[ CHAPTER XVII ]
"What did you do? A well organised plan is ruined now. How are you going to progress in the future?" Mayurakshi was angry. She glared at Ehanya as she scolded her.
"I didn't do anything. I just wanted to make an impression on Queen Dowager. How could I know that she will get sick after eating?" Ehanya was trying make an excuse. She herself doesn't have any idea where it went wrong then how she was going to explain it.
Mayurakshi frowned, "do you think this excuse will help you? After eating your food her body got affected. Even if it was unintentional but it will ruin your reputation. You are arguing to prove your innocence is not what I am looking for"
"Then what should I do?" Ehanya asked.
"Nothing can be done now. Tomorrow I will take you to mother and you have to admit your mistake and take the responsibility. You must beg her for mercy" Mayurakshi suggested.
"Beg for mercy?" Ehanya frowned.
Mayurakshi nodded, "or what? If you want to win this game you need to suppress your pride, you need to learn how to act pitiful. This matter couldn't end easily"
Ehanya nodded, "then I will do as you say"
Somakshya sat in her room rubbing her chest. After drinking the ginger water she felt relieved. She was scared today. That cough was severe and scary. If it continued it would have lead to another problem.
"Your highness are you feeling better?" Biuja asked.
Somakshya nodded, "I am fine. Such a sudden attack" then suddenly she frowned and looked at her, "how did Nandini know about ginger water?" Only the late Empress knew ginger water reduce her coughing. Even the massage to sooth coughing pain was similar.
"Your highness could it be a coincidence?" Biuja asked.
Somakshya nodded. Is it really a coincidence? She asked herself. She was thinking when a maid walked in holding a box.
"What's this?" Somakshya asked.
"Your highness, the princess said you haven't eaten anything during dinner. Your stomach might be upset. She personally told me to sent this porridge to you. She said it will help you sleep well" the maid replied.
"Princess? you mean Nandini?" Somakshya asked again.
The maid nodded, "yes, your highness. It is the princess herself"
Somakshya gestured Biuja to take the box. Biuja gladly took the box and the maid left. Biuja opened the lid of the box and bowl of porridge appeared in the sight. A sweet aroma filled the room.
Biuja smiled, "princess must be concerned about your health. Because of the incident you couldn't even eat anything. Princess is really thoughtful. She even sent porridge for you. It will be easy to digest and fill your stomach"
Somakshya couldn't help but agree, "since I've returned back even though my daughter-in-law is no more, I don't know why I can feel her presence around. Even Manik also behaves normal like he hasn't lost his wife. And this Nandini, she is so familiar to her. She knows my habits and things I like. All of these are really confusing"
"Your highness, isn't it better that his majesty still has his sanity? They way he adores the late Empress I was scared he would kill himself without her" Biuja said.
"I was fearing the same. Nandini was always with him. They were childhood sweetheart and he would do anything she asks. She could even help him quench his anger which no one was able to. He doesn't even listen to me when he is angry. His aggressiveness could only be controlled by her. Even though he is my son, such a ferocious man I don't know how she managed to keep calm all the time" Somakshya shook her head.
"Your highness, I believe since he is fine, let this matter be as it is. His majesty gets angry whenever someone tries to interfere in his personal space" Biuja suggested.
"You're right. As long as he is happy I will keep myself engage in peace" Somakshya sighed.
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Manik returned in his room and found Nandini was gathering flowers putting it in the vase. He smiled and walked towards her removing his coat leaving himself only in his pants. He hugged her from behind.
"You've returned?" Nandini asked smiling.
"You're arranging flowers at night?" He asked putting his head on her shoulder.
"I can't help it. This room lacks fragrance. I don't like the atmosphere. It's too stuffy" she replied.
Manik knew his wife like fragrance. She has this habit of arranging sweet smelling flowers in the room to make it feel fresh and scented.
"You don't have to do it personally. Just have the maids do it"
"What do you know? Does those maids understands my preference of scent? Besides it's my room why should I let others touch my things?" She pouted growing. She never liked others touching her things. She is too obsessed with her belongings.
Manik chuckled and turned her around, "then do whatever that pleases you"
"Have you eaten dinner?" She asked. She knew he wouldn't join the dinner so she already sent food in his study.
He nodded, "I heard there's a little mess during the dinner?"
"Ehanya wanted to impress mother with her cooking skill but unfortunately her food created mess. Mother has to suffer from coughing. I fear it would effect her body so I have sent her back to rest and prepared food to eat. She need to nourish her body" she said hooking her arms around his neck.
"You are considerate. How should I thank you for this?" He said.
"What are you saying? What thanks?" She said. "Humph. People's overheating ability always harm others yet some people really don't know they are almost killing in the name of help"
"Forget about them, do you remember what I said before?" He asked lowering his head a little.
She gulped down. How come this situation switched so suddenly? Of course she knew what he is asking about. She flashed a smile at him, "well I couldn't remember clearly. These days I am being forgetful" she forced a laugh, "can we talk about it later? Specially when I finally remember it?"
He raised an eyebrow clearly knowing what she is planning. But he is not someone who will let go so easily. She wants to play, he will guide her eventually.
"Since my wife is forgetful then as her husband it's my duty to make her remember" he picked her up.
"Ay....ay...." Nandini yelled.
He threw her on the bed. Taking the chance she tried to escape but he caught her in no time and pulled her towards him by her legs. He pressed her down beneath him before smiling at her.
"Then shall we start?" He asked smirking.
"Husband, you can't make me stay awake all night. I have to visit mother in the morning too" she pouted like a child.
"Then half a night" he said and kissed her hard. She couldn't resist nor she has such intentions.
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In the morning Nandini went to meet Somakshya, "grandmother how are you feeling today?"
"I am fine" Somakshya nodded with a smile. She pulled her hand as soon as Nandini sat beside her. "The meal you sent last night was really helpful. It also reduced my chest pain"
Nandini nodded, "I feared those oily cooked food would effect your digestion so I made porridge"
"Of course I am really grateful for it" Somakshya was grateful. "It was also thanks to you for give massage at right time. Or it would have been very bad"
"Grandmother please don't embarrass me saying that. It was my responsibility. If I have to do it. I would do it again and again" her words sounded familiar to Somakshya. Suddenly few words echoed in her ear.
"Mother, why are you thanking me like this? Am not I your daughter? You're embarrassing me like that"
"Grandmother?" Nandini softly called breaking her trance.
"Oh look at me, I was carried away with something else" Somakshya patted her hand. No matter what she couldn't forget her daughter-in-law. And this girl infront of her kept reminding her.
They were chatting when Mayurakshi appeared with Ehanya. Biuja guided them inside. As soon as they took seat Mayurakshi couldn't help but say, "Mother, last night was a disaster. No one thought something like that would happen and ruin the happy moment. I hope you can forgive Ehanya, it wasn't intentional"
Ehanya immediately played along, "your highness, it's my negligence that caused such a trouble and even hurt you at the end. My impulsive decision has ruined everything. Please forgive me"
Somakshya waved her hand, "it's fine. You're our guest. Of course you wouldn't know my taste. You don't have to feel guilty about it. Besides next time please don't take the initiative to do anything. You shouldn't tire yourself and just enjoy your stay in Haveri"
Was it a clear line? Telling me to refrain myself from doing anything? Ehanya thought. But she still nodded her head, "your highness is kind. I will definitely keep it in mind"
Nandini eyes Ehanya with a smile. A girl who couldn't even understand a simple meaning how come Mayurakshi thought that she could take my place and sit on the throne of Empress? Is this a kind of joke? This game play is going to be more interesting. Oh Mayurakshi, you did found a gem for me to crush in pieces.
"Well princess Ehanya, if you don't mind, can I ask what kind of dish you made yesterday for grandmother?" Nandini asked.
"Of course. I made vegitable soup. It was a speciality of Ushamvar, added with different spices and herbs and cooked for hours to get rich flavours" Ehanya replied, explaining a little.
"Did you add carrots in the soup?" Nandini inquired again.
"Umm....yes..?" Ehanya felt weird. She felt like something isn't good.
Nandini nodded, "grandmother has a problem with carrots. She can't consume it. It will only stimulates her coughing problem"
Somakshya looked at her. How come she knows I have a coughing problem with carrots? She was surprised.
Mayurakshi was also dumbfounded like Ehanya with the little revelation. Even she herself don't know about such problem. She cursed the late Empress in her mind. She was hurried with so many secrets.
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