Chapter 105: Maid or Spy?
Meenakshi wandered alone through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace, clutching a dry pair of clothes. With her maid Akriti unwell, Meenakshi had to navigate the palace’s maze-like layout by herself. She soon recognized her error, realizing she should not have ventured unaccompanied into unfamiliar territory, even if it was just the bathing section.
Her payal (anklets) echoed softly in the lonely corridors as she continued her search, the scent of sandalwood and herbs teasing her senses. Eventually, she stumbled upon a small, secluded chamber. The door stood slightly opened, and the dense aroma of sandalwood and herbs piqued her interest, drawing her in.
Unbeknownst to her, Aditya was inside, taking a dip in the tub for his mud bath.
Meenakshi entered the chamber, her eyes widening at the sight of the luxurious bath setup. Seeing no one inside, she decided to take advantage of the privacy. As she closed the door and began to undress, her saree gracefully slipped to the floor revealing the proportionate curves of her perfect figure in blouse and petticoat. Just as she was about to proceed further, she was startled by the sound of a splash.
A calm, commanding voice broke the silence, "You’re here earlier than expected? Come assist me with the massage."
Meenakshi froze in her tracks, her eyes widening at the unexpected sight of Aditya, his bare body covered in a mud bath of fuller’s earth, in the ceramic tub. His face was still recognizable, having seen him closely from the walls. But seeing him in such a vulnerable state was beyond her expectations.
As she gathered her composure, she noticed his eyes were closed, evidently mistaking her for a maid. Her initial panic subsided, replaced by a growing unease about the potential consequences if she were discovered in this compromising situation.
Her mind raced as millions of thoughts flooded her at once.
’Oh Deva! I should have checked properly before entering. Why didn’t he lock the door? Should I quietly leave? Is everything going to be alright?’
Aditya’s command interrupted her train of thoughts. "What’s taking so long?"
He tried to clear his face with his hands, but only ended up smearing the mud mask further.
Meenakshi’s heart skipped a beat. ’Did he just... No, I can’t reveal myself in this state.’