I saw Ranaji enter the chamber, striding toward her, and instinctively took a step back.
“She said you do,” Nandani replied, slowly handing the baby to him. I watched the smile on Ranaji’s face as he cradled her in his arms. I bet, for him, everything paled compared to that feeling.
“Suman, I need to take a bath,” she said, catching my attention, and I nodded.
“I’ll get your water prepared,” I said, about to leave, but she suddenly pulled me aside.
My eyes widened in shock as I looked at her, confused.
“Did you see Rashmika?” she asked, and I shook my head.
“Why?” I asked.
She exhaled.“I don’t know…” she said, clicking her tongue.“Something feels off about her. You weren’t there when Aishwarya and I met her. She seemed so disoriented to us. I mean, what kind of princess doesn’t want to know about her husband's family and the kingdom?”
I furrowed my brows.
“What? Really?” I tried to pretend, but it was an excellent opportunity to tease her about Rashmika potentially not being a good person.
“Yeah, I don’t know, maybe it was her first time. And what kind of princess visits her in-laws before the wedding? It’s not in our culture,” she said, and I shook my head.
“I don’t know what to make of it,” I replied.“But I can keep an eye on her if you want me to.”
She nodded immediately.“That’d be perfect. You know, I couldn’t even tell Aishwarya about this.”
“But why?”
“She…” She looked like she was trying to find the right word, animating with her hands.“She doesn’t seem very perceptive when reading faces.”
“And you think I am?” I asked back.
“Huh… of course,” she said after a beat.“You understand me and my mind,”
I chuckled.
“I get you. I’ll keep an eye on her,” I confirmed, assured that Rashmika was up to something. Because while Kunwar Agastya could be mistaken, Nandani could never.
She was clever. She even brought Rana Rudra Dev Singh to his knees; she didn’t need an introduction.
“Okay,” she said, and I walked past her to prepare her bath.
After that, I went to see Daadi-sa to help her with her meals. She reminded me of the marriage, and I had no choice but to smile.
When I returned to the kitchen, I saw Kunwar Agastya walking with a beautiful woman. It was perhaps Princess Rashmika. I watched them talking about something, and I didn’t know why, but I felt a flame ignite in my heart as I observed them.
Suddenly, his gaze shifted to mine, and I froze, staring back at him.
My breath hitched, and right before Princess Rashmika could follow his gaze, I turned and sprinted away.
I didn’t want to mess it up. I had to find out what sort of poison she was.
The day concluded, and I returned to my room.
?????
The following day, I woke up early because, at last, it was the big day—the princess’s naming ceremony.
I wore a simple pale red outfit. As the widow of my late husband, I wasn’t supposed to wear vibrant colours, but this newborn princess meant so much more to me than his lifeless form. Besides, I had a new husband.
