Chapter 16: A Visit in the Dark

Hello forgotten humans ~~~~

How are you?

I am fine thank you 👾

......................

The moment Virendra left the dais, I forced myself to sit still, to keep my expression neutral.

But inside—I was burning.

My heart was still racing, my wrist tingling from where he had gripped it, from where he had pressed my hand against his chest.

"Feel this? This belongs to you."

I clenched my fists under the table, nails digging into my palms.

How dare he?

How dare he make such a bold move in front of the entire court?

How dare he—make me feel like this?

I should have been furious.

I was furious.

But underneath the anger, there was something far more dangerous.

Something I refused to name.

The moment the trial ended, I retreated to my chambers, locking the doors behind me.

My breathing was uneven, my thoughts chaotic.

"You can push me away all you want."

"But I will remind you, every single day, who I am to you."

I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady my heartbeat.

He was relentless. He was pushing me to the edge, testing my resolve.

And the worst part?

It was working.

Every time I thought I had control, he shattered it.

Every time I convinced myself he meant nothing, he proved otherwise.

I had spent years learning how to guard my heart, how to suppress my emotions.

But with him…

With him, it was impossible.

I could still feel the weight of his touch, the heat of his body so close to mine.

I closed my eyes, inhaling sharply.

"No. I won’t let this happen."

I had made a decision—to destroy him. To ruin him as he had ruined me.

I could not let myself falter now.

I had to be stronger.

I had to be colder.

A knock at the door startled me from my thoughts.

I turned sharply, my voice steady despite my turmoil. "Who is it?"

"It’s me, Your Highness."

Udayveer.

I exhaled, moving to open the door.

The moment he stepped inside, he studied me carefully.

"He got to you, didn’t he?" His voice was unreadable.

I turned away, walking toward the balcony. "It doesn’t matter."

"It does if you’re shaken."

I scoffed. "I am not shaken."

"Then why are you avoiding looking at me?"

I clenched my jaw, gripping the stone railing. "Because I am furious."

Udayveer was silent for a long moment before he spoke again.

"If you are truly furious," he said, "then do not let him control the game."

I turned to him, my gaze sharp. "What do you mean?"

Udayveer stepped closer. "Virendra thrives on control. He pushes, knowing you will react. And every time you do, he wins."

I hated that he was right.

I was playing into Virendra’s hands, letting him dictate the pace of this battle.

No more.

If he wanted to challenge me—I would make sure he regretted it.

I straightened, my mind clearing.

"I need to prepare for the next trial," I said, my voice firm.

Udayveer gave a knowing smirk. "And what exactly are you planning?"

I turned to face him fully.

"A move that will remind him exactly who I am."

Because Virendra thought he could break me.

But he was about to learn—

I would break him first.

.................

I had spent the last two days regaining control.

I had steadied my mind, strengthened my resolve, and reminded myself of what truly mattered.

Virendra was nothing but a storm I needed to endure.

And yet—he still found a way to shake me.

The palace halls were silent at this hour, the corridors dimly lit by flickering torches. I had left my chambers for air, seeking solitude.

But I wasn’t alone.

I knew it the moment I felt it—the shift in the air, the awareness prickling at my skin.

Then—his scent.

Deep, rich, and impossible to ignore.

I turned the corner, and there he was.

Virendra leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, watching me with unreadable eyes.

I stopped, my pulse betraying me. "You’re following me now?"

He smirked. "You make it sound like I have a choice."

I exhaled sharply. "Step aside, General."

"Why?" He didn’t move. "Afraid to be alone with me?"

I met his gaze, refusing to let him see how much he affected me. "You think too highly of yourself."

His expression darkened, and suddenly, he was in front of me, moving faster than I expected.

I took a step back—but there was nowhere to go.

My back hit the stone wall, and before I could react, Virendra caged me in, his arms on either side of me.

My breath caught.

"Tell me something, Jayant." His voice was low, his scent thick in the air between us. "Why do you run?"

"I don’t," I said, my voice steady despite the pounding in my chest.

His gaze flickered, amusement laced with something far more dangerous. "Then why does your heartbeat say otherwise?"

I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay calm.

Virendra exhaled sharply, his eyes searching mine. "You say you want me gone. You say I don’t matter."

I swallowed hard. "Because you don’t."

"Then why," he murmured, tilting his head slightly, "do you react like this every time I get close?"

His words sent a shiver down my spine.

I turned my face away, trying to break the spell. "This conversation is over."

But he wasn’t done.

One of his hands lifted, fingertips brushing against my jaw, forcing me to look at him.

The touch was light—too light. A contradiction to the intensity in his gaze.

"Look me in the eye," he murmured, "and tell me you feel nothing."

The words struck deep.

"Not this again."

I wanted to lie.

Needed to.

But my body betrayed me.

I was trembling.

And he could feel it.

Something in his gaze shifted—like he had won a battle he wasn’t sure he could.

"That’s what I thought," he whispered.

Before I could react, he pushed away from the wall, stepping back, giving me space I didn’t ask for.

The air between us was thick, heavy.

I hated him for this.

For knowing me too well.

For making me feel.

"Goodnight, Your Highness," he said, voice soft but laced with something unreadable.

And then—he was gone.

Leaving me standing there, my heart racing, my mind in chaos.

Because I knew, deep down—

I was losing this battle.

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