Samudra: "Yes. Not only naked you tried to seduce me. It took all my self-control to not yield to your demands. You couldn't walk straight and were swaying. You came near me and were about to trip when I held you. By now you know, fire berries even in small quantities are very powerful aphrodisiacs. And you had had a tad too much. You wiggled against me. Asking me to cool you down. When with great difficulty I maintained my decorum and kept you away, unable to bear the heat, you removed your clothes and stood naked in front of me. I dragged you to the cool stream and used that water to cool you down. After hours your body cooled down and you lost consciousness. After that I carried you using the exertion to calm myself down."Samudra: "Your nude body remained etched in my memory. I keep tossing and turning at nights unable to fall asleep. Your dreams keep haunting me. I long for your company. Tanisi I became a ruler at the age of 14! I have hardly lived the life of a normal b

Tanisi lowered her head silently and asked him to explain her work. Samudra explained and they got busy for the rest of the morning. At noon, the pratihari(guard) came to inform Samudra of arrival of his master spy Praptavarsha. Samudra soon summoned him to his chamber.  Praptavarsha hurriedly came in only to see Tanisi with Samudra and he was surprised. Tanisi wasn't looking at Prapta, she was busy working on the record assigned to her. Samudra saw his questioning look and nodded smilingly to continue with his updates. Seeing this Prapta understood that Samrat trusted her. He said: "My Lord, your doubts were true. A man named Vikas had joined hands with your Uncle Makaranda and assisted him in contacting the Kaingityas about the impending visit of the moderners. He had asked a woman Tanisi as reward.." Tanisi looked up shocked! Prapta understood who was the reward and one look at her told him why she was asked as a reward. Samudra clenched his f

"Is that why you are a celebate?"  The words slipped from her tongue before she could check them. Samudra looked at her astonished. She quickly turned her face away to hide her blushing cheeks. "Emperors and Kings are known for lavish lifestyles. Indulging in performing arts, alcohol and women. You seem to not do any of those".Samudra didn't say anything, but kept staring at her without batting an eyelid.Tanisi: "Why are you so harsh on yourself?"Samudra: "My my, looks like you are interested in knowing everything about me."Tanisi: "I am just a common citizen. I know I am off limits when it comes to details of your life. Pardon me, your Majesty."Samudra: "Who is complaining about you being inquisitive? Did I prohibit you from asking questions? If I haven't commanded you to stop, it means I want you to continue asking questions. Why should you put leashes around you, yourself. Infact I commanded you to be yourself around me. Didn't I? Or d

Acharya smiled and said, "Aayushmana bhava(May you live long)"Samudra didn't know where to start. He decided to make the Acharya talk more. Usually the guru spoke very less and in sentences which had hidden meanings. He wasn't in a position to think clearly. His brains were muddled with thoughts of Tanisi, fury towards Makaranda, anger towards Padma, as though he had lost his peace.He said, "Acharya, I came seeking answers from you. You must help me. My mind is a mess now. I need straight answers to all my questions. Please help me out!"Acharya smiled, and said "I will answer all those questions which I must answer now. But I shouldn't answer all your queries Samudra. I can help you find your mental peace back. I promise no more".Samudra: "Alright. Uncle Makaranda killed my mother by slow poisoning. I suspect he has a hand in the death of my father as well".Acharya: "I wouldn't rule that out. Your father's death was sudden. If a seeming illnes

Tanisi thumped on the bed. She had a doubt. She had been to Aarna's chamber before coming back to hers. Aarna's bed was lot stiffer. Tanisi noticed that her bed was very fluffy. Her curtains and bed linen appeared to be of more expensive fabrics than Aarna's. The lantern in her chamber also appeared to be more brighter. She wondered if all this was true or if it was a figment of her imagination. She decided to discuss this with Vishwakeerthi. She lied down to sleep, but her thoughts went drifting towards Samudra. The way he spoke, the way he smiled. His cocked eyebrows. His naughty expressions. His dirty words. She felt the heat in her body rising. She thought to herself, "I need to control myself. I cannot fall for him. But what if I cannot? If I do, then I vow I will not marry anyone else!". But her thoughts were occupied by him. The way he looked at her. His threatening stares. The proximity with his body when he had carried her so many times. But luckily