CHAPTER 31
The dining hall at the Jogra palace had emptied gradually after dinner.
Rani Suchitra had retired early. Mira had followed. Bharat Jogra and his brothers had disappeared together, most likely to his home office.
Yamini should have gone upstairs too.
Instead, she was sitting in the smaller drawing room off the main hall with both hands wrapped around a cup of kahwa that Savita had produced without being asked.
She had changed out of the ceremonial pheran after returning from the valley and wore a simpler lehenga.
Sanjana sat across from her with her own cup, having exchanged the heavy silk saree for a comfortable pale pink cotton kurta. She had shed the formal jewelry too and wore only small gold studs.
“You did well today,” Sanjana said.
Yamini looked at her over the rim of the cup. “I’m not too sure about that,” she said.
“You did,” Sanjana insisted. “You looked so at ease. I saw you tapping your foot during the dance performances.”
Yamini hadn’t known anyone could see her feet tapping under the heavy pheran.
“Actually, I was quite nervous,” Yamini confessed. “I am used to the crowds, but not when I am the main focus.”
Sanjana smiled. “That is true. I’ve still not gotten used to that as well.”
They sat quietly for a moment, the kahwa warm between their palms.
Then Sanjana's gaze dropped to Yamini's neckline.
“That’s a beautiful pendant,” she said.
Yamini looked down. She had kept it on even after changing.
“Thank you. It's my great-grandmother's. She was a fisherwoman.”
Sanjana’s eyes brightened with interest. “That sounds so interesting. Have you met her?”
Yamini shook her head. “No. She died before I was born. But my family often spoke about her to me. This pendant was gifted to her by her husband, the Gaur Maharaja.”
Sanjana smiled. “That’s such a beautiful history behind it. I’m glad your parents passed it on to you.”
Yamini paused. “Actually, this necklace was auctioned after she died. The family couldn't afford to keep it. Bharat purchased it in an auction.”
Sanjana’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh wow. That is so romantic. Even at the valley event, Bharat gave you the ceremonial sword. Ram mentioned to me that it was an indication that the maharaja offers his heart and protection to his maharani.”
Yamini didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to dim Sanjana’s sweet excitement by saying Bharat Jogra didn’t do romance or love.
He only did control and efficiency.
She was tempted to say it out loud. But she didn't.
“How was your announcement event at the Devara region?” she asked. “Was there a ceremonial sword too?”
Sanjana shook her head. “There wasn’t a ceremonial sword event, but there was a similar event. Ram raced a bull. And it was quite nerve-racking and… exciting. I had to clean and bandage Ram’s wounds after.”
Yamini saw a blush spreading through Sanjana’s cheeks as she discussed Ram Devara racing a bull.
“Yes, then it must definitely be exciting,” Yamini teased with a smile.
Sanjana laughed as her blush grew further.
Yamini smiled. “I went to a bull race at Devara with my brother many years ago. I was sixteen.”
Sanjana was surprised. “Oh. Ram didn’t tell me he had known you for that long.”
“We didn’t really meet. Ram, Bharat, Samar and Viraj weren’t around when I visited Rewa during my summer breaks with my mother. My family was invited to an event in the Devara region when I snuck out to watch the bull race with my brother. My mother wasn’t happy.”
Sanjana laughed. And then a small yawn escaped her.
“Sorry,” Sanjana said with a sleepy smile. “I had a surgery that lasted until after midnight yesterday, and then Ram and I flew out early morning for the Jogra temple ceremony. I guess I am tired.”
Yamini put the tea cups away onto a tray and got up. “You should get some rest. I’ll get going too.”
Sanjana stood too. “Good night, Yamini.”
“Good night, Sanjana.”
Yamini walked with Sanjana through part of the corridor before they separated toward different wings of the palace.
The palace had grown quieter.
When she entered her room, warmth greeted her immediately.
The mountain night outside had turned dark, snow glowing faintly beneath moonlight.
She shut the door behind her. And immediately looked toward the connecting door
Her eyes remained on it.
She thought about the stallion. The way Bharat had taken the reins without hesitation, the horse wild and straining, and how one low command had stilled it completely.
Her cheeks heated as she recalled his low commands during midnight. He didn’t soothe, whisper, or coax her either. He commanded her to come. And she always did.
Commanding jerk.
She hated him for his control and indifference, but she couldn’t escape the fact that she was strongly drawn to him.
Annoyed, she changed into her nightclothes and slipped beneath the covers.
But once again, her eyes moved automatically toward the connecting door.
It was 11:10.
Will he come?
She recalled his words from the previous night.
“Do not wait for me tonight.”
Her face heated as she recalled his arrogant words.
He always decided everything.
He decided when he came. He decided when he didn't. He decided her schedule, her security, the heir timeline, and now even her sleep. Everything in their marriage happened on his terms while she simply reacted.
Why does he get to decide everything?
Pooja was right about one thing.
She could not keep reacting to Bharat Jogra while he continued controlling every part of their marriage.
It was time to take control back.
She sat up and looked around the room.
Her eyes landed on the dressing table.
She got out of bed and reached over and pulled a hairpin from the small tray where Savita had left them.
She turned it between her fingers once.
This should do.