Page 25 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“What?” I palmed my face because I didn't know what it was.

I could still feel like he was here, right in front of me. It felt so real, so vivid, but then suddenly the door banged and I… ughh…

What the heck was that? It did not seem like a dream, or had I started hallucinating?

My head was hurting. I couldn’t sleep well, as I kept thinkingabout everything the whole night. And a few things I remember were the‘kiss’and him calling me his‘little wife’. I couldn't comprehend anything else.

“Are you alright, Nandani?” Ruhani asked, and I looked at her.

“Yes, I think. I mean... I need to take a hot bath,” I stood up, moving towards the bathroom, when she offered,“Alright, let me help you.” We both moved toward the bathroom.

She seemed a little sad about the instances, and to cheer her up, I asked,“So, how wild was it last night?” She blushed at my question, and I smiled in satisfaction.

“Tell me,” I moved toward the pool, taking off my clothes when I noticed a blood stain on my skirt.

He was here thenight before!

?? ? ? ?

? Rudra ?

Once I finished my duty, I returned to working on my plan. I needed to resolve everything with only six days left before the wedding. The more people I had on my side, the better it would be.

Because that girl had gone insane and wasn't heeding my words, I wouldn't have prevented her from marrying. She had every right to happiness, but she chose the wrong man—my uncle.

I understand she was angry about my actions, and she had every right to feel that way. However, her anger was now blocking my path. I had several reasons to stop her from marrying my old uncle.

First, she would be the biggest obstacle in my path to the throne because she was a liberated and strong-willed girl. Somewhere, I sensed that she was aware of my master plan, which explained her sudden decision to marry. She knew that if she married my uncle, she would gain power, and her standing against me would weaken me.

Next, I loved my Badi-Maa, one of my uncle’s wives, and I didn't want anything she wouldn't like, especially another bride for her husband.

In addition, I deplored the sight of her ruining her life. I had begun to care for her. Yet, I left her because I couldn't love any woman until I became the king.

I had many purposes, and loving someone was definitely not one of them. My life demands sacrifices from me. I had to leave her because of my growing feelings for her. I didn't want to see her suffer the pain of being with me.

I wasn't sure if I would become the king or if I'd ever have a good life. So, how could I have promised to live with her and bringher to my small cottage to struggle alongside me? She was a princess and deserved to be a queen, not the wife of a servant. But it was wrong of me to toy with her feelings.

I knew from the beginning that I could neither love nor become intimate with a girl, nor bear a child, because I was bound—bound by the promise I made to my mother on her deathbed to become a great king.

I wandered through the palace searching for my target, and finally, my gaze fell upon a familiar face: Haider.

Well, my friendship with Abhinandan brought many benefits, one of which was getting to know all his family members and relatives.

Haider was Abhinandan's cousin, and I had met him once. He enjoyed drinking, which I planned to use to my advantage, as I could connect with his father and Ruhani's husband through him.

Ruhani was Nandani's cousin, whom she often talked about. She once mentioned her wedding to a powerful Sultan in one of her letters to me. I needed to incorporate such people in my plan to lessen the enemies. I had to turn them on my side as soon as possible.

“Haider,” I called out as he walked through a corridor. He was surprised to find me there and narrowed his eyes at me.“Rudra, Abhinandan's friend. We met two years ago,” I reminded him, and he nodded, recognizing me.

“Oh, yes, yes, Rukra! How are you?” he asked, opening his arms to hug me.

Patting his shoulder, I replied,“I am all well. What about you?” Scratching his head, he looked at me.

“Well, I’m in a little trouble right now,” He said worriedly. So I asked about it.“My brother-in-law, Aahil, such a drunkard he is. I'm trying to find a good place to grab some drinks and have fun, you know,” He filled me in with the information, and I nodded.

“Yeah, why are you here? By the way? Oh, yes, you’re invited too, of course. You are Abhinandan's friend. Nandani is like your little sister,” he said, and I instantly tapped his shoulder, trying not to smack his face flat.

“Haha… ”Such scatterbrained relatives. I tried to laugh it off.“Nandani is not like my sister. Not at all,” I gritted with a sweet smile, and he frowned, unsure.

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