She held my hands, calming herself before speaking.
“I’m not sure if I should tell you, but I saw Kunwar Agastya talking to a princess—a really beautiful princess,” she spoke carefully, hesitantly.“I mean, she was walking right by his side. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but she was too close to him.”
A sharp pang hit my chest, but I forced myself to breathe.
It must be something else important.
“And… I think they went toward his chamber.”
I stood up immediately, hearing that.“What?”
She nodded.
“Come with me.”
We walked quickly, taking heavy, long steps. Once reached, I told the guards not to announce my arrival.
Stepping inside, I saw him seated with food before him. Opposite him sat a princess on the other couch.
“I’m sorry,” she said, too sweet, almost sensually.“I didn’t realise how much I hurt you.”
As I took steps further inside, I heard him reply,“That’s alright. You made your choice. You shouldn’t be apologetic now.”
I remembered she could be the one who had once hurt him.
“No, Prince Agastya,” came her voice, almost as if she were sobbing.“I was wrong. I mean, now… I want you. After denying you, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
And that was enough.
I smiled calmly, adjusted my dupatta, and stepped forward.
“Agastya.”
He looked up, startled.
Ignoring her completely, I walked to him and sat on his lap. His lips curved into a delightful smile, and his hands instinctively came to rest on my back.
“Ugh… My entire body is aching because of you,” I teased sensually.
His teeth sank into his lower lip, and he glanced between the princess and me.
“You’re so evil. See my neck, back, and knees… everything hurts. Why are you like this, huh?” I added, embracing his neck.
He swallowed.“Princess Kshitija,” he said evenly,“this is my wife, Sumanika.”
I turned to her politely.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise someone else was here.”
She froze, then stood up quickly.
“Um… It’s okay, I… I’ll leave.”
She exited without another word.
?????
38. Agastya
