Page 170 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

I, undeniably, loved Nandani, no doubt about that. But I also wanted her to be happy. And no sister could truly rejoice in her husband’s victory if it came at her brother’s cost. She could accept seeing me lose, even smile through it, but watching her brother fall? Not to me. Never to me.

I was wrong. Deeply wrong.

And this was the moment I had to face it, not as a prince, not as a ruler, but as a man seeking redemption. How could I have continued my celibacy and reinforced my power, knowing all along that I had built part of it on betrayal?

I even spoke to my Guruji about it.

When I stood at the river’s edge, ready to throw myself into its depths, I realised something. My life wasn’t mine alone. It belonged first to my people. Then to Nandani. Then to my family… and finally, to my Guru and those who believed in me.

Even though it tore me apart to shift my path, I did. I went to Guruji and collapsed before him, broken. I told him everything, the truth, the betrayal, and my wish.

I wish not to continue this anymore. To stop this sin that was coated in selfishness, self-centred goals, and everything that served only me, and no one else.

When I confessed it to Guruji, he said something that stayed with me.

He said he was proud to see that the stubbornness I once wore like armour had finally faded. That I had grown into a warrior who was no longer fighting for gain, but ready to face the consequences of my own actions. That I had stopped battling fate, and instead, was learning to accept what was meant for me.

For more than half of my life, I struggled, fought, and punishedmyself just to chase what I believed I wanted. For ten long years, I burned in my fire, shaping myself into someone who could twist fate to his will.

But what would I have truly gained? A kingdom? A victory in war? And what if, after all of it, I was still not happy?

What would be the point, then?

If I had continued being celibate, I would’ve undoubtedly defeated Abhinandan. But by doing so, I would’ve lost the one person who brought me peace—Nandani.

Maybe she would’ve stayed by my side... but the thought of her being unhappy, of her being silently torn from within, it shook me.

I knew Abhinandan was preparing for war, alone in Pratapgarh. And he had every reason to.

Someone who had betrayed his trust, turned his family against him, deceived his sister, stolen his pride, and degraded his parents deserved punishment.

And now that I knew I was wrong, how could I even think of defeating him? I didn’t even have the strength to meet his eyes.

“Ranaji…” A voice pulled me from my thoughts.

Her voice. The voice that echoed through my soul.

I looked up and saw her ambling down the stairs toward us.

She looked effortlessly radiant, wrapped in green and yellow attire. Her wrists were bejewelled with bangles, a choker gently covered the marks of last night, dark kohl traced her eyes, a delicate nath45adorned her nose, and the soft jingling of her anklets filled the air.

“Pranam, Ranisa.”

“Pranam, Bhabhisa.” The greetings followed her like a gentle wave. As she stood before me, I couldn't look away.

Without thinking, I asked,“Are you okay?”

My voice was low, almost a whisper. Her cheeks immediately flushed, and she looked down nervously, glancing at the surrounding others.

A chill ran through me as I suddenly remembered that we weren’t alone.

“Ji,” she murmured softly, then met my gaze.“What happened, Prince Ranvijay? Is everything alright?” she asked, turning to him.

Ranvijay glanced at me, unsure if he should respond.

I gave him a subtle look, and he turned back to her, hesitant.

“Nothing, Bhabhisa, just something happened in the village,”she heard him say, and silence filled the air for a moment as she looked between us.

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