Page 252 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

Ranvijay gave him a pointed look.“Don’t you dare tease her like you tease Bhabhisa,”

“I won’t. But I can’t guarantee she won’t enjoy being teased by me,” Agastya smirked.

Ranvijay gritted his teeth, and I laughed.“Possessive much, already,”

Agastya added,“I gathered a little information about her,”

“Like what?” Ranvijay asked, curious.

“She’s just nineteen and speaks very little. I heard it from her former attendant,”

I inhaled deeply.“No matter what, her father’s actions weren’tright,”

Ranvijay nodded.“No one deserves that. I still don’t understand what drove him to such a decision, wanting to wed his daughter off to me,”

“Maybe something’s wrong with her?” Agastya suggested.

Ranvijay shook his head.“Even if there is, she’s still human. Nothing justifies what he did,”

I looked at him seriously.“You can back out if you’re not comfortable,”

“No, Bhaisa. I want to marry her. Her father tried to sell her—imagine the life she’s had. If I walk away now, she’ll be ruined. I can’t do that. If I can save her, I will,”

I nodded slowly.“Very well. But what about love?”

“I will love her,” he said firmly.

Agastya grinned.“Awww, how romantic, Bhaisa!”

We laughed together and spent the rest of the evening talking. After bidding them good night, I returned to my chamber.

I found Nandani seated on the couch, blowing air on her henna-stained hands. She looked up at me and smiled.

“Is he alright?” she asked.

I nodded.“Not really, but he’s trying to hide it,” I sat beside her and glanced at her mehendi.“It’s beautiful,”

“Really?” she asked.

“Yes,” I replied. She asked me to help remove her jewellery, and I gladly did so.

The palace bustled with people even late at night, and the staff was up early the next morning. Her family arrived for the wedding.

“Pranaam, Baapusa,” she greeted her father warmly.

I joined my hands to greet him as well.“Pranaam, Rajaji,”

“What is this 'Rajaji'?” Daadisa interrupted.“Call him Baapusa, like Nandani does, Jawaaisa,”

I smiled a little, feeling shy.“Ji, Daadisa,”

Turning to him again, a little hesitant, I spoke softly,“Pranaam, Baapusa,”

He smiled and pulled me in for a hug. Though his embrace was warm, I noticed he didn’t seem as healthy as before.

“Are you alright? Your health—?” I asked.

He smiled, brushing it off.“Absolutely fine,”

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