He kept caressing my head, letting me relax and feel normal.

Pressing his lips to my forehead, he kissed me with tenderness before bringing his mouth to my cheek.“I missed you so much, Nandani,” he said, his voice slow and full of love.

I closed my eyes and gently wrapped my arms around him. Kissing the side of his forehead, I threaded my fingers through his messy hair as I whispered back.

“Aapke kaaran kitni katthinaayi jheli aaj humne—na bhook lagi na pyaas. Har kshan bas aapko smaran kar rahe the. Aage se aisa na kijiyega... itne lambe samay ke liye to kabhi nahi,”(I suffered so much today because of you. Neither did I feel hungry or thirsty. I kept thinking of you every moment. Don’t do this again… not at least for such a long time,)

He chuckled and said,“Phal kaisa tha aapke dhairya ka?”(So, how was the fruit of your patience?)

?? ? ? ?

? Rudra ?

She blushed crimson at my question, fluttering her eyes low.

“Kabhi aapke saath karenge aisa tab pata chalega aapko... kabhi to aapko bhi humaari aawashyakta hogi, tabhi chhod kar chale jaayenge hum,”(You’ll know if you’ll go through it. Just wait, when you’ll need me the most one day, I’ll leave you like that.) She playfully whined, making me laugh.

She smiled seeing me laughing, and I gently straightened up, signalling her to rise from my lap. Adjusting her clothes, she stood up and said softly,“I’ve never felt this good before.”

I smiled and stood up as well. Running a hand through my hair, I walked over to her bed and lay down, resting my head on the pillow.

“Now,” I said with a quiet grin,“I want you to return the favour.”

Shocked, she widened her eyes at my words. A flush deepened on her cheeks as she slowly walked over to me. Her fingers trembled as they brushed against her bangles, and she sat down at the edge of the bed.

I watched her blink nervously, drawing a deep breath before meeting my gaze with soft, hesitant eyes.

She shifted closer, inching forward, and brought her hand to my stomach, touching me gently but unsurely. Then, she looked up into my eyes, uncertain, as if her heart held questions her lips couldn’t speak.

I took her wrist gently and brought it to my lips.“You have such beautiful hands, little wife,” I murmured.

She grew even shyer, blinking fast.

I kissed her fingers with care and whispered in a slow, tendertone,“I’m really hungry, little bird.”

She swallowed hard, and her lips parted slightly at my words. I smiled, my voice warm and inviting as I spoke again,“Aaj aapke haath se bana Gatte khana hai. Hum chahte hai ki aap bhojan bana kar layein humaare liye,”(I wish to eat Gatta Curry made by you. I want you to cook for me.)

She frowned, taking her hands back.“What???” Her voice grew louder as she asked, and I arched my brow at her tone.“I mean... what?” she asked again, slowly. I held her gaze, meaning what I said, and she gave a shaky laugh.“Cooking? At this time?”

“Ji, I’m hungry,” I said, and she again let out an uneasy chuckle.

“Yadi humein kisi ne dekh liya to?”(What if someone sees me?) She asked anxiously.

“So, what? Are you embarrassed about cooking for me?” I asked, and she laughed a bit too dramatically.

“Hahaha, no… no, not at all, Ranaji. Why would I be?” she said, still smiling.

I smiled back.“Then off you go.”

She nodded with a grin, stepping down from the bed. Her expression briefly betrayed that she hadn’t expected something like that from me.

Picking up her dupatta, she placed it over her head and said,“I’ll be back in some time.” I nodded and looked at her as she opened the door and left.

I stood up from the bed and walked into her bathroom for a long bath.

When I closed my eyes, thoughts of whatever happened back in the kingdom rushed like a storm. My Maasimaa was firmly opposed to any peace treaty being sealed between Suryagarh and Mahableshgarh.

I had even spoken to my Guruji and my brothers.