The Crown Prince and His Love

Chapter 61|A messenger|

Karikalan took a sip from his drink and sighed. The past few days have been hell for him; how could he relax knowing that his grandfather was ready to stab him in his back anytime? He closed his eyes, massaging his temples. He should probably inform Kundavai about his grandfather's wrongdoings quickly before he and the chieftains take drastic steps.

How in the living hell did Nandini manage to turn Periya Pazhuvettaraiyer against him? That man used to say he would give his life for the kingdom. As much as Karikalan refused to believe it, that is the truth, and the truth is bitter.

Love does make a man do crazy things, he chuckled. They were not so different, Karikalan and Pazhuvettaraiyer, were they? Karikalan was ruining himself for him, wasn't he? All this is a punishment he's giving to himself, but no matter what he does the guilt inside never ceases to torment him.

Karikalan used to fantasize about an alternate reality where he didn't run behind Nandini. All the alcohol in his body was beginning to mess with his brain, so much so that illusions of Nandini appeared in front of him, smiling down at him, smugly. Her smile...it was getting on his nerves. He threw the glass of wine in his hands at "her" general direction, his jaw, clenched in anger.

"I should've never proposed to you," He murmured, he would've stayed at Thanjai, he would've gotten to spend more time with his siblings and his grandfather would've never betrayed him.

********

"Parthiba!" Vanthiyadevan called out frantically, jumping down from his horse. "Parthiba!"

"Why are you shouting out my beautiful name with your ugly voice?" Parthibendran said, placing down his newly sharpened sword.

"Where is Karikalar?" He asked.

"Even he wouldn't know where he is, how would I know?" Parthibendran muttered tiredly. "Look, I don't have time for your bromance, leave me alo--"

"Parthiba! he's in danger," Vanthiyadevan let out. As soon as he uttered those words Parthiban's face was drained out of any blood.

"What the hell?" Parthiba asked, incredulously

"Aiyooo, Parthiba, come with me,"

********

Karikalan tipped over the empty liquor jar, clicking his tongue in annoyance. "Anyone here!" He called out, rubbing his temples. His head was throbbing in pain due to this...constant stress. A little later, Karikalan heard some movement outside.

"Ilavarase?" A short, stocky man stepped inside.

"Can you fill this up for me?" Karikalan asked, handing him the jar. The man nodded and took the jar in his hands. Karikalan furrowed his brows. "Do I know you?" He asked. This man is completely unfamiliar to him. Karikalan knows every single one of his men by name, a quality that is cherished by all the soldiers under his command. It creates a sense of belonging; they are like a family away from home.

"I...probably not," The man muttered. "I'm a new recruit,"

"Oh," Karikalan said curtly. "Who recruited you?"

The man stammered. "Ma...Malayaman,"

"Malayaman thatha?" Karikalan sat up straight. He did not receive any information about new recruitments.

"Yes Ilavarase," The man replied promptly.

Karikalan nodded and dismissed the man. He relaxed into the diwan again, his brows furrowed in deep concentration, racking his brain. Did Malayaman mention something about recruiting new soldiers? He didn't think so.