The Crown Prince and His Love

Chapter 51 |Kutty Puli|

Thanjai

Nandini waited nervously for her husband to return, Ravidasan and his gang were getting restless. She had to get the ball rolling soon. Or...She shook her head, trying not to think about anything else, she had to focus. How is she going to kill all three tigers? If one of them got to know about the death of the other, it would be impossible to execute her plans.

The three had to be distant from each other. With Karikalan already in Kanchi, she only had to focus on getting Arulmozhi away from the emperor, but how?

"Nandini," Boomed Periya Pazhuvettaraiyer's voice, shaking Nandini from her train of thought. She quickly gathered herself and looked up at him with a gentle smile.

"Busy day at the court?" She asked, getting up. Pazhuvettaraiyer nodded absent-mindedly. Nandini looked at him closely, wondering if the fire she lit up in Madhurantakan's mind began burning. Did he talk to him about his desire to rule? 

"Did something of significance happen?" She asked sweetly.

Pazhuvettaraiyer sighed. A small smile crept upon Nandini's face. "Madhurantakar talked to me,"

"About what, Arase?"

"He...wants the throne back," He muttered, with a tinge of regret. 

"Well, it's his birthright...are you going to help him?" She asked. Nandini knew it would be a pain to convince Periya Pazhuvettaraiyer to help Madhuranthankar, his hesitation proves her point.

"How can I?" Pazhuvettaraiyer asked. "Karikalan is like my grandson, I...I can't even think of betraying them," He had raised Karikalan, he couldn't even think about working against him.

"Arase, how is this betrayal?" She asked, sitting down beside him. "I shouldn't talk about this...you know more than I do...but...it's an injustice to deny Madhurantakar his throne." She said, carefully knitting every word. "It's your duty to protect the Chozha empire from internal conflicts, you'll have to fulfill it, even if it means going against the Emporer." 

"Nandini!" Periya Pazhuvettaraiyer roared, absolutely oblivious to that idea. "Are you asking me to go behind the emperor's back and plot against him?" 

"Arase, why are you showing your anger towards me?" She whispered, placing her hand on his shoulder to weaken him. "I'm just expressing my views, you don't have to listen to me," 

Pazhuvettaraiyer inhaled sharply and looked down. Maybe, Nandini was right? 

"I'll think," He whispered tiredly.

"What's the problem?" She asked, this was the longest they'd been together without Periya Pazhuvettaraiyer making any advancements on her.

"I might have to go to Ilankai soon," He muttered, looking at Nandini. "I would miss you,"

Nandini cringed internally but kept on a straight face. "Ilankai? why?"

"It's time to expand the Chozha empire across the oceans, don't you think?" He asked, making himself comfortable. 

"Hmm," Nandini muttered. "Why should you go? can't...Karikalar go?" She asked.

"It'll take months for Karikalan and his army to come here, the opportunity to expand will die down," Periya Pazhuvettaraiyer explained. 

"Then Arulmozhi?" Nandini asked, this was the perfect opportunity to send off the youngest tiger, far far away from its father.

"Arulmozhi?" Pazhuvettaraiyer asked, scrunching his brows. 

"Who will take care of the finances if you're at Ilankai?" She asked. "And..." She faltered, looking away.

"And?"

"Your wives are not very fond of me..." She muttered, her eyes fluttering. 

"If somebody talks ill about you, tell me, I'll cut their tongue out," Pazhuvettaraiyer raged.

Nandini chuckled. "If that's the case, no one in this palace would have their tongues," She smiled. "From your brother to the Ilaya Piratti, everyone thinks I've seduced you and only married you for the riches,"

"Forget them, people will talk whatever they like. We should just be true to ourselves." He said, holding Nandini's hands. "I love you, and I know you love me," Nandini had to use all the strength she had to not run away at that moment.

*************

The next day

Arulmozhi paced back and forth. He had been restless ever since Periya Pazhuvettaraiyer put the idea of him going to Ilakai in his head. His father, unfortunately, put an end to that idea. Why were his parents so protective of him?

Arulmozhi hung back his head and sighed, he can't be kept sheltered like this forever. He had to do something about it. He turned back and walked straight to his father's chambers, hoping he would be there.

As he wished, Sundara Chozhan was there, resting. Arulmozhi debated whether he should disturb him or not, his father barely gets any time to rest. But if he doesn't talk about this now, he will never be able to ever again.

Arulmozhi approached his father nervously. "Appa?" He called out, Sundara Chozhan opened his eyes slowly, smiling at the sight of his eyes.

"Magane," He muttered, sitting up.

"Appa, I have...I want to talk to you about something..." Arulmozhi said. "About--"

"You going to Ilankai?" Sundara Chozhan asked, unamused.

Arulmozhi nodded. "Appa, Please let me go, I think I'm more than capable of running this war," He pleaded, Sundara Chozhan shook his head disapprovingly. "Do you think I'm not worthy enough to fight for the empire?" He asked, heartbroken.

"No, Arulmozhi...it's not that. No one knows how long the Ilankai war will take, it might take months, years,"

"So what, Appa?" Arulmozhi asked. Sure, it would be hard to stay away from his parents and his dear sister and...Vanathi, but it shouldn't stop him from fulfilling his duty as the Prince.

"You have a lot more to learn,"

"How would I learn without even stepping onto the battlefield?" Arulmozhi argued. Sundara Chozhan sighed, tired of his son pestering him. "Appa, please," He knelt down, taking his father's hands in his. "I'll make you proud,"

The sincerity in Arulmozhi's voice made Sundara Chozhan reconsider his decision. He sighed deeply and placed his hand on Arulmozhi's shoulder. "Promise me that you will stay safe, almost losing you to Ponni thai traumatized us,"

The Prince had a huge grin on his face. "I promise, Appa," 

"Then you'll always have my blessings,"

************

A/N

I'M BACC B)

Finally done with my boards (almost) and I'm kind of traumatized. What's a better therapy than writing?

next up: VanMozhi scene and Our Samudra Kumari introduction B))))))))