“I don’t know,” I said as she softly laid the baby on the bed and wrapped her arms around me.
“Are you okay, Suman?” she asked, rubbing my back. I nodded and closed my eyes.
“Yes, who would feel sad for a husband like that?” I said with a slight chuckle.
She patted my shoulder, saying,“I hope his family didn’t trouble you this time.”
I closed my eyes. I didn’t know why, but I sensed that revealing it to her would makeit a reality. Sharing the story of what happened afterwards would complicate matters for all three of us. Those two were meant to be together.
“No, they didn’t,” I lied.
She pulled back, her eyes fixed on mine as she cradled my cheeks.“You’re a brave girl.”
“Rani-sa,” an attendant entered, and we both turned to look at her.
“Yes?” Nandani asked, her frustration evident. Although she had already stated her desire for privacy, they had chosen not to grant it to us.
“Rani-sa, it’s Prince Agastya.” The moment the attendant mentioned him, my heart raced with exhilaration.
“What happened to him?” she asked.
“We don’t know,” the attendant said, shaking her head.“He asked for dinner, and when we went to serve it, he refused to eat and sent us back. This happened sixteen times. We tried all the dishes, and he rejected everything without even looking at them,” she explained.
I lowered my gaze, feeling a slight knot form in my stomach.
“He asked for dinner and then refused to eat sixteen times. I hope we’re only talking about one night?” Nandani asked, frustration clear, and the attendant nodded.
“Ji, Rani-sa.”
She shook her head and muttered,“First Rudra, then this kingdom, and then his brother.”
I bit my lower lip and tried to say,“Um… I’ll take care of it.”
She lifted her gaze and exhaled.
“Yes, please ask him what he wants to eat, and if he’s still acting the same, let Rudra know. I don’t have the energy to deal with his wicked games right now,” she said, and I stood up from the bed.
Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the kitchen and asked them to prepare a plate for him with all his favourite dishes, reminding myself: ONE LAST TIME!
?????
8. Agastya
When she rushed out of my chamber, a wave of suspicion and regret coursed through me.
Did I do something wrong? Was she okay?
When she brought the dinner, her face appeared slightly pale and confused. Despite feeling a ton of happiness, she seemed a bit off. Perhaps she was tired, or maybe something was wrong.
I couldn’t guess.
But yes, her expression changed when she tasted the kheer. I furrowed my brows and lowered my gaze to the bowl. Dipping my finger again, I tasted it. It was perfect.
So what had happened to her?
She appeared happy when we made the list together in the kitchen. However, her expression changed when she arrived here.
I hoped someone hadn’t bothered her. Perhaps her dead husband’s family attempted to reach out to her.
