A few days passed without any further leads regarding Palwasha-sahiba. Then, while Durkhanai was taking a stroll, she noticed Palwasha-sahiba and Rukhsana-sahiba engaging in what seemed to be an intense debate. Palwasha-sahiba seemed tense, listing to one side as she spoke past her stutter.

As Durkhanai neared to listen in, Rukhsana-sahiba noticed her presence. The pair quieted.

“Shehzadi,” Palwasha-sahiba said, voice sweet. The ambassadors lowered their heads with respect, waiting for her to pass. Durkhanai was long out of hearing range when she turned and saw they had become talking once more, Rukhsana-sahiba angry and Palwasha-sahiba frustrated.

It made sense.

B’rung most probably did not want to be allies with Teerza and instead wanted to be allied with Marghazar, which would rightfully upset Rukhsana-sahiba.

But Durkhanai was merely theorizing. To learn more, later that day, she went to Rukhsana-sahiba’s room. It was a little rude to come unannounced and uninvited, but this was her palace. She would not be ignored again.

“I’ve called for kava,” Durkhanai said, smiling. Rukhsana-sahiba looked up from her desk, where she was reading through correspondence.

“Shehzadi,” she said. “I must say I am in no mood for tea at the moment.”

“Then perhaps you will keep me company.”

Without waiting for a reply, Durkhanai made herself comfortable in the seating area of Rukhsana-sahiba’s room, motioning for the maids to bring the green tea in. A maid poured her a glass and stirred in sugar. With a resigned sigh, Rukhsana-sahiba came and joined her, nodding to have tea poured for herself as well.

“And to what do I owe this immense pleasure?” Rukhsana-sahiba replied, sitting across from her. Her lips turned upwards, but it was a poor attempt at a smile. Rukhsana-sahiba was a middle-aged woman, face slightly wrinkled, but her dark brown eyes were sharp.

“I just thought we’d chat,” Durkhanai replied, fingers warming from the teacup. “I’d like to know if you knew anything about the tragedy of the summit attack—the sooner we find the true culprit, the sooner this awfulness of war threats can cease.”

“Tragedy?” Rukhsana-sahiba repeated. She blinked. When she spoke again, her voice was steel. “Do not sit here and pretend to understand my grief, Shehzadi. You did not see the blood of your brother staining his dreams.”

So, the Wali of Teerza had been her brother—that ruled out Teerza being involved in any way.

“Though you may not trust me at my word, I truly am sorry for your loss,” Durkhanai said, voice gentle. “We are not your enemies. I assure you. We wish to discover who was behind that egregious attack just as much as you do.”