Master monk's gaze slides between the two people before finally fixing his gaze on Manik. Not wasting any time he called out again "your majesty?"

Manik's trance broke with the sound and he turned his head to look at master monk who was looking at him with a smile. He shook his head then nodded.

"I appreciate master's efforts of thinking about me. I gradually accept your gift"

Master monk was satisfied "then rest assured, I also want to ask your majesty something else" he said then gestured Aiyara to place the tray on nearby table.

"What is it?" Manik frowned.

Master monk smiled "two days later we will be holding medical exam for the disciples to see how much their knowledge has extended so I request your majesty to be present with empress and her highness empress mother to join the event"

"It's a joyous event and I would like to take the offer but I am not knowledgeable about medical term so understanding about the even will be little low" Manik smiled. Master monk laughed.

"Your Majesty you don't have to worry. There are many mastars who will judge the event. I just want your Majesty to enjoy the even while staying here"

"Of course, in that case I will naturally join the event" Manik nodded.

"I am grateful your majesty" master monk smiled then gazed on table "this drink will keep your majesty's body warm. At night time the whether gets chilly and who is not get used to the weather will have effects on body"

"Then I will thank master monk for taking care of me" Manik responded.

"I won't disturbing your majesty more. I will visit tomorrow again. Your majesty have a good rest"

Manik nodded and gradually his eyes fall ahain on the woman following behind master monk. His eyebrows tightly knitted as he looked at the disappearing figure.

Outside the room master monk stopped on his track and look back at Aiyara "keep your distance from his majesty. Do not let him figure out anything. You are smart one so I don't need to remind you again" his tone was sharp clearly showing the domineering attitude.

Aiyara nodded "yes, master I understand. You don't have to worry about it"

Master monk nodded "godd, now let's go pick the tray I prepared and let's go meet the empress"

"We are going now?" Aiyara frowned.

"Yes, now" then he walked forward and Aiyara followed his steps. On the way Aiyara picked another tray and made her way towards Nandini's room. When they stopped on door they saw a maid doing something near the door. When they closer they found her lightning several incense sticks and pulled it together before placing in on small stand. The corner of the entrence door has 5-6 incense stands organized in row on each side. Sensing others presence Atropa looked up.

"Oh, my apology, I did not paid attention" Atropa apologized instantly.

Master monk waved his hand then smiled "what are you doing on the door?"

"I was completing my lady's instructions"

"Lightning incense?" Master monk frowned.

Atropa nodded "yes, my lady instructed to light  this incense up and place it on each side of door and windows"

"Why?" Mastar monk asked curiously.

"It will keep the room warm and prevent the cold wind to effect inside the room. My lady does not like cold much so prepared all this" Atropa replied truthfully.

"So it is as such" master monk nodded "we would like to meet the empress"

"Please" Atropa respectfully lead them inside.

In the room Nandini was lying on couch with her eyes closed. Ageratina brewed tea for her and placed it on small round table. Atropa lead the two people inside.

"My lady" she called out. Nandini opened her eyes and saw them and gradually sit up.

"I hope everything is comfortable here Your Highness, I am Master monk of this temple" master monk said smiling.

"I am grateful for the arrangement master" Nandini got up "master visited personally here any reason?"

"Originally I am here to gift something. I have visited his majesty and gave him some drink to help him cope  up with the temperature at night. And I brought some  dry herbs for you. I hope your highness can accept it"  master monk said as he gestured Aiyara.

Aiyara walked forward and handed the tray to Atropa. Nandini's gaze fall on her for sometimes before she looked at master monk.

"She is..."

"She is my disciple Aiyara, she was the one who arranged everything here"

Nandini nodded "then I thank master for taking care of me"

"It's just my duty over my guest" master monk smiled "two days later there will medical exam event, I hope your highness will join it with his majesty. I have already invited him"

Nandini nodded "since his majesty agreed then there's no reason for me to refuse. I will definitely join this even"

"Then I will be taking my leave. Please have a good rest"

"Thanking master for the concern" Nandini smiled and watched them leaving the room.

"My lady this herbs are 100 years old and very precious"  Atropa said as she opened the lid of the box to look inside.

"Master monk has good knowledge in medicine world. There's nothing he have not seen before so naturally his gift will be precious" Nandini replied and sit down on couch before picking up the tea cup.

"Then my lady you will be joining this event?" Ageratina asked.

Nandini nodded "since I already promised then how can I neglect my own words. Besides his majesty already agreed so there's no point to refuse anyway"

Nandini took sip on her tea "go prepare the dinner, I want to dine early tonight"

"Yes" both maid replied before retreating.

During the dinner time when the two maids preparing for the last meal of the day they received another guest. Nandini did not expected Manik will visit her at this time.

"Your Majesty you are here?"

Manik walked in and glanced around the room "your room feels more warm than mine. According to the weather outside it feels like there's no cold at all"

"Your majesty are you feeling cold?" She asked looking concerned. For some who stayed much of the time in the warmth of the palace it will be little uncomfortable to stay in such cold weather of top mountain.

He looked at Nandini who was standing in her casual cloths without any warm cloths to cover her.

"It's quite windy outside when I walked but after coming here all the coldness is gone. How did you do that?" Manik asked as he sit down on chair.

"I just used incense to keem warm but your majesty I didn't expected you to be here" Nandini smiled.

Manik nodded "I thought to have dinner with you"

Nandini chuckled "in case your majesty has forgot that the dishes here will be vegan style. Whatever I eat in the palace it will be presented here too"

Manik smiled "it does not matter besides I am used to have company while eating"

Nandini was startled hearing him. Did he just said he is being used to share dinner time. He has been visiting Ros Palace quite sometime now and shared a meal together. Not replying she sit down and smiled.

"I have sent some incense to mother and Vaibhav to keep them warm and tonight I will send you some in your room"

"Just incense is enough to keep the whole room warm?" Manik frowned.

"It's not an ordinary incense your majesty" Nandini replied pouring a cup of tea for him then handed the cup to him "the incense is mixed with 13 different herbs  which has its own unique quality and benefits"

Manik sipped on tea "impressive" he nodded then placed the cup "I also have something to share with you"

"What is it your majesty?" Nandini picked the tea pot and poured tea in the cup.

"Do you remembered the things I told you on our wedding night?"

Nandini hand stopped for a moment hearing him. She placed the tea pot and looked at him. Some emotions flashed in her eyes but she did not replied.

"I told you that I couldn't give you the physical right that a wife has on her husband and also there's someone in my heart" Manik continued as he looked at her.

"Why are you suddenly picking out all those matter your majesty?" Nandini asked. Her face was void of all emotions.

Manik sighed "I...I ..met her today. After so many years trying to find her I finally met her in this temple. And she is the Master monk's disciple Aiyara. I did not knew her name at that time so I couldn't find her no matter how much I try"

"Your Majesty" Nandini called. Her eyes filled with pain then she sighed "if you are thinking of reconciling with your loved one and marry her then it would be better if you free me from this relationship first. Though I know I don't have your heart but sharing my husband with someone else is not something I want" she turned her head other side not looking at him.

Manik frowned at her "what nonsense are you sprouting? When did I said I will marry her?"

Nandini looked at him "your majesty did not you said you love her and you are searching for her then what should I think in this matter. For a woman like me who don't have her husband's heart I will surely think of all the possibilities that will be coming on the way"

Manik was stunned for a moment then smiled shaking his head "you are wrong. I said I was trying to find her and of course I have some feelings for her but that doesn't mean I will forget about the vows I made when wedded nor I will abandon you because of this" he sighed "I just wanted to share this with you. When did I said I will go and marry her. I know she saved me once but today looking at her I didn't felt the familiar feelings I had once. I don't know whether it's because of been so long or some other reasons but she feel like stranger to me"

Nandini sighed "your majesty what do you want to do now?"

"Nothing. Even if I found her I am already married to you. I will be celibate to you and our relationship. Betraying is not something I ever thought so you don't have to worry about this matter" he flicked his finger on her forehead playfully "besides you are my wife and that's why I should tell you first. So in future there won't be any misunderstanding between us"

Nandini's heart spread with feeling of warmth. A small smile tugged on her lips. She rubbed her forehead slowly then looked at him "your majesty let's have dinner"

Soon Atropa and Ageratina brought dishes and the couple started to enjoy the meal without caring for anything.