Hello Fam :)

Happy Reading...

"You have had enough freedom, Manik. You will marry the girl who is fit for carrying the legacy of our family."

"If I am sharing my life with someone, why do you think I would consider a girl capable of carrying a legacy instead of someone who would love me or understand me", he yelled. This wasn't a new topic but it was definitely serious this time looking at the looks of his father.

"You will do as I say and there won't be any further questions regarding this", said his father calmly before leaving the room.

Manik groaned and threw the glass of water in his hand against the wall. It shattered into a number of pieces, just like his life. With nothing better to do, he glared at the portrait of his great-great-great-grandfather, the founder of the village Amritpuri, the picture of whom Manik insisted to have it in his room so that he could glare at him whenever his family tried to bound him with the responsibilities of the legacy he created.

Amritpuri was not a well-known village on the map of India but the surname Malhotra was a legacy for the village. Situated in Punjab but just a few kilometers short of Haryana, it was neglected amidst the reluctance to provide the facilities between the governments of the two states. Instead of being neglected like some of the unfortunate villages in the country, Amritpuri flourished under the guidance and authority of the Malhotras.

Legend says the ancestors of the Malhotra clan were the Adam and Eve of the Amritpuri, the firstborns popped out of heaven. After establishing his kingdom, Adam Malhotra took all the villagers under his wing, taking care of their every need. He established companies, built hospitals, schools, temples, and made sure every single man in the village was employed. Years passed and the coming generations took the responsibilities with pride. Just like the families had the head of the houses, Raj Malhotra, fondly called by the villagers as the Maharaj Malhotra, was the current head of the Amritpuri family.

"I heard a crash. Did your brain finally explode from all the pent-up frustration?"

Manik knew that voice. He would anywhere after listening to it almost the whole of his life. Abhimanyu Thakkar was his best friend since childhood, the husband to his only sister, Mukti, and the savior in his life when he wasn't trying to be the bane of his existence. Like right now.

"It would explode if I stay here for one more day", he told, gritting his teeth.

His best friend sighed before taking a seat on the bed, facing the same portrait as him. "So, it's the blame game now."

"Adam Malhotra ruined my life", he declared.

"I am damn sure I was told that his name was Jaisingh Malhotra", muttered Abhimanyu, earning a glare from his best friend. "Okay, chill. Why don't you sit down for a minute?"

"I am not sitting down. I am packing my bags and leaving this hell right now", he told. To show his best friend that he was serious, Manik even walked around the room to gather his belongings.

MANIK

He was startled by Abhimanyu's scream and stopped abruptly. "What's wrong with you? I am right here. Why the hell are you shouting?"

Instead of answering him, Abhimanyu stood up from his place and pulled Manik away from the portrait. He followed the line of sight of his best friend and saw the shattered pieces of the glass. He rolled his eyes. "Stop overreacting."

Abhimanyu glared at him and dragged him until they were away from the glass shreds. He pushed Manik onto the bed. "Are you hurt somewhere?"

"I am not a glass doll, Thakkar", he said, glaring at him.

Abhimanyu shook his head. "No, you're not. You are a reckless idiot and I don't trust your actions when you are angry. So, shut up and tell me if you had hurt yourself while you are throwing a tantrum at your father."

"I am fine and that's not a tantrum. I am fighting for my rights."

The man ignored him and went out of his room without a word. He emerged a moment later with a servant in tow. "Clean them, please."

"I can clean it myself. All my limbs are working perfectly", yelled Manik.

Abhimanyu glared at him. "One more time you are breaking something, I would replace every article in your room with the non-breakable ones. Understood? Stop trying to hurt yourself or else you are grounded here in the palace for the rest of your life."

Manik gulped. He might not give a second thought to his father's threats but not Abhimanyu. The idiot would go to any heights to make sure Manik is safe even if that includes grounding him in the palace.

Once the servant left the room after cleaning, Abhimanyu went to sit beside him. He brushed Manik's hair, which might resemble a bird's nest after the amount of time Manik ran his hand through it or pulled them in frustration. "Manik, dad loves you. He wouldn't get you married to a stupid robot or a cash machine. You are the prince and the girl who would come into the family should respect and understand our values because it's not only about us. There are people dependent on you and tomorrow there might come a time when she should handle something. Hence, it's important to find someone who would take care of the family, fight for the people, and fight with the people, if necessary."

"Why can't I just live a normal life, fall in love like a normal guy? You loved Mukti too. She didn't go through all these threats."

"I was in love with Mukti for years and yes, I had to sit through all the lectures with your dad about the legacy I am supposed to protect as the son-in-law of this family. Manik, you wanted a love marriage, he gave you the time but now he doesn't think you are capable of loving someone on your own", he told, calmly.

"What?", he spluttered. Because what the hell?

"When was the last time you dated someone? Leave that. When was the last time you took a girl on a date?", he asked.

"A month back. We had a great time. She said she would like to go with me again", he said confidently.

Abhimanyu put his palm across Manik's cheek. "Manik, love, going to conferences with your colleague to represent your hospital work doesn't count as a date."

Manik slapped his hand away.

"Look, Manik, dad is doing you a favor by calling all the girls in the vicinity along with their families. You can select anyone."

"Exactly. They would all come for Prince Malhotra, not for Manik. And how am I supposed to select by talking in a few minutes?", he asked.

To that, Abhimanyu threw a hand around him. "Is that what's bothering you? You don't have to select them right there. Try to mingle with them and narrow down a few possibilities. We can arrange proper meetings and you can take your own time with them. You would get time to understand each other. Is that okay?"

Before he could answer, there was a bundle of energy bouncing through his room as she jumped on the other side of Manik, smashing a kiss on his cheek. "I heard my beloved brother is getting married. I am so excited, Bhai", said Mukti, practically yelling in his ear.

"Mukti, I will go deaf before getting married", he muttered.

"Love, I convinced this stubborn idiot to attend the ball", declared Abhimanyu.

"I knew you are the only one who could convince this thick head into doing anything", said Mukti, blowing a kiss at her husband.

"This person is sitting right here and you are crushing him in your hold", he told, glaring at them both.

"That's love, you idiot", said Mukti, resting her head on Manik's shoulder.

Abhimanyu did the same. Trapped between the two, Manik wondered why he thought getting his best friend married to his sister, who was his best friend too, would be a good idea? Initially, he had to endure the torture of a sister and best friend separately. Now, they come in a couple's package. What was his life even?

XXX

Nandini was on her tenth coffee of the day or the extension of the previous day. She was on a vacation but her beloved boss, a sadist, gave her a project right at the last minute for her to work from home. The deadline was in the morning and she had just finished sending the mail to him.

"Good morning", came a voice, gruff, followed by the ruffling of her hair and a kiss on top of her head.

She grinned at her dad but didn't utter a word. Her dad was a horrible conversationalist before his first-morning coffee and she had her own hangover to deal with due to lack of proper sleep for almost a week now. What wouldn't she give for good food and sleep right now? But after brainstorming for several hours at once, she couldn't shut her mind enough to sleep properly and hence decided to raid the coffee from her kitchen.

"So, what's the plan for today, now that you are breathing again?", asked her father, after gulping down half a cup of his coffee.

"I didn't stop breathing. Just my sadist of a boss couldn't understand the meaning of my leave application and emailed me the work along with a crazy deadline. I come here to get rid of his stupid face and he haunts me even in my nightmares", she complained.

Her dad chuckles. This was their everyday banter. Her boss was a sadist and Nandini could rant anything and everything to her dad. He was cool like that.

"If you aren't happy with what you are doing, why don't you quit? Take an actual break and apply somewhere else or try something else?"

She sighed. "Dad, I need money to start up a business. This job pays me well. I can't just quit and start from the bottom once again."

"You don't even have a concrete business plan and it's not that we don't have money. I could invest in it if that brings you out of the place where you are not happy."

"That's sweet of you but as you said, I don't have a concrete business plan. Just that I can't work under people like my sadists for a long time. I need to own a company and that's what I am working for. And if the business goes flop, I want to bear the losses to my money. Not yours."

Her dad opened his mouth to say something before shaking his head. "You remind me of your mom so much. She would have loved the person you have grown up into."

"Nonsense. She would be ecstatic about my vibrant personality and selflessness and humble and calm demeanor", she said, grinning.

"Okay, kid. Let's not go ahead of ourselves. I love my wife and I think I have known her fairly enough. I strongly think she would disagree about the last two traits of your vibrant personality", he told.

Even though they had lost her mother when she was a teen, they keep her alive in their conversations instead of avoiding mentioning her, believing she would be watching over them from wherever she was. "I am humble", protested Nandini.

"Yeah? And calm too? I agree not. That's the exact opposite of what you are", he teased.

She had missed their early morning banter. She was about to retort when Cabir, her best friend, colleague, and housemate, comes down and flops beside her chair, resting his head on the table. He was half asleep.

Yash took one look at the man before standing up towards the kitchen. The aroma of hot coffee woke up Cabir enough to have a decent conversation.

"If not for the society giving me the stink eye, I would definitely marry you any day for this amazing coffee", he told, grinning toothily.

Nandini slapped his head. "Stop flirting with my dad. You are not going to be my step-mom."

"Nandini, I am practically your mom. I adopted you. And I would marry your dad one day. He is so hot. Like a piece of art."

She groans. Her best friend was gay. So gay. Yash chuckled behind his cup. "Should I be concerned that my daughter's best friend is hitting on me or mortified that said best friend is the great Cabir Dhawan?"

When Cabir smirked, raising both his eyebrows at her dad, she slapped his head, stood up to hug her dad, engulfing him away from her best friend's eyesight. "That's it. I am saving you from all lecherous eyes. You are the only one in this entire universe that I love more than my life and I won't let any idiot lay a wrong finger on you. I will protect you with everything I have."

He pushed her lightly to look at her in amusement but still held her close. "You remember, right, that I am the father in this relationship?"

Before she could say anything, there was a knock on the door and they all straightened up. "Who's this early in the morning?"

Her dad shrugged. "Let me go and see. Cabir, there's more coffee in the kitchen."

"You okay", asked her best friend, once her dad was out of the room. "I didn't see you sleeping all night."

"Couldn't sleep. Spent the night with coffee."

"Could have woken me up, Nandini? We could have at least watched something."

"And disturb your sleep too? You were asleep immediately. I didn't want to disturb you. We deserve that after everything we have done in the past week."

"Okay. We deserve a break, which means including you. After breakfast, we are sleeping even if I have to cuddle you to sleep. Deal?"

"You can be a mom sometimes."

"Not good enough to be your step-mom?", he said, pouting.

Nandini shook her head. "Not good enough to be my dad's partner." It was all fun. Cabir had come out to her after only a year of working and staying together. Since then it became a hobby for them to check out the guys together even if they don't have any intention to act upon it. When Yash visited her in Delhi, while he was at work, Cabir was home alone as she was doing an extra hour at the office and they had hit it off instantly. It was one of the reasons her dad didn't threaten to sue him for being a male housemate to his 'very innocent baby girl'. But she got an hour of lecturing for hiding this fact until Nandini told him it was an accident and she didn't really find a better housemate. After that, it took Cabir more flirting with her dad than her for Yash to see that, in fact, he was gay and his baby girl was safe. Even if the trust and their bond built up over the years, the flirting remained intact, much to Nandini's horror and Yash's amusement.

They were surprised to find an envelope in Yash's hands when he returned along with a slight smile on his face.

"Who's that?"

"He is from the castle. Apparently, we are invited to a party conducted by the Malhotras along with our daughters. Looks like the Prince of Amritpuri had finally given his consent to get married to the girl of his father's choice."

"That's a pity", she muttered and grinned when her father threw a half-hearted glare. "No, I mean, didn't he ask some time to fall in love or something?"

Yash nodded. "Apparently, he didn't find any if this invitation had anything to say."

She was about to make up an excuse to skip the party in favor of her sleep but her father sighed, dropping the invitation on the table. "Guess, I will be late tonight. I will go there directly after my office hours."

"I thought you wanted me to come along with you?", she asked.

"It doesn't have your name. Probably they are only inviting the people around here. Technically, you are a resident of Delhi now. And let's keep it that way."

She narrowed her eyes. She was offended. Just because she worked in Delhi now doesn't mean she wasn't a part of the place she grew up all her childhood. "What does that even mean?"

"Baby girl, I love you so much but you are reckless and chaotic and don't know how to be polite in front of the royalty. I see them on a daily basis due to my work and I don't want the King coming to me to talk about the humble and vibrant personality of my daughter."

Nandini huffed and crossed her arms. "You wound me. Go be a stupid lawyer. May you get all petty, illogical theft cases today."

Her dad laughed brightly before coming around to drop a kiss on her hair and squeezing her shoulder. "Why don't you two catch up on your sleep today? I would go bankrupt buying coffee if my daughter is pulling any more night overs."

He shook his head laughing when she stuck out her tongue at him and started to leave to get ready for the court when the bane of her existence appeared in the room. Yash pulled her into a half-hug, before kissing her head. "Morning, Barbie doll. Slept well?"

Alya Murthy, looking straight out of a GQ magazine even in her pajamas, nodded. Nandini wondered if she puts makeup on even during her sleep. "Dad, the AC in my room is not working properly", she told.

"Is it? I will ask someone to come home today, okay? If not you can use the guestroom for today. Not like Cabir's using it much."

They have been working late nights and most of the time Cabir slept more on her couch than his given room. Alya threw a glare towards the duo before managing a sweet smile in front of their dad, nodding.

"Hey, Ally, why don't you go through that invitation from the Malhotras? You are invited too. Let me know if you are interested to go and if yes, I could pick you up from home, or I will meet you there directly and we can come back together after the party?", said Yash. "Text me, yeah. I am getting late to the court."

Once he left the room, Alya went to the kitchen and poured herself a black coffee, just like her personality, and sat in front of them, picking up the invitation. She smirked as she read through the details. "So, dad doesn't think you are good enough to meet the royalty?"

"I am not dying to meet them either, Alya", she told.

"We don't try to aim at the things we didn't know existed, Nandini", said Alya, smirking. "Meeting the royalty needs elegance and dignity that you clearly lack", she added, giving a stink eye to her nightdress.

Seriously, who cares about a stupid nightdress. Apparently, Alya Murthy. "We all don't model in our dreams too, Ally. I would rather have a comfortable sleep than a fashionable one."

"Apparently, all you are good at is sleep. So, have fun sleeping while I go and make myself presentable to make the prince fall in love with me", she told, finishing her coffee. She turned just near the door. "While you are at home being jobless, get my AC fixed when dad sends someone and get my room cleaned when the maid comes."

She walks away without giving Nandini any chance to speak which fouls her mood even further.

"I can't believe she is your twin. I didn't even know you had a sister until I actually visited your home after months of meeting you."

"I am not exactly dying to announce her existence in my life", she told. Something was fueling in her mind. A half-formed planned begging to be put in action.

Her dad emerged out of his room, his black coat hanging over his arm as he went through the files in his hand. Nandini walked to him and straightened his collar for him. "Thanks, kid", he told with a smile.

"Dad, do you believe me when I say I love you the most in the entire world?", she asked. Yeah, she needed reassurance to put the plan in action with confidence.

"No questions there, sweetheart. I would believe anything you say. And I love you too", he told her brightly. Seriously, he was a ray of literal sunshine, and with her mother's vibrant personality just like hers, she didn't know where did Alya inherit her half-brained personality that just resembles her black coffee more than any of her parents. He leaves the house after asking her to take some rest and have food on time.

Yes. Rest she would do. Food she would eat and after that, she wasn't promising anything.

XXX

"I still don't know what we are doing here?", asked Cabir the umpteenth time.

"For the millionth time, we are going to the Prince of Amritpuri's stupid party", she told. Her brilliant plan was to show Alya that she was capable of meeting the royalty. Not her best plan but it was what she came up with during the short time.

"We don't even have the invitation. You weren't interested in the morning."

Nandini slapped his arm. "My own dad thinks I don't have proper personality traits to meet the royalty? Isn't that betrayal? Didn't you hear my heart breaking in the morning?"

"No. And you are not here because of what your dad said", pointed out Cabir. "It's because of your sister."

"Don't even mention that plastic devil. She thinks she is on par with the royalty and I am someone beneath her. I will prove her wrong."

"By doing what? Seducing the Prince? Because that was her plan?"

"Are you mad? Of course, I don't care who this good-for-nothing Prince is. What does he even think of himself? That he would summon all the girls with just a snap of his fingers? That's so arrogant of him."

"Why are we here then?"

She looped an arm around his. "Free food and dance, Cabir. Now chill."

They were stopped by the guards at the entrance. "Ma'am, please enter your details here."

"A security check?"

"Just a catalog to keep in check who is attending."

She shrugged. "Alya Murthy and that's my friend. He is just accompanying me."

The guard nodded and let them in without a question. Maybe they were allowing all the girls. Interesting.

"Why did you say you are Alya?"

"Because as much as this was fun, my dad would kill me if he gets to know about this. He is working with these people, legal advisors sort of. Wouldn't take it lightly if he gets to know about this", explained Nandini. "Also, while you are here, keep an eye on him if he arrives here. We are leaving at the exact moment and we have to be home before he reaches home."

"You are being a sadist, you know that right? Is Harshad rubbing off on you?"

"Don't you dare take the name of the source of my nightmares under these bright lights."

They checked out the guys for a while until Cabir went in search of food when he got bored. Nandini was happy with her fruit punch for now.

XXX

"Can't believe a girl is sitting all by herself instead of trying for the prince to dance with her."

Nandini turned around to find the bartender smiling at her. She has been in the same position for some time now watching the party. "Not everyone is interested in worshipping the air the Prince breathes", she told, forwarding her hand. "Nandini."

"Sachin. I have been here for more time than yours and I can say almost everyone is trying to worship the air he breathes while he wants to stop breathing it seems", he said with a chuckle.

"What?", asked Nandini and turned to find the Prince on the dance floor, making a face when the girl stepped closer. If she wasn't wrong, he was disinterested. "Is that about the girl? She is beautiful though."

"I don't think it's the girl. He has been like this the entire time. "Have you seen the other guy?", he asked, pointing towards a man wearing a suit and a polite smile. He was charming as he made conversations with everyone. "That's his brother-in-law. After a few dances, the Prince is dragging him out of sight and they are coming back after a few minutes before the Prince mingles with a crowd."

Nandini saw it happening again when the Prince excused himself and dragged the other man before they disappeared from the party. She turned around to face the bartender. "I didn't know you were allowed to gossip about your employees."

He shrugged. "Technically, they are employing my contractor and they are not my direct bosses. And come on, do you blame me? I am stuck here for hours. I am bored and let's be honest. Don't you think it's suspicious?"

Nandini nodded as the two royal men appeared again. The Prince was now holding the other guy's hand with a frown as he said something to him. The man just shook his head before dislodging his hand as he walked to some of their guests. The Prince glared at his back until another girl sneaked up from behind him and whispered something in his ear. The Prince smiled at her, clearly fake, as he took her hand to lead her to the dance floor. "God, isn't a whole soap opera going on here?"

"Exactly my point."

Nandini shook her head and instead of watching the Prince, she talked to the bartender. He was a third-year engineering student (that might be where his gossiping tendencies came from, thought Nandini), working part-time because of his long semester break for some extra pocket money. Nandini told him about her work and he perked up after which they went into coding and it was a rabbit hole after that, with him asking questions and her answering. It was only when Cabir tapped her shoulder did they realize how much time had passed.

"Nandini, you have to see this", he said.

"What?", she asked and turned around again to where her best friend was pointing at. It was Alya dancing with the Prince now and looking by the constipated expression on his face, it wasn't going too well. The more she pressed herself to him, the bigger he faked his smile as he tried to distance herself from her. "So much for making him fall for her", she muttered to Cabir.

"I am surprised he isn't pushing her. Anyways, dance with me?", asked Cabir.

"What, no?"

"You said free food and dance and you dragged me to this stupid party", he complained.

Nandini sighed before turning to the bartender. "Nice meeting you, Sachin. Let me deal with this big baby now."

Cabir grinned shamelessly as he waved at the boy.

They were dancing for some time when they started changing partners. After two dance partners, she was surprised to find herself in the arms of the Prince himself. At least he was putting a respectable distance between them. "What an honor of our low-lives to dance with the Prince himself?", she muttered. If he noticed the sarcasm in her voice, he didn't say a word except the surprise on his face.

"God, you smell so divine at the moment", he muttered, closing his eyes.

Nandini was taken aback at the unexpected words. "Not exactly the ideal conversation opener, don't you think?", she said, with a slight glare.

He snapped his eyes open before they were widened as he seemed to realize the meaning of his words. "I am sorry. I didn't mean them. You are not drowning in tons of makeup and excessive perfume. It's a relief to breathe beside a natural human after dealing with all that for hours."

She nodded as the images of his reluctance from the evening came into her mind. "What did you expect when you summoned the girls with a snap of a finger?", she asked.

"To be frank, I didn't get much to say in that matter", he muttered, his eyes hardening.

"You don't want to be here?"

"Who would want to be? When every other girl is throwing themselves at me without even trying to have a polite conversation, all I have to do is smile and accept their wish to dance. Doesn't look polite to reject the 'potential suitors'", he muttered, maintaining a fake smile as he twirled her around.

"Calm down, Princess. You are doing a great job tonight even if you were sneaking out with your brother-in-law. Tell me honestly, are you having an affair with him? No hard feelings, though because my best friend is gay too but you would be betraying your sister", she told. It was more teasing him but suddenly she realized he was the royalty and why her dad said she didn't have the right manners to converse with them.

Surprisingly, Manik laughed leaning slightly towards her. It was priceless as compared to the one he had been sporting all night. "God, are you really gossiping about me to me?", he asked amused. "That's Abhimanyu, my best friend. He has been my punching bag ever since this stupid event was organized."

Before Nandini could reply, the Prince leaned again. "Can I have the next dance with you too, please? I am done with dealing with them trying to seduce me all evening."

When she chuckled with a nod, he angled them missing to exchange the partner and the girl went to someone else. "So, you really don't want to choose a partner today?"

"Are you mad? I am humoring my dad. I can't decide my future with a dance and a talk of batting eyelashes. If Adam Malhotra wasn't dead already, I would have killed him today."

"Adam Malhotra? Didn't know you were part of Adam and Eve from the start of the Universe", she teased.

Manik laughed. "My ancestral grandfather. The one who founded this. Are you not from here?"

"Nearby village, not under your jurisdiction. But I am aware of Jaisingh Malhotra." When the dance was over she went to the bar counter to get a drink and the Prince followed her.

"Can I know your name, please?", asked the Prince.

"Nandini."

The Prince smiled at her, bowing slightly. "Nandini, can I give you the grand tour of our royal palace? I can even give you the tour of our whole village if you want."

"So that you can escape from the witches of makeup and goddesses of perfume?", she teased. She didn't realize how easy it was to tease the most famous Prince of Amritpuri.

The Prince grinned in response. "You definitely know the secret getaway to my heart."

Before Nandini could answer him, Cabir rushed towards her. "Nandini, we need to leave", whispered in her ear.

She nodded. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the Prince's brother-in-law coming towards him.

"Do I have to?", said the Prince, almost whining. The man nodded. When Nandini looked at him, he sighed. "Nandini, this is Abhimanyu, the brother-in-law I am really not having an affair with." The man waved awkwardly at her.

Nandini grinned. "And this is my gay best friend who I assured you with."

"It's an honor to meet you, Prince Malhotra", said Cabir.

"I have to go, apparently. Will you be sticking around?", asked the Prince.

Nandini shook her head. "I have to leave too. Anyways, it was really nice talking to you, Princess. Don't let any fake barbie doll steal my damsel in distress."

He only grinned in response. She heard Abhimanyu saying 'Princess' and saw Cabir raising his eyebrow at her. Nandini shrugged before dragging him away from there.

Unfortunately, on their way out, they found Yash having a chat with the guards near the entrance along with another guy from the royalty. They were laughing as they talked. She cursed under her breath and grabbed Cabir towards the garden nearby, hiding from him.

"What are we going to do now?", whispered Cabir.

"Wait till he leaves. He has an invitation, Cabir. Of course, he wouldn't stay here all night", she muttered. "How the hell is he friendly with the guards even?"

"Guess, your dad is more close to them than just an acquaintance?"

"Who knows?", she said. It was silent until they heard someone whisper arguing.

"I am done with this, Abhimanyu. I can't do this anymore. I didn't like anyone, not that they were interested to have a decent conversation even and you are going to tell dad about this because tomorrow I am leaving. Ask him not to send men to fetch me." The Prince sounded more exhausted than irritated.

"You liked someone though. The one you introduced me there?"

"Nandini? She's the only decent person I have met all night. And no, just because she had been a decent human being, I am not taking the army to ask her hand in marriage. We are in the 21st century. Don't make me look like an idiot in front of the normal population that isn't in this village."

"Manik, you can't hate the place you belong to. And as far as I have seen, you have been with her long enough than anyone at the party. She was teasing you, calling you Princess and whatnot and you were smiling like an idiot. I am not asking you to jump into marriage. I am asking you to get to know her. It's what this party is about. Getting to know someone, not tying you down to the next girl we see."

"After suffocating the whole night, she has been a relief because she didn't throw herself at me the minute she saw me. And teasing me? She was being sarcastic. She clearly doesn't care about all this royal nonsense. That's what we both do too, Abhimanyu. We tease each other. We taunt each other. She was being a decent friend just like you, if not anything. Stop forcing this onto me. I am leaving tomorrow. I have a job to attend to."

"Guess your dad was right. You really don't know how to interact with the royalty."

She glanced at Cabir. "What? I just talked to him. I didn't know all the girls here were my barbie sister's long-lost cousins. Maybe he was really the damsel in distress."

"Oh, no. Not again", he muttered. "Hey, let's go. Uncle's gone."

XXX

By the time Yash and Alya were home, Nandini and Cabir had showered and were eating the pizzas they had ordered. Instead of going in, Yash sat down at the table, pulling Alya along. "Hey, baby girl. Hi, Cabir."

"Hey, dad. How was the party? Pizza?", she asked.

"No, we had food there. It was nice even if the Prince seemed a bit irritated. But then it was a long night even for him. And he was not interested in this party, to begin with."

"If he was not interested, why even organize it?", grumbled Alya.

Nandini glanced at Cabir and she knew even he was trying to hide a grin.

"Who knows what their traditions are? They have responsibilities beyond the knowledge of us commoners", said Yash.

"Did the Prince injure himself?", asked Nandini, cautiously.

"Injure?"

"You know, in the process of trying to fall for our Barbie doll."

Alya glared at her but Yash chuckled, putting an arm around the girl. "No. Hey, Ally, don't be upset. He wasn't interested in anyone. It's not personal."

"Whatever, dad. It wasn't too polite. Anyways, I am tired. Goodnight, everyone."

Yash pulled her close to kiss her head. "Goodnight, love. Don't let this affect you, okay? You are still my Barbie doll."

She smiled and left the room. Yash sighed looking at her back.

"All okay, dad?", asked Nandini, even though she knew the reason behind her sister being upset.

"Apparently, the Prince wasn't too interested in her", he told. "But he looked like he wanted to run away from there. He was so tense already as if the party wasn't organized for him."

"Is there an issue with his family?"

"No, they are good people. They are right. He has responsibilities. He is right too. He needed his freedom more than someone forcing his entire marriage on him", said Yash.

"How do you know all this?", asked Nandini.

Yash rolled her eyes. "I am a lawyer, Nandini. Of course, I know how to pick up the clues."

"Interesting", interrupted Cabir. "It would have been even more interesting if we could get to meet him in person."

Nandini glared at him. The over-drama wasn't necessary. As he mentioned, her dad was a lawyer. If he decides to focus on them, they would be caught in ten minutes.

"I am sorry, Cabir."

"No, no, darling", said the idiot, exaggerating. "What can we do if our baby is lacking specific manners to interact with the royalty? Let's get married and I will teach our daughter all the manners. Right now, let me go and have my beauty sleep. Goodnight, love."

He said the last one to Nandini, caressing her cheek. She slapped his hand and pinched his arm, and shot daggers at his retreating back.

"Doesn't have a single serious bone in him, does he?", asked Yash, laughing.

"Nope", she said. She glanced at her father when he squeezed her hand that was on the table.

"Hey, Nandini. I am sorry, okay? I didn't give you a chance to decide. It's just, they are the royal people and we are expected to behave in a certain way. With you, I haven't ever forced you to do anything against your will but there, I am not the authority. I just wanted you safe and happy and away from them", said Yash. "I can't force you to respect them so better not to bring you to their radar, right?"

A part of her felt guilty for going behind his back but she pushed it away as harmless fun. "Dad, it's okay. I really can't deal with the high and mighty royalty."

"True", he said, relaxing at his daughter's smile. "But you know, the Prince would have liked you."

"Yeah?", she asked, amused thinking about how accurate her dad was.

"Yeah. he doesn't strike me as high and mighty. Behind all his irritation and reluctance to be there, he was a good kid. You would have liked him too."

"Guess, we would never know", she said, winking. And that would be safe for everyone. "Pizza? One slice?", she offered again.

He chuckled and took a bite out of her hand. "I will call it a night but you go to bed, okay? Don't stay too late."

"Yeah, sure. Dad, can I visit your court tomorrow?", she asked.

Yash pulled out his mobile as he scrolled into it. "Any particular reason?"

She shrugged. "Just wanted to spend some time with my favorite person before I leave for Delhi."

"Yeah, I don't have any important cases tomorrow. We could have a lunch date too."

She grinned. It was always fun visiting her father's office ever since she was a kid. Yash chuckled at her excitement.

"If you are waking up early, we can go together. If you want to sleep in, I will ask someone to pick you up, whenever you are ready", he told. "Goodnight, kid", he told, standing up and bending down to give her a hug.