Page 141 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

As I stepped back, my toe ring caught on my flared skirt and pierced my skin. A sharp sting shot through me.

“Ahh…” My eyebrows pulled tight, and when I saw a drop of blood oozing from my toe, my heart sank even further.

I crouched down quickly, adjusting the ring back in place, and stared at the small wound, tears falling freely now.

A strange fear clutched my chest. My instincts screamed, and not wasting a moment, I stood and ran to the door. Swinging it open, I saw the soldiers stationed outside.

“Can you please search for Ranaji?” I asked quickly.

They bowed.“Yes, Princess.” Two of them set off immediately.

I bit my lower lip and began pacing the chamber, waiting for the soldiers to return. I even refused dinner and instructed the attendants not to inform anyone. I didn’t want to cause a panic or worry anyone.

After what felt like ages, the soldiers finally returned.

I rushed toward them with hope and fear warring inside me.“Did you find him?”

They shook their heads.“Apologies, Princess… but we couldn’t find him anywhere.”

I froze. Something inside me cracked.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I whispered a silent prayer for his safety.

Time suddenly slowed as I kept waiting for him. My eyes drifted up to the stars and the full moon, watching them shift ever so slightly, their movement almost invisible, quietly marking the passage of time. It was past midnight.

The palace was slowly falling into silence. Attendants and people had begun returning to their rooms and chambers.

I closed my eyes, my lips trembling as I whispered a prayer from my aching heart.

“Please, Mahadev… please… I’m begging you… keep him safe… please…” And then a thought struck me.

Had he left a letter for me?

I immediately rushed towards the table, then to the dressing table, the couch, every corner, and finally the bed. I tore through everything in search of any note, any scroll.

And there, nestled between the pillows, my eyes landed on a golden scroll. I snatched it up, my hands trembling as I unrolled it.

My heart skipped as I instantly recognised his handwriting. My voice shook, my knees felt weak as I began to read:

“Yadi jeevan mein humne sabse adhik kisi se prem kiya hai, to woh aap hain, Nandani. Keval aap.”(If I have loved anyone the most in my life, it’s you, Nandani. Only you.)

My brows furrowed. That was it? Was this all he left behind?

What did it mean, Rudra? Why just this?

And then… the terrifying thought hit me. What if something had happened to him?

A wave of fear crashed through me, and I broke into silent sobs, my body trembling, shivers running through me.

“Please… I beg you… please, come back… just once… please…” I whispered through my tears.

Suddenly, the door flew open, and my head snapped up.

Through my blurred vision, I saw him, standing there, soaked. His clothes dripped with water, his hair wet. His face was red, his eyes, nose, and lips were swollen.

I couldn’t hold myself back. I ran to him.

But I stopped just a few feet away, my whole body trembling.

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