Page 54 of Twisted Alliance

One of the Gujjar men replied. “Devraj sir is traveling on urgent work, madam.”

Ishani wondered what urgent work her brother had. He usually didn’t travel outside of their province.

Ishani sneaked a look at Shivay Thakvar to see if he was offended by her brother’s absence. But as usual, there was an unreadable expression on his face.

She had told him her brother was not involved in the attack on their wedding night. But she wondered if he believed her. There was no reason for him not to since she told him the attack was motivated by her fear of marrying a stranger.

Shivay Thakvar didn’t know that she or her brother suspected him to be a ruthless fraud.

Her heart jerked as she realized her mind was only suspecting him to be a ruthless fraud rather than confirming it as a fact.

No. He is a ruthless fraud. He has to be!

But even as she thought those words, a small part of her gave him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it was because her mind was confused about how he allowed her mother to serve him large quantities of food without complaining and how his voice softened when he addressed her mother.

She shook her head slightly.

I’m just being emotional due to Ma. Shivay Thakvar is a fraud. He is just putting on an act.

***

The rest of the day passed by with more celebration and merriment.

Much later in the night, Ishani accompanied her mother to her suite.

“I’m fine, Ishani,” her mother said. “I’m not tired.”

Ishani smiled when a small yawn escaped her mother.

“Well, I want you to rest, Ma. You have been working hard all day.”

Her mother wasn’t used to being awake for such a long time either. She spent most of the day drowsy in bed due to her medications.

Ishani made a note to remind her brother to ask the doctor to review the medications. Maybe she didn’t need such strong dosages anymore.

When her mother got into the bed, Ishani covered her with a light blanket.

“Goodnight, Ma.”

“Goodnight, my child,” her mother said with a drowsy smile. “I can’t believe you became so big that you are even married now.”

Ishani smiled.

“I like your husband,” her mother said. “I can already see he would make a strong leader for the Thakvars. And I’m happy he cares for you and brought you here when you asked him. Your father was like that too. Ishwar would accompany me each year to visit my family.”

Ishani didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to worry her mother with the truth about Shivay Thakvar and the reality of her marriage.

“Yes, I’m glad I could come and see you too, Ma.” She kissed her mother’s cheek.

Her mother’s eyes closed.

Ensuring her mother was comfortable, Ishani stepped out of the room. She instructed her mother’s nurse not to wake her mother until much later the next morning.

“I will instruct the kitchen staff and housekeeper tomorrow morning on what needs to be done.”

“Sure, madam.”

Ishani stepped out and went towards her room. Her mind felt peaceful after a very long time. She was glad she could come and spend time with her mother, even if it was only for half a day.

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