Princess Nandini's POV

"Do you want anything more your highness?" I asked as the maids served food.

"No, thank you Nandini. You have been taking care of me, you should take care of yourself too. You are the bride, did you forgot?" Queen Mrinal laughed.

I smiled at her comment. Today sudden Queen Mrinal wanted to have first meal with me. But it wasn't only her yet her sister and niece als joined the meal. After the maids served food, they all withdraw leaving us to eat.

"Every new bride do flatter their mother-in-laws so that they could conquer their heart. Afterall it's a technique to win favours" Anandita said as she stopped her drink. I looked at her and found her gazing at me with her sharp eyes. I would have felt intimidated if I haven't aware about her history. But hearing those things from him,I find her annoying and ignorable. So I stayed silent, avoiding any comments. I would rather not engage myself in talking nonsense early in the morning.

"Nandini really don't have to use such tricks" I heard Queen Mrinal laughed. "Because she has already got my favour even before her engagement was decided"

"You are too kind hearted elder sister" Anandita replied, "If I were you, I wouldn't have agreed so easily"

"Anandita what are you trying to say?" Queen Mrinal's voice filled with confusion.

"Elder sister, you are good, that's why you always try to find the positiveness in people. But you shouldn't forget that there is also a dark side" Anandita said before she focused her attention towards me. "Princess Nandini, I heard you had some relationship with the Prince of Lothal? Is that true? I heard you even tried to kill yourself for him"

Those questions were so direct that it made me look at her. Looks like she has dug my part affairs to put her views into criticism. I sighed, why she had to drag my past back and slap it on my face? I don't have any enmity with her but she doesn't seem like want to let go of me. Another villian on the way. I couldn't help but fell too frustrated inside.

"Anandita what are you saying?" Queen Mrinal objected.

"What wrong did I say elder sister? I am confused which is why I asked. I want to confirm whether it's true or not" Anandita argued.

"Where did you hear such thing? Do you have to say it right now?" Queen Mrinal asked.

"I really don't need to investigate elder sister because Princess Nandini is quite famous because of her rumours about secret affair with Prince Harish. Please don't get angry because it's not me but the rumours which says such thing. Since Manik is going to marry her, I wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any problem. I don't want Manik to suffer after marriage because of these rumours. Afterall we can't really stop every mouth speaking about it" Anandita pointed out gracefully.

"There's no need for that aunt" I looked at and said. Since she really want to have this argument then I have no choice either. "His highness knows every single thing about it. He is a smart person and nothing could be hidden from him. He knows it better than you. Besides there are things that you and me don't know but he knows, whether it's about me or you or Rashmita, nothing is hidden. We might thinks it's a secret but it has already reached his ear. He has agreed to this arrangement by himself. As for me, those who understand me well knows how to judge me. I don't care how others presents my character but it's enough if my family believes in my innocent"

Anandita glared at me. I can feel her gritting teeth. Rashmita who was sitting beside Anandita looked at her, "mother, please. Don't believe in rumours. Since cousin did it knowingly then we should respect his choice" she persuade Anandita in gentle tone.

"You are right" Anandita nodded before turned to me, "since Manik is aware of everything then I have no problem. As Manik's aunt I don't want him to feel wronged in the future so I said said such thing"

"Don't think too much about such thing" Queen Mrinal said, "It's Manik's wedding so don't do such thing again. I don't want others to criticize about it"

"Yes, you are right elder sister" Anandita nodded with a small smile. Then the meal went in silence. Anandita didn't try to talk more. She casually shared few words with Queen Mrinal while Rashmita looked at me time to time. I frowned at her action but didn't bother with her.

After the meal I Queen Mrinal and Anandita left but Rashmita stayed behind. She came to me and smiled, "Princess Nandini I apologise about my mother's rudeness to you. I hope you won't mind her words"

"There are things which one can't avoid even if one wanted to. I don't understand how offended her, but I have no desire to disrespect her"

"I understand" she nodded then she looked hesitated, "Princess Nandini, I hope you won't mind me asking,are you marrying cousin with your consent?"

I frowned, "what kind of question is that?"

"I just wanted to make sure you are not forced. Afterall all a forced marriage never leads to a happy life"

Looking at her, I can see she was hoping for me to say yes. Does she want to find fault in this marriage or me?I smiled at her.

"Don't worry Rashmita, no once forced me in this marriage. Everything is happening with my consent. Please don't think unnecessary things or it may create misunderstanding"

"Yes, I understand. I am sorry if I offended you with my words. I should leave now" she nodded but disappointment was clearly visible in her eyes. I looked at her as she left. I sighed inwardly. Marrying a Devil is hard task when may bees roam around it.

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"Rashmita looked so desperate. I guess she wanted to hear I don't want this marriage and I was being forced into this"

"Oh, she came to you?" Devil smiled.

"No, your mother wanted to have meal with me but Anandita and Rashmita also came along"

"Forget about her, don't take her words seriously. That woman don't understand which situation she is in. But trying to outsmart herself without knowing her place" he said taking my hand into his.

I frowned, "don't tell me that she has feeling for you too" I rolled my eyes, "she is your cousin even if it's not blood related. What is she thinking bringing such desire in her heart?"

Even though Rashmita was adopted but she was adopted by Anandita. Even for name's sake she and him has the cousin relationship. Anandita may be Queen's step sister but they shared the same father so they are blood related. How could Rashmita think of such forbidden thing?

"I told you to forget about her. She is an unimportant person who only knows how to create trouble" he frowned slightly. "what she thinks is her problem. I never saw her as a cousin nor a woman"

I looked at him with pursed lips. To be honest, Rashmita is really beautiful and charming. She is a beauty. Normally man couldn't resist such charm. But I forgot that here I am talking about Devil who had seen many beautiful woman, may be better than Rashmita herself.

"Of course, you have seen many beautiful woman, how can you be allured by her" I smiled.

He raised an eyebrow, "oh, you seem to me jealous somehow"

"Why would I be?" I asked, "they can only watch, but the one marrying you is me isn't it?"

He smirked, "so you are finally claiming me as yours?"

"I didn't say that" I protested.

"But you just said it. Are you still going to deny?" He leaned closer.

"You are too much" I turned my head avoiding his gaze. This man knows how to use words to trap someone.

"Do you know one thing?"

"What?" I asked

"When you are jealous, you are fucking beautiful. I only want to kiss you"

"Your highness don't you -" before I could finish my words my lips were claimed by him. He pulled me closer. Since we were standing close it gave him opportunity to hold me tighter pressing me on his body. My hand reached to hold his shoulder and I could feel the hard muscles. He sucked my lips then pushed his tongue in my mouth. His tongue rolled around touching my walls and massaging it slowly. He taste manly she his hard body being pressed on me made me feel hot. I can feel my lower region started pool with hotness.

"Mmm..." I moaned when he bite my lower lips then sucked it like it is the sweetest thing he could have. He sucked my tongue then rolled with with his tongue then sucked again. His torture continued until I was out of breath but he didn't seem to have any intention of letting me go. He sucked my lips hard and I know my lips will be swollen once he is done. I slapped his shoulder indicating him to leave me. And I am glad he did.

I panted hard as I tried to catch my breath while he looked at me with smile. I glared at him. What he was thinking? Taking my life with kiss?

"Your highness, do you want to kill me like that. I almost felt suffocated due to lack of breath" I accused him.

"You aren't going to die sweetheart" he hold my hand "because there's more I have planned for you. Once we get married, I am gonna explore every single thing" he smirked.

The corner of my lips twitched. Is he serious? I don't know if I could stay alive after he was done with it. Now I am stating to get scared of him. He is such a devil and I really don't want to know him at all. It's too dangerous.

When I reached my room I saw Hanna was making the bed. I sighed and walked slowly inside.

"Princess you are back" she smiled. "Do you want to take a bath before you sleep?"

I nodded, "that would be better"

"I will prepare it"

Soon I was sitting in bathwater enjoying myself. I liked the smell of flowers spread in the water. Hanna was massaging my hand.

"Princess the Queen and her sunt has left early in the morning. I heard the Queen cried and sobbed almost yelling. She didn't want to go but the guards of the palace didn't respect her as queen and literally threw her out of the palace. Few carriages are prepared and all the things that the Queen brought was send back with her"

I nodded, "father is really angry this time. Besides what Queen did is something one couldn't forgive easily. But you shouldn't talk about it. This matter was concealed and no one knows about it other than few close people. If this spread then it would create rumours then problem"

"So it means Princess Soma wouldn't know about it?"

"It's father's decision. I can't say anything. Besides Soma is already married and she don't have any fault in it. There will be people who will question about the Queen's absence so it was only said the Queen was unwell and wanted to visit her home so she was send back. This way it won't be suspicious and the rumours wouldn't spread"

"His majesty reall handled this matter well" Hanna nodded.

"Father is a smart person. He knows what to do. Because Dhanuk is with him so it made the situation easier. As for Hansika she is sad but she didn't say a thing to stop her mother from leaving nor she claimed to follow her mother. I guess they knows what the Queen did and took the right side" I sighed, "I feel pity for them. Even if they has a mother, they couldn't live with her unlike me, I want my mother but she is no more"

The room fell into silence. Everyone has their own pain to endure, some are visible and some are not. At the end, only the fragrance of the flower sweetened the air in the silent room.

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Everything is falling in peace, 😭 I am gonna miss the schemes.

I am skipping the marriage, but I will add few short moments.