Page 171 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

She took a deep breath and spoke slowly,“Hum Ranaji se ekaant mein baat karna chaahte hain,”(I want to talk to Ranaji in private), she clarified.

I looked at her, and soon, everyone began leaving. As the last of them exited, she gently took my hand, guiding me toward the couch. She lightly pushed me to sit, then settled beside me, holding my hand and meeting my gaze.

Staring into her eyes, I felt as though the entire world had contracted, narrowing to just the depth in her eyes.

“What is it?” she asked softly, her voice tender.

I took a deep breath, my eyes blinking as the internal battle waged in my mind—whether or not to tell her. But in the end, I realised she deserved to know.

“Surgami Dev Singh,” I managed to say, the words heavy on my tongue.

She shook her head gently, her expression confused.“Rudra, now your wish has been fulfilled… now tell me, what is the matter?”

I nodded and brought her hand close to my lips, kissing it gently before I spoke again.“Abhinandan,”

She knitted her brows together, and her eyes immediately filled with concern.“Abhinandan? What happened to him?”

I shook my head slowly.“Nothing’s happened yet, but he is preparing for war against us,”

At that, she dropped to her knees before me, her voice trembling.“Please, Rudra, don’t do anything to him. He’s my brother, my half-soul. I know he’s confused and misguided right now, but he’s not in the wrong, please…”

I immediately reached for her shoulders, pulling her up to sit beside me, my hand cupping her cheek softly.

“Are you mad?” I whispered, making her look at me.“Trust me, nothing will happen to him. I’ll protect him—no harm will come to him, not even a scratch. I’ll do whatever it takes,”

She just stared at me, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears.“So, this is why you wanted to end your controlling period... because you knew Abhinandan was preparing for war?” she asked.

And I shook my head lightly.“No, it’s not just that,”

“Then what?” she pressed, her curiosity and concern growing.

I took another deep breath, preparing to tell her everything.“There’s a prophecy... about me.”

“What is it?” she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.“What prophecy?” she frowned.

“That I’d become a great king… but lose a significant war,” I replied slowly.“And to prevent that, Guruji had suggested I make sacrifices and please the gods to secure victory. That was the main purpose I started the controlling period. But now, I’m the king, and the war with Abhinandan… I believe that is the war the prophecy was referring to. But, I don’t want to win it,”

Her brows creased tightly.“Wh-What?”

I nodded gently.“Yes, Abhinandan has always been a loyal friend to me. What I did to him was wrong. I wronged you, too, but what’s between us is love. And what existed between me and Abhinandan… was also a kind of love. A bond I lost. I don’t want to win and lose him forever. I want to fix what broke between us. Not just because he’s your brother, but because he matters to me. I am the reason his life turned upside down, and I can’t sit back, praying for mercy.” I took a trembling breath and looked into her eyes.

“My Guruji once told me something beautiful. He said,‘Life would be a thousand times more beautiful if those who wrong others out of pain or emotion simply apologised and tried to make things right, instead of drowning in guilt and sorrow.’I want to apologise to him, Nandani. No matter the cost. Even if I lose everything, I cannot live knowing I caused someone so much pain. I’m sorry... I can’t be at peace until then.” Tears fell from my eyes, and she hugged me tightly.

“I trust you,” she whispered.“And you will succeed. I know you will,” I pulled back slightly and looked at her.

“But you must promise me something,” I said.

“What is it?” she asked.

I kissed her hand softly and spoke,“You won’t interfere between me and him. Our love is just two years old, but your love for him… it began in the womb. He’s your twin. And if the moment ever comes where you have to choose between the two of us… Promise me you’ll choose him,”

Her face tensed.“But why are you saying—”

“Just promise me,” I cut in gently.

She looked into my eyes and slowly nodded.“I promise. I wantthings to be mended between you and him, too. And if my interference complicates it, I’ll stay out of it. Not just because you asked me to, but because he is right. And you have wronged him. You’ve won back my heart, Rudra… but now, you must win back his trust as well,”

I nodded, pulling her into a quiet embrace.

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