Chapter 44: 44. the KING 's shocking discovery

The palace was unusually quiet that evening. The grand halls, usually bustling with activity, were now a serene backdrop to my brooding thoughts. I had just finished a long day of meetings and state affairs, and I was eager to unwind in the comfort of my room. However, what awaited me was far from the peaceful retreat I had envisioned.

As I trudged down the hallway, my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Jaana. I couldn’t shake the image of her from my mind—her teasing smile, her playful words. The thought of her waiting in our room, possibly lost in one of her books, had a calming effect on my frazzled nerves. The idea of seeing her, engrossed in her reading, made me smile.

I reached our room and opened the door, expecting to find Jaana nestled in a corner with a book. Instead, I was greeted by the sight of my parents, the King and Queen of Rajasthan, lounging on the couch with their noses buried in books. I raised an eyebrow in amusement. My parents were never ones to indulge in such leisurely activities. They were always busy with state matters, not engrossed in novels.

“Where’s Jaana?” I asked, my tone a mix of curiosity and impatience as I dropped my coat on the couch.

Without looking up from their books, they chimed in unison, “Your room. She’s reading. Keep silence .”

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. Jaana had certainly made an impression on them. It was endearing to see them so captivated by her influence. I wondered if they had picked up reading as a hobby because of her. The idea made me smile.

I made my way to our room, eager to see Jaana. As I entered, I found her sitting on the bed, completely absorbed in a book. Her hair fell in a cascade down her back, the room’s soft lighting highlighting its sheen. The sight was enchanting.

I settled into the couch, watching her with a sense of admiration. She was so immersed in the book that she didn’t even notice me at first. Her expressions changed as she turned each page—smiling, blushing, and occasionally biting her lip. I was intrigued and couldn’t resist the urge to find out what was captivating her so thoroughly.

The book cover caught my attention as Jaana set it aside for a moment. It was titled “The Haunting Adeline.” I raised an eyebrow, wondering what kind of story it was. I picked up the book, opening it to the page she had bookmarked.

The words seemed innocent enough at first. But as I read further, my eyes widened in shock. The book was filled with graphic imagery and intense scenes that I had not anticipated. I slammed the book shut, my heart racing. This was not what I had expected Jaana to be reading.

“What kind of twisted literature is this?” I muttered to myself. The graphic nature of the scenes made me shudder. My mind raced with thoughts of Jaana curled up with this book, her face lit with excitement. It was a jarring contrast to the sweet and innocent image I had of her.

Just then, I heard a soft giggle behind me. I spun around to find Jaana standing there, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She had been watching me, clearly amused by my reaction.

“Abhimaan, what’s wrong?” she asked, trying to stifle her laughter.

I pointed a trembling finger at the book. “This! This… this abomination!”

She burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. “Oh, Abhimaan, you’re so cute when you’re traumatized!”

“Cute?” I exclaimed. “I’m supposed to be a formidable king, not cute!”

Jaana continued to laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “You should see your face! It’s priceless!”

I couldn’t help but join in her laughter. Maybe I was overreacting just a bit. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. “Alright, alright. I’m overreacting. But really, what was that book about? It’s so… intense.”

Jaana sat down beside me, still giggling. “It’s a romance novel with a bit of a dark twist. I didn’t think it would disturb you this much.”

I frowned, still trying to process what I had read. “I just didn’t expect you to be so… captivated by it.”

Jaana looked at me with a teasing smile. “Well, now you know what I like to read in my spare time. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows with me, you know.”

I shook my head, chuckling despite myself. “I guess I have a lot to learn about you.”

Jaana leaned closer, her eyes locked on mine. “And you’re going to love every bit of it. Besides, you can’t really blame me for enjoying a bit of drama and excitement. It makes life more interesting.”

I sighed, feeling a mix of exasperation and affection. “Alright, alright. But no more twisted romance novels for you. I’ll make sure of it.”

Jaana laughed, a sound that warmed my heart. “Oh, Abhimaan, you’re so protective. But I promise I won’t let it affect our life together.”

We spent the rest of the evening in each other’s company, Jaana occasionally teasing me about my overreaction while I tried to come to terms with the unexpected revelation. We talked about everything and nothing, our laughter echoing through the room.

As the night wore on, I found myself more enamored with Jaana than ever. Her ability to surprise me, to keep me on my toes, was something I cherished. Despite the initial shock, I realized that this was part of what made our relationship special—her unpredictability, her passion, and her unwavering spirit.

And so, as I lay beside her that night, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the journey we were on together. It was filled with surprises, challenges, and, most importantly, love.

Jaana and I were learning about each other in ways we hadn’t anticipated, and I was eager to see where this journey would take us next. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew that as long as we faced them together, we would emerge stronger and more connected than ever.