Page 73 of Sumanika

And suddenly, my gaze landed on him as he walked toward us with Princess Rashmika. He chuckled a bit in response to something she said, and his eyes met mine. I quickly scanned the room to locate him in his seat. There was only one.

Nandani was busy with the chanting and Aahutis, so I shifted back and cleared the place for them. They both walked closer and took their places behind Nandani. I sat behind them withDaadisa,Ranima, QueenTrisha, KingAbhinandan, and their two-year-old twin boy, who were actively trying to chew each other's fingers.

She looked happy with her grandsons. Although it was hard for her to be separated from KingRajvardhan, they brought light to their lives. It felt as if they lost one and gained two. Still, no one could take his place in their hearts.

I watched PrincessRashmikasmile atKunwar Agastya, and my heart ached at the sight of her touching his arm as he smiled back.

I didn’t understand how these two had nothing for each other. They seemed happy together and didn’t appear to hate one another. Honestly, PrincessRashmikalooked like such a sweet girl; she was beautiful and bubbly.

I couldn’t hear what they were discussing, and suddenly the priest stopped chanting and said,“Now, you can choose a name for the baby. According to the movements of the stars and the time of birth, it is advisable to keep her name starting with‘R.’”

A smile appeared on my face, and I looked atNandani, turning toKunwar Agastyawith a smile.

"Kya naam socha hai aapne, Devarsa,""What do you have in mind?" His lips widened with a smile, and he suggested.

“Daughter ofRudra,Rudraja, the Goddess, fearless, Queen of Queens, and pride ofSuryagarh,” he said, and I could sense how much he loved her already; he became slightly emotional.

“Beautiful name,” she said, and I looked atRanaji, who asked,“Don’t you want your name in her name? I mean, why just mine?”

“It’s a beautiful name,Bhaisa,” PrinceRanvijaysaid, andNandanismiled.

“Exactly, it’s a beautiful name, and she already has my name,” she said, as Ranaji furrowed his brows.Ranimaadded,“RajfromRajNandani. Moreover, the lineage she carries in her blood is so powerful that she doesn’t need any introduction.”

Nandani nodded, listening to her, and Ranaji nodded, too.

“Alright then,Rudraja—PrincessRudraja—what aboutRudrani?” he asked, as the priest shook his head.“Rudrani can be a name for Rudra’s spouse. Since your name is Rudra, only Princess Nandani can be called Rudrani, not your daughter.”

He nodded, and Kunwar Asgatya smiled.“I did my research,”

I could not help but smile. PrincessRudrajawas already a blessed and loved child of northern Hind. But, no one dared to call her by her name because no one except Nandani could call Ranaji by his name, and since his name is in her name, no one called her by her name either.

The naming ceremony came to a beautiful end with the distribution ofprasadto everyone. Everyone was happy and showered the Princess with countless gifts.

Princess Ranvijay and Princess Aishwarya went to oversee the donations for the villagers while I returned to Nandani’s chamber; however, Daadisa stopped me.

“Suman,” Daadisa’s voice pulled me in, making me stop in my tracks. Her smile filled me with a sense of dread, and I swallowed nervously.

“Daadisa,” I forced a smile.

“Come with me,” she said, holding my hand and pulling me along. I looked around for someone who could save me from her. But my unfortunate fate felt overwhelming, as everyone else was too busy with their own work.

She led me to her chamber, and I watched as she lingered with her wooden cane. Then she smiled at me and said,“These attendants will help you take a bath and get dressed. You look tired.”

I looked at a group of attendees and tried to shake my head slowly.

“But Daadisa, I think I look fine. I mean, why change my clothes and take a bath?” I tried to maintain a broad smile on my face to appear happy.

“Why not? Your marriage is my responsibility, and I will fulfill it with the utmost care. I want you to look beautiful, like someone never before seen,” she said, and I lowered my gaze. If I did that, Kunwar Agastya would get angry since he clearly asked me not to go to Mahabaleshgarh, and if I didn’t do it, Daadisa would be hurt. She would think I didn’t trust her. I didn’t want to break her heart, but it felt dangerous. I couldn’t hurt either of them, especially Daadisa.

“Okay,” I said, managing a smile.

I watched attendees approach, and I couldn’t resist going into her chamber. My heart raced as soon as I entered the bathroom. The scent of bathing oils filled my nostrils, making me feel weak in my knees.

“You should change into this,” a fellow attendee’s voice caught my attention as I looked at her, holding a bathing dress in her hands. I gulped silently, taking it from her hands and nodding as I walked behind the changing area. Thoughts of him clouded my mind against my will. The way he rolled his eyes before the ceremony made it clear how annoyed he already was. And if he ever finds out about this, he might get mad.

However, he was never my husband. He remained Princess Rashmika’s fiancé, and there was no reason to go against Daadisa.

I sighed deeply with frustration, removed my dupatta, blouse, and skirt, and wrapped the bathing cloth around my bosom, which reached my thighs.

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