Timeless: A MaNan Historical

Chapter 40: Apology

Manik informed Nandini of what he thought was a brilliant idea to gain acceptance in the mind of Venkateshwara uncle. Nandini howver, was not thrilled with his idea to cultivate crop. She pushed Manik away and he jerked backward, releasing the hold he had on her waist. She turned to face him and asked him all the questions she had in her mind.
Nandini: Manik! What are you even thinking? You do not know how to cultivate! What are you going to do? Manik, what if....
Manik moved closer, pulled her towards him with one hand, bent forward and gently answered all her questions in the best possible way he could. Nandini closed her eyes accepting the kiss. Manik moved away leaving Nandini still lost in the moment of their passionate kiss.
Manik: Thats what happens when you ask me too many questions!
Nandini regained her consciousness and hit Manik playfully. She definitely wanted more of what happens when she bombards him with too many questions, but the issue at hand was more pressing that her longing for another passionate kiss.

Nandini: Manik, this is not a game.

Manik: Who said it was? But now that you mentioned "game" lets have some fun.

Manik started tickling her and she screamed, laughed and hit him as a spontaneous response. She managed to escape his grip and took hold of a knife that was on the counter beside her. She pointed the knife in Manik's direction threatening him.

Nandini: I am serious.

Manik: And I am scared with you witha weapon in your hand. So, now for your answers.... I am a trained warrior and a Prince by birth, Nandini. Learning to survive is what I do best. Cultivating is just another form of survival tactic that I am willing to learn to be a part of your life.

Nandini was touched by his words. He is willing to do something he has never done before to be a part of my life. I must mean so much to him if he is willing to do this for me, she thought with tears in her eyes. She let the knife fall from her hand as she ran towards Manik. Manik picked her up in the air and swirled her around happily united as one in an unspoken bond of love.
...

In Azianagar, King Vedant was considering the advice of his mother, Nyonika. She is correct, if this engagement breaks, so will our deal with the Westpur Kingdom. I cannot begin my reign as a King by loosing territories, but how can I go down now and apologize? Wouldn't that demean me and my status? But as mother said, I will have no status if not for the amalgamation of Westpur and the Indian Empire, he thought still standing in Queen Mother Nyonika's room.

Queen Mother Nyonika: Go now before its too late.

He left Queen Mother Nyonika's room in a manner that was similar to a slave taking orders from their master. This aspect of his relationship with his mother bothered him, but his status was a more pressing issue at the moment. So, he walked to the guest wing (where Raja Bharmal, his wife and guests, and Princess Alia were currently staying) and asked the palace staff to announce his arrival.

Palace Staff: Please welcome our Young, and brave King of the Great Indian Empire, His Majesty King Vedant...

King Vedant walked in and found King Bharmal in the hallway. King Vedant immediately fell at the feet of King Bharmal seemingly letting go of all his ego. Raja Bharmal was shocked as no other equal had ever touched his feet. He placed his hands on King Vedant's shoulders and asked him to get up.

King Vedant: I know I have committed a mistake that is not forgivable, but here I am begging for your forgiveness. I am not going to justify my actions but I did what I did having watched the way my older brother Manik treated women. I understand that treating your daughter the way I did is unjust to her status as a princess. I am grateful that Princess Alia has been a part of my life so far and I hope I have her by my side till my last breath.

Raja Bharmal: I forgave you the moment you gave up all your ego and fell at my feet. You are the right man for my daughter. My Princess will soon be your Queen.

Queen Mother Nyonika was elated to hear that her son had succeeded in keeping the empire intact. Vedant, my little boy... You are so naive... When will you realize that you are just a pawn in my game to hold the reigns of this Empire? I got rid of my ageing husband and his son, and now I will rule the entire world through you, she thought.

Princess Alia was not very thrilled to hear that she had to be a wife to a man who harassed her. Her mother on the other hand, was happy that Raja Bharmal finally regained his senses and took the right decision.
...

Manik and Nandini were lost in their own world when they heard Nandini's brother Rishabh scream from his room. Manik put Nandini down, she removed the sambar from the flame and they both ran to see Rishabh. 

Nandini: Rishabh... Rishabh...

Manik: Are you alright?
...

Guards and soldiers from the Nagaram Empire in the South were preparing to leave to guard the borders as ordered by their Cheif Sivanataraja.

Sivanataraja: Send word of any eminent threat and bring any suspicious persons back to Nagaram City. 
...

Note:
Hope you liked this update. I am very sorry for the delay in updating this chapter. Will be more regular now. I will be picking up the pace of the story soon, so more twists and turns coming up. There will also be a leap of a few days in the upcoming updates.
Thank you so much for all the support ❤️