The Dreaded Conspiracy - 23

“…When we found Baali, I quickly looked at him and moved my eyelid to the right.  He got my signal and began to run.  I was worried when Vikrant went after him and you are aware as to what happened after that, Maharaj!  I was relieved when I learnt from Vikrant that Baali had committed suicide.  I knew that the circumstances in which he died could land Vikrant in trouble. 

Still, I decided that I would not hastily suspect Vikrant to have had a role in Baali’s death, in front of you, till the time you or the Queen started thinking in this mode. 

Later, when you told me about the Queen’s views where she impeached Vikrant’s motives, I still did not act as if I concurred with her thoughts.  I wanted to give an impression of agreeing to the Queen’s viewpoint only after careful consideration. 

Therefore, in my mind I decided to agree with the Queen’s suspicions about Vikrant only the next day.  However, that night a plan struck me!  What if I make Sukhram confess before you that he was the one who had taken Vijaya through the secret passage with the intention of killing him and make him mention Vikrant as his mentor?

Since there was already suspicion brewing in the heart of the Queen against Vikrant, such a move would certainly seal his fate!

 I met Sukhram and reprimanded him for failing in his duty.  Thereby, I asked him to help me execute this plan and assured him of full family assistance in case his confession cost him his life. 

He agreed and I asked him to come to the King’s chamber in the morning the next day and say exactly as I had told him to. 

The next day, I still did not admit to agree with the Queen’s views, for Vikrant was to meet his downfall anyway in a short while!  Then, Sukhram came and you know what happened after that! 

That plan worked and Vikrant was kept behind bars.  Two days later when my guards brought news about Vikrant’s looks resembling to that of the son of Shailendra, I got the plot to completely nail him, which again worked!

Maharaj, I was shocked when you choose me as Vijaya’s guru.  After all, how could I teach the Prince whom I had hated all along in my life? 

However, since it was your desire I had no choice but to accept it.  I had decided that on some day before Vijaya ascends the throne of this kingdom, I will ask his life for my gurudakshina!  I knew that he would not disobey me for I had inculcated in him such noble and generous qualities! 

When Vikrant was burnt to death, I was very shocked for such an incident had never happened in our dungeon earlier. That is why I wanted to investigate into Vikrant’s death but refrained from doing so when you asked me to concentrate in your son’s studies. 

Of course, I never suspected your hand in all this for I was not aware that you knew about everything.  You had apprised me about the death of another inmate that night.  However, I never felt that this corpse was the one who was burnt in Vikrant’s cell for you had told me that your men had themselves performed his funeral rites. 

When you hinted that Vikrant may have committed self-immolation, I believed you for I found your arguments to be reasonable.

 Today I put Vijaya to a test to show you that I had succeeded in the task you had bestowed on me.”  Biksham concluded.

“And I thought that you were my most trusted aide!” Raghunathan sneered and continued, “…I told you about the death of that inmate so that you do not come to know of this from someone else and start suspecting me for hiding this fact from you! 

Disclosing this piece of information to you actually helped me to keep you in the dark! Biksham, you must be wondering as to why I offered you Raameshwaram despite knowing all this.  You have taught my son so well, Biksham! 

Therefore, as a gift I have offered you Raameshwaram!   But alas!  This gift is also your punishment!  Before you is an opportunity to rule a vast territory of this kingdom that you had longed for so long, Biksham!  However, how will you accept my offering when I disgraced you in front of those very people of whom you would be the ruler? 

After learning about your real character, how will these people recognise you as their King?  Due to your own folly, Biksham, you will not be able to take my gift for which you will feel guilty and miserable!  That feeling of remorse is your punishment! 

Being my son’s guru, I do not want to put you in the dungeon and punish you for your culpability.  Hence, this is the way I have adopted.” 

So saying, the King proclaimed that the durbar meeting had concluded and asked everyone to disperse.  He looked at the Queen with a reticent face, who appeared shocked, at the sudden developments. 

Thereby, the King helped his crestfallen son to get up from the throne.  Holding the shoulders of Vijaya tight, the King led him out of the durbar. 

Soon everyone left the durbar barring Biksham who stood looking at the ground in shame and humiliation.

Back in the King’s chambers, Raghunathan comforted his son who was deeply hurt to learn the truth about his guruji.  Vijaya asked for some privacy and retired to his chambers. 

In a short while, Queen Padmavati entered in.  She enquired about Vijaya and then spoke her mind, “I am shocked, Maharaj!  How could you hide such a crucial fact from me?” 

“I have already mentioned the reason behind that in the durbar, O Queen!  I felt that even if I reason out, you would not accept Biksham as our son’s guru. 

After all, you are a mother and have a soft heart.”  Raghunathan reasoned.  

The Queen did not argue further in this matter and posed yet another query before her lord.  “Maharaj, on learning that his guru is his enemy, our son must be feeling devastated!  Throughout his life this fact would haunt him like a nightmare!  It might not have caused him so much sorrow had Biksham not been his guru.” 

“O Padmavati, our son would certainly come out of his sorrow in due course of time!  Besides, we are there to offer him solace and help him overcome his grief. 

Tomorrow he would become the King of this vast kingdom.  You are well aware about the hectic schedule of a ruler, O Queen!  Where would he get the time to think about his guru?  All his concentration would be diverted into becoming a noble and just ruler!  Just give him some time to recover!”  Raghunathan observed. 

“May be you are right, Maharaj!  What about Vikrant?  Despite being innocent, he had to bear a bad name for twelve years in our kingdom!  How do you compensate him for that?” 

                                          (To Conclude)