[ CHAPTER XXV ]
"Has everything settled?"
"Grandmother don't worry, everything has been arranged. You must rest assured" Nandini said as she helped her to walk out.
At the gate the carriage were ready to set off. Everyone was already present except them. Seeing them Mayurakshi pulled Ehanya with her before approaching.
"Mother, the roads are little bumpy out there. You must not ride alone. How about we sit together so we can also enjoy chatting while travelling?" Mayurakshi suggested.
Somakshya frowned, "there's no need. Nandini will accompany me. You should accompany Princess Ehanya instead. She will feel lonely if she sits alone"
The smile on Mayurakshi's face faded slowly. She wanted to make connections between Ehanya and Somakshya but such direct refusal has wasted the chance even before it could form.
"Yes, mother is right" Mayurakshi tried to hold back her dissatisfaction with a smile. Beside her Ehanya also felt awkward.
Amey was watching their interaction standing near his carriage. His grandmother was really tough. When he went to meet her, she even gave an earful of lectures. Now his mother also couldn't win the old lady. His eyes went towards the young woman standing beside the old lady. She wore a pink dress with a pink carnation in her hair. Just like yesterday she look pretty and flower in her had gave the perfect look.
Chaitrangi who just arrived at the scene saw the sight. She couldn't help but twisted her handkerchief in anger. She has done all sorts of things to attract Amey's attention towards her. But why suddenly he looked at her like that? The look that don't hold any disgust or hatred. She couldn't approach him to confront infront of everyone so she could only eat her anger in silence.
Somakshya noticed Manik came out with Ishank. She smiled at him, "oh the Emperor is here"
Nandini turned to see him. He had that usual cold look void of any warm emotions on his face.
"Shall we leave?" Somakshya asked when he was near them.
Manik slightly nodded, "yes, all are clear. Let's leave". Saying this he went to his carriage and get inside. Ishank rode his horse waiting to instruct.
Seeing that everyone get inside their own carriages. As planned Nandini accompanied Somakshya, beside her Jeia also joined them. Their first stop was Haribul city before reaching Jiriam city. When they crossed Haribul it was already past noon. The area was near the small village called Pushya, outskirts of the capital. They decided the to stop and take a rest there.
"Grandmother, this is for you" Nandini handed s box to Somakshya which Jeia brought.
"What's this?" Somakshya asked.
"I got up early in the morning and made this lunch for you. I thought eating outside won't be good for your health" Nandini explained.
Somakshya smiled, "you're really thoughtful" she happily accepted the box.
"I will send his majesty's food, please enjoy your meal first grandmother" she said and get down the carriage. Biuja helped Somakshya to set the lunch.
Amey get out of the carriage and saw Nandini and Jeia was talking outside Queen Dowager's carriage. Jeia handed her a box while Nandini nodded before turning to look towards him. She started to walk. Amey suddenly felt pleased. She must be coming to give him lunch. Even after all this incidents she is still devoted to him. If she loves him that much then he wouldn't mind giving her respect of being his wife. He was almost ready to take the box from her but instead of stopping she walked past him without even taking a glance. He followed her through his eyes and saw her walking towards Emperor's carriage. She talked to Ishank who was standing outside before getting inside the carriage. Her maid stayed behind.
Amey glared at them and clenched his fist. So the lunch box wasn't for him but for his uncle. His mother told him before that she was assigned to take care of his uncle to deal with her but it has been quite a long since she started but there's no unusual news. He didn't cared before but now he felt restless.
Nandini stepped inside the carriage only to be pulled into an embrace. Because of the sudden pull the box in her hand shook and almost fell but Manik was fast enough to caught it in time. He placed the box on the other side of the seat while making her sit on his lap. Before she could say he leaned on her chest.
She smiled as she asked, "what happened? You seem to be tired"
"I'm, don't you think it's kind of unfair to stay half a day without you? My wife, why are you so cruel to me?"
She frowned. What is he? A five years old kid? To hear such childish complaint coming from the mouth of the tiger who's roar could shook anyone in fear is really unimaginable.
"We can't share the same carriage casually" she replied.
"Aren't you smart? Think of a way to stay tonight. I can't sleep without you. Now that you are here, you aren't leaving at all" he hold her tighter. She looked at his face. His eyes were closed yet she could see how determined he is. And there's no point of any argument either. She stroked his hair gently.
"Jeia?" Nandini called. Jeia didn't wasted a second to respond and went inside the carriage. Her head was low and she didn't look up either.
"Mistress"
"Inform Queen Dowager that his majesty is little feverish and tired so I will stay here to take care of him. If she insist on coming then tell her his majesty refused to see anyone and wants to rest"
Jeia nodded and left immediately. After few minutes she returned back with a word from Somakshya saying she asked Nandini to take care of Manik.
"Satisfied?" Nandini asked her husband. He slightly nodded with eyes closed. She stayed there the whole afternoon before stepping out in the evening. She decided to cook for dinner.
Amey was keeping an eye on the carriage. Since she walked inside she didn't came out at all. Now in the evening she finally stepped outside. She talked to her maid for a while before they walk towards the other tent where the kitchen was set. He was sure that was there to cook dinner. As expected an hour later she walked back with two boxes. One was in maid's hand and other one is in hers. The maid took a turn walking towards Somakshya's carriage. Taking the chance he walked out of the carriage and blocked her way.
Nandini stopped when she saw him. She frowned for a while before greeting politely, "your highness".
"Is that dinner box?" He asked. She nodded.
"Good, I am quite hungry. I don't think I can wait for the kitchen to sent meal. Since you have already made it then I will eat this one" he said like he was showing kindness to her by accepting the meal box.
"Your highness this meal is not for you. I am afraid you have to wait a little longer" she replied rejecting with a straight face.
"What do you mean?" Amey couldn't believe this woman really rejected him. Shouldn't she he happy that he was giving her some attention to her? But she refused it without any hesitation like she don't care at all.
"Your highness this is for his majesty. He is not well and haven't eaten anything during lunch time. So I have to cook early meal for him. If you want to eat then wait for a while or....." Nandini's eyes fell over his shoulder "you can ask Miss. Chaitrangi to cook something for you. Afterall she cares about you the most" after saying this she left ignoring him totally.
Amey turned around to see Chaitrangi was behind her while Nandini walk past her without a second glance and directly heading towards Emperor's carriage before getting inside. He felt annoyed all of a sudden but seeing Chaitrangi he forced a smile.
"Why are you here? You should rest well. You're still injured" he walked towards her.
"I am fine your highness, earlier you're saying about dinner, are you hungry? I will go and cook something for you. There's still time before the meal" she was about to leave but he stopped her.
"No, there's no need. You have already suffered enough. I don't want you to strain yourself. You shouldn't trouble yourself with such trivial matter, your health is more important" he said.
"Your highness you are more important for me. Your matters were never a trivial things for me. You might think it's small but for me everything related to you has great importance" she said with a concern look which immediately melted his heart. Amey felt a little guilt towards her.
"I was wrong" he smiled, "but you still need to rest. Don't worry about me. I am not hungry" he said with affection. This time she didn't refused.
"Then I will listen to you" she nodded.
"Good, let me walk you to your carriage" he held her hand leading her towards her carriage.
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