“What did you feed him?” she asked slowly.
Suddenly, Princess Rudraja squealed and crawled toward me with a wide grin. I scooped her up into my arms.
“You’ll ruin your clothes, Princess,” I said.
I glanced at Nandani, who was walking toward Ranaji and Princess Aishwarya, laughing along with Prince Ranvijay.
Princess Rudraja tried to climb into my lap, pressing against my chest to lift herself. I reached to help her, but she shook her head and attempted to climb on her own.
I laughed, and then noticed Kunwar-sa watching me.
“Ouch!” A sharp, sudden pain shot through me as Princess Rudraja had bitten me hard.
She giggled, showing her teeth. The bite was so brutal that tears welled in my eyes, yet in front of everyone, I couldn’t even cover myself with my hands.
“Rudraja!” Nandani, upon noticing my quiet scream, lifted the little girl into her arms.
“Kahaan kaata isne, Suman?”“Where did she bite you, Suman?”Nandani asked, narrowing her eyes in a mixture of anger and scolding.
“Kahin nahin,”“Nowhere.” I muttered, shaking my head, trying to regain my composure.
Kunwar-sa winked, giving me a triumphant smirk. I swallowed hard and walked toward the inner chamber to escape the chaos.
Stepping inside, I let the tears fall freely and cupped my chest, sinking onto the couch.
I hate her teeth.
I lowered my head to my knees.
Suddenly, he called softly“What happened?”
His voice carried a hint of amusement. I didn’t lift my face. He wouldn’t like seeing me cry over a baby bite.
“Nothing,” I managed, hearing his footsteps drawing closer.
“Hey, love, are you okay?” He knelt before me, and I finally lifted my gaze to meet his.
“I hate you,” I muttered.
He smiled, biting his lip, and murmured,“I didn’t ask her to do that.”
I nodded.“Yes, I know.”
He chuckled, and I clenched my fists; it hurt badly.
“Kunwar-sa—” an attendant’s voice interrupted us.“Rani-sa says everyone is waiting for you two for the royal dinner,” she informed him.
He nodded.“We’ll be there soon,” he said, glancing at me again.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered. I looked into his innocent eyes.
“It’s okay. You should change,” I said, brushing rose petals off his cheek. A slight smile lifted my face.
He stood and walked toward the bathroom. I continued massaging my chest to ease the sting until he returned, dressed in the plain attire he usually wore at night.
“Are you ready?” he asked, and I exhaled deeply.
“Yes,” I nodded. He stepped closer and sat beside me.
