Princess Nandini's POV

After taking bath I felt relaxed. All the exhaustion I felt went away. Because of the tiredness I asked Hanna to bring my food in my room. Most of the ladies would have their meal in their room. When we were going to bed the sky started to get dark and it looked like there will be rain tonight.

"Princess, the sky is already dark, looks like there will be storm tonight" Hanna said as she looked outside the window. The temple was sitting on the mountain but still there's no fear since it's a very old temple which endured years of storm and hard wind. There was not a crack on the walls of the temple which showed how solid the formation of the temple is.

"Let it be" I said as I tugged the quit up on my waist. "We couldn't possibly stop it"

"Princess do you want me to ask for more quilts?" Hanna turned to me asking, "the temperature of the temple will drop if it rained at night. Besides it's kind of cold at night so with the storm ahead, it will be colder"

"It's fine Hanna. This quilt is thick enough to warm me even if rains at night. It's already late, you should go and rest too. It's not good to stay awake so late" I smiled trying to assure her.

"Okay Princess, if you want something then please call me" she nodded and went out of the room. Her room is adjacent to mine so it's just a small wall partitioning our room. I sighed and slide down under the quilt and closed my eyes. I felt my eyes were heavy. I was exhausted during the day and also dealing with that lecher had me drain my energy. So I have to rest to regain myself again. Just as I thought I was about to fell asleep I felt a presence near me. I opened my eyes to see a dark shadow falling over me. I gripped the quilt hard. Then the sudden lightning outside the window has reflected the light on the face of the shadow and I relaxed.

"Your highness" I whispered.

He leaned towards me "were you scared now?"

"Your highness your action was quite scary. How can a delicate girl like me endure it?" I sighed.

"Delicate girl?" He chuckled darkly "you didn't seem like a delicate girl while standing at the center and stabbing with your dagger in the evening"

Is he blaming me?

I tried to force a smile "your highness, what can I do? I had to defend myself from him to preserve my reputation. People already gossips about me and if my reputation were messed then how could I live my life? At such a time a girl could only think of saving herself to prove her innocence"

"Well said princess but what can I do, I am not buying your words" I bit my lips hearing him. Why it's so hard to convince him? Others would believe but he won't. Humph.

"Your highness what I said is true, what kind of prove you want to clarify my words?" I asked again.

"Whom you are fooling princess?" He asked then moved back a little but I can feel his dark gaze on me. "You were sure aware about the situation and even letting yourself trap in their plan. You knew he would come for you but you still decided to deal alone? You know what kind of person he is bit you still allowed yourself to present lonely. Is this how you plan? Without having any backup?" There was anger laced in his tone which somehow made me shiver. I have never seen him getting angry nor heard him scolding like that.

"Your highness rest assured, I knew what I were doing and also knew for a man like him he couldn't help himself to bring more people with me. I have just taken advantage of the situation. There was nothing wrong. Besides for a small thing like this I really don't want anyone to be disturbed" I tried to point out my words. He really seems angry today.

"You have controlled the situation this time but what about next or after that? Can you guarantee everytime it will be same. When and how the situation will change no one could say" he said and he hovered over me "you need a clear conscience dear princess, even though you are capable of handling things you always needed to have a good back up to avoid losing at the end. It was good that the situation was not too troublesome and the culprit was just some common man or things could have gone wrong before you could understand it"

A feeling of guilt build in my chest. Though I am angry with his behaviour but when I ponder over his point I couldn't find myself not to agree with it. Yes, he was right. Things could have gone wrong and there's no way I could ask for help since I don't have any. Thinking about that I was careless this time but I was also confident enough because for a person like Taimul, he could only think of having sex then learning any fighting skills. So it gave me more advantage in the situation.

"Your highness, I understand your point. I know I was careless this time" I admitted nodding my head. "I wouldn't make such decisions again"

He didn't said anything for a moment. After watching me intensely he heaved a sigh "fine, since this is your first I will forgive you. But remember not to repeat the mistake again in future or I know ways how to bind you to prevent you from doing such thing" there was warning tone.

"Yes, of course" I smiled. Even father is not so ferocious like him. But his anger somehow touched my heart. He was worried for me isn't he? He is even warning me to stay safe.

"What are you planning to do next? It will be better just to kill that bastard to prevent further problems"

"No, killing him won't solve this problem" I sat on bed looking at him. Though there was not much light in the room other than the few candles at side which was also put out because of the wind blowing through the window but the lightning outside able to show his face now and then.

"You want to drag this matter on?" He frowned.

"It have to be your highness. Things like this would happen again and again if it weren't taken seriously. The action Taimul did wasn't only his fault but his family too. They failed to rise their son and couldn't give him good education. If it were taken lightly then there will be another then another and the list will go long. At then time we couldn't supress it even if we really want to"

"Since you have such intention then I won't interfere" he nodded after listening. I sighed.

"Thank you your highness"

He looked at me then without any words pulled me to his lap "I was worried when I heard of the news. Don't do something like this again or I will be worried to hell" he breathed heavily.

This man looks dangerous and cold but when he says something like this I couldn't keep my heart in control or move away from him. I tried to evade him and stay away but no matter how much I try I felt like I am dragged towards him with some unseen rope. I hooked my arms around his neck taking him in surprise. How long I can hold myself around him? I don't know. This man slowing started to tear my walls around my heart. And I am helpless to stop him at all.

"Your highness, you were worried for me?"

"Do you have any doubt? You are too stubborn to accept the reality little princess, you need to give a good thought over the matters you are avoiding at any cost"

I chuckled "I guess you are right your highness"

"It's late, you need to sleep. I will see you tomorrow" with that he moved me and placed me on bed before tugging the quilt on me. With a kiss on my forehead he left the room. I looked out of the window, the thunder was still roaring and then the rain stated to fall. Sighing I closed my eyes trying to invite the sleep again.

Next morning the rain finally stopped but the weather was still gloomy and cold. The monks were cleaning the floor and yard and because there was a heavy rain last night dry tree leaves gathered around.

"Princess I will prepare a hot water bath for you. The weather is cold and also other people also asked for hot water" Hanna walked in as she said. "The last night rain was so heavy that the floors has become slippery, it will be better if you don't go out today princess"

"Don't worry, I won't slip so easily. You say hot water bath? What about others?"

"None walked out of their room. When I went out to look for a caretaker to ask for hot water I could only see the monks were working in the yard"

"Okay, arrange the water fast" I nodded and grabbed my cloths. Suddenly the last night conversation flashed in my mind. How come the dominating devil become so gentle. He was worried about me? I never expected such affection to bloom. I don't know what I am going to do. If this goes on then I will definitely couldn't stop myself anymore.

"Princess water is ready" Hanna said from behind. "I have already placed your changing cloths in the chair"

"Okay" I nodded and walked towards small room attached at left side. It was a free space with a small rounded chair placed at corner. But today a wooden jacuzzi was placed in the middle filled with water. There was some flower petals spread just the way I like. I discarded my cloths and went in the water.

"Princess if you need anything please tell me" Hanna said. She was standing on the other side of the curtain. There was no door but curtains were hanged to partition on the room.

I sighed and about to close my eyes to enjoy the bath when a unfamiliar sound made me alert when I turned my head my eyes widened. How come it is here?

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😏 What do you think? What is it?