[ CHAPTER XXVIII ]
The first light of the morning sun fell in the pond water glistening like a crystal as the fishes played below. The hotel stuffs were busy with their usual work. Nandini walked through the corridor with Jeia. Her eyes fell on the flower pot on the other side of the garden.
"Jeia go pick a flower for me. That corner place seemed to be blooming. I want the red one"
Jeia followed her gaze and found flower plants on the other side of the garden. She replied a quiet 'yes' then quickly left. Nandini could see the fishes playing in the water.
"Excuse me?" She stopped one of a female worker of the hotel who was passing by.
"Your highness?"
"Can you bring me some fish food? I want to feed them" Nandini said.
"I was just going to do so. Here it is your highness" she handed her a bowl. "We usually feed this to the fishes"
"I understand" Nandini nodded accepting the how. The female worker left and she walked towards the pond. Watching the small fishes playing she couldn't help but smile. She threw the crushed food in the water slowly. She was enjoying her time until someone decided to interrupt.
"You seem to be in a happy mood" Ehanya's voice fell breaking the silence.
Nandini glanced through over her shoulder to see Ehanya who was standing few steps away from her. Her mood seemed to be not good at all. And darkness under her eyes was indicating her sleepless night.
She nodded, "these fishes are really beautiful, Princess Ehanya come and see" she invited her.
Ehanya moved closer and looked at the fishes before nodding. "Yes they are" then her gaze fell on the person infront of her, "you're serving the Emperor lately, it must be hard for you"
Nandini's hand stopped throwing the food. The sudden change of subject had her think of many possibilities. She could sense that Ehanya's approach was intentional. So she finally focused her attention on her, "yes, afterall he is the Emperor. It's hard to meet all his demands"
Ehanya nodded. Though she was still angry because of the last night incident she tried hard to play cool. "You're so considerate. So busy with his majesty's matter that I haven't seen you taking care of your own husband. Princess, have you forgotten that you are married and have a husband to take care of?"
"Princess Ehanya why are you so interested in my affair? Aren't you on a mission to marry his majesty? I think you should think how to get his attention first" Nandini turned to leave.
Ehanya clenched her fist. "How could his majesty look at me when you're standing as a wall between us? Do you think I am not aware of what kind of nesty thing you are doing behind everyone's back?"
Nandini closed her eyes squeezing it tightly. She really don't want to have any argument at this moment but it seems the other party was too reluctant to let go. Besides things has already reached so far. She turned to look at Ehanya again.
"Oh you are sneaking around to keep an eyes on me? " Nandini smiled, "Princess Ehanya I never knew you're also a secret agent"
"What nonsense are you sprouting? Trying to cover your dirty character? Princess you are really clever, acting so pitiful in front yet biting in the back. I wonder if others get to know your true face how will they react" Ehanya snapped angrily.
"If you are that desperate for the conclusion then feel free to expose. But remember you are also not saint here. I will just say about your motive of coming here. Aren't you itching to sit on that throne of Empress?" Nandini asked.
Ehanya stopped for a moment. It's true she want to become the next Empress. And who wouldn't be tempted by such thought? "What's problem with that? The Empress is dead and Emperor is single. It's natural for him to marry again. It's suitable for us to do so. But about you— aren't you ashamed of seducing your uncle when you already have a husband? Where's all the rational sense left?"
Nandini stared at her for a moment then she threw a smile like she didn't hear her words at all, "well, not at all. What's the point of shame when you can't get what you want? Besides who would like a spoilt brat who couldn't even differentiate between right or wrongs. Isn't his uncle more better? If you were in my place I wouldn't doubt that you would do the same. Isn't it Princess Ehanya?"
Ehanya's own retort pushed back in her throat again. If she has to choose then undoubtedly the Emperor is better than a prince in every aspect. Even she was here to win the Emperor's heart. For a moment she didn't know how to respond. But at the end she couldn't let other party win.
"Nandini don't be too shameless, don't ruin your own dignity as a woman" Ehanya snapped again trying to make her words more reasonable..
"Oh, it's me holding onto the womanly dignity to give you some face already or I would have kicked you out the first day you came to the palace" Nandini told her, "tell me am not I generous enough?"
Ehanya's face twisted. She never thought this gentle looking girl would be this poisonous. She believed she could cast her aside after talking to her. But it seems the other person is more resourceful than her.
"It's strange that you are fighting for another man instead of your own husband. I have never seen such a shameless woman like you. Seducing the uncle of your own husband, you really have a thick face" Ehanya mocked.
"You are mistaken princess, I am fighting for the person I like. As for the husband you mentioned he is more of a husband to another woman than me. Actually we are sailing in the same boat. As for being shameless — yes I have to shameless for something I want or others are always ready to snatch my man. This is quite related to you isn't it?"
Ehanya gritted her teeth. This woman is really capable. No matter how much she insults there's no winning against her. Now there's only thing left to use as a bargain.
"Looks like I need to inform sister how good her daughter-in-law is. I would like to see how long you can have that arrogance in your attitude" Ehanya said and walked away but she collide with Jeia who just walked in with a busket full of red flowers.
Nandini turned around, "are you sure you really want to talk about it? Do you think I am sacred of her? By this time do you think you can use her to suppress me?"
Ehanya stopped in her track. Of course, if she really feared Mayurakshi she would never dared to do such forbidden thing. This realisation made Ehanya more annoyed.
Nandini traced her finger over the red flowers Jeia brought and picked one before tugging it in her hair casually. "You better think carefully before doing something. Things may not be as simple as it seems. Of course you are free to do what you want but you must remember I warned you"
Ehanya stood rooted in her place while Nandini walked past her carelessly. She looked at them and couldn't help but frown. How come the younger one fel] so intimidating than the older one? Though she wanted Mayurakshi to know about it but she wasn't sure if telling her would do any help.
Manik stood at side watching the scene. He likes it when his wife showes such arrogant side of hers. The way she threatened it was really eye catching. Ishank stood behind him shaking his head. He knows well what's going on there but doesn't say anything and his master seemed to be in a good mother too.
"Ishank"
"Yes, master" he replied immediately.
"It's quite entertaining don't you think so?"
"As long as master enjoys it"
"But still something is not pleasing to eyes" Manik's words made Ishank looked at him.
"Master?"
"Go throw that unpleasant thing in the water" Manik said and left the place without a second look.
"Huh?" Ishank stood there pursuing his lips. At the end he sighed then his gaze fell on the figure standing by the side of the pond. Such a bad luck.
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"How did you end up falling in the water?" Mayurakshi asked. Ehanya sat in her room drying her hair. How should she answer that? After the heated argument when she turned to leave but she felt pain in her legs and she lost her balance before falling in the pond. Her maids come little late to rescue which caused her to drink some pond water. It's not that she couldn't swim but the pond was deep inside even if the surface betrayed it's true face. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't swim properly.
"I slipped" Ehanya decided to cut the reply in short.
Mayurakshi sighed, "you need to be careful. Mother's birthday is tomorrow and all of us will pray for her first then go to the distribution area. Make sure you're close to mother and help her in need"
Ehanya looked up, "what about Nandini? Wasn't she always there to help? With her there could it be possible for me to step in? The Queen Dowager is fond of her"
"Don't worry, I will make her stay away. She is always obedient and will follow my words. I will handle her matter. You just need to focus on you work"
Ehanya really wanted to laugh. Does she know how cunning her daughter-in-law is? That woman is planning behind her back yet she is not even doubtful. Mayurakshi said so confidently that she will handle Nandini's matter but Ehanya really want to ask 'can you?'
She decided not to say anything to Mayurakshi for time being. The battle started between them so no matter what she wanted to see who can actually win Emperor's favour? So what if she had Emperor's affection at this moment? Everything is chargeable with time. Besides their relationship is forbidden. Could they actually go through it?
Ehanya smiled. What if someone else also see it? She won't say anything but there's such a thing called coincidence right?
"What are you thinking? Are you even listening to what I am saying?" Mayurakshi frowned at Ehanya's absent minded look.
Ehanya nodded, "I understand sister, I will definitely stay close to Queen Dowager" she really needed to.
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