The Crown Prince and His Love

Chapter 12 |Nandini's dilemma|

Nandini closed her eyes while resting her head on Adithan's shoulders. Karikalan smiled at her and poured his affection towards her, Nandini's body touching his, made him feel something at the bottom of his stomach. Karikalan took a deep breath, he was nervous for some reason. He doesn't like to show it but whenever he was around Nandini, he felt shy and nervous. But that didn't stop him from ogling at her.

Even when her eyes were closed, they radiated warmth and love. 

Nandini sensed Adithan looking at her, she could feel his loving eyes absorbing every part of her. She bit the corner of her lips and smiled

That pure smile pulled Adithan's heartstrings. Even if they weren't talking, they could sense each other, their love didn't need any words. 

But her rest and his joy didn't last long.

Nandini jerked awake as she heard the jingling of anklets coming from behind them. Adithan looked at her with a confused look. "What?" He asked her.

"Your sister," Nandini whispered as she got up. Adithan stood up all panicky, Before she could hide, Kundavai was already there looking at them like a disappointed mother.

"Woah...Kundavai," He brushed his hair aside. He gave her the exact same look which a thief would give when caught red-handed. Nandini hid behind Adithan's shoulders, She looked down at the ground not daring to meet Kundavai's eyes. 

Kundavai looked at Karikalan first then at Nandini who was innocently hiding behind Karikalan. 

"I didn't expect to find you here," Kundavai said in a mocking tone. Adithan sighed at her sarcasm. Kundavai glared at Nandini, when Adithan turned back, she turned it into a smile.

"What brings you here, thangachi?" Adithan asked as he shielded Nandini from Kundavai's glares.

"Father wanted to meet you," Kundavai announced.

"Now?" Adithan frowned and looked back at Nandini.

"Yes, Now," 

Adithan shuffled his feet nervously and looked at Kundavai. "Okay, let's go," Karikalan said.

"You go, I have an important job to do," Kundavai said to Karikalan. He looked at her with a worried look. 

"What job?" Karikalan asked, concerned, Nandini begged him with her eyes, pleading with him not to leave her with Kundavai, alone.

"The Princess of the Chozha empire will have many duties," Kundavai beamed. "And Father is calling you now to fulfill the duty of that of a Prince," Kundavai said stressing on the word prince. Adithan clicked his tongue and rubbed his face with his hands.

"What? Are you waiting for some auspicious time? Go on now," Kundavai said pointing towards the palace. "Gooo!" Kundavai literally had to push away Karikalan as he refused to move.

"You don't want to keep the Emporer waiting do you?" Kundavai said as she saw Karikalan lingering around the corner. 

"Fine, fine," He gave one final look to Nandini, who pierced him with her sad look, Adithan signaled her that everything would be okay and left.

Kundavai turned back to check if her brother was still there, Nandini tried to slip away from the Princess, but no one could escape Kundavai's clutches. 

"Where do you think you are going?" Kundavai asked, Nandini stopped and gulped in fear. "I wanted to talk to you," Kundavai said with her loving voice.

"What do you, the 'Princess of the Chozha empire', have to say to a poor girl like me?" Nandini said.