Chapter 22
Her cheeks turned crimson under my playful gaze, and she nudged me away.
“No, no plans to change,” she giggled, stepping back a few paces, and I moved closer to hold her hand, but she laughed heartily and sprinted away.
“No change of plans, Kunwar-sa,” she said, and I chuckled, chasing after her.
“Hey, don’t run!” I exclaimed, and she turned back to look at me before leaving the cottage.
“You can’t stop me,” she teased, and I followed her.
The bright moonlight illuminated her, filling me with sudden joy. She playfully displayed her thumb, prompting me to shake my head.
“Suman, if I catch you, you’ll regret it,” I warned, eliciting her laughter.
“Hahaha… catch me first, Kunwar-sa,” she challenged, giggling as I approached her.
She stepped behind a tree, peeking at me.
The soft whirling of the river mingled with the silence of nature and the chaos in my heart.
I longed to spend time with her as much as she seemed to want, unaware of the uncertain future ahead, the looming war I wished none of my brothers would have to fight.
Our enemy was unknown, and my older brother had just welcomed a baby, while my middle brother was blissfully married to a wonderful woman who adored him. I didn’t want to shatter any families.
“You can't catch me!” she squealed, darting away. And without realising it, she was becoming my home, too.
“Suman, don’t go too far! There might be lions, tigers, or even crocodiles!” I joked, and she stepped closer.
“I hate crocodiles,” she replied, frowning, rushing toward me, prompting my laughter.
“Well, now I’ve caught you,” I claimed, wrapping my arms around her tightly.
“You cheated!” she protested, playfully pushing against my chest.
“Come with me,” I said, grasping her hand and leading her to the riverbank.
“Where are we headed?” she asked.
I wasn’t sure, but there was something different about her smile that night—it made her look more vibrant and beautiful. Once we reached the riverside, with its beautifully arranged, smoothly polished stones, I suggested we sit there in silence.
“Are you still mad at me?” she asked, glancing at me while walking on the stones.
“No, why would I be?” I replied, though I felt a tinge of hurt.
She was the one person I had confided in, hoping she wouldn’t judge or despise me. It stung when she brought up a sensitive issue during an argument.
But I realised she had the power to hurt me. She had endured more, and I could empathise with her struggles. I understood her fears about falling in love with me.
Wait! Did I say love?
“It’s because I just mentioned you go to brothels,” she stated, drawing my gaze as I pulled her closer.
“Isn’t that the essence of a relationship? Being able to share anything?” I asked, and she smiled softly, shrugging.
“Maybe,”
I focused on a large stone beside the river. “Let's sit there,” I suggested, and she smiled, settling on the stone.
“Alright,” she said, and I caressed her cheek tenderly.
“Let me gather some firewood,” I told her.
She nodded in response, her gaze fixed on me, watching me collect dry branches. I glanced back at her and noticed her smiling face.
“Kunwar-sa,” she called, and I hummed in response. “Is everything okay between you and Princess Rashmika?” she asked as I handed her the wood I had gathered.
“Why do you ask?” I replied, stepping away to gather more wood and grabbing two smooth stones to light the fire.
“Because she’s your fiancée,” she answered, and I looked up at her.
“She’s not,”
She approached me, wrapped her arms around my neck and leaned on my back.
“Looks like my husband is lying to me,” she said, pressing her cheek against mine and making me smile involuntarily.
“Husband? That’s quite a title to give me,” I joked as the fire blazed.
“You’re doing all the hard work; I thought I should reward you for it,” she said, and I pulled her onto my lap. She giggled, looking at me.
“That’s not the only hard work I’m managing,” I replied, and she playfully tightened her grip around my neck.
“I can’t see any other efforts; maybe my eyes need to be tested!” she teased, and I smiled back at her.
“Perhaps you deserve a little punishment,” I suggested, making her giggle and hug me tightly.
I inhaled her enchanting scent, feeling momentarily lost.
“Will you be heading to a battle?” She asked softly.
I struggled to find my words, shaking my head subtly.
She continued, “Don’t lie to me, at least.”
I held her closer, trying to explain, “Not a full-blown war, just a battle.”
She released my hug and searched my eyes. “Just a battle?”
“Just a minor battle. Need to kill a few people,” I said, and she chuckled, leaning closer to my cheek.
“Why are you so hard to deal with?” she murmured before gently kissing my cheek.
“Maybe you should try harder,” I replied.
She smiled, looking into my eyes. Slowly, she said, “I apologise for everything I said to you.”
I pressed my forehead against hers in response. “Don’t apologise. I enjoyed our arguments.”
She laughed, hearing me, though my heart felt heavy. I wished for time to stand still at that moment.
“Suman,” I called softly, and she met my gaze.
“Ji,”
“What do you expect from me?” I asked deliberately, admiring the warm glow from the nearby fire on her face.
“What do you mean?” she asked, nestling in my lap, leaning against my chest.
“I mean, I want to know what kind of husband you envision marrying,” I clarified, noticing her discomfort with her turban.
I removed it, and she glanced over her shoulder.
“Um… I never thought of it.”
“Well, you have all night to think it over,” I replied, loosening her hair bun.
She smiled, pulling her hair to the front, and murmured, “I want my husband to be understanding.”
“And?” I probed further, taking off the fake moustache.
“And,” she hesitated, “I want him to be intelligent, unlike you,” she teased, and I raised my brows.
“Unlike me?” I echoed, cupping her neck.
She nodded lightly, yielding to the soft strokes of my thumb on her jaw.
“And?” I persisted slowly, leaning closer to her ear, feeling her cheeks flush from the fire’s warmth.
“And,” she inhaled deeply before whispering, “now, I want him to be you.”
Her words made me close my eyes, and I kissed her ear.
“You are so beautiful,” I couldn’t help but remark.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” she murmured.
I breathed against the curve of her neck, responding softly and deeply. “And I found you fuckable since the day we got half married,”
She shivered slightly in my arms and touched my wrist, tilting her head to the side.
“And?” she muttered, bringing a smile to my face.
“And I can't do that,” I murmured in response.
“Why?” she questioned in a slow and sensual voice.
I couldn't help but nudge my nose against her cheek. “You need to fulfil your bet first.”
She gulped, looking into my eyes. “Can’t you get over that?”
I bit my lip and shook my head. “No, I'm strict about bets.”
She smiled timidly at me.
“But I don't know how to do that,” she said, reminding me once again.
“Well, if you're determined, you can learn,” I said slowly as she lowered her gaze to my lips for a moment.
“What about learning by watching?” she muttered slowly.
I struggled to keep my smile in check as I asked, “You want to see?”
She bit her lower lip slightly and asked, “Is it too far?”
I shook my head. “No, not too far,” I said, then asked, “Do you want to go?”
She gulped nervously and nodded. “A little,”
I chuckled, helping her stand up immediately.
“Okay, then let's go,” I said.
She widened her eyes. “What about the fire?”
I replied, taking her to Ashwait. “It will keep the wild animals away from here.”
She giggled, and I quickly helped her tie a turban around her hair bun. She swiftly fashioned the turban and applied the fake moustache.
We both dashed toward the crowded area of the nearby village, where this facility was available.
Since it was late at night, the market was closed.
After a while, we reached our destination, and I secured Ashwait away from the old palace.
“What is this place?” she asked.
I took her hand and led her inside. “Remember, you cannot speak,” I reminded her as I guided her through the busy crowd toward an old haveli41.
I sensed her slight nervousness through her hand, but the way her eyes scanned the crowd and the late-night market showed her curiosity.
“This way,” I said, guiding her down a narrow lane toward the back door of the haveli and knocking on the wooden door.
She looked at me, and I smiled at her flushed cheeks.
“Who is this?” A manly voice caught our attention as the door opened.
“Is Dance Under Moon open?” I asked slowly, and he scanned us briefly before nodding.
“Yes,” he replied, then asked, “What is your name?”
“Bhan Singh,” I said, watching his gaze shift to her. “This is Eklavya. He can't speak and is getting married next month, you know,” I added with a smirk, and he chuckled.
“All right,” he welcomed us, and I noticed her taking in the place’s surroundings.
It was a well-hidden spot in the kingdom, accessible only to princes and individuals from wealthy territories.
I saw her eyes widen as she noticed the women mingling with the men.
“Public or private?” he asked, turning back to me.
I looked at her and muttered, “Private. No disturbances, dim lighting, and some food.”
He nodded before guiding us to the third floor of the haveli.
He opened the door for us, letting us into a spacious room adorned with red carpets and curtains, and a stage surrounded by fire torches mounted on stands. There was a couch with minimal lighting, meaning the performers would overlook the audience.
“You two wait here,” he instructed.
We walked toward the couch as he drew the curtains, leaving a two-foot gap to let us watch.
“They’ll be here in a few moments,” he said, and I noticed a few attendants entering with dried fruits and peanuts to snack on.
“Thank you,” I said softly, dismissing them.
“Is this a brothel?” She asked in a low voice once they left, and I shook my head.
“No, it’s not a brothel. Sex for money is prohibited here. It’s intended for entertainment and educational purposes only. Young princes come here for grooming, you know…” I explained slowly, and she nodded.
“Oh…”
“Are you okay?” I asked, leaning back against the couch and pulling her closer so her head rested on my chest.
She hesitated for a moment, but then relaxed.
“Yes, just feeling different,”
I watched as the performers entered the room and locked the door behind them.
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