CHAPTER 33

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The monsoon rains, having drenched the land for weeks, were now beginning to subside. The skies, once laden with heavy, dark clouds, were slowly clearing, revealing patches of a pale blue sky. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and freshly blossomed flowers.

Inside the opulent chambers of the Daitya palace, Ajashakti lay lazily on a luxurious diwan, his body supported by a pile of plush pillows. His arms, wrapped around Anugamini, held her close, his touch gentle and firm. The other toyed with a lock of her hair, a mindless gesture that betrayed his deep affection.

"Then I thought the flowers would..." Anugamini, her voice filled with a playful lilt, chattered away, her words a gentle stream of consciousness. Ajashakti listened with a small smile, his attention more focused on the sight of her. Her face, bathed in the soft light, was a picture of serenity, her features delicate and ethereal.

While he adored her enthusiasm, the specifics of her floral musings were lost on him. Her words were a soothing melody, a backdrop to the peaceful moment they were sharing. It was her presence, her warmth, that kept his attention rather than the content of her words was secondary.

With her in his arms, there was a bliss that transcended all else, a peace that eclipsed even the grandest of ambitions. The thought of Swarglok, the celestial realm he had once so desperately sought, seemed almost irrelevant. What was the point of conquering the heavens when he had found his own paradise right here, in the arms of the woman he loved ? The realm of gods, with all its promises of glory and power, paled in comparison to the simple joy he found in her presence.

As he gazed at her, a soft smile played on his lips. His eyes, filled with a tender affection, lingered on her face. Anugamini fell silent, a flicker of disappointment crossed her face. A subtle pout tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Asur-raj." She said, her eyes filled with a hint of reproach. "Were you paying attention ?"

Ajashakti blinked, his mind snapping back to the present. He fumbled for a moment. "You were saying you like flowers," he replied unsurely.

Anugamini's disappointment was evident as she turned away, her body rolling off Ajashakti's arm. She lay on the bed, her back facing him, a silent protest against his inattention.

Ajashakti sighed, a gentle smile playing on his lips. Her anger, even in its most subtle form, was adorable to him. He leaned closer, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "I was lost in thought," he admitted.

"What thoughts were you lost in ?" She asked.

"Yours." He said, his voice filled with a tender sincerity.

A subtle smile appeared on Anugamini's lips. However she quickly masked her reaction, her expression returning to its usual composure.

She huffed, "Lost in my thoughts and ignoring me only."

"I wasn't ignoring you, dear." He protested, his voice gentle.

But he knew that arguing further would be of no help, so he decided to take a different approach. A moment later, a knowing smile played on his lips.

"Alright. I will make atonement," he said, his voice carrying a promise. "Lotus is your favorite, isn't it?" he asked.

Anugamini's expression remained unchanged, as she turned and looked at him.

"Come with me," Ajashakti said, his voice filled with a sense of adventure. He gently took Anugamini's arms, guiding her to a sitting position.

As he stood up, his imposing stature filling the room, Anugamini followed suit. Ajashakti wrapped his arm around Anugamini's shoulder, and guided her steps, his stride steady and confident.

"Where are we going ?" She asked.

Ajashakti chuckled, his eyes sparkling with a playful glint. "You'll see, little bud." He replied. His words were a deliberate tease, a way to heighten her anticipation.

They both walked through the intricate corridors of the palace, their footsteps echoing softly on the marble floor. The maids, lined up along the walls, bowed their heads in respect as the royal couple passed. Ajashakti, however, did not acknowledge their greetings with a nod or a wave of his hand. His mind was elsewhere, his focus solely on his wife.

Ajashakti and Anugamini stepped out of the inner quarters. Several dignitaries, their faces etched with expressions of respect and admiration, lined the royal hallway. The sight of Ajashakti, dressed in casual attire, was a surprise to them. Despite the unexpectedness of the encounter, the dignitaries bowed their heads in deference to their king.

However, Ajashakti remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. He did not acknowledge their greetings either. Anugamini noticed it. The way he had ignored the greetings of his subjects, his mind completely absorbed by her thoughts. Her plan was working perfectly. His love for her had blinded him to everything else, a realization that filled her with a sense of contentment.

Finally they arrived at their destination, a grand door adorned with intricate carvings and precious gems. The door stood open, perhaps few people were in there. Ajashakti, his heart filled with excitement, took Anugamini's hand and led her inside.

The room that greeted them was a treasure trove of unimaginable wealth. Heaps of gold coins, glittering gemstones, and priceless artifacts filled the space, creating a dazzling spectacle. It was the treasury of the daityas.

Vakrang, stood in the midst of the treasury, engaged in conversation with a treasurer, his eyes scanning the reports that lay before him. As Ajashakti and Anugamini entered the room, his gaze shifted towards them, a frown creasing his brow. His confusion was evident as he observed Ajashakti. The Daitya king, known for his regality and imposing presence, was dressed in casual garments, that too in a place where the dignitaries could see him.

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A/N

I've lost all ambitions of worldly aclaims, I just wanna be the one you love ✨

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