Vicious Empress (Unedited)

Chapter 114 - Harmony After End

"Are you okay?" Manik asked with concern looking at Nandini who was drinking some tonic. He couldn't help but restless when he saw her vomiting blood back in the court.

"I am fine your majesty" she smiled then looked at him.

"Why did you vomit blood?"

"It's because of the side effects of the flute" Nandini felt guilty. But she couldn't think rationally when she heard about the truth. She was so angry that she just wanted to get her revenge.

"That flute? You knew this would happen?" Manik frowned.

Nandini nodded "it doesn't have any effect on my body. I vomited because I played the song without stopping and it urged the blood to rush up in my throat"

Manik sighed then shook his head "I know you were angry and I can understand you because I was in the same situation as yours but punishing does not mean at the cost of your own self. Today you risked it again. And I can forgive you knowing your pain but you are not allowed to do it again. Am I clear?"

Nandini felt helpless. She can see the worry in her husband's eyes. She nodded her head "yes your majesty I understand"

"Good" he lightly patted her hand "tired?"

"Not that"

"My lady, her highness Empress Dowager is here" Atropa announced and they saw Chityakanta walking in slowly.

"I heard you vomited blood Nandini" she said as she walked in.

"I am fine, mother. It was a small matter" Nandini smiled.

"How can it be a small matter?" Chityakanta shook her head. Her eyes filled with guilty "you have been put in such a situation after marrying into the palace. Even though I knew that Kumeka and Kashmin was not gentle but I never expected them to be so cruel and have black heart inside. If it was not for them, none of this things would have happened"

"Mother" Nandini sighed "please don't feel guilty for others deeds. Mother has a good heart and a good heart always finds others good and forgives them. It was not your fault. It's just they couldn't control their evil mind and let it spread through their body and heart"

"Nandini" Chityakanta suddenly sobbed "I am still feeling so bad for it. I am sorry"

Nandini got up from the couch and held Chityakanta's hand "mother please. If you cry like this then I will feel guilty. You are like my own mother, and mother's doesn't apologise to their children"

"Oh my dear" Chityakanta hugged her. "You are so brave to handle this hard situations. I feel so proud of you and your judgements. It's just...."

Nandini broke the hug "mother what happened?"

Chityakanta sighed "if only the child could survive through this hard time then...." Her voice faded as she couldn't speak more.

Nandini smiled "nothing will happen to the child, mother , don't worry. After few months you will be able to hold your grandchild in your arms"

Chityakanta was shocked. She gasped as she looked at Nandini "what did you say? You mean that?"

Nandini nodded her head "yes, I mean what you are thinking"

Chityakanta couldn't help but glance towards Manik who smilingly nodded in confirmation. Happy tears ran down from her eyes as she couldn't hold back her emotions. Her grandchild is safe. She couldn't contain her happiness.

"Whether it's a prince or princess, it will be the light of Samrat" Chityakanta wiped the tears on her face.

Manik stood up "even if the child is a princess, and the court opposes it, there's no need to worry. Vaibhav is still there and it's no harm to let my nephew take over the throne"

"There is no need brother" Vaibhav interjected as he walked in. "I don't think that kind of situation will come in future. I feel like my nephew will be a prince who will rule Samrat better than you. Besides I would like my kids to lead simple life instead of getting entangled with court politics and mess up their minds"

Everyone laughed hearing him. At the side Atropa threw a glare while Vaibhav returned it with a grin. It was clear that the dark atmosphere had been lifted and the light of peace fell bathing the whole palace.

Few months later ...

So many things have changed in these months. After the death of Kumeka and Kashmin went mad the whole palace fell in silence without any disturbance. Nandini's pregnancy was going well and Maya's son was growing bigger with passing times. Suhal went back but didn't take Naya with him. The road back was under construction and it will take a few more months to complete. Because of the rough journey it will cause harm to the little prince so after much discussion it's decided that Maya will go later when the roads are clear.

In the Rose Palace Nandini was lazily drinking soup that was made by Atropa. It was her 8 month and these days she was feeling more tired than ever.

"Are you feeling fine?" Maya asked.

"Um...." Nandini responded as she placed the bowl on the table. "No matter how much I eat, it feels like I am still so hungry," Nandini sighed, shaking her head.

Maya smiled "it happens. I have also felt the same way. I even thought I could just eat the whole imperial kitchen" saying this she laughed and Nandini chuckled.

"Do you have any special cravings, sister in law?" Maya asked again. Her voice was laced with excitement.

"Hmmm..." Nandini pondered for a while "I want to eat something sweet, like lotus cake"

"You want sweets?" Maya frowned "I will tell the imperial kitchen to make sweet dishes for you"

"No" Nandini waved her hand "I don't like the taste of their dishes"

"Then... What do you want to do?"

"I will ask Atropa to make me Lotus cake" Nandini said "she is really skilled in cooking"

"Right," Maya agreed, "when I was pregnant she used to make me food which was not considered light or heavy yet matched perfectly with my taste. I was so addicted with her cooking that I could not feel good with other food"

"She has been learning it for years, trying out different dishes and recipes. She really does have such patience and tolerance" Nandini praised then looked at Maya "where is my little prince?"

Maya smiled "he is with his grandmother. Mother is always spending time with him"

"Grandchildren are the hearts of grandparents. It's obvious she will dote on her"

Maya laughed "let your child be born then he  will have someone to share everything"

Nandini smiled and shook her head. Just then Manik walked in looking exhausted. Maya saw him and got up "Brother is also here, I will check on my son" then she left smilingly.

"You look tired, your majesty" Nandini moved as Manik sit down beside her.

"Court matters, one after another. Totally exhausting" Manik replied, shaking his head.

"Do you want to drink something?" Nandini asked, looking worried.

"No, I am fine" he said as his gaze fell on the swollen belly and his eyes softened. He placed his hand on it and gently rubbed it.

"How's our child doing?"

Nandini smiled "with passing time, it became naughty and kicking all day. Looks like it started practicing"

Manik chuckled when he heard Nandini's complaint "but this is wonderful" he leaned down and placed a kiss on the top.

"Yes, so wonderful," Nandini smiled. They looked at eachother and loved shining in their eyes. Life means to work hard so that at the end it becomes worthy.