Page 88 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

I was clearly crestfallen that I couldn’t grasp his underlying intentions, but I was also happy that he loved me now. The absurdity of our situation was that I could comprehend his circumstances even though he had deceived me and resented my parents.

He grew up in an environment completely different from mine, and I could tell just by looking at him that he had been burdened with responsibilities from a very young age. I’d never seen him laugh freely, enjoy life, or have a good time like a normal person. He’d either talk about politics, his responsibilities toward the kingdom, or some profound philosophies.

But even though I had witnessed remorse on his face, I still couldn’t bring myself to forget everything and move on after his actions. No love, no emotion, and no apologies could undo what my parents endured because of a flawed upbringing.

My mother always told me that children are like wet soil, and parents are like potters. They shape that clay into a fine, glazed object. One wrong move could leave a bad impression.

Yet I couldn't hate him for that. Never.

Because he was making efforts to change, to open up, and, most of all, he accepted me the way I was—undignified. However, I still found it difficult to adapt to his anger, values, and beliefs.

I held no personal grudges against him practicing celibacy, but it saddened me greatly every time I saw him forgoing the pleasures of life. He had seen thirty summers and was at the age when people were meant to take the most delight in life.

But I couldn’t understand what else he wanted. All his life, he had worked hard enough, straining himself and sacrificing his joys to become a king. Yet now that he had become a king, why wasn’t he easing himself a little from all the hassle? How could it be beneficial if the privilege of being a king did not bring him happiness?

And I resented the fact that he strived so hard to become a king just to avenge his father’s death. The father, about whom he knew nothing, and I didn’t know what kind of reaction to expect from him once he discovered the reality—the truth of his father and the woman he called his Maasi maa.

He despised lies and liars. Regardless of the circumstance, he remained truthful, even if the truth might cost him his life. I was concerned about his possible emotional reaction when he discovered that the entire story of his upbringing, beliefs, and sacrifices was based on a lie.

I absolutely despised the sight of him suffering and in pain. That was the very reason I didn’t want him to continue with celibacy; if it hurt me so much, I couldn’t imagine how much it would hurt him.

My whole day passed while taking a stroll around the palace with Suman. I visited the soldiers, met Badimaa, and stopped by the servants’quarters to listen to the royal household staff’s needs and complaints.

I asked Suman to note everything, and in the evening, we both prepared a detailed report on all the changes needed in the servant’s quarters. Later, I documented the report chronologically on paper scrolls to officially communicate it with Ranaji.

Once we were done, I told Suman to take a rest. When she was about to leave, she paused and said,“Oh, Nandani! I forgot to tell you something.” I furrowed my brows and asked,“What is it?” She looked at me, surprised, and asked,“Don't you know what happened in the courtroom today?”

I had no clue what she was talking about, so I asked,“No. What happened?”

Coming closer, she sat beside me and said,“In today’s meeting,the king of Songarh has put forth a condition to accept a peace treaty with Suryagarh.” My heart suddenly dropped at this information, and I immediately asked,“What condition?”

“He has proposed Prince Ranjvijay's alliance with one of his daughters,” the news left me completely taken aback.

“Really? And what did Ranaji and Devarsa say?”

“Ranaji was about to say something, but Prince Ranvijay accepted the proposal, considering the peace of Suryagarh and its people.” She filled me in on the details, and I let out a heavy sigh.

A political marriage!

“Alright. You go. I’ll talk to Devarsa about it.” Once she left, I stepped out for some air. I looked at the sky, as dark as my perplexed mind at the moment. My stomach suddenly rumbled. It was almost dinnertime, so I called for an attendee to ask about Ranaji's whereabouts.

“Ranisa, Ranaji is having dinner with Prince Ranvijay and Prince Agastya. He told me to inform you.” I nodded, and, bowing, he left.

After dinner in my chamber, I removed all my jewellery and moved to the courtyard. Lying the mattress on the floor, I lay down after a long day.

I distractedly played with the end of my braid, reflecting on the events of the past few days, gazing at the stars shining brightly, like hope in the night sky. After much tossing and turning, I finally dozed off and fell asleep.

Suddenly, in the middle of the night, I felt a hand draped around my waist from behind. Even though I was half-asleep, I could recognize his scent. I turned to face him and rested my head on his chest. His warmth was much more effective than what I got from the quilt. I felt him stroking my head and soon fell asleep again.

?? ? ? ?

The following day, I woke up late, with harsh sun rays seeping into my eyes. Sighing in annoyance, I opened my eyes as the bright light shattered my trance of sleep.

I turned around to find an empty space, with only his kurta lying on the floor beside me.

Sitting up, I pinned my hair in a bun and held the kurta close to my chest. Bringing it near my nose, I took a deep sniff. His natural, musky, and warm scent wafted into my mind and stirred myemotions. I could feel him through it.

I sighed, relaxedly, a slight smile etched on my face.

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