Page 38 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“Why did no one tell me that there is a twist in the wedding?” he complained, and I lifted my brows, not believing how relaxed they were about this whole plan.

“Well, Rudra is planning to abduct the bride since he's in love with her, but the bride's father is against it,” Aahil explained, and I looked at him in disbelief, spilling all the wrong facts, so I tried to correct him.

“No, it isn’t,” but he stopped me mid-way.

“Ohh… then I got to talk about this to the king,” Sultan Rafiq said, and Aahil immediately spoke for me.“But he's in denial. The Princess is getting married to an eighty-year-old man at that.” I looked at him with wide eyes.

What in the name of help was he doing?

“What???? An eighty-year-old man? Heavens no. That's impossible, no way.” His voice raised an octave higher, and I was about to stand up, but Aahil pulled me back.

“Abbujaan29, Rudra loves the Princess the way you love my mother-in-law, and I love your daughter, maybe so much morethan that. But both the old king and her father are his enemies because he is not yet a king. She loves him too. But they're not allowing them to marry,” he so subtly coaxed him.“Talking is not going to work now. The wedding is tomorrow, and we really, really need to help the couple.” He stared at me for a few seconds, and I swallowed in fear.

For heaven’s sake, why were my plans being disclosed so blatantly in the grand order of drunken minds?

“Alright, I’m in. But I'll have to confirm a few things first,” he said, and I looked at Aahil, giving me a winning smile.

“Don't worry, I'll send Ruhani to you.”

I didn't know what the heck was going to happen. Could I trust these people—strangers?

Suddenly, the music pitched higher, uplifting the mood, and Sultan Rafiq stood up, harmonising his moves with the rhythm. He then stumbled near the music choir and began playing tabla with them.

“Abbujaan, dance on this one,” Aahil cheered him up, singing, and Haider joined them.“Well, let me play the drums,”

“Woah!!!” I exhaled heavily, looking at the trio's madness, enjoying themselves as if there was no tomorrow. The Son was playing drums, the son-in-law was singing, and the father was dancing drunk.

Epic.

The wholesome sight made me laugh my heartily.

Suddenly, the thought of my family crossed my mind, and my smile drooped.

Inhaling a deep breath, I got up and left the place to get back to my duty. I wanted to talk to the king again, but I didn't think it was of any use.

Honestly, I was on the verge of giving up on the idea of having the throne and ruling and all. But the way Nandani said that she was ready to spend her life with me, even in a small cottage, gave me the courage to fight for us and make things right.

Reaching the chamber, I retired the other soldiers and took my place to guard the doors.

After a while, the chamber doors opened, and I turned around to see why the king was still awake. But, as soon as my sight fell on Nandani, I lost it.

“What the heck are you doing here?” I shouted, and she steppedout, closing the door behind her while muttering in a sultry tone.“Do not scream, his majesty has just slept.”

As soon as I heard her say that, I clamped her throat and pushed her against the wall. She calling him King was enough to ignite the anger in me.

“What are you doing here, Nandani?” I clenched my jaw to control my fury.

I wanted to believe that this was all a joke, that it wasn't what I thought it was. However, the way she was panting, her flushed cheeks, and her heart beating loudly suggested otherwise.

My insides stiffened; the thought of something happening between her and that man made me shake with immense ire. I wanted the answer to be‘nothing’. But—

“What do you think the king and I were doing in the middle of the night, right before the day of our wedding?” she counter-questioned. She was choking for air, but the assertiveness in her words spoke to how serious she was.

My grip tightened around her neck, and the rage surging inside me clouded my thoughts. It was unbearable for me to contain my anger any longer, but her eyes staring back at me prevented me from doing anything that would harm her.

My emotions were all over the place. Pain, anger, and hurt all made me so restless; I was in a frenzy.

“Don't you dare…. Don't you dare say that,” I said calmly, hoping she would start laughing and tell me this was all a silly prank.

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