Page 59 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“No, I was in the library,” She pursed her lips.

“Sorry, I didn't know that. Are you hungry? Should I go and get food?” I shook my head.

“It's late already. I don't think it is appropriate for you to wanderaround. Where is Ranaji, by the way? Did you ask someone?”

She nodded, answering,“I asked about him in the evening. They said he went out of the palace for some work.” I lowered my eyes and furrowed my brows, guessing where he could've gone.

“Do you, by any chance, have an idea where he went?” She shook her head and retorted,“No, and I don't think he will return this late at night.” I nodded and told her to go to bed since it was already past sleep time. She left for her room, and I went to the courtyard.

I was waiting for him, looking at the bright moon in the sky and the trees in the garden swirling with the gentle night breeze. The chirps of the insects in the hushed night were calming yet eerie.

I was frightened, alone in the huge chamber, in the gigantic palace, and above all, I didn’t know where he was or when he'd be back.

Accompanied by the silence, staring at the infinite stars, I lay on the carpeted floor. Because I knew that wherever he would be, he must be sleeping on the floor or maybe awake, doing something.

I didn't know when I fell asleep on an empty stomach.

?? ? ? ?

The sweet noise of birds chirping woke me up, and I sleepily looked at the sky at dawn. I turned around to see if he had come, but the cold carpets said otherwise.

I felt dejected. Clearly, he didn't care about me. This explains why he didn't tell me where he was going. The uncertainty of not knowing where he went or where he was made my heart sink.

How could he do that? I understood that there were many issues that required his full attention, but this was unacceptable. How could he leave me alone in the palace without informing me?

I got up, but suddenly a stabbing pain erupted in my back, forcing me to sit down. Tears brimmed in my eyes, and I couldn't even understand why I was crying. I was hurt and angry, and my back felt damaged.

Wiping my face, I stood up and went to the bathroom. By the time I finished taking a bath, the sun had risen. When I returned to the sleeping chamber, I spotted the attendants arriving to do their daily chores.

However, I sent them all back.

I was annoyed and angry, and whenever I felt this way, I wouldstart working until my mind shifted away from the cause of my fury.

I dusted the entire chamber, cursing him in my mind. Every nook and corner was cleaned. I asked the attendants to bring me additional sets of curtains, pillow covers, couch covers, and bed sheets, which I changed with their help. I even had the carpets and mats replaced.

By the end of the day, I was exhausted, yet my anger still hadn't subsided, and my back pain only worsened.

After washing up in the late evening, I lay on the bed, covering myself with the comforter so I wouldn't yell at anyone.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

He still had not returned. Lying in bed, I sobbed, feeling my energy drain away.

I hate him. I hate him so much.I keptranting in my mind.

?? ? ? ?

? Rudra ?

“R

anaji, his condition is getting worse,” the physician who was aiding all the wounded soldiers informed me.“The cuts are too deep and the infection he has caught from the blade, I'm afraid, has spread to his other body parts,” he added.

After meeting her, I went to see the soldiers. Many of them recovered quickly, while some were in critical condition, and I was genuinely concerned about their well-being.

“Do whatever you can, just save him.”

He shook his head in disappointment and replied,“I am sorry, Ranaji, but his body is not responding to our treatment.” I pursed my lips as I looked at the unconscious soldier lying on the cot.

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