Page 110 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

She shifted slightly when she heard my voice and mewled away to the other side, covering her face with the comforter.

Alright, she was in deep sleep.

Sliding closer, I pulled the comforter down her face.“Nandani, you have so much work to do,” I said, nudging her gently.

“Daadisa, sone dijiye na. Hum thake hue hain kal raatri se,”(Daadisa, let me sleep, please. I’m tired from last night.) she replied, and a wide smile etched over my face. She must have been dreaming. I didn’t have the heart to wake her as her voice came out adorably soft.

Getting up, I picked her up in my arms to take her to the bedchamber since the bright sun could disturb her sleep.

Placing her gently over the mattress, I covered her with thecomforters.“Sleep tight, little bird,” I whispered, kissing her forehead.

Tucking herself tighter in the comforter, she mumbled,“Thank you, Ranaji.”

After drawing the curtains, I followed my morning routine—freshening up, meditating, working out, bathing, getting ready, and praying. When I stepped out of the prayer room, my gaze fell on the attendees, whispering in hushed tones.

“Ranisa is still sleeping,”

“What!?”

“Yes,”

“But it’s really late.”

The chatter halted as I cleared my throat, and they all turned stiff.

“Let Ranisa sleep. Don’t wake her up,” I said, and they bowed in acceptance.

From there, I went to meet Agastya and Ranvijay in the meeting hall.

“Bhaisa,” They both stood as soon as I walked in, and my sight fell on a pile of papers, some scrolls and bundled letters on a table.

“Please, sit,” I said, taking a seat.

“Is the assessment done, Agastya?” I asked, and I could feel the edge in my voice, steady yet stressed.

I scanned his face as he took a momentary pause and nodded,“Ji, Bhaisa.” I didn't miss the strain in his tone, and I knew what he was about to say wouldn’t exactly be honey to my ears.

I watched silently as he unfolded one document and placed it between us on the table.

“Our situation is not very pleasant,” He said, pointing his finger at one of the many entries in the list—Defence.“We’re not available with enough resources to reorganise our defence system, which is lacking. I’m afraid we’re not well equipped to fight a mighty force like Mahabaleshgarh and the eight kingdoms of the south, the Sinds. Undoubtedly, our fort is well-constructed, and because of its structure atop hills, we have an advantage over the advancing enemies. Still, at such heights, the drainage and water channels function poorly. A major part of our finances is spent on bringing water from the mainland,” I listened to him attentively as he detailed.“Also, we must enlist new soldiers in our army since thelast recruitment took place two decades ago, leaving us with many aged forces,” He finished, and I nodded.

“I assumed that. No doubt why the old king lost his sons,”

He nodded, and added,“The resources we’re left with are just twenty per cent of what Suryagarh possessed back then at grandfather’s reign,” and it hit me.

Suryagarh was a prosperous kingdom in its prime—its grandeur and brilliance still captivated people’s eyes. And I believed that, like us, many were unaware of its glorious past.

“That old bastard stripped the kingdom to its roots,” I cursed under my breath, and Agastya again spoke.“And, Bhaisa, this list does not include the assets which we were to receive from Mahabaleshgarh on your marriage.” As soon as he finished, I looked sharply into his eyes.

“That will never be included. The only association I have with Mahabaleshgarh is Nandani; nothing else,” Gulping, he lowered his gaze to the papers.

“In that case, we must formulate new strategies to restore our assets, because without sufficient resources, we’ll achieve nothing,” he said.

“I agree,” Ranvijay added, and they looked at me for a response.

“I understand. But we’ll have to think of a way to do everything without burdening the people,” I stated.

“I believe our immediate needs will be met once I marry the Princess of Songarh,” Ranvijay said, and I glanced at him.

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