Author's POV
He lost his all controls and suffocated her saying, "I tell you this, if I get anything weird between you two, believe me, I will kill you both," she fought against him for her life but she couldn't deal with him. He was stronger than her. She passed out.The King panicked upon seeing Lady Pragya in his arms. "Pragya, Pragya, Pragya," he summoned the imperial physician. He attempted to bow down."Cease this foolishness and attend to her immediately," the king commanded."How fares she?" the king inquired after the physician completed his examination."She is now stable, Your Majesty. It appears she has suffered from shortness of breath. However, there is no cause for alarm, I suggest administering some Artemisia Vulgaris leaf. Once she consumes it, she should return to normal," Physician Vin Zhange advised."You are dismissed," the king declared. Mr. Vin Zhang departed. Li Mei remained, standing behind Pragya's bed."What are you gazing at? Fetch her medicine," the king ordered."At once, Your Majesty," Li Mei hastened out of the chamber. The king clasped her hand. "Forgive me, Pragya. I did not foresee this. I cannot bear the thought of losing you so easily. Pragya, you must awaken. I concede, I am at fault, and you are blameless. Now, arise. Arise, Pragya," he murmured, unsure why he felt such care for her. Hours passed, and still, Pragya slept, with the King by her side, holding her hand.Then, Pragya began to speak. "No, no, Samrat, we will overcome this as well. We shall be united, my love. Samrat..." she awoke, gasping for air, perspiration beading her brow."It's alright, Lady Pragya. It was merely a bad dream," the king soothed her. She collapsed into the king's embrace, weeping. "Sam, you will recover. My love, nothing will befall you. I am on my way, Sam. We will be reunited. We will fulfill your dreams, my dearest. Just a few more days, my love," she sobbed loudly. She felt the king's hand gently stroking her hair and his voice comforting her."It's okay, Lady Pragya. It was just a nightmare," he said. She suddenly realized she was in his arms and violently freed herself from his embrace."What are you trying to do? Leave now. This is all yours, isn't it? This is your world, right? You can bully my body but not my heart. My heart belongs to Samrat. No one can replace him. I despise you, Jing Zheng. I loathe you. Leave now," she demanded through tears."Pragya, please calm down," he attempted to soothe her."I told you to get out of my room. If you won't leave, then I will," she said, attempting to rise from her bed. At this point, the king had no choice but to exert force."Just stay calm," he said, holding her leg. "Pragya, it wasn't my desire to bring you into my world. I don't wish to keep you here either. But as long as you remain in my homeland, you must follow my commands," he declared loudly and firmly."You've put me in this situation. You act as though you care for me after suffocating me? You're incredible, King Zheng," she said with a cold, bitter smile."Your actions left me no choice, Pragya," he replied. "Really?" she scoffed."You are my concubine, Pragya. How many times must I remind you of your place? You were caught engaging in unnecessary dealings with warrior Jing Ke," he asserted."What was wrong with helping an injured warrior? You weren't paying attention to him. So, what was the big deal in helping Jing Ke?" she asked firmly, without fear."Assisting General Jing Ke is not within your status or responsibilities. He has been injured many times before you arrived, so do not be concerned. And regarding your past, I have no issues with your previous lover or your love story," he concluded. Meanwhile, Li Mei arrived with the medication."My lady, here is your medication and your dinner," she announced."Thank you, Li Mei. You may leave," the king instructed. The maid departed first, leaving the king and his concubine alone in Pragya's well-furnished bedroom. Pragya noticed the food: traditional medicine, Artemisia Vulgaris, with a dark brown hue, and a soup containing spinach, leaf mustard, golden carp, and whitefish, accompanied by strawberries for dessert. Nausea and fatigue overwhelmed her.The king took the soup and blew on it before bringing it close to her mouth, but she refused to drink. "I already told you that I don't like soup," she murmured."It's not about what you like or dislike this time, Pragya. You are ill and need to recover," he insisted. She glanced around the room, tears blurring her vision. "Indeed, I am sick," she admitted, becoming emotional again. "I'm homesick, Your Honor," she confessed. He set the soup aside and held her hand gently."Listen, Pragya, as long as you are here, this is also your home. You are free to form new relationships and families here. Nothing will prevent you from doing that. Regarding your family in your time, I have spoken with Vin Zhang. He has been instructed to find a way to return you to your era," he explained thoroughly. He offered her a strawberry, but she had no appetite for it."Okay, if you don't want it," he said, and took it to his mouth. Pragya did not anticipate his next move. He held her neck, pulled her close, clasped her head with his other hand, and fed her the strawberry from his mouth. She was shocked by his unexpected action, her eyes widening more than ever."If you don't eat, I will feed you like this," he said with cunning. The helpless Pragya had no choice but to finish her meal under the king's watchful eye. After taking her medicine, she went to bed once the king left.The next day, the determined Pragya visited Vin Zhang's place, ignoring Li Mei's pleas."Uncle, how is it going? Is there any hope?" Pragya inquired with curiosity. She saw sadness on the Physician's face. "What's wrong, uncle?" she asked, filled with tension."I am sorry, Lady Pragya, it is impossible. With the knowledge we have, we cannot do that. I am sorry, my Lady," he replied. Her hopes and dreams were shattered, and she felt her heart breaking into a million pieces.The King was residing in his palace when Cheng Gu approached him hastily. "What troubles you? Why this haste?" inquired the King. Cheng Gu clasped his hands and bowed deeply, his breaths coming in gasps."Your Majesty, General Jing Ke has fled from our forces," revealed Cheng Gu."What?" exclaimed the King, rising abruptly in astonishment.