“Yes, everything’s fine,” I assured him and saw Aishwarya Bhabhi-sa approaching us.
“Pranaam, Bhabhi-sa,” I said, and she joined her hands, placing the breakfast plate on the table before sitting on the couch across from us.
“Pranaam, Devar-sa, how are you?” she asked, then added,“Where did you go after the ceremony?”
I chuckled and replied,“Nowhere, you know me.”
She laughed.“Of course, of course, but you know your fiancée was here; you should have been with her,” she said, and I smiled, trying to appear flushed.
“Ji, Bhabhi-sa,” I said, unable to come up with anything else.
Suddenly, I felt Bhai-sa’s hand on my shoulder and looked at him.
He smiled and said,“Aishwarya, I think I left my books open; would you check?”
“Ji, Hukum,” Bhabhi-sa smiled and walked away.
“What’s going on?” he asked, looking at me.
“It’s getting serious,” I said.
He gulped, understanding what I meant, already knowing where I had been.“To what extent?”
“Very serious. They have cannons, and they’re planning to use them against us. Abhinandan mentioned that more kingdoms could be involved in this,” I explained, and he inhaled deeply.
“Maybe,” I nodded, listening to him, and he asked,“What's a cannon?”
I inhaled sharply and briefly explained everything I had seen, causing him to lower his gaze.
“I believe it’s time to take this matter to Bhai-sa,” he said, and I nodded.
“Yes, it’s time.”
We both stood up and walked towards Bhai-sa’s chamber. My gaze fell on Suman with the baby, strolling with her in the sunlight.
As soon as she saw me, she averted her eyes. I walked closer to Bhai-sa.
“Oh, Rahu-Ketu38together today?” he asked as he sat on the couch.
“Suman, where’s my princess?” he said, looking at Suman as she walked closer and handed him the sleeping baby in his arms.
He sat in the sunlight, and we sat across from him on the couch.
“Pranaam, Bhai-sa,” I said, looking at him as he freed the princess’s small hands from the fabric, allowing her to swing.
I smiled as he caressed her cheek to wake her up.
“Rudraja, my princess, look who’s here to meet you? Both your Kaako-sa,” he said, and she yawned, opened her big eyes, and smiled at him.
She cooed at him, and her sweet voice filled my ears. I didn’t know why, but seeing her, I felt she didn’t deserve this. She shouldn’t have to lose any of her family to these senseless wars, nor should any child.
She began playing with Bhai-sa’s neckpiece, and he turned his attention to us.
“So, what brings you here this morning?” he asked, and I inhaled sharply.
“Bhai-sa, we need to tell you something,” I said, and he furrowed his brows.
“Is Mehrangarh planning against us?” he asked, and my eyes widened in shock.
