I moistened my lower lip with my tongue and asked,“Okay, what do you want to say?”
He took my hand in his.
“I don’t want you to feel scared all the time,” he replied, caressing my fingers.“You shouldn’t be constantly worried about what you have to do. Just do whatever you want; don’t overwork yourself. You’re already doing a lot.”
I sat silently, gulping.
“Kunwar-sa, you’re saying this because… because we have this relation. You wouldn’t have noticed me if that incident hadn’t occurred. This shift in feelings is only because we are bound to each other now.” I said
He shook his head.
“It’s not like that, Suman.” His shoulders sagged as he sighed.
“Yes, it is because we’re connected.” Inhaling deeply, he added,“If I say I don’t want you to work, it means I don’t want you to work. End of discussion.”
I gaped at him, for a moment, and I was too shocked and angry to speak.
“You can’t tell me I can’t work. That’s not your place,” I asserted, and he shook his head.
“I said, end of the discussion, Suman,” he stated, and I rose from the bed.
“I’m not done talking,” he gritted, and I shook my head.
“But I’m done talking,” I retorted, turning to him.“You can go wherever you want; do I say anything? No. You flirt with Princess Rashmika right in front of me. Do I say anything? No. You can call me at night if you’d like; do I say anything? No. You watch me change without my knowledge; do I say anything? No,”
He stared at me silently for a moment.
“And you do not even listen to me,” I said, clenching my fists, and he lowered his gaze.
“Alright, I’m sorry. Just do what you want; go ahead,”
I furrowed my brows. I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn’t. It was impossible.
I looked at him, stunned, as he rose from the bed, yanked the bedsheet off, handed it to me, and said,“This is dirty.”
He departed, going to another part of the chamber.
I sighed in frustration, threw the bedsheet on his bed, and walked away.
He couldn’t determine what to do or what not to do simply because his feelings were shifting. Also, why did he think that staying home was derogatory? Making a home was one of the most challenging jobs. Raising children and having a peaceful home were areas where many struggled.
This palace was mine as much as his. I have worked here for the last four years, and even if I had become his wife under different circumstances, I would still work hard for the kingdom. He didn’t give me these lovely people, but this kingdom, and no work, was less important.
Every person has different work, and all contributions are commendable in their own way.
I exhaled deeply, walked out of his chamber, and returned to Nandani, where I found her feeding the baby princess.
I smiled, looking at her.
“How did it go?” she asked, caressing the baby’s head, and I nodded lightly.
“Good,”
She smiled and patted my hand when I sat beside her on the bed.
“So, let’s start again,” she said.“How did it go?”
I looked at her.“It’s bad. He wants me to stop working and gain weight,” I remarked, unsure of what else to do besides work.
