Page 142 of Sumanika

The sunlight felt different when I opened my eyes and got out of bed. After a bath, I focused on not thinking about him as I attended to my morning routine.

Once dressed, I headed to Nandani's chamber and found her with the Princess. She swallowed hard at the sight of me and asked, just like the day before,

"Everything okay? Suman?"

I nodded, put on a smile, and started organizing her chamber, putting everything in its place.

"Yes, everything’s fine," I replied, inhaling deeply before sitting beside her.

"Nandani, I was considering going with Daadisa to Mahabaleshgarh for a bit. She seems happy with me," I started, but she narrowed her brows and responded,

"But Daadisa is staying here with us. I told you; you know she didn’t leave with Nandan."

I stared at her blankly, unable to recall when she had mentioned it. I didn’t know what to say.

"Oh, okay," I mumbled and nodded.

"I should check what breakfast is today," I added and walked to the kitchen. Something felt off, but I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. I didn’t want to see him. An unknown weight sat heavily on my chest, along with a hint of regret for saying things he didn’t want to hear.

But he was cheating on me. Just that morning, we had been together in his bathing pool, holding hands and sharing our feelings, and by the end of the day, he was in his chamber with Princess Rashmika, hugging her.

How could he do that? Especially knowing how much it hurt me.

I sighed deeply and tasted the food to check the spice levels and quality before plating it for everyone.

I didn’t check or inquire about his plate; there were plenty of attendants to take care of him.

After breakfast, I spent the afternoon with Nandani, who attempted to engage me in conversation, aware of what was happening. However, noticing my silence, she held back. I didn’t want to discuss it with anyone.

In the evening, I checked on dinner preparations, and afterward, I returned to my room to sleep. It felt good. I hadn’t seen him, hadn’t gone to his chamber, hadn’t tried to find him, or thought about him.

It was good for both of us, especially for me. I didn’t want to hurt myself.

I woke up the next day and resumed my chores. The day was brighter than the last, yet deep down, I longed to see him. I waited for him to come to me, to argue with me, to talk to me. But ignoring him felt better; I sighed and focused on my tasks.

The day passed similarly: helping Nandani, meeting Daadisa, who tried to introduce me to another man, urging me to settle down. I told her I was content as I was.

But I wasn’t sure if I was truly happy.

I went to bed at night, and several days passed like that. I avoided his chamber, didn’t check on his meals, and refrained from any actions that might lead me to him.

After a week, on a fine morning, while overseeing breakfast preparations in the kitchen, I noticed the attendants arranging everyone's plates.

I checked each plate, as I often did during surprise inspections.

Yet something felt off.

"Wait," I halted all the attendants and scanned their faces holding plates before me.

Ranaji's, Nandani's, Prince Ranvijay's, Princess Aishwarya's, Daadisa's, the head commander’s, and other royals—all their plates were ready.

"Where is Kunwar Agastya's plate?" I asked, looking at the attendants. One stepped forward, delivering news that twisted my heart.

"He hasn’t been in the Kingdom for over a week now."

"What?" My brows furrowed in disbelief.

"What do you mean?" I pressed on, feeling my fingers grow cold.

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