The Crown Prince and His Love

Chapter 44|Lord of Pazhuvoor|

Nandini had forgotten what peace felt like. Her childhood, which now felt like a distant memory comforted her to an extent, but at the same time, it only made her depression worse. Did she long for the days when she was a normal girl, collecting flowers for Krishna and living a normal life? Where had that life gone? Where she spent the evenings singing Pasurams and chatting with her siblings?

Nandini's thoughts then wandered to the Prince Oh how they used to sneak out for horseback rides? Though she missed him, she consciously tried to push him out of her mind.

"No." Nandini shook her head. "Don't think of him." She chided herself whenever he crosses her mind.

But no matter how hard she tried to push him out of her mind, he always stayed in the corner of her mind. But he was not the only one to plague her mind. Veera Pandiyan, even in death, refused to leave her alone.

On one hand, his men had forced her to play by their sick plans to kill her once lover. On the other Veera Pandiyan tormented her at night, seeping into her dreams. Trying to pursue her into killing herself and joining him in heaven.

"There are plenty of beautiful women in Heaven," Nandini cried. "Leave me alone!"

"None as such as you." His voice echoed. "Come to me Nandini, I could conquer the heavens with you by my side. Then I'll make you my queen."

"I--I'll join you. But not now!" She sputtered. "I'll fulfill my oath, avenge your death and kill myself, I have no will to live."

Veera Pandiyan was not entirely convinced. He lingered around, his very presence making Nandini uncomfortable.

"Please, Please, trust me," She cried, desperately trying to convince him that she wouldn't run away with the enemy. But the Pandiyan king was adamant about torturing Nandini, he kept inching closer and closer, his hungry eyes concentrated on her. A cloud of lust still covered his eyes.

Nandini woke up with a start, beads of sweat threading down her forehead. She sighed, thankful that it was all just a dream. She stood up weakly and walked outside. As usual, she was greeted with sour faces from Ravidasan, Soman, and Vasuki. Nandini tried her best to ignore them and walked up to the river to freshen herself up. But Instead, she found herself bawling her eyes out.

Aditha wouldn't come here to console her now like he always used to do, would he? Does he even know that she's still alive?

"Nandini." He heard a voice call out for her. Nandini jolted back her head, hoping for it to be Karikalan but she was met with disappointment yet again. Ravidasan walked up to her with a disappointed look on his face.

"I saved you since you promised us to help." Ravidasan started with his usual lecture. Nandini looked down. "All you do is sit around, sleep, and cry." Ravidasan rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry." Nandini apologized in a feeble voice.

"Will your sorry bring back Veera Pandiyar? or will it kill Karikalan?!" Ravidasan yelled. Nandini flinched at the tone of his voice.

"I-I don't know what to do!" She cried sinking her face in her knees. Before Ravidasan could continue they heard the cluttering of horseshoes from afar.

Ravidasan looked around cautiously. "Come."

Nandini shook her head and insisted to stay in her spot. Ravidasan tried to convince her to come with them but quickly hid himself as the sound of horses inched closer to them.

Nandini looked down at the flowing river again, she didn't even bother to look up as the man on the horse stood next to her.

"Who are you?" A raspy voice asked. Nandini wiped away her tears to look back at the tall form who stood behind her.

"I...I'm just an orphan Iyya...who might you be?" Nandini asked feebly.

"Me?" He asked, surprised that she doesn't know him. "I'm Periya Pazhuvettaraiyer, lord of Pazhuvoor." He said, proudly, holding his head up high.

Nandini quickly got up on her feet. It was Karikalar's grandfather...

"It's surprising that a beautiful girl like you is an Orphan," Pazhuvettaraiyer said, eyeing her from on top of his horse. Though he was old but...he was quite handsome.

"I shouldn't be talking with you, My lord..." Nandini said, backing off a little.

"Why?" He asked, circling her.

"I--" Nandini stammered as the man eyed her up and down. Lust clouded his eyes. "We can't," She said, trying to move past him.

"Why is that so?" He asked again, blocking her way.

"I'm a no one, but you're a royal...it's not appropriate for us to..." She trailed off.

"Well, I can make you a royal," Pazhuvettaraiyer said, smugly. "A Queen perhaps?" Nandini looked up at him in confusion. "My Queen?"

Nandini almost threw up at his proposition. How could he ask her that? He's like thrice her age, old enough to be her grandfather.

"Well?" Pazhuvettaraiyer pressed.

"I...I don't know, Arase..." Nandini said looking down, her heart couldn't accept anyone except Aditha, but her brain said otherwise. Wouldn't it be easier to kill Karikalan if she were a royal? She would be closer to him that way...as his 'grandmother'...

"Someone like you deserves to be on a golden throne, adorned with jewels and silk," Pazhuvettaraiyer said. Nandini looked down, digger her toes in the sand, nervously.

"O-okay..." Nandini said finally, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. A sly smile crept on his face. How did her life come to this?

*******

Aditha sighed as Parthiv entered with some scrolls in his hands. "Not this again," Karikalan mumbled, rubbing his temples.

"Aditha...it's from the Emporer himself," Pallavan said, flashing the seal on his face. "See?"

"If you don't look at it, you don't have to follow it, Ilavarase" Vandiyathevan said cheekily, trying to lighten up the mood.

Adithan allowed himself a small smile. "Can't say that you're wrong."

Parthibendran glared at Vallavarayan. "He's already spoilt, don't give him any more bad advice." Parthibendran scoffed.

Vandiyadevan looked down. "He's right, Ilavarese...you can't keep ignoring your duty."

Adithan held up his hand and gestured for them to stop talking. He picked up the scroll and read it, uninterestingly.

"Well?" Pallavan urged Adithan to give him a clear-cut answer.

Karikalan sighed, placing the scroll down. "I...don't know." He mumbled, taking another scroll in his hands.

"From Ilaya Piratti." Parthibendran said, smiling slightly. Vallavarayan smirked slyly at Pallavan and nudged his arms.

"You're so in love with her," Vallavarayan whispered, Parthibendran stepped on his foot to shut him up.

"Yea...I can see that." Adithan said nonchalantly.

"Aditha you ought to go now...the-" Parthibendran stopped mid-sentence as he saw Adithan's face change. "Aditha?" He called out to Karikalan, who was staring blankly at the scroll.

"Nandini..." Adithan whispered to himself, before snapping his head back to Parthibendran. "We are leaving. Tomorrow." He said, firmly.

"Tomorrow? I-We...it'll take at least two days to clear the camp and prepare for the journey." Parthibendran tried to talk some sense into Adithan. But as usual, the Prince was stubborn.

"Tomorrow." Adithan repeated again, firmly. Parthibendran groaned and finally gave in.

Adithan sat down, a bit shocked. She was alive...How? Nevertheless, he was relieved, He smiled slightly at the thought of meeting her again. This time he would not let her go. He would hold onto her.