Where am I ?
I was running-running to save myself from this wrecked marriage. How could my uncle and aunt agree to marry me off to a man more than twice my age? I had to escape. Ishouldhave escaped earlier.
The cold night air lashed against my skin as my legs carried me forward, my breath ragged, my heart pounding. But just as I thought I was getting away, a truck came out of nowhere, its blinding headlights burning into my eyes.
Then-darkness.
A pounding headache. A relentless, hammering pain that made every second unbearable. My throat was parched and dry like I hadn’t had a sip of water in days. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but I forced them open with great effort.
The room around me was unfamiliar, dimly lit, and filled with antique artifacts. Ornate wooden carvings, brass lamps, and old scrolls stacked neatly on a nearby table. Whoever owned this place had a taste for history-no, more than that. It felt like I had stepped into a differentera.
I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my body. Before I could even process it, someone rushed toward me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder and helping me sit properly.
A flask was pressed against my lips.
“Drink this.”A deep, commanding voice.
The liquid inside smelled awful, an unbearable mix of herbs and something bitter. I turned my head away in protest.
“Drink.”The voice was sterner this time, and the flask was pressed more firmly against my lips, leaving me no choice but to take a sip.
The taste was just as bad as the smell-bitter, earthy, foreign. But before I could complain, a wave of exhaustion hit me like a crashing tide, pulling me back into unconsciousness.
When I finally opened my eyes again, the first thing I noticed was a man lying on the bed next to mine, his body wrapped in layers of pristine white bandages, covering him almost entirely. His broad chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, but his face-what little of it was visible-was breathtaking.
Thick, dark lashes rested against his high cheekbones, his skin pale yet flawless. A few unruly strands of jet-black hair had fallen across his forehead, partially covering his features. Even in his injured state, there was an undeniable elegance to him. His nose was straight and well-defined, and his lips-full and slightly parted-had a natural rosiness that contrasted sharply against his otherwise stoic expression.
Then, he stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
His irises were a striking shade of emerald green, so intense they almost seemed unnatural. They regarded me with quiet curiosity, sharp and assessing like I was an enigma worth unraveling. There was something about his gaze-something unreadable yet magnetic. Not cruel, not soft, just... observant. For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then-
“Maharaj Adhiraj Suryavanshi is arriving!”
The sound of heavy footsteps followed the loud announcement. The doors swung open with a bang, and a group of men entered the room. Leading them was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a regal presence, his expression unreadable.
My already overwhelmed mind struggled to process what was happening. Was this... some alternate universe? Had I traveled back in time? That was impossible.Wasn’t it?
The injured man beside me made an effort to stand, struggling against his wounds, but before he could, Adhiraj raised a hand, signaling him to stop.
“Ahaan, thank you for saving my life.”The king approached, his voice filled with authority yet carrying a hint of warmth. He placed a hand on Ahaan’s shoulder.“Tell me what you desire, and I will grant it.”
Ahaan’s face remained impassive.“I am grateful for your offer, Maharaj, but if I need something in the future, I will let you know.”
Adhiraj’s smile faltered slightly at the lack of enthusiasm but remained composed. Then, his gaze shifted-tome.
His expression hardened.“Who are you?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My throat tightened. My mind raced for an answer. WhowasI?
“You can speak, can’t you?”His voice was sharper now, his piercing eyes locked onto mine as he stepped closer.
Before I could force out a response, Ahaan spoke on my behalf.“I found her in the village. She was badly injured, so I brought her here. She might still be in shock from the attack.”
A murmur spread among the king’s men. One of them, a minister, stepped forward, his tone edged with disapproval.“She is in the presence of the king. She should show respect-stand and speak properly. This is-”
“Enough.”Adhiraj’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. He didn’t take his eyes off me as he turned to one of his men.“Call the physician.”
The moment the command left his lips, a servant rushed out of the room.
I barely had time to process what was happening before an elderly physician entered, approaching me with practiced ease. His hands were gentle yet firm as he began his examination.
And all I could think was-
Where the hell am I?
