own insecurities.

"I see," Vedavalli said, her voice calm and measured. "And why did you feel the need to meet with me in secret?"

The queen's face softened, and Vedavalli noticed a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. "I need your help," the queen said. "There are forces at work in Anga that I do not fully understand. I fear for the safety of my people, and I believe that you are the only one who can help me uncover the truth."

"Why do you not want the king to know?"

The queen's gaze turned contemplative as she spoke, "You know, Vedavalli, I have always believed that women would make the best comrades in arms."

She paused a hint of sadness in her voice. "We often need to use our strength in more subtle ways, to fight battles that go unseen and unappreciated. Our power lies in our resilience, our ability to endure and overcome the obstacles that are placed in our paths."

She longed for someone to thwart her fears

To help her make sense of the tangled affair

But all she had was herself and her wit

To navigate the treacherous waters ahead

She prayed for the strength to never quit

And to emerge victorious, despite the dread

"You think the king is involved," Vedavalli continued, the conversation turning more violent than two swords clashing in a fierce battle. It was a daring accusation for an outsider to make, but given that the queen was using Vedavalli as a weapon to thwart her enemies, she hoped to elicit a response without being thrown back into the dungeon like a discarded pawn on a chessboard.