Page 14 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

There was no enmity between Surgami Dev Singh and us. Whatever the hostility was, it ended with the death of Prince Suryadev Singh. And since we had to stop Rudra from becoming the king, it was a necessity to maintain this truce.

The noise of my anklets echoed in the hallways as I walked through them.

Reaching outside his chamber, I stopped at the doorways since I couldn’t see through the veil. I looked down at a pair of feet before me.

A familiar voice asked me in a low tone,“What are you doing here, Nandani?”

Acknowledging his presence, I immediately lifted my veil and found him standing outside, in armour, guarding the king’s chamber.

Anger rushed through my veins as I looked at his eyes, flaming in fury. Inhaling a deep breath, I commanded,“Open the door.”

In return, he stepped closer and gritted on my face,“Do not doit. He is my uncle.”

As soon as I looked at his face, his betrayal rushed back to my head and I spoke insolently,“So, consider me your aunt and the future queen of Suryagarh,” He looked around at all the attendees present there and muttered in a warning tone,“Don't you dare say that,”

I smugly replied,“Actually…watch me do that.”

The doors swung open, making me cover my face with the veil. He stepped back when the king looked at us.

“You are here,” He exclaimed. Striding forth, I greeted him, joining both my palms with respect.“You invited me, your majesty. Of course, I had to come,” I replied gracefully, and he laughed.

“Come inside,” he said, and I noticed Rudra balling his palms into fists, his knuckles turning white, and anger evident on his face.

Drawing a deep breath, I took a step forward, and from the corner of my eye, I saw him stepping forward to get inside the chamber.

“Rudra, you wait outside,” the king said, but he affirmed with a clipped tone,“I'd rather be inside to protect you. I do not trust Mahabaleshgarh yet.”

The king gave a steady, assuring laugh and said,“That is certainly not necessary. She is Princess Nandani, my would-be wife.”

“Wife?” Rudra countered with a frown.

“Yes. Nandani and I are getting married this month, and I invited her to know something about her if she would not mind telling me,” he explained, sitting comfortably on the couch.

“No, Your Majesty. It would be an honour to take you as my husband, and I look forward to conversing with you before the wedding to clear all the doubts,” I expressed graciously, masking my inner turmoil.

“Nandani,” the king responded,“I hope you know I wish to marry you at this age to secure an heir to my throne.” I stood there timidly and answered,“Yes, your majesty. I’m very well aware of it. And I shall try my best to give you an heir,” I announced.

He smiled and suddenly asked,“But I want to know if you are pure.” From my peripheral vision, I glanced at Rudra, who stood blank-faced and still.

After a brief moment, I meekly replied,“I am Your Majesty. I amuntouched,” I answered.

“But there is a hearsay of you being involved with a man,” He queried.

Blinking rapidly, I swallowed the tightness in my throat.“Why don't you examine me with your trusted vaidya10, your majesty?” I suggested, curbing my rage. Not because the King questioned my dignity, but because the man who had ruined it was standing in the same room as me.

I don't understand why he had to feed me some hypnotising herb when I was entrusting myself with him. Why did he have to make me unconscious to do it?

The King, walking closer, pulled me out of my reverie. I could see him, through the veil, standing in front of me when he said,“A sensible idea, perhaps.”

My heart kept pounding in worry, but I tried to calm my demeanour as I agreed with him.

I was determined to stop Rudra from obtaining the throne. He toyed with me for it, and so I would engage with anyone to thwart his success.

“I shall take my leave first, then, Your Majesty,” I said, and he replied,“Yes, you may.”

I was leaving the chamber when I caught sight of Rudra following me out of the corner of my eye, but the king immediately called him back.

Feeling apprehensive, I walked towards my chamber. As soon as I stepped in, Suman voiced her concern,“How will you prove it, Nandani?”

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