I stayed at the ashram with my mother all night. The King and his second wife left to let us talk in privacy. I started confessing to my mother about my disgraceful sins. How I was brought to the celestial city of Amaravati during the first game and laying with Goddess Kemira. My unfortunate encounter with Queen Sovannmacha, whom I violated with my foolishness in order to win the second game. I also confessed about my affair with my own handmaiden Kesar.

Reliving the memories, I felt my heart crumbling and failing.

"Now you know, I am unworthy of the kindness and honor you do me," I said. The older...