“My lord,” the guard said, bowing deeply, “I apologize for the interruption, but there is an urgent matter that requires your attention.”
Karthikeyan's jaw tightened, and Mullai could see the frustration in his eyes. He gave a curt nod to the guard. “I will attend to it immediately. Thank you.”
The guard bowed again and hurried away, leaving Karthikeyan and Mullai alone once more. Karthikeyan Maharaja exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders visible as he turned back to Mullai.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice laced with regret. “There are matters of state that I cannot ignore.”
Mullai felt a pang of disappointment, but she forced a smile. “I understand. You’re a king, after all.”
He reached out and gently took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “This conversation isn’t over, Mullai. I promise you that.”
With that, he released her hand and turned to leave, his regal bearing unmistakable even as he disappeared into the shadows of the garden. Mullai watched him go, a swirl of emotions churning within her. She had been so close to finally learning the truth, yet it had slipped through her fingers once again.
As she walked back to the palace alone, her thoughts were a whirlwind of frustration and curiosity. Karthikeyan Maharaja was an enigma, a man who seemed to hold all the answers yet kept them hidden behind a wall of duty and responsibility. But there was also something else—a deep, unspoken connection that drew her to him, something that went beyond mere attraction.
When she returned to the guest quarters, she found Rohan and Leila waiting for her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.
“How was your walk?” Leila asked, her tone light but her eyes sharp.
Mullai sighed as she sank into one of the cushioned chairs. “It was… confusing. He was about to tell me something, but then he was called away.”
Rohan frowned. “Called away? By who?”
“One of the palace guards. It seemed important, but…” Mullai trailed off, shaking her head. “I don’t know. It feels like he’s always on the verge of telling me something, but then he pulls back.”
Leila leaned forward, her eyes bright with interest. “Do you think it has something to do with why we’re here? With the time loop?”
Mullai nodded slowly. “I’m almost certain of it. But he’s not ready to tell me everything. Not yet.”
Rohan crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. “Maybe he’s waiting for the right moment. Or maybe he’s testing you, seeing how much you can handle before he reveals the truth.”
“Maybe,” Mullai said, though she wasn’t entirely convinced. “All I know is that I need to be patient. But it’s hard, especially when I feel like we’re running out of time.”
Leila reached out and squeezed her hand. “We’ll figure it out, Mullai. We’re in this together, remember?”
Mullai smiled, grateful for the support of her cousins. They had been through so much together already, and she knew she could count on them to stand by her side, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
That night, as Mullai lay in her luxurious bed, her thoughts returned to Maharaja. There was something about him that drew her in, something she couldn’t quite explain. He was more than just a king—he was a man with secrets, with a depth of emotion that he kept hidden beneath a veneer of duty.
But despite the mystery surrounding him, Mullai found herself trusting him more with each passing day. There was a connection between them, a bond that seemed to transcend time and space. She didn’t fully understand it, but she knew that it was real, and that it was something worth fighting for.
The following days passed in a blur of palace life. Mullai and her cousins were given a tour of the royal library, where ancient scrolls and manuscripts lined the shelves, offering glimpses into the rich history of the Chola dynasty. They were also introduced to members of Maharaja’s court, including his trusted advisors and generals, all of whom treated them with the utmost respect.
But despite the grandeur of their surroundings, Mullai couldn’t shake the feeling that something was brewing beneath the surface. There was a tension in the air, a sense of anticipation that she couldn’t quite place. And through it all, Karthikeyan remained a steady presence, always courteous, always attentive, but never revealing more than he intended.
One afternoon, as she strolled through the gardens, Mullai found herself lost in thought, her mind turning over the complexities of her situation. The sound of footsteps behind her made her pause, and she turned to find Maharaja approaching, a warm smile on his face.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said, his tone light and teasing.
Mullai shook her head, smiling in return. “Not at all. I was just… thinking.”
“Ah, the dangers of overthinking,” Maharaja said with a chuckle. “Come, walk with me. The gardens are best enjoyed with company.”
They fell into step beside each other, the tension between them easing
as they talked of mundane matters—the changing seasons, the latest happenings in the palace, and the beauty of the gardens. Yet, beneath the surface, there was an unspoken understanding, a shared sense of anticipation that neither of them could ignore.
As they walked, Mullai glanced at Maharaja, wondering what he was thinking. There was something in his eyes, a glimmer of something that she couldn’t quite decipher. Was it hope? Was it regret? Or was it something else entirely?
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the garden, and as the day drew to a close, Mullai knew that she had to keep her wits about her. The truth was out there, waiting to be uncovered, and she was determined to find it—no matter how long it took.
For now, she would savor the moments she had with Maharaja, even as she prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. The palace was a place of both wonder and danger, and Mullai was ready to face whatever came her way.
But as she walked beside the king, she couldn’t help but wonder—what secrets lay hidden in the heart of Maharaja? And how would their story unfold in the days to come?
💕 the unknown 💕
Mulai dari awal
