I hadn't even realized I had fallen asleep. But when my eyes finally opened, I felt nothing but pure bliss. The sun was touching me, warming me up and all I could smell was the fresh scent of lake water and grass. Birds were tweeting, and right next to me, I could hear the soft breathing of the man who could possibly be the love of my life.

When I turned my head, I saw that he was fast asleep. I had danced for him and he had praised me and then I was lying next to him as he played me more songs on his flute.

He slept peacefully with his flute still in his hand. I realized then that he had come straight to me after arriving. He must not have gotten any proper sleep.

So I got up onto my side and kissed his cheek. The hairs on his face tickled me, though I quite liked it.

However, though I had tried to be quiet, it seemed that my kiss had woken him up.

His eyes fluttered open as he turned to me. "I fell asleep?"

"Not for long," I said, getting up, "it's still quite early in the day."

He seemed a little disappointed in himself. "What a waste of time."

I chuckled. "You didn't enjoy sleeping with me in your arms?"

When he looked at me, he let out a short laugh. "I did enjoy that, but I would have preferred to hear about your three months without me."

I smiled, crossing my legs as he sat up. "Maadu is pregnant-"

He laughed rather loudly, and after a moment of looking at him in confusion, I laughed too. "The first thing you say to me is about that cow of yours?" He asked when his laughing quieted down.

"She is important to me."

"When is she due?"

"She was about four months pregnant when I found out," I said, making his eyes widen, "so as of now, in about two more months."

"She was four months pregnant and you didn't know?"

I shrugged. "I assumed she was gaining weight, I never let her out with any bulls, she went ahead and got pregnant on her own."

Aaryan laughed. "Your cow likes to make her own decisions. Like you."

I grinned at him, realizing the truth in that.

"What else?"

"I taught the dance lessons because my teacher was ill, I helped my father with the farming, I told my stories at the village square and I took care of my pregnant cow," I said. "Aside from that I sat back and waited for you."

He smiled warmly at me.

"My father and mother are also concerned about the fact that I am still unmarried."

"That will end soon," he said, rather quickly.

I chuckled.

"When do I get to meet your mother and father?"

I shrugged. "It should be soon, shouldn't it?"

"The sooner you do it, the sooner it would ease their worries."

"I don't think so," I laughed.

What would my parents think if I suddenly introduced them to the Prince of Chandraba? Even I was barely able to handle that.

I didn't know what they would say.

"Surely your parents would be pleased, I won't ask for a dowry... in fact, I could offer a grand bride price."

I have him a silly look. "My parents are not the kind of people you think they are," I said, beginning to play with the bells of my new anklets which I adored. "They care more about my wellbeing than any riches."

"I will take care of you, Seetha," he said, kindly. "I already told you-"

"I believe you," I said. "But my father believes that when you marry a man you marry his family too. We have all heard about the cold hearted queen-"

"I wouldn't let her hurt you," he said.

"So it's true? She is cruel?"

"In some ways, but there is nothing for you to worry about."

"And what about your reckless brother?" I asked, "and all the women he fools around with?"

"If he were to ever lay a finger on you then I would cut that finger off."

"You seem so sure of-"

"Your father is a wise man, he is right to think what he thinks but the extent at which you need to worry depends on me, and I can promise you that I will not let anyone harm you... and if they ever manage to get past me then I will be sure to make them pay for hurting you," he said. "I am a man. And like a man should, once he marries, his must prioritize his wife and children... why else then do we get married?"

"I believe you," I said. "But my father must."

"Then let me prove it to him."

I thought for a moment. "Maybe I can let him know you as a person first. As Aaryan... not Aaryaraavanan of the Rudraraj clan."

"Are you sure that once he finds out the truth, he will not take it the way you did?"

I rolled my eyes, but he was asking a valid question.

"Okay, fine," he said. "Let me meet them tonight."

"No," I said, quickly. "Tomorrow... my mother would want to die if I brought home a man and she had no dinner prepared."

He laughed. "Tomorrow then," he agreed. "But if that is the case then I only have today to get to know you better. I don't think your father would take it well if he found out that we barely know each other."

My father knew that already, but I decided not to say. I wanted to know him. "Let me start... tell me about your childhood."

He surprised me by taking my arm and pulling me forward as he laid back down on his back. I wasn't as awkward with him as I was when I was with him the first time, three months ago, so I snuggled up against him and waited for him to answer me.

"My childhood was not that interesting," he said. "As a prince, you are required to spend most of your time studying. We had little time to play, and when we did, it was always with some old man... our mother did not allow us to associate ourselves with other children of the palace."

"Why?" I asked.

"She's quite stuck up, and many nobles did not like her much... she was worried that their children might pass their beliefs onto us, though in the end she did that to herself."

"You and your mother aren't close?"

"Not at all," I said. "We never were. I spent most of my time as a child with my father and my uncle, both of whom were remarkable warriors. And since my father was so busy, it was really my uncle who raised me. He taught me everything he knew, and was always very realistic with me... telling me everything as it is. People often say I am more like him than either of my parents."

"Where is he now?"

"He died in battle."

I realized then that I knew who he was talking about. Prince Vishnaraavanan, the brother of the King. He was legendary... giving up all his titles to royalty in order to serve effectively as the chief commander of the Chandraba Army. He was said to have believed that riches and titles brought a kind of weight that hindered a man's ability to serve. He never married, nor intended to, and was said to be extremely religious.

The old king was embarrassed by his antics, shunning him, however when the current king got his throne, he rekindled his relationship with his brother, as they were very close when they were younger.

But one thing that was certain was his power. Vishnaraavanan was a legendary warrior, and if Aaryan learned from him then he must have been good too.

"I do love her though," he said, honestly. "As no matter what she is my mother. But my relationship with her is an odd one."

I chuckled.

"My turn... what about your childhood?"

"I spent my entire childhood being a total nuisance, as my mother would say," I said, making him chuckle. "I was the youngest, and had many older siblings to look after me, and all of them can agree on one thing, and that was that I talked too much."

He laughed.

I lifted my head up and rested my chin on his chest as I talked. "I was always treated well by my father, he treated me like a little goddess... he would take me everywhere with him. Even into the fields, as a child. He told me a few years ago that it was because working the fields was always lonely... so having my voice chattering away in the background made it less lonely."

"Your father seems both wise and kind."

"He is," I agreed. "I must have done something wonderful in my previous life to deserve a father like him in this one."

"And a prince as your suitor... you must have been quite the person in that past life."

I laughed.

"And your mother?"

"She is kind as well, and very trustworthy. I can tell her just about anything and though she worries a lot, I can rely on her to help me. She is my best friend."

"You are indeed lucky. I am looking forward to meeting them," he said, as he ran his fingers through my hair.

I nodded. "It's hard not to like them... everyone likes my parents... now, my next question is this... who else have you ever loved? Not including your family."

Aaryan smirked, looking up at the sky through the thick foliage of the trees above us. "My best friend Lakshman. I love him dearly. His wife, Saumiya, I also love dearly. They are closer to me than my real brothers."

"Why?" I asked.

"Lakshman is the son of the chief of the Aathikara army, so we spent a lot of time together. His wife was meant to marry me, but my mother didn't like her, so she was instead betrothed to my friend, and they are happier than anyone in the palace."

"Did you love her more than a friend?"

"Nothing more than a sister," he said. "We were both unhappy with the thought of marrying the other, and Saumiya always had some sort of feelings for Lakshman, though she would never admit it."

I smiled. "That's wonderful."

"What about you? Who have you loved, aside from your family?"

"There was one boy who I thought I loved."

Aaryan lifted his head and looked at me in shock.

I shrugged. "Do you want to know or not?"

"Go ahead."

"His name was Vijay, and he was the kindest boy I knew when I was a child. Even my mother knew I liked him," I said. "But unfortunately he was in love with my best friend, Saratha, who is the most beautiful girl in the world. Her skin is the colour of moonlight and all the boys were in love with her. And I love her too... she was always an important person in my life."

"Are they together now?"

"No," I chuckled. "Saratha fell in love with another man. Mayuran, he is a builder... and to be honest, it was a shock. He is a handsome man, but in comparison with her, he looks like an imp."

Aaryan laughed.

"But her parents always thought she would marry a prince, or a noble, because she was so beautiful. So they were horrified when a builder asked for her hand in marriage," I said. "And so she ran away with him."

"That's... quite the story."

"But they are happy. They have three beautiful children and I go to see them every few months."

"Are her parents alright with it now?"

"Not at all," I said. "In fact, they hate me too because they think I had a part of helping them run away."

"Hmm. At least the couple is happy."

I nodded.

"What about this Vijay boy?"

I laughed. "He fell in love with another girl and they are married. He didn't even look in my direction... I am quiet plain, after all. But as we grew older, I found that he was quiet materialistic... and I don't like men like that, so it's all okay."

Aaryan seemed pleased by that. "Well, good," he said. "I don't know what I would have done if I found out that you were married."

I smiled at him. "You would have had to marry a simple girl back at the palace."

He seemed completely turned off by the idea as he lifted his head and rested his arms behind it.

I dropped my head down on his chest, feeling warm. "Can you play another song for me?"

He chuckled. "We are supposed to be getting to know each other."

I closed my eyes, smiling. "We can do that after."

He laughed, but pulled his flute up to his lips and began playing.

—

It was night time when I arrived home. I will admit, now that I had gotten a chance to get to know Bhumi, I was slightly less frightened of him.

Aaryan helped me off the horse before embracing me tightly in his arms. "So, tomorrow?"

I nodded.

"Then sleep well, my village girl." He kissed my forehead as I chuckled.

When he let me go, I turned around and rushed down the hill towards my small home, the new bells around my ankles jingling loudly with every step.

"What on earth is that sweet sound?" I heard my father say as I stepped in through the door. I felt my cheeks warm up as I saw my family turn to look at me.

They were all in the middle of eating, and when I walked towards them, my father's eyes fell to my feet before he looked back at me.

I wasn't too concerned about my father. It was the confused gaze of my brothers that concerned me. I didn't fear them, or anything of that sort. I simply thought it'd be embarrassing to have to explain everything to them too.

"Aaryan has returned," I said, nervously.

My father looked back down at the leaf which was covered with rice. He used his hand to mix the rice with some of the curry as Mayu added more greens to his rice. "I know," my father said. "The whole village was talking about how you rode off with a stranger. Vayu and his wife seemed quite interested, coming all the way here to talk to me about it."

I felt my cheeks warm up as I got upset. People talked too much.

"They told me that I should have more control over my daughter... and how it is bad for the family name for you to be riding off with a man."

My mother looked at him. She seemed concerned, which worried me.

All of my brothers stayed silent, as did their wives. Only Mayu looked at me with a small, comforting smile.

"They said that people are already talking about how strange it is that my youngest daughter is still unmarried, and now to see her sneaking around... it doesn't look good," my father continued. He finally looked at me after that. "And you come home so late now too... I'm sure these same villagers saw you coming back with him."

He didn't look angry. Just disappointed.

"Pa..."

"Do you want to know what I said to him?"

I hesitated, but nodded.

"I said I trust my daughter and that he needs to mind his own affairs, as his own unmarried daughter seems to quite enjoy flirting with my youngest, married son."

I let out a laugh as the youngest of my brothers blushed. He was very handsome, and always grabbed the attention of younger women. But he was a good man, having his eyes set on only his wife, Reena.

The rest of my family began to laugh too, and a small smile formed on my father's face. "But my child... despite my annoyance of these rumors... I wish you would tell me what you are doing. I do not like that I am hearing that you are spending time with this man from strangers rather than you yourself."

"I'm sorry, Pa," I said. "I did not mean to upset you..."

"This is important to me, child," my father said. "You are young, and though you are smart, you are still innocent. For that reason I do not feel comfortable not knowing what you are doing with this man."

"Getting gifts from him too?" My eldest brother Shiyam said as he looked at the anklets which were peeking from my short skirt. "Those look expensive."

My mother looked like she was dying to see them, though she sat quietly in her spot.

I sat down next to my father and pulled my skirt up, revealing the beautiful silver anklets. "I told him I don't want any of his gifts."

My mother couldn't hold back anymore. She grabbed my leg in her hand and lifted it up into her lap, examining the anklets closely. "These are absolutely beautiful."

Mayu moved in closer to look at them too.

"He must be from quite the family," my mother looked at me.

I smiled at her, but looked at my father. "I asked that he come tomorrow... to meet you all."

Both my parents looked at me in shock. "Tomorrow?" My mother practically screeched.

"Why?" I asked, shocked by her reaction. "Is that too soon?"

"Seetha, you want to invite the man you wish to marry into our home when it looks like this?" She asked me, looking horrified. She then stood up, "we have to clean up! I have to cook a meal!"

"Ma–"

"No rest tonight!" My mother said. She then turned to my distraught looking father. "My love, that patch in the roof must be fixed now. No more pushing it aside! Boys," she turned to my brothers. "Up, come now. This whole place needs to look spotless!"

I started to laugh.

"Girls," she looked at my in-laws. "Put the children to bed and come, we must help with the cleaning and get things ready to prepare a feast for tomorrow. If this man is as wealthy as we think he is then we need to make it good."

My brother Shiyam groaned, "At least let us eat first, mother–"

"Well then hurry up!"

I laughed some more.

"And you, young lady," my mother called in a disciplining tone. "You are not exempt from cleaning. Get up now, that Maadu of yours has been causing quite the ruckus now that she is with child... so it is your job to clean the entire barn."

I stopped laughing.

"Hurry up!" She said. "I will not have my family looking like a group of animals to whoever this man is."

I started to smile.

I loved my family so much.

And at that moment, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.