[ CHAPTER I ]
"Why don't you just die? You're the reason behind everything. If you die then he will follow your lead" Mayurakshi's crazy laugh filled her ear. "As long as you are here he will be stronger. You always help him get over the crisis. Why? Why are you standing on my way? Die you bitch"
Her mouth was forced open as a cup of poison poured into it. Nandini couldn't spit it out, she was forced to gulp it down. As the poison ran down her throat it burnt her. She was thrown on the ground and she started to writhe in pain. With her painful eyes she could only see the evil smile on Mayurakshi's face.
"Aren't you smart? Why don't you help yourself now? Alas your husband is not here. What will he do when he sees you like this?" Mayurakshi mocked.
Nandini tried hard to endure the pain to keep her alive but next second she puked out a mouthful of blood. She knew for the last time she couldn't see her beloved husband anymore.
"Please, save me" Nandini begged. It wasn't for herself but for her husband. She knew he will be devastated if she leaves him. She promised him she will never leave him alone.
"Oh look the great Empress is pleading?" Mayurakshi kicked her, "just die and do me a favour you bitch"
Nandini felt she don't have a chance anymore. She closed her eyes painfully. Her body was burning inside but the pain in her heart exceeding everything. "I'm sorry husband" her last breath was breathed.
Nandini woke up all sweaty. She huffed and checked her body. The past life experience was too fresh in her mind. It was god's grace that she was given another chance to live. Even if it's in another body but her soul was still the same.
"Oh you woke up" hearing the familiar voice her head snapped at side. She clutched the bed sheet tightly to divert her anger on it. Mayurakshi walked in with her maids. Nandini's cold gaze pierced her on the spot.
Mayurakshi was startled at first. She don't know why but her gaze seemed familiar to her. She was having the vibe of the late Empress in her daughter-in-law today? Nandini averted her gaze replacing the coldness into a foolish one.
"I see that your sickness has recovered" Mayurakshi calmed herself down and said, "I know my son don't favour you but he also don't disrespect you. Instead of taking it to heart and feeling sad you should put more effort to win his heart. He is little reluctant at the moment so you must consider his feelings too"
Consider feelings of that arrogant brat? Nandini almost snorted. He was just a kid who's mother couldn't educate properly. Nandini cursed herself. Among all the people she has to reborn in the body of the sickly foolish daughter-in-law who except having similar name don't have anything in common.
Mayurakshi unknown of all the facts continued to speak, "I heard that Emperor's health is not going well these days. This matter is really concerning. As a daughter-in-law you should take care of him. He is your royal uncle afterall. Tomorrow I will take you to him. You must be obedient and don't trouble him"
Trouble? Nandini thought, he is my husband, I know him in the way you don't even know yourself.
"Are you listening?" Mayurakshi asked frowning.
"Yes, yes, I will do as mother say" Nandini forced the word mother out of her mouth making it thicker and heavier to hear.
"Good, I know you are understanding" Mayurakshi nodded with satisfaction. She is indeed a fool though. She smiled and left.
Nandini turned her head and just watched her leaving.
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EMPEROR'S PRIVATE CHAMBER....
Manik was staring at his wife's portrait closely. Ishank walked in and stood behind him.
"Speak" Manik ordered.
"Master, no one sent food today. When I inquired more I found the dishes sent here wasn't even included in the royal kitchen"
Manik's face hardened. He observed Empress's face more. It's her ... Only she can make such dishes. Only she knows what kind of taste he prefers. The perfect balance of flavours — no one could become her alternative. But how could it be possible? He closed his eyes when the pain shoot in his heart again.
He watched her body covered in blood lying motionlessly on the ground. No matter how much he called, begged her to open her eyes she didn't. She just become silent and refused to see his pain. At that moment his wife has become cruel and heartless. But today? why?
He could feel her presence again. Is it an illusion? Manik clutched his chest and almost fell when Ishank hold him in time and made him sit on bed.
"Master" he was worried—sick.
"I'm fine" Manik replied rubbing his chest.
"Master you've not had anything after the lunch. It's over dinner time" Ishank reminded him.
"I don't have an appetite" Manik replied, "I want to rest now, leave" he used his dismissing tone.
Ishank nodded and left without any word. Manik laid on bed and sighed. "What's happening? Nhu, are you really here? Why are you hiding from me? I don't want to see the nightmare of you leaving me again and again. Please return back to me" he closed his eyes as long tear escaped his eyes. Even though he knows his wishes are not reliable.
She was his childhood sweetheart. She was always with him. Starting from becoming his playmate to his companion to walk the journey of life. No one knows him better than her. She was his weakness and strength. The only woman who can make him kneel.
Nandini sneaked in again late at night. Manik was sleeping on bed. She moved towards him and sat beside him. She never thought she would be able to see him again. She don't understand how to thank God for offering her another chance to be with her husband again. She saw him sweating so she pulled out handkerchief and wiped his forehead. As she was wiping Manik suddenly grabbed her hand startling her. He didn't opened his eyes but murmured .
"Nhu? You are here?" His hold on her wrist tightened, "don't leave me again"
She leaned towards him, "I won't"
Manik nuzzled her hand on his cheek. Nandini couldn't help but smile. For a long time she sat there watching him sleep. Later she changed her position but her slight move seemed alerted him and he groaned. She quickly kissed his cheek and patted his head to sooth his restless body. For the whole night she couldn't sleep at all. At dawn she decided to leave, she was about to get down from bed when she stopped suddenly and held her breath. At the door Ishank was there looking at her.
Ishank stood there with surprise. No woman dares to get close to his master except the Empress. But he was there all the time guarding the door and didn't see anyone entering through at all. Then how come she was inside the room? Besides she was the daughter-in-law , how can she get close to the emperor who is also her uncle in relation?
"You—?" Ishank was about to say when Nandini glared at him. He don't know why but he suddenly felt that gaze is familiar. He saw her slowly pulling her hand away which was grabbed by the Emperor and get down the bed. Her gaze was still focused on him as she advanced towards him.
"You better shut your mouth infront of his majesty" she whispered to him in a cold tone before walked pass him.
Ishank turned around but she disappeared from the sight. Ishank frowned not understanding what actually happened.
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Nandini quickly returned back in her room and took a bath to change her cloths. She sat infront of the mirror looking at her face — the unfamiliar feature. She and this daughter-in-law of her shares the same name. She never expected that she would be reborn again in this body. Her current position is different from her past. Now her husband become her royal uncle. Their relationship changed drastically. Can she really be with him again? Will her husband accept her like this? This is afterall the forbidden even though she is his wife originally. But the physical changes has stood as a barrier on the way. Even if she couldn't be with him like before she still has the chance to take care of him.
But the former princess was pitiful. She died suddenly. Nandini don't know what was the reason exactly but she was aware Amey and Mayurakshi don't like this daughter-in-law. Even though she is the official wife of Amey, no maids ste arranged to take care of her.
"Truly pitiful" Nandini uttered sighing. She turned her head to inspect her face closely. "Quite pretty and young" her eyes fell on her tattoed shoulder again. She still wonders how her tatto appeared in this body at the same place like her previous body. Though the colour was little pale but it could be seen clearly. Her husband would recolour it time to time to make it look fresh.
Hearing footsteps she quickly covered herself and started to comb her hair. Mayurakshi appeared behind her.
"It's good that you are up. Get ready and wear something good"
Nandini turned around looking at her like a fool, "where to go mother?"
Mayurakshi smiled, "To Emperor's Chamber. He is our majesty, we need to take care of him" her smile holds something more than the simple meaning.
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