Page 60 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

I had to save him. Until his heart was beating, we had a chance to save him.

The higher-ranking officials of the royal entourage, including the head advisor and the royal physician, had left the kingdom after the battle. The widows of my cousins were in their maternal homes and would return to Suryagarh at any time.

No one knew about what happened here. However, I was certain that as soon as the old king began sending letters to the neighbouring kingdoms to solicit support, our problems would escalate.

Before that, I had to reinstate the royal entourage in its entirety, comprising all the higher officials. I also had to ensure that we had a well-established defence system internally from the soldiers’side. For this, I considered appointing my younger brother as the head commander of the army.

I lifted that soldier in my arms and asked a guard to bring me my horse to the palace’s main entrance.

Taking him to my Guruji38was the only option left. He was one of the best physicians I knew. He would treat even the most critical cases with his analytical abilities and intellect.

Covering him with a cloth, I carried him to the entrance and settled him on my horse's back. I mounted, holding the reins, and immediately rode to my Guruji. I arrived by evening and called for him, standing outside the cottage.

“Guruji,” He came out, opening the door.

“Rudra! What happened? What happened to him?” he looked at me, perplexed. I stepped inside the cottage and laid him on the mat on the floor.

“He is wounded; please treat him.”

“How did he get these wounds?” he asked. I gulped and replied,“In a sword fight.” He removed his bandages and further inquired,“What sword fight?” I sat beside him.

“Bring me that green paste,” he said, and I immediately walked towards his small wooden almirah. Scanning the containers of all medicinal herbs, I asked,“Which one?”

“The one at the top shelf, third bottle,” He directed, keeping his eyes on the soldier, and I fetched the bottle for him. He began cleaning his wounds and asked me,“How are you? You came to meet me after so long,”

I blinked nervously because I didn't know how to tell him about everything I did. My conscience wouldn't allow me to hide or lie.

“Guruji, I have something to tell you,” he nodded, telling me to go on while he focused on the wounds. I braced myself and finally revealed the truth,“I attacked Suryagarh.”

He looked at me, astonished.“What??”

I nodded and went on,“Yes, I had to... I mean, I fought a battle against my soldiers,”

He gave me a fierce look.“Are you out of your mind, Rudra?”

He turned his gaze back to the soldier, and I apologised,“I am sorry, Guruji, but it was a circumstantial demand that I had to do it,” I tried to justify my point.

“This is not how you become a king,” he seethed menacingly,“Becoming a king is not just about ruling over people. Kings are the servants of their subjects. They serve people, not slaughter them,” I gulped, dropping my eyes and nodding.

“I know, Guruji, but I had no other option. I made a terrible mistake and to rectify it, I had to…. it was necessary,” I explained.

“What mistake?” he asked without looking at me. His attention was entirely on treating the soldier.

I then told him everything from the very beginning. I left nothing out: all my plans, how I tricked Nandani, how my feelings changed for her, what she did, and what I did in return. It was past midnight by the time I finished. He kept treating the soldier and waiting to see if his system responded to the medicine.

He looked furious at what I did.

“You shouldn't have involved an innocent woman in this. Never. Women are not objects; they are to be respected. How could you treat her like that? And on top of that, you married her forcibly,” he exclaimed, and I instantly retorted,“No, not forcibly, she too wanted to marry me.”

He snapped at me angrily,“Do you not know that you’re forbidden from getting close to any woman until your coronation? You worked hard for this, to earn it the right way.” I looked down in remorse, realizing I never wanted this to happen.

“I know Guruji, and I'm deeply regretful. But I didn't lose control over myself, so please guide me on the right path. And now, I am a husband, and I like her. Maybe I have even deeper feelings for her, but….” I paused, taking a deep breath.“... but every time I see her, I remember the king slept with her. Moreover, I have additional responsibilities. She is my family; hence, how can I maintain control after getting married? It’s as if I worked so hard pushing an ice block for so long, but it melted away, leaving me with nothing. I cannot hate her, I cannot love her. I can’t be close to her and cannot stay away from her,” I finished, frustrated, raking my fingers through my hair.

He stared at me silently for a few moments.

“Rudra, you’re so close to achieving your goal. You cannot lose control now,” he said,“You've put so much effort into controlling your emotions. You lived like a normal man, built your strength like a true king, and worked hard to compete with them. No one can beat you with the knowledge, skills, and power you possess. But you have made a terrible mistake; you’ve made enemies. A king does welfare for the people. The people are not for the king; a king is for the people,” he expressed, pointing his fingers at me.

“And about your wife, you've got to tell her that you cannot fulfil all your responsibilities towards her. You'll have to continue your semen retention until the Yagya. If you lose control, it will bedifficult for you to gain it all again. And trusting your wife or not is your matter. If you feel that her sleeping with someone else before marriage is a big deal, then you can make a big issue out of it. But if you think what she has done is not wrong, then you can simply live with it, moving on,” I nodded at his rationalisation.

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