{Eclipsed Series #1}
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Eclipsed Ardent Affection~The Tragedy In The Sands Of Chronicles
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I lost consciousness momentarily and then saw a woman with her back to me, holding...
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•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Year 1870 सन् 1870 सन्१८७० ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
SHAMSHER GARH:-
I strode through the halls of Shamsher Garh, barely containing the bubbling excitement that surged through me. My heart was racing, my pulse quickening with every step, like a boy rushing to meet his first love. I could already picture the moment-her smile when she saw me, the light in her eyes when I finally asked for her forgiveness. Nandani. The name echoed in my head, setting off a flutter in my chest.
Everything around me felt brighter, more vivid. The light from the oil lamps seemed to glow warmer, the patterns on the walls more intricate, as if the palace itself knew this was going to be a momentous occasion. I practically skipped down the hall, my lips curling into an involuntary grin.
I could hardly stand it. My thoughts raced ahead-how would I say it? Would she laugh at how nervous I felt? My mind spun with possibilities, each one sweeter than the last. I chuckled to myself, barely able to contain the giddy energy coursing through me.
I quickened my pace, turning corner after corner, eager to find her, to finally make things right.
"Nandani!"
I called, my voice laced with the joy that I couldn't quite hide. Any moment now, I'd see her-her soft laugh filling the air, her gaze meeting mine, and the weight of everything unsaid between us would melt away.
But room after room, she wasn't there. My steps faltered for a second, just a beat of hesitation. No matter. Maybe she was in the garden, or on the terrace-anywhere, really. The palace was vast. She could be anywhere, and I would find her. The anticipation was almost unbearable now.
"Nandani?"
I called again, this time a bit louder, my voice tinged with a touch of confusion. Still nothing.
And then, the heavy doors to the throne room swung open, and there was Abhi, breathless, rushing toward me. For a moment, my heart leapt. Maybe he had seen her! But the look on his face wiped the grin from mine.
"Abhi? What's going on?"
My excitement faltered, unease starting to creep in at the edges.
"Rudra, you need to listen to me,"
He said, thrusting a scroll into my hand. His urgency was unmistakable, but my mind was still caught up in the moment I had imagined-of finding Nandani, of her forgiving me, of everything being right again.
"What is this?"
I asked, unrolling the parchment, already itching to move again, to keep searching. But the words stopped me cold.
