BLANKET OF MAIDENS 2

Morning. Light slipped through the curtains.

Harshal rubbed his eyes. Blinked. Something was wrong.

Chitralekha stood at the foot of his bed. Arms crossed. Face cold.

"What did I say?"

Harshal sat up. His voice was thick with sleep. "What happened?"

She gestured at the bed. At the floor. At the room.

"What is this? It is like a blanket of maidens."

Harshal looked down.

Maidens. Everywhere. On his bed. On his floor. Draped over his desk. One was curled at his feet. Another had her head on his shoulder.

He blinked again.

"Oh, shit."

Chitralekha didn't move. Didn't smile. Didn't yell.

She just stood there. Waiting.

Harshal ran a hand through his hair. Looked at the maidens. Looked at Chitralekha.

"This is not what it looks like."

Her eyebrow rose.

"It's exactly what it looks like."

Chitralekha's voice was flat.

"Say what you want. And even if you did something, why are they angry?"

Harshal looked at the maidens. They were awake now. Some were sitting up. Rubbing their eyes.

None of them looked angry.

He turned back to Chitralekha.

"I did nothing. And they were happy yesterday."

Chitralekha stared at him.

"Happy."

"Yes."

She looked at the maidens. They looked at the floor.

"Happiness doesn't explain a blanket of maidens on my little brother's bed."

Harshal sighed. "Ask them."

Chitralekha turned to the maidens.

"Well?"

The one who had given him the letter spoke. Her voice was small.

"He didn't do anything, my queen. We just... wanted to be near him."

Another nodded. "He was kind."

"He kissed my forehead," one whispered.

"He said we were beautiful," another added.

Chitralekha looked at Harshal. Then at the maidens.

"Get out. All of you. Except her."

She pointed at Meera.

The maidens scrambled off the bed. Off the floor. Out the door.

Meera stayed.

The door closed.

Chitralekha looked at Harshal. Then at Meera.

"If she stays, you have to marry her."

Harshal didn't answer immediately. He looked at Meera. She looked back.

Then he turned to Chitralekha.

"Okay."

Chitralekha stared at him.

"Shut up, you idiot. Are you going to marry a demon?"

Harshal didn't blink.

"I have a sister who is a demon. So what? I don't care about it."

Chitralekha's jaw tightened.

"She's not your sister. She's a stranger. You've known her for one day."

Harshal looked at Meera.

"I've known her long enough."

Chitralekha stared at him. Then at Meera.

She walked to the window. Looked out. Her back to them.

"Fine. Stay. Both of you."

"But this conversation isn't over."

Harshal sat up. He didn't look at Chitralekha. He looked at the window.

"Bring half the army."

Chitralekha turned. Her eyes narrowed.

"Why?"

Harshal stood up. Walked toward her.

"You know why."

Chitralekha stared at him. Then she nodded.

She walked to the door. Stopped. Didn't look back.

"Half the army. At the courtyard."

She left. The door closed.

Harshal stood alone in the room.

He walked to the window. Jumped out.

Outside. The courtyard. Open ground.

Half the army stood before him. Rows of soldiers. Spears raised. Shields locked.

Harshal stood in the center. Empty hands. No blades.

Above, at the window, Meera stood. Ur-Blade in her hands. Watching.

Harshal smiled.

He jumped.

Then there was only blood.

The soldiers fell. One by one. Not killed. Just... broken. Spears scattered. Shields cracked. Bodies twisted on the ground.

Harshal stood in the middle. His clothes were red. His hands were red. His face was red.

But it wasn't his blood.

The whole army lay around him. Almost dead. Not quite.

The king stood from his throne. His face was pale.

Chitralekha didn't move. Her hands were gripping the arms of her chair.

The maidens at the window stared. Some had their hands over their mouths. Others were crying. One whispered.

"What is this? How can he do this atrocity?"

The king turned to Chitralekha. His voice was low. Shaking.

"Was he really listening to you?"

Chitralekha didn't answer.

Her eyes were on Harshal.

He stood in the center of the carnage. Raised both hands in the air. Blood dripped from his fingers.

He looked up at the balcony.

"Elder sister. Did you see me?"

Chitralekha didn't speak. Didn't nod. Didn't move.

She just stared.

Harshal smiled. Blood on his teeth.

The wind blew. The soldiers groaned. The king sat back down.

No one said anything.

Harshal walked back to his room.

The maidens were still there. Huddled together. Eyes wide. Hands trembling.

He looked at them. Then at himself. Blood on his clothes. Blood on his hands. Blood drying on his face.

"Can you wash me?"

No one moved.

The maidens stared at him. Terrified.

Then the youngest stepped forward. Meera followed.

They stood in front of him. The youngest held out Copy-Blade. Meera held out Ur-Blade.

Harshal took them. Didn't say anything.

The youngest looked up at him. Her voice was small.

"Why did you do that?"

Harshal had nothing to say.

He looked at the blades in his hands. Then at the maidens. Then at the blood on his clothes.

The room was silent.

Then Meera stepped closer. She rested her hand on his chest.

Her eyes widened.

"Your heart... it's beating so fast."

She looked up at him.

"Are you frightened?"

Harshal didn't answer.

The room was silent.