Page 46 of Sumanika

I sat on the bed in front of her, and she looked at me with a somewhat tired expression.“Is everything okay, Suman?” she asked. I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t lie to anyone except her. She was the one who had always supported me.

I shook my head slowly, trying to express myself. It may have been the right thing to do. It was essential to forget whatever had happened between Kunwar Agastya and me on that cremation ground.

“What happened?” she asked, and I lowered my gaze as I replied,“I lied to you about my visit.”

She touched my hand, encouraging me to look at her.“And what was the lie?” she asked.

A single tear rolled down my cheek as I replied,“My husband… he died.” In my mind, I vividly pictured my late husband as I spoke, glancing into her eyes, which turned upset.

“Oh my God! How?” she asked, and I shook my head.

“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 makeita reality. Sharing the story of what happened afterward would complicate matters for all three of us. Those two were meant to be together.

“No, they didn’t,” I lied. She let go of the hug and stared at me, her eyes fixed on mine as she cradled my cheeks.“You are a brave girl.”

“Ranisa,” an attendee 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.

“Ranisa, it’s Prince Agastya,” the attendee said, and at that moment, my heart raced with exhilaration.

“What happened to him?” she asked.

“We don’t know,” the attendee 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 tasting 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, her frustration clear, and the attendee nodded.“Ji, Ranisa.”

She shook her head and muttered,“First Rudra, then this kingdom, and then his brother.”

I bit my lower lip and tried to say,“Umm, I will 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 favorite foods, reminding myself: ONE LAST TIME!

Agastya

She rushed out of my chamber.

A wave of suspicion and regret coursed through my nerves. 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 sweet. I furrowed my brows and lowered my gaze to the bowl. Dipping my finger again, I tasted it. It was more than perfect.

Then what 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 was not bothering her. Perhaps her dead husband’s family attempted to reach out to her.

Leaping from my couch, I hurried toward the Authority of Letters. I requested copies of all the letters we received last week. Despite reviewing each one, nothing appeared suspicious.

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