Another part of me couldn't help but think about Rudra. I was in a predicament about how we would face each other after the wedding.

As aunt and nephew? Just the thought of it was unnerving.

I suddenly heard a sound as I tried to fall asleep.

Not Again!

I positioned myself to look toward the window, where I spotted him. But he looked… different.

When I focused on him, I noticed that he had trimmed his beard and was wearing black attire. Strangely, he did not have his armor on and wasn't carrying a sword or dagger either—just plain clothes.

“Not again,” I grunted as he sauntered towards my bed and stood before me.

“Seems like someone’s missing me,” He teased slowly, and Isneered at him.

“I’m not in the mood for an argument. We shall meet in Suryagarh after the wedding,” I said, and he smiled at my remark before settling himself on the bed beside me.

Our eyes locked for an endless moment, lulled by the silence as if nothing had transpired in the past few days.

He gently cradled my hand, which was placed over my stomach. Bringing it closer to his nose, he inhaled the fragrance of haldi and sandalwood and whispered,“Smells nice.” I just stared at his inexpressive face as he asked quietly,“Have you ever thought about how we would face each other living in the same place? While guarding the king's chamber, I’ll have to see you sleeping with him, waking up with him, and helping him with his thousand imbecilic things.” Tears blurred my vision as I heard his despairing tone.

“I was ready to live with you in a small cottage, but... it doesn't matter anymore,” I said. Hot trails of tears slipped through my eyes. He intently tried to peck my hand, taking it near his lips, but before he could, I snapped my hand away from his hold.“This is wrong. I will be your aunt for the next two days. Please, just leave.”

He chuckled and held my hand again to get me out of bed.

“Come here,” He walked me towards the mirror, and I jerked his hand away.“You should leave, Rudra.”

He glowered at me, stepping closer.“You’re not listening to me, so why should I listen to you?” he asked, and I swallowed nervously.

The rage in his eyes was different. It wasn't alarming; instead, it was calm, like a warning before the storm—the storm for which I had to brace myself to face any consequence.

I stepped back, but he engulfed me, plopping onto the chair before the dressing table. Pulling me closer, he set me down on his lap.

I writhed in his hold, but he tightened the clasp on both my hands with one hand and pulled the dupatta off my shoulder with the other.

“Rudra, this is wrong,” I tried to say, looking into his eyes and making an effort to move away from his lap. But he was more muscular and stronger than I was.

“It feels right to me,” He said and tied my wrists behind me.

“Ah…” I whimpered in pain when he pulled the ends of the dupatta, ensuring the firmness of the knots.“This is wrong, you cannot do this with me,” I emphasised again, but he cupped my nape and pulled my face closer to his.

“Do you dream of sleeping with the king?” He asked.

I grimaced at him.“Shut up, Rudra,” I whispered warningly.

“Now, this is what I call wrong. You marry the king, but deep down you fantasise about me.” He said. Our faces were just inches away, at even heights, as I was perched on his thighs. I watched him scoop haldi paste from the bowl into his palm.

“Rudra, please, this is not right,” I said, tilting my head at him, my lips trembling, and he looked sharply into my eyes.

“I have every right to apply Haldi to the would-be Queen of Suryagarh,” he decisively muttered, smearing the cold paste all over my cheeks. His touch left me speechless with moist eyes, so I turned my lashes south.

“Hum toh aapke naam ki Haldi aur Mehendi lagaane ko sajj the, Rudra. Kintu aap humein cchodkar chale gayein. Jab cchodkar chale gaye toh laute kyu aur lautna hi tha toh gaye hi kyun?”(I was willing to perform every marriage ritual in your name. But you left me. If you were to leave, why did you return and if you were going to return, why would you leave in the first place?) I said.

He clenched his jaw, inhaling a deep breath, and applied it to my other cheek.“Ye kiske naam ki hai, Nandani?”(And of whose name is this one, Nandani?) He asked, and I looked into his eyes, which were filled with a vehemence so strong that it had me shuddering.

“You can fool the world, not yourself. Play a good princess all you want to the people, but instinctively, you know who you belong to,” he exclaimed, paralyzing me with how certain he was of his words. Listening to him, my ability to reason suddenly weakened.

As his fingers, at a slow pace, progressed towards my neck, I felt my insides stirring at his touch. I gasped heavily for air, closing my eyes, when his fingertips raked over my most sensitive part: my collarbones.