Chapter 116: Morning Encounters
Rewari Kingdom, Inner Palace of Bawal, Early Morning of 7th March 1557.
In the early morning light, Prince Aditya emerged from the labyrinthine corridors of the bathing chamber, wrapped in a white dhoti and a towel draped over his shoulders. As he rubbed his wet hair, he turned a corner and nearly collided with Princess Meenakshi and her maid, both dressed in white sarees, likely preparing for their bath.
They narrowly avoided a collision, but the tension and embarrassment were palpable. The maid’s quiet giggle only heightened the awkwardness of the moment.
Sensing the discomfort, Aditya quickly offered an apology. "Princess Meenakshi, I apologize for this sudden encounter. I should have been more aware and avoided such a situation."
Meenakshi, startled by the unexpected encounter, had almost bumped into him but managed to adjust her direction just in time. Her eyes, however, were drawn to the gaps in the towel, revealing Aditya’s well-defined chest and abs. Her heart fluttered despite her best efforts to remain composed.
Turning her gaze away, she responded politely, "It’s quite alright, Prince. We barely collided. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we should continue on our way."
Aditya, feeling the awkwardness of the moment, smiled as he walked away. He could still hear the faint giggles and murmurs that followed, wondering if his senses were dulled or if the previous evening’s wine with Mathew was to blame for his disorientation. He cursed Mathew inwardly for pushing him to drink more in the name of farewell.
As he made his way through the palace garden toward his quarters, he heard more soft giggles, which piqued his curiosity. Following the sound, he discovered Bheem flirting with a maid beneath the cover of a tree. To Aditya’s surprise, the maid was Asma, Amira’s maid, dressed in a salwar kameez and holding a basket of clothes.
Bheem, leaning in close, touched Asma’s cheek while pulling her closer by her waist and said with a teasing grin, "You know, dear, there isn’t a single girl as sweet as you when it comes to beauty."
Asma blushed and giggled, clearly flattered by the compliment. "Oh, royal guard, you’re too kind. But shouldn’t you be focusing on your duties rather than blocking my path? I still have these clothes to wash."
Bheem chuckled and gave her a playful pinch earning a light moan. "And miss the chance to appreciate such beauty? Not a chance. Besides, it’s always good to take a break and enjoy some pleasant company."
Aditya, watching from a distance, raised an eyebrow and wondered, ’Why is Amira’s maid here, and when did they get so close?’