“I am so done with you!” I said, pretending to be furious.

He laughed harder and pulled me close.“Just joking,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead.“Whatever you want, little wife, I will obey,”

I smiled as he gently nudged the bowl back into my hands.“The soup is getting cold, Nandani,” he said.

I inhaled deeply and took a sip—

“Yuccckkkkkkkk!” I gagged immediately, feeling like throwing up.

He chuckled, taking the bowl to taste it himself.“It’s good,” he said, amused.

I shook my head dramatically.“Noooo!”

Still laughing, he handed it back to me. I forced myself to finish it somehow.

“I’m never drinking this again,” I said, grimacing.“You better learn to pull out!”

He burst into laughter again, just as there was a loud knock on the door.

“Looks like your brother is awake,” Rudra said, pulling me close for a forehead kiss.

I smiled up at him and whispered,“Come. Let’s make things right again,”

He nodded, and we walked to the door together after one last glance in the mirror.

When I opened it, there stood Abhinandan, his hair messy, looking like he had just gotten out of bed. His gaze travelled from me to Rudra, his expression twisting in disgust.

“Why are you always around her?” he asked Rudra.

In return, he smiled and casually stepped forward.“Because she always needs me,” he said smoothly.

Abhinandan frowned deeper.“Why do you always need him?” he asked me.

I bit my lower lip, understanding Rudra’s teasing undertone. I didn't answer.

Instead, Rudra placed a hand on Abhinandan’s shoulder and said,“Because I’m the only one who can fulfil all her nee—”

“Shut up, Rudra!” I cut him off quickly.

He chuckled.“Alright, I’ll leave you two alone. Please, don’t fight over me,” he teased.

“Oh, don’t flatter yourself,” Abhinandan muttered under his breath. Rudra just smiled and walked away.

I looked at Abhinandan, sighing.“Idiot,” he grumbled, and I chuckled.

“Come, Nandan,” I said, returning to the couch. He followed, sitting beside me with a frustrated sigh.

After a heavy pause, he finally asked,“Are you okay?”

I nodded.“Are you?”

He nodded back, but the stiffness in his body betrayed him.

He lifted his worried gaze and said,“You could have told me, Nandani,”

I exhaled deeply.“I know,” I nodded.“I could’ve. But everything happened so fast... and I was afraid. I thought everyone would judge me for falling in love with the son of our enemy,”

He shifted closer.“I’m sorry I didn’t build enough trust for you to feel safe telling me,” he said softly.