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The storm outside had calmed, but inside the hospital room, the storm still raged within him.

Veeresh sat by her bedside again, his right arm bandaged where the IV line had been — he had given his blood without a second thought. His veins still ached, but none of it mattered. She mattered. Only her.

The steady beep of the monitor was the only sound he listened for now. It had become his heartbeat, his prayer, his hope.

He hadn’t left her side all night. His suit was creased, his eyes red, but he didn’t care. His hand rested over hers, tracing soft circles against her wrist as if his touch alone could bring her back.

> “Ruby…” he murmured softly, his voice almost breaking.

“You scared me tonight. Don’t ever do that again, hmm?”

He gave a small, shaky smile — the kind that came from exhaustion and love colliding.

> “You know, the guards prayed for you. Even they’re afraid of losing their Madam. You’ve managed to make the devil’s army fall for your kindness.”

He chuckled weakly, then fell silent. His thumb brushed against her fingers again.

And then — it happened.

A faint movement. So slight, so fragile that for a moment, he thought he imagined it.

But then her finger twitched again — a gentle, trembling shift against his palm.

Veeresh froze. His breath caught in his throat.

> “Ruby?” he whispered, his voice trembling. “Ruby… do that again.”

Her hand twitched a second time — slow, weak, but real.

His heart surged, and tears filled his eyes instantly. He stood up, clutching her hand to his chest.

> “Doctor! Doctor!” he shouted, voice echoing through the corridor.

The medical team rushed in, checking her vitals, scanning her eyes, monitoring every response.

The doctor looked up after a tense minute and said,

> “She’s responding. It’s faint, but she’s reacting to touch and voice.”

Veeresh pressed a trembling hand over his mouth, his eyes closing as relief finally hit him.

> “That’s my girl,” he whispered, kneeling beside her again.

“I knew you’d fight back. I knew you’d come to me.”

Her breathing steadied a little. The color began to return faintly to her cheeks.

Veeresh leaned close, his forehead against hers.

> “I’m here, Ruby. Always. You’re not alone. Come back to me fully… I’m waiting.”

Outside the glass window, his guards exhaled in relief. Some smiled, some silently crossed themselves — all knowing that the king’s heart had started beating again.

And inside that room, Veeresh Deewan — the man who once ruled the shadows — held the smallest sign of life like it was the most precious thing in the world.

Because for him, it was.