Chapter 1 Suman #4
“Interesting man,” His smile broadened, adding after a brief pause, “I’m glad he’s dead.”
A soft chuckle escaped my lips.
“That’s why you didn’t like him?” he asked.
Shaking my head, I looked up at him and replied, “I didn’t have any issues with the past. But he spent only three months with me before leaving me for another woman, claiming that I wasn’t good…
I mean, he said… there’s something wrong with me…
that I’m not a… good… woman for a man.” The last few words came out hesitantly, and he exhaled heavily, looking away.
“Sorry…can’t relate. I was born a man,” he spoke, causing me to lower my gaze.
His words made me smile slightly.
Of course, he was a man. A real man.
There was a long pause, and suddenly, he asked softly, “So, you haven’t been... touched... I mean... for the last seven…”
I gulped, shaking my head, lowering my gaze, feeling warmth in my cheeks. This conversation didn’t seem normal at all.
“And you never wanted to...? I mean...” he paused, curiosity clear in his voice, and I shook my head in response.
“Married women cannot...”
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Then you haven’t met many,” he said.
True, I hadn’t. But his words twisted my stomach, and I looked at him.
“You’re getting married in just six months… You should stop meeting so many women now. Women appreciate loyalty.” I couldn’t stop myself from saying.
His eyes darkened.
I felt fear run deep in my bones—a soft nod followed by him.
“Don’t worry, you’ll never come in many.” His words crushed my gut.
I immediately shook my head, “I didn’t mean th—”
“And I don’t have much experience with women,” he cut me off, pulling out a golden-brown sheathed dagger from behind him. “This has...”
A shiver ran down my spine. “You’ve killed women?!”
He chuckled softly, lying on the floor, covering his face with a small cotton cloth, adding, “Let me know if you ever want to get killed too. I’ll gladly assert my rights.”
I furrowed my brows, unable to comprehend what he meant.
Why would I ask him to kill me when he just saved me?
I ignored him, lay in a corner, covered myself with my dupatta, and tried to fall asleep.
?????
I woke shivering in the same spot. My gaze immediately found him gone, causing my heart to race.
Standing up, I placed the dupatta over my head and hurried to the door. But before I could even touch it, it swung open, revealing his towering figure.
I instinctively stepped back as he ducked his head lower to enter the cottage.
“Where did you go?” I asked before realising how loud my voice was.
He frowned at the floor as though searching for something, and then he spoke, “Keval praan bachaane ke liye maang bhari thi; patni nahi ho humaari.” “I married you to save your life; you’re not my wife.” His voice was dry, and I immediately covered.
“I know, I know, Kunwar-sa. I just got scared when I found myself alone. I’m sorry.”
“Come on, let’s go. I’ve arranged a small palanquin and a few soldiers to escort you safely back to the palace. I’ll come later,” he said. “Remember, nothing happened between us. My marriage is important, so I cannot afford any mistakes.”
I looked down right away and objected. “I’m just a maid, Kunwar-sa. There’s no need to arrange a palanquin and soldiers for someone like me.”
He stepped closer, and I hastily stepped back with wide eyes.
“Pralaap mat karo... jitna kaha hai utna karo.” “Don’t argue with me… do what I say.” he ordered furiously, and I immediately shook my head.
“No, I cannot go in the palanquin. People will notice something is wrong. Just show me the way to Suryagarh out of this forest, and I’ll manage on my own,” I said, stepping forward to walk past him, but he stopped me.
“Fine,” he said, and I looked back at him. “Your tribe will burn you once they find you alone. Didn’t you hear? To stay alive, we must pretend to be married.” His words brought back memories of the previous day, and I clenched my fists to calm my heart.
I couldn’t figure out what was going on in my life because every time I thought things couldn’t get worse, they did.
And then this. But it was only for the day. Once we entered the kingdom, he wouldn’t see me, and I wouldn’t see him.
I inhaled deeply, nodding in agreement. “Okay.” Then, quietly, followed him.
I glanced at his hand, tightly clutching the dagger he had used to take so many women’s lives.
What kind of man kills so many women yet saves me? He could’ve let me go; no one would’ve known who Suman was, but he saved me. He fought for me, earned scars, and married me to protect me. I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
He was a prince; saving me was nothing for him. There was nothing between us, and there never could’ve been. I needed to let it go.
After a short while, we reached the palanquin, and I noticed two soldiers mounted on their respective horses standing beside it. I sat in the carriage silently and heard him say, “Take her to Suryagarh, and don’t let anyone know about this, especially Bhai-sa6.”
As soon as he mentioned Ranaji7, a wave of fear washed over me.
He would surely kill me if he found out that his brother had married me to save me.
As the lifters elevated the palanquin, I swiftly closed my eyes to soothe my racing thoughts. We moved, and soon, we reached the borders of Suryagarh.
“You can come out now,” I heard Kunwar-sa’s voice before I lowered my feet to stand. I stole a glance when he scanned our surroundings for safety and muttered, “You’re safe from here. Go inside the palace and tell any story you like, but don’t mention th—”
“I know, I know. Don’t worry; I understand you don’t want your name associated with mine, and I don’t want my name linked to yours, either.” Meeting his intense gaze, I replied, “I’ve had enough of one.”
He shot a glare at me. I overspoke again.
“I’m sorry.”
It was all because of Nandani. Thanks to her kindness and my responsibility for managing hundreds of attendants, I had become very loose-tongued. I’d have to stay within my limits with him.
Once he walked away, I took a deep breath. My gaze fell upon the massive walls of the palace that had changed my life in every way. A smile lingered on my face.
Suryagarh.
While the kingdom itself had not changed my life exactly, the queen of this kingdom, Nandani, took in a lowlife like me and transformed me into the jewel she proudly called her best friend.
From the beginning, she had always supported me, particularly when my in-laws disowned me, and my parents refused to accept me back, leaving me feeling completely alone.
She had been my best friend and had changed my life more than I had ever imagined. From learning to read and write with her, to expressing my thoughts, to becoming the head maid of the Suryagarh—she entrusted me with so much.
She shared her secrets, and I shared my loyalty in exchange.
But this.
I couldn’t tell her this.
It would’ve complicated everything. It meant nothing. He did that only to protect me. In his eyes, I was merely an extra, like a king’s spoils of war. The only difference was that I’d never expect him to check on me.
Why would he even check on me? And why the hell am I thinking about all this?
I entered the palace and approached Queen Nandani’s chamber above the servants’ quarters. The basement and first floor housed her attendants, maids, and servants, with designated rooms for each. Attendants accessed the chambers from the back rather than the front.
Upon entering her chamber, I found her resting alongside the attendants in her courtyard. Her eyes were closed, and she exhaled deeply, caressing her belly bump.
“How are you now, Nandani?” I asked, planting a broad smile on my face.
Her eyes snapped open, and worry creased her face.
“Where have you been?” she asked as I sat before her and took the bowl from the attendant’s hand to massage her swollen feet. “I was so worried about you.”
“You should be more concerned about your baby, Nandani,” I reminded her, and she nudged me with her foot, prompting me to smile instantly.
“Just my baby? Nothing yours? Don’t you remember talking about this earlier? You are my children’s Maasi-maa8,” she said, and I nodded, chuckling lightly.
Not just Maasi-maa...
I quickly shoved that thought aside as she asked, “Is everything fine at your home now?”
I nodded.
“How’s your mother now?” she asked, and I smiled weakly.
“Better.” She knew nothing about what had happened, and I didn’t know the real reason before I left either. My parents sent me a letter telling me my mother was sick.
“You look upset, Suman,” she pointed out. Greasing my palms with oil, I touched her feet, shaking my head.
“No, I’m just tired from travelling,” I replied, and she immediately pulled her feet back.
“You don’t have to do that; just take a break,” she said, and I smiled at her.
“I’m alright, Nandani. You should rest,” I said.
Suddenly, she shivered and cried out in pain, and I chuckled softly.
“The baby kicked again?” I asked, and she nodded.
“Yes, this baby is driving me crazy,” she said, rolling her eyes. “He keeps kicking me even when his mother is resting, sleeping, or you-know-what—”
“Bhabhi-sa!!!” Suddenly, Kunwar-sa’s excited voice cut through the space.
I froze, daring not to pull away, and lowered my gaze to her feet, hiding myself as much as possible.
“Devar-sa9,” Nandani squealed with joy, and I heard his footsteps approaching closer.
“I brought you a ton of raw mangoes and the special pickle you asked for,” he said, setting a huge basket in front of her.
Her eyes widened with surprise. “Oh, my God!”
She immediately grabbed a mango from the basket, but I snatched it before she could bring it closer to her mouth. “No,”
He glared at me, and I gulped nervously. “After washing and slicing, I’ll bring you some,” I told her, standing up, and walked out of the chamber to move toward the kitchen.