THE PAST OF OUR LOVE

part 14

It was a radiant morning when Antara rose with the sun, beginning her day with grace and purpose. She moved through her morning tasks with quiet diligence, her preparations for the royal breakfast unfolding with care.

As the golden light bathed the hall, the king and queen arrived for their meal. Every dish was served steaming and savory, a feast of flavors that delighted the royal palate.

The king cast a compassionate glance at Antara and asked softly, "How are you, my child?" He still carried the weight of guilt for what had befallen her.

"I am fine, King," she replied, her smile a beacon of serenity.

"Is the prince not joining us for breakfast today as well?" Queen Ganga Devi asked, her face marked by concern.

"It has been two days since I last saw my son."The king, his expression troubled, replied, "I will send someone to fetch him." He began to look around for a soldier but found none available.

"The soldiers have all been summoned for a special meeting with Commander Rupinder," the head maid informed him.

The king then turned his attention to Antara. "Antara, go and summon Prince Abhimanyu. Tell him he must come here as soon as possible."

Antara bowed deeply and left the palace. As she walked through the ornate corridors, her thoughts churned with unease. "Why must I be the one to call that rude man ?" she mused. "I can already imagine him scolding me the moment he sees me." Her heart sank at the prospect of facing his temper, but she steeled herself for the task ahead.

Antara entered the prince's room, only to find it empty. As she prepared to leave, a sudden noise caught her attention. She quickly turned her head, searching for the source of the sound.

Prince Abhimanyu Arjun emerged from his dressing room, clad only in his lower vest. As he turned and saw Antara standing there, his expression tightened into a mask of irritation.

As Antara stood in Prince Abhimanyu Arjun's room, the suddenness of his appearance in just his lower vest left her startled. The prince's anger was palpable, his voice booming with authority. "What in the world are you doing in my chamber?" His words echoed through the room, making Antara's heart pound with fear.

Antara, feeling the full brunt of his ire, immediately bowed her head, her voice barely a whisper. "king asked your presence in the dining hall immediately, Prince." She kept her eyes lowered, unwilling to meet his piercing gaze.But the prince did not retreat. Instead, he moved towards her, his steps deliberate and commanding.

Antara moved back and was shocked and hit the wall as she has no more space to move  The air between them seemed to crackle with tension as he moved closer. Antara could feel the heat of his presence, his breath stirring the air near her face. When she finally dared to lift her gaze, she found herself staring up at him, their faces mere inches apart.

Prince Abhimanyu's expression was a storm of emotions-frustration, confusion, and a hint of something deeper. He loomed over her, his eyes searching hers with a relentless intensity. The proximity was almost suffocating, a physical manifestation of the charged atmosphere that surrounded them.

His voice, though quieter now, carried a sharp edge. "Prince?" he questioned, his tone laced with disbelief. "You now address me so politely, after having called me undeserving to be a king ?"

His words were heavy with accusation, reflecting the complexity of their strained interactions and the unresolved tension between them.

The moment was charged with an electric intensity, making the air between them seem almost tangible.