“Kunwar Agastya,” a voice from the outside interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to face him.“Commander Eklavya is here to see you.” I nodded before he left.
I rushed to finish my bath, concentrating on the critical matters ahead. After getting ready, I stepped out and noticed Eklavya waiting for me in the guest chamber.
“Kunwar Agastya,” he said, standing up with a bow as I approached him.
“Is everything ready?” I asked, and he nodded. I mentally reviewed my checklist.
The gifts, the soldiers, and Eklavya.
“Did you test it?” he asked, and I nodded slightly.
“It’s working, but I’m not sure exactly how we can use it,” I admitted, and he furrowed his brow before speaking after a brief pause.
“Several people have noticed the commander of Mehrangarh in the brothels. Perhaps we should allot some spies there. He knows what’s happening, and I think they may also know how to exploit it.” He suggested, and I nodded, considering his words.
“Then we should focus on extracting yellow crystals from Songarh,” I suggested, and he agreed.
“There’s only one issue: we need to appoint someone trustworthy in Mehrangarh to monitor them,” he said, and I smiled slightly.
“That’s why I’m taking you there,” I said, wrapping my arm around his shoulder as we walked toward the palace’s main door.
“What do you mean?” he asked, confused.
“I’ve asked Rudra Bhai-sa to assign you as my fiancé’s bodyguard so you can watch over the palace,” I explained.
He arched his brow.“Why would they agree to that?”
Smiling, I replied,“Because I care about my future wife,”
He smirked a bit.“Caring? Really?” he teased, and I playfully punched his abs.
“Agastya,” Rudra Bhai-sa’s voice caught my attention, pulling my gaze from Eklavya to him.
He walked up to us.“All set?” he asked, resting his hand on my shoulder, and I nodded.
“Yes, I’m excited to go to the Ganguar15festival,” I lied.
He smiled before turning to Eklavya.“And you, the gift?” he asked.
Eklavya smiled and nodded.“Yes, Ranaji, all set.”
“Remember, no blunders, no fights, no actions—just information,” he reminded us. He was aware of our concerns about a war approaching our doorstep.
Eklavya and I shared a glance before nodding in acknowledgement.
“Yes, Bhai-sa,”
“Yes, Ranaji,”
He inhaled deeply, looking at both of us.“If anything happens to any of you. I will bring you both back to life and kill you with my own hands,” he threatened with love, and I nodded silently.
“Come here,” he said, hugging us and patting the back of my neck.“All the best! And Agastya, try to spend some time with your would-be wife,” he said, and I inhaled deeply.
“What will I do after the wedding, then? There’s plenty of time to enjoy,” I said, and he gave me a dissatisfied look, which made me smile.“Fine… I will.”
He nodded, and I looked at the attendants, taking the necessary things to the convoy waiting at the palace’s main entrance.
“We should leave now,” I said, and we both walked toward our horses’stable to begin our journey to Mehrangarh. Rudra Bhai-sa saw us off.
