As she sat on the couch to read it, her eyes brimmed with tears that streamed down her cheeks. A wide smile lingered on her lips.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, and she looked at me, smiling and nodding.
“Yes, yes!”
I smiled back, sitting beside her.
She finished reading the letter, rolled it, and hugged it closer to her heart before asking,“How are you?”
Her voice made me lower my gaze, and I intertwined my fingers and shook my head.
“Something happened,” I stated, and she took my hand in hers.
“What?”
I lifted my gaze to meet hers.
“Since you’re going to be my wife, I think you should know that…” I gulped nervously.
“What?”
“Um… three weeks ago, I found out that one of our attendants was taken captive for self-demolition following her husband’s death,”
“Oh,” she said with wide eyes.
“You saved her, right?” She asked, and I nodded again.
“I did, but...” I drawled, comprehending how to say it. “… to protect her, I had to pretend... that I’m marrying her and...”
“Ohhh,” she looked at me, astonished.
“You married her?” She asked, and I opened my mouth to explain.
“Not entirely…” I exclaimed.“I mean, I applied my blood... in the parting of her hair so her people wouldn’t burn her alive, giving her a chance to live.”
She stared at me in shock, and I waited blankly for her response.
She shifted her gaze from me, gulping nervously.“You know... none of our kingdoms can find out about this,”
I nodded and palmed my face.“I really had no option, Rashmika. Nothing else came to mind,” I tried to explain.
“So, that means I’m going to be your second wife…?” she asked, and I bit my lips nervously and was confused.
“Our alliance was arranged first, but the ritual took place with her first... I don’t know who is first and who is second,” I said, and she chuckled.
“Wow, you’re lucky. You’re going to have two people in your life,” she said, giving me a side-eye.
“And not someone real,” I added, looking down with a deep inhale, remembering how my life would be until I die in some war or battle. Empty.
She smiled at me and caressed my hand.
“I hope you’re not angry about it,” I asked, and she shook her head.
“I’m glad you saved her.” She said, smiling weakly.“How’s she doing? Is she alright after that?” she asked, and I clicked my tongue and shook my head.
“Not really. I think she’s having nightmares, and she’s not smiling as she used to,” I said.
“Oh, smiling?” she immediately responded.“You’re noticing her?” She teased, and I shook my head.
