[ CHAPTER XIV ]
Somakshya returned to her room still in daze. Her maid saw the expression on her face and asked about it.
"Your highness, what happened? You looked so worried?"
Somakshya looked at her and asked, "Biuja, you have been serving me for such a long time. Tell me today did you notice something?"
Biuja thought for a moment before slightly nodding her head, "yes, replying to your highness, I have never seen his majesty being so calm when her majesty is not around. Today, his majesty didn't even refused the food her highness offered. He even ate like it's normal for him"
Somakshya shook her head, "I almost thought my son wouldn't survive when I heard Nandini's death. Even if he is indifferent, seeing him alive is enough. I could turn blind eye to anything as long as he lives"
"Does your highness thinks that this daughter-in-law is quite different?" Bihuja asked.
"Later invite her here. I want to talk to her properly" Somakshya said. Today when she ate the food, she found the taste is different, it gave her familiar feeling.
"Yes" Biuja nodded.
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IN EMPEROR'S PRIVATE CHAMBER...
In the hall Nandini was making power. She has collected the flowers and let it dry. She was thinking about making perfume but never got enough time. She was busy working when Manik walked in after meeting few ministers. The first thing he wanted to see when he returns from work was his wife and today the sight in his room was really a blissful one. She didn't realised his presence and kept mixing the powders. He sat beside her and stared at her face. Nandini turned her head and found him staring.
"Husband, when did you return?"
"Just now. What are you doing?"
"I am making fragrance for myself. I don't like the scents if those storage" she replied and about to pick a bottle when he stopped her.
"You don't have to strain yourself with such work. I will have someone do it for you. Just tell them which fragrance you want" he kissed her hand.
Nandini smiled and leaned on his shoulder, "husband, now that mother is here the upcoming days will be dramatic. Mother's birthday is nearing soon. I believe many are looking forward for this day"
"What are you planning?" He asked.
She smiled and leaned closer to him before whispering something in his ear.
He frowned, "are you sure?"
"Definitely, but you need to help me"
"Whatever the Empress demands" he said with a smile and she kissed his cheek. Manik hold her chin and about to kiss her when Ishank appeared.
"Master, the Queen Dowager wants to meet her highness"
Nandini frowned, "mother want to see me?"
Manik traced her face with his fingers, "looks like someone is about to compete me with your time"
"What are you saying?" She playfully slapped his hand before getting up and leaving the room.
Manik got up and eyed Ishank, "next time when you refer her, call her mistress"
Ishank was stunned. He used to call the late Empress Mistress. Though he don't know why his master said that but he would obey without any hesitation, "yes, master"
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When Nandini entered Queen Dowager's chamber Somakshya was instructing something to Biuja. As soon as Nandini stepped inside a slight smell of sandalwood hit her. She frowned.
"Who brought sandalwood incense here? Don't you know Queen Dowager in allergic to it?" Nandini stopped while asking the maids who escorted her inside.
"Your highness this—" the maid behind hesitated to reply.
"Change it to Magnolia. There's a box of Magnolia incense in the storage room. Go fetch them immediately and remove the sandalwood" Nandini ordered. The maid nodded and quickly left.
She put on a smile and walked towards Somakshya, "greeting Queen Dowager"
"Ah, Nandini. Come here dear" Somakshya gestured her to sit beside her. Nandini obeyed respectfully.
"We all are family, you don't have to address me so formally. Just call me grandmother" Somakshya said.
"Thank you, Grandmother" Nandini nodded. Calling her grandmother was really awkward for her. Afterall she is habituated on calling her mother.
Just then a maid was leaving with a box. Biuja saw it and inquired, "stop, what are you taking away?"
The maid turned around and bowed, "this is sandalwood incense, her highness instructed to replace it with Magnolia"
Both Somakshya and Biuja looked surprised. Somakshya turned towards Nandini, "you told her to replace it?"
"When I walked in I smelled sandalwood. Grandmother is allergic to sandalwood. If you smelled it your body would have been affected. It's good that the incense aren't used. So I asked them to replace it. I hope grandmother wouldn't mind me interfering a little" Nandini explained.
"Of course not. I am old now, I couldn't handle everything but how did you know about my allergy to sandalwood?"
The question hit her hard. Nandini was speechless for a moment. Of course she knew because it was her who have been engaged in this kind of arrangements. But this daughter-in-law is not aware of such matter.
"Uh ... I heard it from his majesty. He specially told me to take care of you including every small thing" she replied. This explanation must be believable.
Somakshya nodded, "looking at you, it reminded me about the late Empress. She used to take care of everything. There's no one like her. She used to know every small details and never let me down. She had taken all the responsibilities and I wouldn't have to worry about anything. But alas!" She sighed.
Nandini could see the pain in her eyes. Afterall all these years they had built a good connection between them. Nandini always felt warm in her care and actually loved her like her own mother. Even if she wants to turn back to that time, she couldn't.
"Don't worry grandmother, if you need I will definitely help you too" she tried to assure.
Somakshya smiled. They chatted for a while when a maid informed about Mayurakshi's arrival. Mayurakshi walked in with a smile on her face.
"Mother I saw the maid taking away the sandalwood incense. Didn't you liked it" Mayurakshi asked.
"You are your one who arranged it?" Somakshya asked.
"Yes, those are the finest sandalwood incense. I have prepared it for you. I thought it would help mother to relax" Mayurakshi replied.
"Your highness, Queen Dowager couldn't enjoy your arrangements. She is allergic to sandalwood" Biuja informed.
Mayurakshi was stunned. The Empress was the one who took care of everything so she never interfered in this matter. Now that she is gone, Mayurakshi thought she could handle all this matter in her hand but she wasn't expecting that it would go wrong. She didn't have any idea about the allergy.
"Please forgive me mother. I don't mean to harm you. I was just worried so I wanted to help you relax your body. I didn't know you are allergic to sandalwood" Mayurakshi rushed to explain and kneeled down instantly.
"Get up immediately. I know you're not aware of it" Somakshya waved her hand, "now that you're here it made easier for me. I want to pray for the empress in the prayer hall. Arrange it tomorrow"
"Yes, please don't worry" Mayurakshi nodded.
"And where is Amey? Why can't I see him since I returned? He didn't even came to greet me" Somakshya inquired.
Mayurakshi smiled, "he made a mistake so his majesty is teaching him a lesson. It's for his own good. Amey knows his mistake and obediently reflecting on it so that his majesty wouldn't get angry again. But don't worry mother he will definitely come to greet you once he fulfilled his punishment"
Somakshya nodded, "in that case let it be. He is still young so he need to learn things. Afterall one day he have to take responsibility"
"Yes, mother is right. It's also my fault for spoiling him a little" Mayurakshi nodded in agreement.
Nandini on the other hand fought hard to suppress the urge to roll her eyes. She highly praised Mayurakshi's two faced personality. When it comes to acting no one can actually beat her.
Nandini had dinner with Somakshya and Mayurakshi before returning back. She was tired when she entered the room. Manik just came out of bath wearing a silk robe while his chest was exposed. Seeing her sitting on bed with her eyes closed he went to her.
"What happened to you? You looked so tired?" He asked.
"I am tired of hearing Mayurakshi's continuous speech"
"She was there too?"
"Hmmm...that good sister-in-law almost killed mother today"
"What?" Manik frowned.
Nandini opened her eyes and her gaze fell on his chest. She gulped down and shook her head a little to focus on the main point.
"Well she has arranged sandalwood incense for mother. It's fortunate that I found it before it could harm mother"
"How can she do such things? Isn't she aware about the allergy matter?" He sat beside her.
"How would she know? I was the one who used to take care of all these while she was busy planning how to bring me down. Tomorrow mother want to pray in the prayer hall for my peace"
"What nonsense?" He frowned.
Nandini smiled, "of course she didn't know about me. Let her do it. It would help me pray for the poor girl who died but paved a way for me to live again. Nothing can be more miracle than this" she sighed.
"She got the freedom from all the pain. But I am glad you're here. I would have gone crazy if you—"
Nandini covered his lips with her hand, "don't say anymore. What's gone is gone, why are you dragging it back?"
"Okay, I won't say it" he grabbed her hand, ''have you had dinner?"
She nodded, "mother insisted so I couldn't refuse. What about you?"
"I didn't feel like eating. I had some dealings with the ministers. I just returned before you"
"You're really not hungry?" She asked with concern.
Manik smirked, "now I am hungry. How about I eat you"
Nandini's eyes widened, "no, I am tired" she tried to get up but he pulled her down again.
"Trying to escape? It's futile" he said pressing her down on bed while hovering over her.
Nandini pouted, "husband, aren't you tired?"
He smiled, "with you? Never"
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