The Crown Prince and His Love

Chapter 50|Desperation|

It was a beautiful summer day, the sun beamed with its full grace and the songbird chirruped happily in their nests. The scent of flowers were carried through the palace by the wind.

Karikalan walked through the garden, disregarding the beautiful weather. The only thing he was concerned about was running into that snake again. His lips twisted in disgust at the thought of her. Periya Pazhuvetarraiyer's wife. He shook his head the clear that thought.

He scanned the garden, looking around for his father who had summoned him. Kundavai said he wanted to talk about something 'important'.

"Son," Sundara Chozhan called out. Karikalan gave him a quick smile and walked up to him.

"Appa? Kundavai said you wanted to talk to me," Karikalan asked. Sundara Chozhan nodded slowly.

"Yes," He muttered, gesturing for Karikalan to follow him. He did not know where to start, he wanted to talk to him about his bad habits, he wanted for his son to stay in Thanjai, and finally he wanted for him to take the hand of Sambuvaraiyar's daughter, knowing his son, Sundara Chozhan knew he wouldn't even bother listening to him about this, he was so fixated on that girl.

Karikalan looked at his father, patiently waiting for him to talk. "Appa?"

Sundara Chozhan sighed. "I'm worried about you," He said gloomily.

Adithan raised a brow. "Worried?" He asked. "About what? The war? I got it under control--"

Sundara Chozhan shook his head. "No, it's about your character, you changed,"

"People change," He muttered.

"You changed for the worse,"

Karikalan looked away. It was not his fault he was like this. They made him a monster. Didn't his father stand and watch as they drove Nandini away?

Sundara Chozhan raised a brow, observing his son. "What happened?"

"You won't understand,"

"I'm your father," Sundara Chozhan said, pressing his shoulder. "I've gone through everything you've went through and more." He shook his head and got straight to the point. "I want you to get married."

Adithan looked like a ghost ran past him. "Married? What's the rush for me to get married?" He laughed nervously. "I want to watch Kundavai and Arulmozhi get married first,"

Sundara Chozhan laughed at his attempt to deflect the conversation. "No, Aditha, you should get married first, maybe she'll fix you."

"I need no fixing, I can take care of myself!" He protested. "Appa...Amma has already tried to introduce me to Manimekalai...it won't work out."

"Why won't it?"

Karikalan was lost, trying to find out a reason. From what he had heard about Manimekalai from his mother, she was a perfect girl, pretty, soft-spoken, kind...but she was not Nandini.

"She's a perfect suit for you,"

Karikalan sighed. "I'll marry when the time comes, this--it's too soon,"

Sundara Chozhan furrowed his brows.
"I'm scared of losing you, Aditha," he voiced his fear, but Karikalan was in no mood to understand.

Karikalan inhaled sharply, trying to keep himself together. "You won't." He lied, they've already lost him.

"I want you to get married and stay in Thanjai," Sundara Chozhan said, Karikalan shook his head immediately. He couldn't stand meeting Pazhuvetarraiyer or Nandini even for a second again.