Page 140 of Sumanika

But they were determined to marry her off to some random man without a second thought. She feared she would be forced and hurt by a man, as no one would understand her.

And since I needed to enter Mehrangarh and couldn’t bear to see her sad, I agreed to marry her for convenience.

If she married me, she would come to Suryagarh and enjoy her life with her loved one.

“Hey, it’s all right. She will understand if you give her some time or explain yourself better,” I said.

Suddenly, she leaned in, and I couldn’t help but hug her. She had been there for me when I needed her the most. She was the one who helped me overcome the rejection I faced from that princess. I exhaled deeply and rubbed her shoulder to calm her down. "I don't know, Agastya. I love her. I mean, I can’t be without her," she said, and I gulped nervously, unsure of how to explain. If we win the war, I’ll ask her to stay in Suryagarh. But if we join Mehrangarh in the war, she can stay in her own kingdom, as she wishes.

"I can’t live alone, Agastya. I can’t; I love-" "Kunwarsa." When I heard Suman’s voice, my eyes widened in shock. I immediately turned to see her holding a plate of food in her hand. Rashmika straightened up and wiped her tears, too. Looking blankly into her eyes, my heart sank even deeper. After everything, this was all that was left to happen. I felt completely ruined—from all sides.

I exhaled, and she said, "Oh, I’m sorry. I brought you dinner." Before I could reply, Rashmika interrupted, "Oh, that's okay. Thank you so much." I bit my lip and silently watched her leave. Her face looked even more hurt now. I couldn’t say anything about her in front of Rashmika. I couldn’t bring any problems upon her just because of me.

"Are you having dinner now?" Rashmika asked, looking at me, and I didn't know what to say. "My dinner just left," I blurted out, and she frowned in confusion. "What?" I rolled my eyes. "I mean, my dinner is left here, on the table, by her. Yes, dinner. I'm hungry." Suddenly, I felt the urge to run.

"Oh my God. I totally forgot. Bhaisa called me. I need to talk to him. I'll see you later," I said, quickly getting up from the couch and walking out of the room. It was dark now, and I rubbed my palms together as I ran a little, trying to catch up with her. I reached out to stop her. She turned around, her angry eyes locking onto mine, and before I could grasp the situation, she pushed me away with all her strength.

"Suman," I muttered, trying to grab her hand, but she struggled to pull away. "Leave my hand!" she yelled. I quickly took her to a corner and placed my finger over her lips. "Shhh, slow down," I managed to say, but she began to pound her fists against my chest, trying to push me away.

"Hey, listen to me, Suman,” I tried to say, but she hit me hard on the chest and I was left with no choice but to hold both of her wrists and twist one of her arms behind her. "Would you please let me explain? It's not what you think," I said, but she glared at me with fiery eyes. The nearby fire torch cast dark yellow and orange shadows, tightening my chest as I looked at her furious red gaze.

She fought against me, and I stepped closer, tightening my grip on her wrists behind her back. She pressed herself against the wall, her chest rising and falling with fury, and I gulped silently before saying, "It's not what you think." She gritted her teeth, staring intensely into my eyes.

"You know what? Men like you can never be trusted. You have no control. All you want is women. If someone says no, then you wrap someone else in your arms. This is your reality, and it’s why no girl ever stays with you," she whispered fiercely, and I inhaled deeply, shaking my head.

"You're getting it all wrong, Suman. Let me explain," I tried to say, and she frowned. "Explain? Explain what? How do you explain that your fiancée was hugging you while you wrapped your arms around her when just this morning you were crying about me?" she shot back, and I gulped nervously, unsure of how to make her understand.

"She’s my friend, Suman," I said, but she interrupted. "Friend? Oh really? Lies and lies and lies. For a moment, I thought I shouldn't have said all of that to you. For a moment, I thought maybe you wouldn't hurt me. But it's not even a moment since I found you getting romantic with your fiancée."

"It wasn't romance, Suman," I tried to explain, but she stared deep into my eyes. "Stop lying. You think you’re a prince, that you can get everything, and just because you saved me, you can say I’m falling for you and use me just like you’ve always done. You are completely mistaken."

"So do you," I couldn't help but raise my voice. It hurt even more. Did I trust the wrong person with all of this? "You are ruining my life. You're making me insane with your words, actions, and presence. You're driving me mad. You're pulling me toward you when I don't want to. I can't stand you!"

Her tear-filled eyes locked onto mine, and I loosened my grip. "You're misunderstanding everything. Please, trust me and let me explain," I pleaded, but she gritted her teeth. "Trust you? I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

"So, it doesn't matter what I say?" I asked, my brows furrowed in confusion as she inhaled sharply.

“You think I’m a fool. You thought, Oh, she’s hurt. I can win her over with my charm. You’re wrong, Kunwar Agastya Dev Singh. You proved me right in just one day. What you say doesn’t matter because I now know who you are—a coward who sleeps with women to feel better about himself. I will never be that woman. Let go of my hand,” she raised her voice at me, and I felt the anger and hurt boiling up inside me all at once.

"Oh," I tried not to say anything. She pushed me away.

“I really hope you didn’t save me that day,” she muttered angrily, and I nodded silently, watching her walk away.

Anger fumed within me, and I slammed my fist into the wall, causing the knuckles of my wounded hand to bleed.

Suman

I walked away from him. Far, very far.

A part of me was breaking. My feet shook, and I could not trudge. I felt as if something had drained all my strength.

My wrists throbbed from his tight and painful grip. What once felt beautiful now seemed like a mistake.

Why, God?

Why did you bring him into my life only to cause me more pain? Why did you save me if your only intention was to make me suffer? Why did he have to betray me like that?

He nearly confessed his love for me, instantly pulling Princess Rashmika into his arms. How could he be so heartless?

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