"Manik please.."Nandini rolled her eyes in annoyance. "..don't start again.."folding her hands across her chest she looked at him and continued "..will you get a grip over yourself.."

"Easy for you to say.."Manik snapped at her. "..you don't have to wait here patiently and pray for the well-being of the person who happens to be the reason of my existence..."

"Manik.."she sighed and caressed his face "..I know you are worried..but trust me..I know what I am doing.."

"..but what if something goes wrong again.."Manik finally spoke his fear out "..I can't loose you Nandini..I just can't.."Nandini knew what he was about to say so in order to stop him she did something that not only silenced him but also calmed him down almost instantly..

...she simply placed her lips on his and without any word she gave him the biggest assurance that Manik could have ever asked for.

Manik did kissed her back but their kiss was anything but sensual.

..it was more like a seal of promise between them..

..that he would always protect her..

...while she would always come back just to be with him.

After what it felt like eternity they broke apart only to keep their forehead rested again each other while they both tried to catch their breath and calm their heartbeats down.

"Manik..nothing will happen to me..you have my words..I won't fall weak this time..my mind and my heart would get used to it very soon..in fact even this time I would take proper care so that I don't end up taking too much pressure..trust me Manik..I won't let anything wrong happen with me.."Nandini assured him.

"If something bad happened I will be blaming you Nandini..only you..so you better stick to your word and don't you dare pull any stunt on me like this..are you getting this.."Manik warned her which only made her smile "Absolutely Master.."

"Shut up Nandini..don't you dare call me that.."Manik got more annoyed at her word. "Why won't I..of course I would..after all you are the ULTIMATE SUPREMO.."she winked mischievously at him. "..so that technically makes you my Master as well..right.."

"Wrong.."Manik snapped as he pulled her closer. Nandini breathe hitched as she directly looked into his eyes because of which she lost her power of speech for the moment "Miss Nandini..I agree I am the ULTIMATE SUPREMO..but you.."he caressed her face so gently that she couldn't stop herself from closing her eyes and give into the moment.

"..you are the empress of my heart.."he whispered while she continued to cherish this closeness between them. "You are the my everything Nandini..everything.."saying this he pecked her forehead.

His words were more like a seal of commitment between them. "You are my better half Nandini.."

Nandini opened her eyes only to find him looking back at her with nothing but warmth,adulation,loyalty and respect in his eyes which was just for her.

"Never call me "Master" again Nandini because you own me just as much as I own you.."

"We both are equal.."his words made her smile.

"I am sorry.."she held her ears and apologised. "I promise I won't repeat this again.."

He removed her hands from her ears and held it closer. Leaning in he kissed her hand.

Then looking up he said "Apology granted."
Holding her hands in his he asked her once again. "Do you really want to do this..are you sure.."apprehension was quite visible on his face.

"Do you seriously want to get punched again..are you sure about that as well.."she raised her eyebrows which finally made him smile.

"Fine.."he finally gave up in front of her stubbornness. "..but promise me the moment you will feel little uncomfortable you would let me know..you won't stress yourself..and I would pull you back immediately.."

"I promise.."Nandini answered like an obedient child.

"Okay.."Manik sighed and said. "Close your eyes then.."Nandini did what she was asked to do. She closed her eyes and heard him asking. "Ready.."to which she nodded positively.

And the very next moment environment around her started to change once again.

Though she couldn't see it but she could easily feel it.

Since now Nandini knew when she had to do what that's why instead of getting worried or scared she waited for the environment around her to calm down patiently.

Soon she started to feel that things around her were slowing down and once it settled properly that's when Nandini knew that it was time for her to open her eyes.

Slowly but calmly she opened her eyes only to find her in mid of the dark forest once again.
Before she could say anything her eyes caught something.

Herself.

Yes..

Nandini—the princess of Homosepians.

However she was dressed in a gown with pearls attached to her entire dress. Her hair was beautifully braided.

She was looking ethereal.

Moonlight was falling on her face which only enhanced her beauty.

In that moment she looked like a princess that walked right out of a fairytale.

However that wasn't that caught this Nandini's eyes.

Something else did...

rather..

...someone.

A woman who was badly dressed and looked like a wicked witch as she continued to scream at the princess.

"Just..just go away.."she pushed Nandini (princess)backward. "..as if your father hadn't done enough.."

"Please at least..listen to me.."Nandini (princess)tried to speak to her but she simply pushed the princess backwards.

"Just leave Princess..before I end up murdering you just like the way my daughter was murdered."her words froze the Princess on her place. "What did you say.."

"I said exactly what you heard.."the woman looked at the princess with eyes filled of venom. "My daughter didn't die..she was murdered.."

"What.."was all the princess could whisper.

"Yes..."the woman answered through her gritted teeth. "My Raina..my daughter..she was murdered..."

"Who.."the princess questioned the woman.

"Who else.."the woman snickered.

"No.."the words were more than enough to make princess eyes widened in horror. "No..he can't.."

"Yes Nandini..he did that.."the woman reply broke the princess beyond measures.

"Father.."she couldn't take it anymore. "..why..would he do something like that.."

"For ultimate dominance.."the woman replied. "Your father used the "love card" to remove the Line Of Demarcation. He used my daughter for this..he made her fall in love with that preternatural.."

"Your father thought that using my daughter as a bait he would trap the king of preternatural and would persuade the Superiors to lift the line of demarcation by putting the ultimate blame on the king of Preternatural.."

"..your father thought that Superior would destroy the king of preternatural themselves and would make your father the ULTIMATE KING by giving him complete dominance."

"..but unfortunately his planed backfired."

"..as that preternatural betrayed Raina.."

"However Raina couldn't take this betrayal as loved him with all her heart.."

"..so she tried to cross the line.."

"..and the very next moment.."she stopped abruptly "..my daughter..my Raina..turned into pile of ash.."

"Why didn't Superior do anything about it.."finally the princess spoke as she supported the woman who was now a complete mess "..can't we get those..who are after Raina's death..punished.."

The woman looked only to find a determined princess looking right back at her "..we will get justice for her..we will.."

"No.."the woman held the princess tightly and said "you can't do anything Nandini..anything.."she fall down into Nandini's feet and continued to cry "it's too late Nandini..it's too late.."

"It's never too late.."the princess held her this time. "We will get justice for her..we won't spare anyone..not even my own father.."she sighed to calm her rage her down "..but first I need to know one thing.."she looked at the woman."Who was that guy.."she questioned. "..who was it.."

The woman looked up only to say one name "..your father was a shrewd man..that's why he tried to attack on the ultimate weakness of the king of preternatural.."

"You mean.."her eyes widened in horror as she whispered to which the woman simply nodded and whispered a name that not only made the princess eyes widened in shock but also sent shiver down Nandini—who was watching the entire thing right in front of her own eyes.

"No...No..." her eyes widened in horror as she whispered "..it can't be.."

She shook her head in horror as once again the environment around her started to blur.

She closed her eyes and let darkness engulf her completely.

"Nandini..Nandini.."she once again heard his voice only this time instead of panicking she put her entire concentration toward his voice as she waited patiently for the darkness to fade away.

And just after few moments she felt everything around her calm and composed. That's when she knew that she was back.

Once again she opened her eyes..however slowly..only to find Manik sitting right next to her "Manik.."she whispered as she finally saw him.

"Welcome back Nandini.."he just couldn't control his smile anymore as she successfully regain her consciousness this time. Planting a kiss on her forehead he said "Well done Nandini..well done.."

She tried to get up but Manik didn't let her. "Nandini..don't.."he lied her down again."But Manik.."Nandini tried to speak but Manik didn't let her. "You need rest Nandini.."

"Manik..I am thirsty.."Nandini said. "Don't worry.."saying this he got up. "..and please don't get up..I will bring water for you..but please..you take rest.."

Manik was about to step out of the room when Nandini asked something that stopped Manik right into his track and froze him at his place.

"Manik..."

"Who's Raina.."

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