That night, the palace was quiet, the day's noise fading into soft torchlight and the distant hum of cicadas.
Akg's new quarters were just beside Rudhra Devi's — a sign of her trust, and a reminder of his role.
The room was steeped in an ancient elegance — carved wooden beams, silk drapes, and the faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air. He sat on the plush, high bed, sinking into the thick mattress.
That's when he heard it.
A voice — soft, melodic, almost unreal — drifting through the thin partition. A song in a tongue older than the stone walls, weaving through the stillness like moonlight on water.
Curiosity tugged at him. Rising quietly, he slipped to the connecting door, which had been left ajar.
Inside, the room was bathed in the silver glow of moonlight spilling from an open window. At the center was a small, shallow pond, water shimmering as lotus flowers floated lazily on its surface.
By the pond sat a woman.
She had long, flowing black hair, cascading down her back like silk, and a figure that spoke of both grace and strength. Her robe was loose enough to hint at the curves beneath, the fabric catching the moonlight. Her bare feet skimmed the water as she sang, eyes closed, lost in the moment.
Akg knew instantly.
So this… is the real Rudhra Devi.
But instead of revealing what he knew, he stepped inside and spoke with feigned confusion.
"Who are you, woman? And where is Prince Rudhra Dev?"
The singing stopped. She turned, startled — eyes widening when she saw him framed in the doorway, his black hair slightly tousled, brown eyes steady, his frame strong but lean.
She froze. She'd forgotten to lock the door. And now… her newly appointed personal guard had seen her true form.
Panic flickered across her features. Her gaze darted to the sword lying beside her. In one smooth motion, she rose, blade in hand.
"I'll deal with you first," she muttered under her breath.
She lunged.
Akg's own blade was in hand before her strike landed. Steel rang out in the moonlit room as their swords collided. Her strikes were sharp, fluid — the movements of someone well-trained — but Akg blocked them with ease, his parries smooth and precise.
He wasn't attacking. Only deflecting. He didn't want to hurt her.
Rudhra's breath quickened as she realized he was barely exerting himself, and yet she couldn't break through his guard. Then, with a twist and a flick, he knocked her sword from her grip. It clattered across the floor.
Before she could react, he stepped in, one arm wrapping around her, the other bringing his sword gently to her neck — not enough to cut, but enough to show control.
"Now," he said evenly, "tell me… who are you?"
Her chest rose and fell quickly, her lips parting as she finally whispered, "Akg… it's me. Prince Rudhra Dev."
He let go instantly, stepping back as if shocked. "You…"
She sighed, lowering her gaze. "It's true. I've been living as a man for eighteen years — for the safety of the kingdom, for the people. My happiness… never mattered."
Her voice wavered, and in the moonlight, Akg saw the glimmer of unshed tears.
Something in his chest tightened. He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her, holding her close.
"Rudhra," he said quietly but firmly, "I promise… I will protect you until my last breath."
She froze for a heartbeat — then looked up into his eyes. What she saw there made her chest ache: sincerity, unwavering and unhidden.
And before she could think twice, she kissed him.
It was sudden, desperate, and warm. His arms tightened around her in response, returning the kiss with equal fervor. Her hands slid along his shoulders, fingers curling into the fabric of his tunic, drawing him closer.
The pond's surface rippled as the night outside went on, the two of them lost in that one, unbreakable moment.
Soon their lips parted slowly, the faint warmth of the moment still hanging between them.
For a few seconds, neither spoke. Their breaths were still uneven — hers from surprise and emotion, his from holding back more than he wanted to give.
Rudhra Devi stepped back first, her fingers brushing her lips as if confirming the kiss had truly happened. A faint flush warmed her cheeks, almost hidden in the dim moonlight.
"I… shouldn't have done that," she murmured, eyes darting away.
Akg tilted his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe. But I'm not going to pretend I didn't want it."
That made her glance at him again, her gaze searching his face as though trying to read every thought behind his calm expression.
For a heartbeat, it looked like she might step closer again — but instead, she turned toward the pond, trying to collect herself. "You should go back to your room. If anyone sees us… questions will follow."
Akg nodded, though his eyes didn't leave her. "Rest, Rudhra. You'll need your strength for what's coming."
He started for the door, pausing just before stepping out. Without looking back, he added quietly, "And remember — you're not alone anymore."
When the door closed behind him, Rudhra stood in the moonlight for a long moment, her heart beating faster than she cared to admit.
She had trusted few people in her life.
But now… she realized one of them was the man in the next room.
---
After Akg's footsteps faded down the corridor, Rudhra Devi remained by the pond, her hand unconsciously pressing against her chest.
Her heartbeat was still racing, faster than any battle had ever made it.
She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, trying to calm herself.
"Why… why does it feel like this?" she thought, remembering the way his eyes had looked at her — not at the prince she pretended to be, but at her. At her.
Even when she had pushed him with the sword, there had been no malice in his movements. Only control. Only protection.
Her lips tingled faintly. She touched them again, and the memory of that kiss made her cheeks burn.
"I have to focus… I can't let this distract me," she whispered to herself, though her voice carried little conviction.
---
Meanwhile, in the room next door, Akg sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his own hands.
The warmth of her body when he held her… the softness of her lips… all of it stirred something primal inside him.
His inner impulse roared, telling him to go back, to hold her again, to take what the moment offered. But he clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe evenly.
"Not yet. She trusts me now… I can't rush this."
Lying back on the bed, he stared at the ceiling. A faint smile crept over his face despite the fire in his chest.
"Rudhra… I'll protect you. And one day… you'll be mine completely."
With that silent promise, he closed his eyes, letting the forest of thoughts fade into the quiet rhythm of sleep.