his mercy was her name

Episode2

He opened her room door and entered inside with her in his arms.

Pihu rested against his chest, completely unaware of everything—her soft breaths brushing lightly against his neck, her fingers curled loosely near his shirt as if even in sleep, she trusted him completely.

For a moment...

He didn't move.

He just stood there.

Looking at her.

Memorizing her.

Then slowly, carefully, he walked toward the bed and gently laid her down.

As if she was made of glass.

As if one wrong move could break her.

He covered her with the blanket, adjusting it just the way she liked—slightly tucked from the sides, loose near her shoulders.

Then he moved closer, his movements slow, controlled...

Trying not to wake her up.

A strand of hair fell across her face.

It disturbed him.

Of course it did.

He reached out and gently removed it, tucking it behind her ear with a softness that didn't belong to a man like him.

His fingers lingered for a second longer.

And before he could stop himself—

He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.

His eyes closed.

Just for a heartbeat.

"Pihu..." he whispered, his voice barely audible in the silence of the room.

"What I am going to do in the future... try to understand me, okay?"

She didn't move.

Didn't hear.

But he still spoke.

Because maybe...

Somewhere, he hoped she would.

"I know about your feelings," he continued, his forehead resting gently against hers.

"And only I know how much I am stopping myself from reciprocating them."

A faint, painful smile touched his lips.

"I can make the whole world kneel before you if you want..."

His jaw tightened.

"But I can't keep you safe."

Those words—

They hurt him more than anything else.

"My love... please try to forgive your Ansh."

His fingers tightened slightly on the bedsheet beside her.

"I really... really love you."

The confession slipped out, raw and unguarded.

"But we can't be together."

Silence filled the room again.

Heavy.

Unspoken.

He stayed there a few seconds longer than he should have...

As if leaving her was the hardest thing he had to do tonight.

Then slowly, reluctantly—

He pulled away.

Covered her properly again.

Adjusted her pillow.

Smoothed the blanket.

Exactly how she liked it.

Because when it comes to Pihu—

No one knows her better than Rudransh Singh Rathore.

He took one last look at her...

Then turned and moved out of the room.

The corridor felt colder.

Empty.

Quiet.

Like the calm before something breaks.

He walked toward his room but stopped a few meters away.

Leo.

The white panther walked toward him, his steps slow, powerful—

And his face...

Stained with blood.

A clear reminder of what he was.

A predator.

A reflection of his master.

Rudransh's lips curved into a faint smirk.

"That's like my boy."

Leo stopped in front of him, his golden eyes watching him closely.

Rudransh bent slightly and patted his head.

"You should always do the same," he said in a low voice.

"If someone looks at your mommy..."

His tone darkened just a little.

"Don't spare them."

Leo let out a soft growl, almost as if agreeing.

"Good boy."

Rudransh exhaled and glanced back, just for a second, toward Pihu's room.

Then his expression softened.

"Where are you looking?" he murmured. "Your mother is sleeping."

A faint warmth returned to his voice.

"Come. Let me wash you."

He walked with Leo toward his room, cleaning him up carefully, removing every trace of blood—

Because even though Leo was a beast—

He was her baby.

And nothing associated with her was allowed to be dirty.

Time passed.

The mansion sank into silence.

The night grew deeper.

2:00 AM.

The door of Pihu's room opened slowly.

She stepped out quietly, her eyes half-closed, her movements lazy with sleep.

Her hair was tied in a messy bun.

Her panda night suit made her look even smaller... softer.

Her stomach growled.

She placed a hand over it.

"I didn't eat anything..." she whispered to herself.

"I'm going to faint one day at this rate..."

She walked toward the kitchen—

And suddenly stopped.

Rudransh was already there.

Sitting at the dining table.

Laptop open.

Working.

Waiting.

As if he already knew she would come.

As if he always knew.

She blinked.

"How does he always know everything..." she murmured under her breath.

For a second, she tried to step back quietly.

Because if he caught her eating late again—

He would definitely scold her.

But before she could move—

His voice stopped her.

"Why did you stop, Pihu?"

She froze.

Slowly turned around.

He was still looking at the laptop.

Not even at her.

And yet—

He knew.

"I..." she hesitated, then quickly lied, "I came to meet Leo. I didn't see him all day..."

Rudransh finally looked up.

One eyebrow raised.

"He went to sleep early."

A pause.

"And you are a bad liar."

She blinked.

Caught.

Again.

He closed his laptop.

"Come. Sit."

She walked toward him slowly and sat down.

He placed food in front of her.

"I made your favorite."

Her eyes lit up instantly.

"Really?!"

She leaned forward, her hunger instantly winning over everything else.

"Ohhh you are the best, Rudra!"

And just like that—

He melted.

Completely.

He served her food.

Then served himself.

Because how could he eat if she was hungry?

"You didn't eat?" she asked, taking a bite.

"You know I can't eat alone."

She smiled softly.

"I know... I know..."

They ate in silence for a moment.

Comfortable.

Warm.

"Tomorrow is your off," he said

"Yes."

"I'll sleep till late," she said happily.

"Why don't you also take a leave? Let's go shopping tomorrow!"

"I can't."

"Pleaseeee..." she dragged the word, pouting like a child.

"You can't refuse, Rudraaaaa..."

She threw a small tantrum, her eyes shining.

Cute.

Too cute.

And instantly—

Rudransh gave in.

"We'll go tomorrow."

Her face lit up.

"Really?!"

He nodded slightly.

"Now eat," he said, trying to sound serious.

"Otherwise the food will get cold."

She nodded quickly.

A small piece of food stayed near her lips.

Without thinking—

He reached out.

And removed it.

Like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Like he had done it a thousand times before.

Her cheeks turned red instantly.

Her heartbeat quickened.

And for a moment—

Neither of them spoke.

Neither of them moved.

The air changed.

Soft.

Heavy.

Dangerous in a different way.

Somewhere far away—

A storm was already forming.

Because love like this—

Was never meant to stay peaceful.