Page 41 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“We should get inside,” Suman said, and we both got up.

Returning to my chamber, I took a quick bath and offered my prayers to God. Once I finished, I heard a loud knock at my door and walked to open it. I frowned as I looked at my mother, who was panting heavily.

“What happened? You seem in a haste,” I asked. Stepping inside, she immediately locked the door.

“The king,” she huffed, and I waited for her to talk further. She inhaled deeply and said,“The king had to leave.” I looked at her, dumbfounded.

“What???” she nodded.“Where? Why? What happened? Is everything okay?” I asked altogether

“I don't know,” she said,“but it seemed important; that speaks for the way he had to leave in the middle of the night.”

“And, the wedding?” I instantly questioned, and she sighed.“He said he'll be back for the wedding and asked us not to worry.”

No… no, that… that didn’t sound right. Why did that make me feel so anxious? He did say he'd be back. But… where was Rudra? And where did the king have to go? There were so many doubts in my mind.

“So now?” I asked her, and she narrowed her eyes to nothing like she was contemplating what to say.

A few moments later, making a face, she said,“Well, I hope for him never to make it back, and be gone forever.” I glared at her, and she asked,“What?? Your little fantasy, is it not over yet?”

“It is not my fantasy. It's the best thing to do,” I muttered, annoyed. She sighed and looked at me seriously.

“Nandani, can I ask you something?” I nodded, and she asked me in a slow voice.“What if Rudra kidnapped him? I mean, he was planning to abduct you.” The moment she voiced her assumption, my eyes bulged out of my sockets in shock.

He was not planning to kidnap me, but the king. But wait—

“But the king left us with the message. Was it a letter or did he say it in person?” I asked.

“He said it in person to your father,” she replied, and I sighed in relief.

“Now, that means we should wait for him and continue with the wedding preparations. Because I don't think Rudra will create obstacles anymore,”

Knitting her brows together, she asked,“How are you so sure?” I bit my lower lip nervously and muttered in a soft tone.“That's a secret,” She looked at me suspiciously.

“What did you do?” she questioned cautiously.

“Nothing, I swear, nothing, trust me,” I rambled almost immediately.

Looking at me with uncertainty, she exclaimed,“Alright, now you better get ready because all this decoration and all thisexcitement will be ruined before you even know it.” She chuckled at the end, and I didn't know why, but something felt strange.

Was shehiding something?

?? ? ? ?

? Rudra ?

It was wrecking—her walking stealthily out of my uncle's chamber. That sight anguished me, immensely.

I wanted to scream… scream my lungs out because I couldn't take it anymore. I had no words to explain the depth of my pain. My heart throbbed heavily, as if someone were stabbing it repeatedly with all their might.

That image—the state she was in—yes, it hurt me more than I could imagine.

How could she... How could she stoop so low for revenge? She slept with an old man to teach me a lesson? Was she that desperate? Why so much vengefulness?

I fled out of the palace premises and marched to where my horse was.

Her actions infuriated me. But I was beyond angry at that old man because he knew… he knew I was into that girl, yet he decided to marry her, and…. What man would sleep with a girl who was in love with his nephew?

Bastard! I would never spare him for that, ever. He would pay for it.

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