The Crown Prince and His Love

Chapter 55|His Obsession|

Parthibendran massaged his temples, sighing. He had been replaying his conversation with Adithan the other day, trying to make sense of it. Why was he defending the Ilaya Rani? At first, Parthibendran thought he might be defending her because she was his family now, but was he so passive-aggressive about it? Moreover, why was he referring to her as his Nandini?

Pallavan had to know what was going on between them as soon as possible or else his head was going to explode but he did not know how to approach him, what if he got too angry and killed him? How would he marry Kundavai then? 

Fortunately, the Crown Prince himself had summoned him for some important work or so he was told by a fellow soldier. Pallavan walked into his tent calling out Adithan's name but there was no reply. Was he still mad at him? Finally, he found him sitting on his cot, pondering about something with his eyes closed.

"Aditha?" He called out again which seemed to shake off Adithan from his train of thoughts.

Karikalan looked up at him for a moment. "I need you to do me a favor." Pallavan nodded. "Arrange some spies and station them at Thanjai and Pazhuvoor," He said, getting up. 

Pallavan furrowed his brows in confusion. "Spies?" Well, he was happy that his friend was finally taking steps to take care of his home, Thanjai...but why was his attention also suddenly drifting towards Pazhuvoor?

Adithan raised a brow. "What? Is that a new concept to you?" He joked, pouring himself and Pallavan a drink. "You could tell no, I can ask Vallavarayn to help," That prompted Pallavan to reply.

"No, no--It's...I'll do it but Why at Pazhuvoor?" Pallavan asked. Adithan paused for a moment before handing Pallavan a glass of wine.

"Just thought I needed to keep an eye on them," He shrugged, more specifically Nandini. 

"Why?" He asked again. "Any reason?"

"No," Karikalan said, sipping his drink. He could not trust Nandini around Thanjai, especially when he and Arulmozhi were not around.

"I know you are lying," Pallavan said, Karikalan scoffed and turned away. "Aditha, why did you act like that yesterday,"

"Act like what?" He asked, pretending to be confused. Karikalan knew what he wanted and he knew Pallavan wouldn't leave unless he learned more about her.

Pallavan sighed, shaking his head. "What's with you and Pazhuvoor Ilaya Rani?" He asked, coming straight to the point. Pallavan saw a tinge of irritation on Adithan's face.

"It's Nandini," Karikalan said, his jaw clenching. He couldn't bear anyone calling her by that cursed title. "It's just Nandini,"

"Aditha...What is happening to you?" Pallavan said, Karikalan shook his head. "I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on!"

"I don't need your help," He said stubbornly. He did need help, desperately but unfortunately, the person who could help was snatched away from him.

Pallavan clicked his tongue and turned away, trying to make sense of this man. What's with this man and Nandini? He turned away to leave but a moment of realisation hit him. Nandini...could it be...Was it the same Nandini whom he had claimed to love all these years? 

"D-do you love her?" Parthibendran asked, his gaze fixated on Karikalan. Pallavan could clearly see him pushing down his tears and swallowing his sorrows like he had been trying to do all these years. 

Karikalan nodded stoically. He loved her, so madly. It was not just love, was it? She was his obsession. She took away his sanity, she took away his sleep, she took away everything. But he could never hate her, even when he tried to convince himself to.

"Aditha...she's Pazhuvettaraiyer's wife..." Pallavan reasoned, pressing his shoulders as if that would ease his pain.

Adithan shook his head. "She's mine, She'll always be mine," He said, pushing off Pallavan's hands. 

"No, she's not! she's married--" He said, trying to knock some sense into Adithan's head but it was of no use, Adithan was not ready to listen to anything else. "That chapter of your life is over, move on!" 

"Move on?" Karikalan whispered. " Pallava, do you really think it's that easy to throw away someone you hoped for a future with?" He asked, his chest feeling heavy as he recollected how his childish dreams of having a family with her in a golden palace.

"Well she chose her future as Pazhuvettaraiyer's wife," Pallavan said, setting his glass down. "And you are here ruining yourself," 

It took all of Karikalan's strength to restrain himself from knocking Pallavan out, fortunately, he contained his anger pretty well considering how quick of a fuse he has, but it seemed as though Pallavan had a death wish.

"You could get any girl you want, Aditha," He argued, he was the Crown Prince for god's sake. Countless princesses would line up to marry him, but no, He'd rather live the rest of his life alone thinking about a lost cause. "There are a lot of beautiful girls out there,"

Karikalan couldn't believe what he was hearing, was that his friend's idea of love? 

"Do you think I only loved her for her appearance?" Karikalan asked, staring at him in disbelief.

"What else do you need to love someone?" Pallavan asked. 

Karikalan smiled sadly. "A lot more," He shook his head and looked up at him. "You would never understand," Pallavan massaged his temples at his naivety, how could someone be this blinded by love? 

"She clearly only loved you for the throne," He said, matter-of-factly. "She couldn't get you so she chose Pazhuvettaraiyer,"

Karikalan grabbed Pallavan by his collar, he was not going to let Pallavan discredit Nandini's love for him. "Nandini loved me," He whispered in a dangerously low voice. "Truly. A person like you would never understand it," 

Pallavan did not know if he should feel bad for Aditha or be mad at him for being this gullible. "Believe it or not, Aditha, it was all a facade," He felt Karikalan's grip losing a bit, He knew this was useless. No one ever understood his love, it was foolish for Adithan to expect maybe his friend would empathize with him. Life as always disappointed him once again.

Pallavan stepped back and turned away. "This is not good for you, forget her, Aditha," Pallavan said before taking his leave.

Karikalan sighed and leaned back, resting his head on the cot. He began reminiscing about Nandini, he hoped their good memories would overshadow the bitter ones. It worked for the most part until it became too painful when he finally realized he could never have moments like that with her ever again. Alas, one such memory resurfaced and Adithan couldn't help but drown in them.

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A/N

Alright, short chapter but good news the next update will be in 2 days, I won't take a week to update anymore and will try to upload every once in two/three days.

Also, I was listening to Varaha Nadhi an unhealthy amount of times recently and my mind just cooked up an awesome romantic scene. Any guesses between who?