Page 233 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

We spread our arms for a hug, and he muttered loudly enough for me to hear,“Kya kya din dekhne pad rahein hain,”(What days I’m seeing now).

I laughed and said,“Shut up!”

He rolled his eyes but smiled.

He then glared at my kurta, spotting the bright red stain.“Don’t you feel any shame?”

I chuckled.“She is my pride. I will proudly carry my pride with me,”

He clicked his tongue in mock disgust.“Ugghh!!” he grunted, making me laugh harder.

“You all should rest,” I said.“The chambers are ready,”

They nodded and moved toward the palace.

Just then, I felt a small tug on my arm and turned to find a frustrated Nandani.

“What the hell? I told you to change it. Everyone saw it. You shouldn't have done that,” Her frustration made me smile, and she gritted her teeth.“I’m not joking,” she snapped.

“Nandani,” Suddenly, her mother called her, and she looked away from me.

“Ji, Maasa, I’m coming,” she answered, giving me one last serious look before ordering sternly,“Change it now,”

I shook my head with a smirk.“No, I won't,”

Her eyes widened in anger.“Then I’ll do it myself,” she threatened.

I chuckled under my breath and muttered,“Gladly, my angry little wife,” She sighed, exasperated.

“Nandani,” her mother called again.

“Coming, Maasa,” she replied quickly. Before leaving, she warned me sharply,“If you don't change it, Rudra, I will never talk to you again,”

I smiled at her angry voice and deeply breathed as I watched her walk away.

But I didn’t change it. I didn’t want to. It was simple; I felt proud wearing it.

As she disappeared down the hall, I noticed Ranvijay and Agastya staring at me like owls.“What are you looking at?” I asked.

They spoke in unison,“What the hell happened to you?” I chuckled and walked away, ignoring them to check the rest of the preparations.

The morning passed as we completed all the arrangements. Later, they summoned me to the sacred Hawan47to pray before the crowning ceremony.

I spotted Nandani waiting for me. As soon as she saw me, she sighed in apparent frustration. I walked closer, and she looked at my kurta with an angry pout.

“I told you to change,” she said as I held her hand, leading her towards the hawan kund.

“I don't want to,” I said lightly.

She carefully climbed the stairs beside me, whispering fiercely,“I won't talk to you after this. Everyone is watching. What will they think of us?”

I smiled and helped her sit in front of the sacred fire.“We’ll see,” I said and joined my hands in prayer.

I noticed the priest and several others stealing glances at the imprint on my chest. Nandani quickly pulled her veil lower to hide her face. I laughed under my breath, and we focused on the rituals.

Once the ceremony ended, Badimaa approached us, holding the prestigious ancestral swords. I knelt and respectfully took the sword from her, touching her feet for blessings.

“May you become the mightiest and strongest King history will ever remember,” she said.

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