Princess Soma's POV

I clenched my fist as I looked at the scene infront of me. How could this happen? Why he is so indifferent towards me while so close to her? Prince Harish has discarded her everytime she chased after him. He didn't even blink at her actions. Then why crown prince is so attached towards her. The scene infront of me piercing my heart. I bit my lips till it bleed. I couldn't endure the burning in my chest.

"Princess this" the maid behind me whispered slowly.

"Don't speak a word" I glared at her. I turned around and left the place. I couldn't endure the picture of their kissing anymore. This Nandini is becoming the thorn of my life. Crown Prince is mine but she had to step in and middle in my matter. I walk towards mother's room.

"Princess her highness is resting" the maid in charge said in surprise.

"I want to meet mother right now. I couldn't wait for tomorrow"

"But she is-"

"Get away from my way" I pushed her away and walked inside the room.

"Mother" I called loudly not caring about her sleep. The current problem is much important than her sleep.

"Soma" mother called in her sleepy voice "what are you doing here at this time? You are not asleep yet?"

"Mother, you can't sleep comfortably when my sleep is gone"

She rubbed her eyes then looked at me. The lamps in the room were lit up. Mother has already washed her face and wrapped a shawl around her. Outside the rain was pouring hard and sometimes the thunder would roar.

"Soma, what happened to you? Why do you look so anxious?"

"Mother, we couldn't proceed like this. That Nandini she had crossed all the line, I couldn't endure anymore" I cried out.

"Will you explain what has happened?"

"Mother, I wasn't feeling sleepy and I wanted to take a walk outside. And suddenly it started to rain so I was rushing towards my room when I saw Nandini and Crown Prince in the backyard. They were so close and...and were having intimate touch" tears blurred my eyes, "mother how could I stand this? That woman is snatching him away. If this continues then she will agree to marry him. Even father wanted this marriage, there will be no one who will object it. Mother things are going far for our reach"

"You say, they were close?"

I nodded again. "Yes, too close for formal greetings. They were behaving like couple"

"This is too much" she shook her head "I thought I will handle this matter slowly but I guess things are moving too fast. Queen Mrinal seems to have liking towards Nandini too. When I talked about your marriage with Crown Prince, she didn't agree nor refused yet changed her words swiftly"

Hearing that my heart felt anxious, "mother the cooking plan is failed. The Crown Prince was so arrogant, he didn't even taste the food for respect yet clearly refused it embarrassing me infront of everyone. They said he was considered a living devil, do you think he will accept me as his wife, even if we get married somehow?"

Mother smiled, "you don't have to worry. No matter how he is, he is afterall a man. And all men are same. They look for fresh beauties, power and prestige. How long he can ignore the beauty who was trying to gain his attention?"

"Mother they Nandini was chasing after Prince Harish for years. She even ruined get reputation at the end just for him. But Prince Harish didn't gave a glance at her. He even got engaged to Princess Shaila. What if I become second Nandini in this process?"

"What kind of nonsense are you sprouting Soma? You know this clearly you are not her. Prince Harish ignored her because she was unruly and mannerless. She don't even know how to behave like a proper princess. How do you think she will win his heart. But you my dear, you are born to be princess" mother smiled, "you have been taught to be queen. You couldn't lower yourself that much to even compare with her. I will talk to Mrinal again about this matter. I would like to see how she choose Nandini over you"

"Mother will that work?" I still feel anxious in my heart. I don't want to lose this to that Nandini.

"Don't worry, marriage is not something which will happen in a day. It needs time. For now don't involve yourself in her matter. Let her do whatever she wants. You just need to present yourself as proper princess"

I nodded, "I will listen to you mother"

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Princess Nandini's POV

I pushed the man with all my might. The rain drenched me already soaking me wet. I glared at him while he had thos mischievous smile on his face. How could he just kiss me as he please? He is manhandling me the way he wants.

"Your highness, it will be more better if you behave. You shouldn't behave so improperly"

"Improperly?" He raised an eyebrow. He crossed his arm over his chest, "I was just showing you whom do you belong. If you think it's improper then I have ways to make it proper"

I frowned. What does he meant by that? Make it proper?

"I can't understand your words your highness. Besides I have no interest in learning so. What matters to me is for you to stay away. I don't like people to close to me" I gritted my teeth. Why is that, talking to him is so hard. This man don't try to understand what I want yet he is ruining after what he wants.

"Disagree all you want. But there will be a day when you will say it willingly. I won't force you for anything but you will ask for the marriage by yourself"

"Is that a kind of challenge?" I frowned at him.

"You can think it if you want"

I clenched my fist. I will never agree to marry him. If he thinks he can manipulate me with his words then he have to think twice. I am not a fool like before. I have learnt my lesson well and I am not going to let myself get fooled again.

"Your highness, then I guess you have to wait for it entire life" I pursed my lips and turned around to leave. I won't have him here to do whatever he wants.

"Are you afraid?" He asked suddenly making me halt on my steps. "Are you that scared?"

Gritting my teeth I turned around to look at him. What is his problem? I couldn't understand it. "what do you want?" I asked angrily not showing any respect.

He smirked "I want you to be mine"

"Such a daydream" I snapped and left the yard. The rain was still hard. The thunder roared again making me startled. I shook my head and ran to my room.

"Princess" Hanna gasped when she saw me shivering. "Why are you wet like this? Have you been standing in the rain?"

"Don't ask. Get me some cloths I want to change fast" I stepped inside the room.

"Yes" she nodded immediately.

I sneezed and felt my nose are sore. I don't want to get cold. This is all because of that bastard. He had to make me stand in the rain. I can feel my lips are swollen already. That devil kissed me so hard and tortured my lips painfully. He could only think of his pleasure. I couldn't help but feel irritation in my heart. I couldn't shove the idea from my mind.

"Princess please change your cloths first. I will bring ginger tea for you. It will help you reduce the cold" Hanna handed me the dry cloths before leaving quickly.

I changed my cloths and dried my hair. I looked outside and the rain was still heavy. I don't know when it's going to stop. The thunder was still roaring with lightning. Today's weather is reall cold and bad. And all I want to do was sleep tight. Hanna bright ginger tea and I drank it, which helped me to warm up from inside. I feel glad inside.

"Princess it's already late. Aren't you sleepy?"

"Yes, I want sleep. I guess I shouldn't walk out even if I am not sleepy at night. Walking out is kind of dangerous now"

Hanna frowned "dangerous?"

I shook my head "it's nothing, I was talking about rain and thunder"

"Oh"

"I want to sleep now. You don't have to stay awake and watch me. No one will disturb me in such a rain" I said and lay down pulling the quilt over me. Today was a bad day. I really want to leave Minnagara. Staying here is dangerous and I hate to be in disadvantage. I really need to talk to father about returning soon. I couldn't stay here longer whether other wants it or not. With the determination I closed my eyes and let the sleep take over me.

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What do you think?

What will the Queen do?