HOOR

CHAPTER 13 : GAYATRI

We’d just stepped out of the King’s chambers, and the tension from the meeting still hung in the air like a bad smell. The King’s words were heavy, sure, but Aditya? As always, he was unbothered. Stoic. Silent.

I had so many questions, though, and for once, I wasn’t going to just keep them to myself. The whole prophecy thing had me curious—because, let’s be real, who wouldn’t be a little intrigued by a curse tied to the Queen’s life?

"So..." I started, walking up to match his stride, my voice just a little too casual for the situation. "What do you think about this prophecy? The King made it sound like it’s some big deal, but I mean... prophecies, really? People still buy into that crap?"

I expected him to brush me off with one of those tight-lipped, “It’s not my concern” lines, but no. He didn’t even acknowledge me. Just kept walking like I wasn’t there, probably pretending I didn’t exist, like I was some annoying fly buzzing around his ear.

Okay, cool. I could play this game.

"Aditya," I called again, a little louder this time. I felt like a dog trying to get its owner’s attention. "You gonna just keep pretending you didn’t hear me? Or are you gonna tell me why everyone’s freaking out about this so-called ‘curse’? I’m not buying it, but I wanna know why the King seems to think it’s a thing."

No answer. Nothing. The only sound was his boots hitting the stone floor, steady and rhythmic.

Honestly, it was almost impressive how he could ignore me like that. Like, was he actually that in control of himself? It was both infuriating and a little… hot.

At this point, I had to admit—I wasn’t even looking for an answer anymore. I was just messing with him, because it was honestly too easy. He was like a giant, untouchable wall of muscle and mystery, and I was just... me. Little Gayatri, barely five-five, still trying to keep up with him like I was chasing a damn mythological creature.

But the thing about giants? They don't always notice when someone’s tailing them, and I wasn’t about to let him get away with acting like I didn’t exist.

So, I stayed right behind him, matching his stride, trying not to trip over my own feet while he walked like he owned the whole damn palace.

And then—bam. Without warning, he stopped. Dead stop.

I didn’t have time to process it before I slammed right into his back, the wind knocked out of me as I went down hard on my ass. My hands hit the cold stone floor, and for a split second, I thought I might actually pass out from the shock of it.

I groaned, rubbing my ass and cursing under my breath. "What the hell, Aditya? Couldn’t you have—I don’t know —given me a heads up or something?"

And there he stood.

Not moving.

Not a flicker of concern.

I glanced up, glaring, and muttered, “You’re really starting to get on my nerves.”

But did he look at me? Nope. He just stayed there, his posture rigid, his arms crossed like he was the King of the World.

I shoved myself up, brushing my pants off with the most dignity I could muster—which wasn’t much—and shot him another glare. "Honestly, Aditya, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re doing this on purpose."

Still nothing from him. Not even the smallest acknowledgment that he’d just sent me flying with his damn back.

So I took a step closer, looking up at him (because, obviously, I had to look up to him, given that he was a damn skyscraper and I was... well, me).