Chapter 194: Unforgivable offense
Bengal Kingdom, Chittagong, Night of 9th April 1557.
In a remote corner of Chittagong port city, nestled within a small but luxurious mansion, Princess Nusrat and a few of her royal guards arrived for their temporary stay. The mansion, surrounded by a spacious courtyard and lush gardens, was their refuge for the night, hosted by Colonel Mendes and Anirudh, the second son of citylord.
The mansion’s interior emitted an air of elegance and comfort, with torchlights strategically placed by the large windows, casting flickering shadows on the richly adorned walls. Above, a grand jhoomar (chandelier) hung from the high ceiling, its intricately designed crystals reflecting the dim light, filling the room with a warm glow.
At the center of the room stood a small, intricately carved dining table. A lamppost holding several lit candles illuminated the space. Lavish platters filled with seasoned meats of duck, goose, and chicken, lay alongside bowls of ripe fruits like grapes and pomegranates. Jars of juice and wine rested nearby, accompanied by half-filled goblets. The air was thick with the mouth-watering aroma of dishes.
Princess Nusrat lounged on a plush velvet sofa, her legs casually resting on her maid, who massaged and served her the fruits as she occasionally took a sip from the wine. The long sleeves of her gown revealed a glimpse of her thighs.
Two servants stood nearby, gently fanning the princess to keep her cool in the warm evening air.
Across from her, Mendes and Anirudh sat in wooden chairs, their eyes straying to her exposed skin as they conversed, their gazes lingering longer than was appropriate. They occasionally glanced at the snake charmer who performed on the floor, his snake swaying hypnotically to the rhythm of his flute.
Nusrat expressed gracefully in her Persian-influenced and broken Devanagari, "I truly appreciate your kind hospitality. After such a long voyage, this restful haven is exactly what I needed."
Anirudh, his gaze flickering between her thighs and the fruit she delicately ate, responded, "The pleasure is ours, Sehzadi. It’s not every day that we get to serve royalty like this."
Mendes, trying to keep his composure while his eyes roamed over her cleavage, added, "Indeed, we are honored by your presence."
The princess smiled, handing her goblet to Mendes, who flushed slightly at being caught staring. Pouring a bit more wine for her, Mendes remarked with a playful tone, "I must admit, Sehzadi, in my twelve years of service abroad from my homeland, I have never encountered a princess who is both so bold and enchanting. Especially from a tradition known for its modesty. Or perhaps it’s the wine talking?"
Nusrat sighed as she gazed at the chandelier, her lips curling into a smirk. "Maybe it’s both, Mendes. The world is full of surprises, and I don’t like to be tied down by traditions. Why should we live by rules when life is fleeting? Truthfully, this wouldn’t be possible in my homeland."