Rudra and Meera approached the room from opposite direction. Rudra entered first and saw the king standing beside the window, his gaze fixed somewhere distant. She closed the door behind her, leaving Meera outside. At least one secret should be protected.
He turned.
"Where were you?"
"To get some air."
"In the library?"
"I… went there to find some book to pass my time."
His eyes travelled to the book in her hand. He walked towards her.
"To get this book?" he asked, reading the title Art of Seduction.
"Thank God, I am clever enough," she said to herself.
She hid it behind her and smiled uneasily.
"A friend of mine got married recently. She asked if I could get… something like this."
"She doesn't know any other library in your place? Or does she only want it from my royal library?"
"A common library or a royal library—it's going to be the same," she said suddenly, surprising even herself.
The king was amused. A few minutes ago, she was like a saint, and now… completely opposite.
"Fine. Leave it. Where are your jewels? Don't you have any good dress to wear?"
"I am a princess, and I have a lot of things, Your Majesty. Don't worry about it. I felt somewhat hot, so I dressed simply," she said, completely hiding the truth. In fact, the dress she was wearing was the grandest one she had in her country.
"Enough playing, Rudra. Will you tell the truth or not?" he yelled.
"I… I went to the library to get this book… You know… I thought I didn't please you enough… so I went," she acted.
He stepped closer.
She didn't look at him, but her fingers tightened around the book.
He moved nearer. His hand lifted and hovered beside her waist—not touching, but enough to frighten her.
Aarush, you are going too far… but this won't last long. I promise, she thought angrily.
He carefully moved his hand and took the dagger.
She sighed. He didn't touch her.
"Then what is this?"
"For safety… of course. Now I am your wife. What if your enemies kill me?"
"Will you kill yourself?"
"That is called suicide, Your Majesty. We can't go to heaven if we commit suicide."
"Again heaven…" Aarush thought, and placed the dagger on her neck.
She tilted her head up, careful not to let the blade graze her skin.
He noticed her neck… the mangalyam, the small black beads resting against her collarbone.
She noticed his gaze.
"I wish to pluck your eyes," she murmured.
He heard something but didn't understand.
He moved the dagger closer. "What did you say?"
"My king… if you wanted to be close to me, you could have just asked. And… killing is also a sin. I want you to go to heaven."
Her thoughts were different. I don't mind going to hell after sending you to heaven.
"Close…?" he repeated, noticing the distance between them.
She placed one hand on his knuckles. He noticed it.
"My king… I am a princess, and I am trying to maintain my dignity… can you move?" she said with a different smile.
He laughed—not out of humor, but with anger and amusement.
She was confused.
"I leave you today for entertaining me. Pray to your God that you do not go to heaven… not so soon."
He reached for the door, but heard her call and turned.
"My king, what is the purpose of this book… that it is kept in the royal library?"
He didn't answer, but a smile appeared as he left her room.