"Prince Sumedh, put me down. Everyone is watching us."

I wriggle under his grip requesting him again and again to put me down but he is too stubborn to listen anything. I look around to find everyone's eyes on us. King Rudra, my parents and Ashi have stood up from their seats looking at us. Prince Sumedh carries me there and makes me to sit on a chair. I bow my head down in utter embaressement biting my lips thinking about what is going to take place now. Silence prevails the whole room like a carpet as I can feel hundreds of eyes on us.

I look up when I find someone clearing their throat. Prince Sumedh is still looking at me in such away that's making me more nervous. He claps his hand for twice and a waiter comes towards him to hand over a shiny golden microphone. Sumedh takes it and mumbles a small "Thank you" when that man nods and leaves from the place.He turns his attention towards the guests and starts saying,

"So everyone present here, I, Prince of Aurora City, am heartily welcoming all of you with regards and loves. I hope that you are going to have an amazing and joyful evening."

He throws a small smile towards the guests and they all clap for him.

"Well, well, I am not finished yet. I just want all of you to meet someone very special right now." He takes a small pause and turns towards our table. He gestures his hand towards my father who has been awkwardly observing all of these incidents and says,

"Meet King Arbin, the king of Rose Valley. And I hope that you already know about Rose Valley. Rose Valley, a city blessed with positivity, prosperity, tranquility and fulfillment of all sources of comfort and happiness."

Father gives a proud smile and comes forward to stand beside Sumedh and thanks him for the warm welcome when others clap again. Then he introduces Aashi and my mother also and they both thank him with kind smile. After introducing them, he suddenly turns towards me. His eyes pierce into me intensely making my inner soul squirming as my heartbeat increases drastically. I try to calm my nerves down when he approaches towards me with slow steps. He forwards his hand towards me and I bit reluctantly accept his offer with a nervous smile. He winks at me making me going all redder and he makes me to stand on my feet. He slides his hand on my bare back and I shiver under his touch. I look at him when he has a victory teasing smile on his face as he leads me to stand beside Ashi.

"And here is the beautiful and gorgeous younger daughter of Rose Valley, Princess Mallika. She is charming and kind from her heart. A valuable asset of Rose Valley - The epitome of beauty and innocence" He almost shouts over the microphone when everyone cheers making me blushed more. It's almost new to me. Father has never introduced me in this way and I am just used to being the second choice of them in every places. So, I am feeling a bit special today.

After a few minutes later, we all are seated on our seats including King Rudra and Prince Sumedh. They all are discussing about the stuffs related to their development of kingdom and many other important things related to political issues. On the other side, I am feeling like none as they continue to talk among themselves. Aashi and Mother are conversing with Prince Sumedh about his career and his jobs leaving me all for myself. I just sit there timidly wondering about when we are going back. All thanks to my mother who doesn't leave to send occasional glares in my direction. Similarly, Sumedh is gazing me sometimes with a peculiar expression which I still can't figure about why he is being so nice with me.

I am potentially nothing infront of him. He is just the definition of perfection. As far as I have heard from Rehana, he seems absolutely like that. He is a man with kindness and he is dedicated to his job. He knows how to value the achievement of succes and that's what he does to those who have worked hard to reach in their goals. He has got a huge heart which is crystal clear to see his behaviour towards his guests. He is quite angry externally with those who are greedy and are not professional with their jobs. Those who don't understand him, fail to analyze the real Sumedh. That's why, there are rumors that he is a dangerous man to handle incase of his job and kingdom both. Social media portrays him as a man with absolute power, loaded with money for being the Prince of Aurora City and lastly blessed with handsome looks. That's all I have come to know from Rehana.

To be very honest, I am not much known to others inspite of being the young princess of Rose Valley because my parents never gave me that opportunity to present myself properly infront of all where Ashi has got all of these. She is known to all unlike me. I am not habituated to be treated much nicely by others. So when Prince Sumedh was being too gentleman for me ,I just was flattered. Besides, I am nothing infront of him. He is way much better than me.I can't help but think about his sweet gestures towards me. But again, I can't be attracted to my supposed to be brother-in-law. Well, they haven't still confirmed yet. They all are just thinking to make them married whereas Prince Sumedh still hasn't showed any kind of interest in the marriage topic when they are talking among themselves.

*********
After the feast, Sumedh's mother means Queen Deepika has applied ointment on my ankle and she has given a painkiller for what I am being able to walk properly without much pain and problem.

"Mallika!" I turn back to find Aashi standing there with a man. She comes towards me with that man ,looking little sad.

"Mallika, I have to tell you something. "Her tone is filled with uncertainty but I put my hands on her shoulder and indicates her to speak up.

"To be very honest, I don't want to marry now." She pauses and then again continues , "I haven't said anything there for my parents. I didn't want to disobey their statement but truly, I don't want this marriage. "

I am really shocked with her words. I don't know what to say here. After few moments of silence, I speak up.

"I think that you should take your times and adjust your relationship with Sumedh. Then you could decide if you would want to marry him or not. Trust me, I have no idea what to say. I just think that you should give a chance to your relationship "

I just reply whatever seems correct to me. I am really clueless about what I should do in this situation. She nods her head smilingly and then turns towards that man whom I totally forgot that he has been standing for long.

"Oh Mallika, he is Siddharth, assistant manager of Prince Sumedh and more of best friend of him. I just met him today and guess what, we both have become friends within very short times. He is a very nice guy." She says with so much excitement like a baby which makes me chuckle and Siddharth smile.

"And she is my younger sister, Princess of Rose Valley." I nod my head and shake my hand with him.

We exchange "Hi" with each other and he takes my hand kissing on the back of my palm as a gesture of welcome.

"You are beautiful, Princess Mallika. Whatever Sumedh has said, is really true. You are like Goddess of beauty"

My eyes widen to listen what he has just spelled out when Ashi whines,

"Stop flirting. I know that she is very beautiful but she is my sister "

This makes him to let out another chuckle and I blush at thought of Prince Sumedh calling me "beautiful ". My tray of thoughts come to an end when I find Prince Sumedh walking in our direction, his gaze fixed on me which is enough to fasten the pace of my heart. He comes to stand beside Siddharth and they both give hug each other with greetings.

"So I guess that you have already met those beautiful ladies. Am I right ?" He asks when Siddharth nods his head in "Yes".

Then they all become engrossed in their talks where I just stand there awkwardly. Whenever something is asked to me,I just keep my reply limited in "yes" ,"hmm", "no" and "ok".

"OK, it's been a long and now we have to go back." Ashi announces amusely.

"Yeah, I guess so." I join with her.

"Yeah, let's go. I am walking you to the gate." Siddharth says and he starts moving with Ashi when I stand there for sometimes glancing towards Prince Sumedh for the last time to find him staring at me again. I just give a curt nod to him and he smiles. When I am going to walk ,I feel a tug on my arm as I am pulled backwards suddenly. I find Prince Sumedh gripping my wrist as his another hand snakes around my waist. He tucks a hair strand behind my ear making me close my eyes. I feel thousands of butterflies erupting from my stomach making me go weak on my knees as I find myself breathing heavily in our close proximity. Our faces are so close to each other that our noses are almost brushing with each other.

"What are you doing ?" I almost whisper as I feel his hold tightening around my waist more and more. I put my arm around his torso and my other arm clutches his shirt tightly. We lean towards each other and I close my eyes in the anticipation of his closeness.

"Mallika! Mallika! Where are you ? Come on, we are leaving." I hear my mom shouting and I instantly open my eyes. Realization hits hard and I push him away from me.

"I ...am..so.. rry, Prince..Su..medh" I almost shutter looking at him with wide eyes when he holds a expression of disappointment. I have got it. He is now obviously regretting for this almost kiss with someone like me who is not capable enough of being a princess. I feel my eyes getting teary in these thoughts. His gaze then transforms into an expression of concern to see tears escaping from my eyes.

"I am really sorry. I promise that it won't happen again." I whisper and run away when he tries to stop me by calling me again and again. But I escape from there like a coward. I am not strong enough to face another humiliation specially from a man like him who is great. I should stay away from him. He is someone else who deserves better and I don't have any qualities of going near him. I shouldn't cross my boundaries when I know that I am going to be hurt only at the end.

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I am writing big parts for this story. This story is probably having 15 chapters including epilogue and prologue. It's a short one. But I am not getting enough of your reviews like I get in my other stories. So ,just a small request. Do votes atleast if you are reading the story.It really motivates to write more.

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