The presence of Aaryan that afternoon had sparked interest in my entire family. The fact that I was with him spread like a fire and everyone was asking questions, which didn't help at all.

So to avoid any further question, I stayed in the sleeping room, hugging my legs and holding back the tears. I was so angry... and heart broken. I had only just let myself accept that I was falling for him only to find out that he was... a Prince?

The pieces started to fall together quickly, as certain things began to make sense. Like the fact that he was able to hand me a solid gold bracelet without a care in the world. At first I thought that he must have really meant what he was saying... to hand over such a treasure. But now that I knew he was the prince I realized that gold was as expendable to him as the hair on my head.

When I heard the footsteps of my sister-in-law, I wiped my face quickly.

"Don't try to hide from me, young lady," she said as approached me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, crossing my legs.

She sat down in front of me, grabbing my face in her hands. "The bangle is gone and your eyes are red," she said. "And don't get me started on what all the uncles are saying about you running angrily away from a young, handsome man."

I swallowed back my ego. "You'll think I'm crazy," I said.

"I already do, little sister," she grinned.

I chuckled, wiping my tears away. "He wasn't a warrior," I said, "not really."

"He lied about being a warrior?"

I looked at her. "He's... the Prince."

Mayu stared at me before her eyes widened. "No."

"I don't know..." I said. "I still don't believe it entirely but... part of me does."

"That's impossible," she said, though she seemed to reconsider that and start to believe it herself. "Seetha... the Prince and his brother are at the Western Fort."

I knew.

I had heard the rumours as well.

Again... pieces falling into place.

She moved herself so that she was sitting right next to me, and then she put her arm around me. For some reason, her warmth made me feel more vulnerable. "I had said yes to him," I said, my lips quivered as I said it. "And then.."

She rubbed my shoulder. "Did he try to hurt you?"

"No!" I said, quickly. "No, not at all."

Her head tilted slightly.

"He told me he was the Prince... and I left. I was so shocked and scared," I looked at her with wide eyes. "I was yelling at him! I was yelling at the Warrior Prince of Chandraba!"

"What did he do?"

I hesitated. "He followed me," I said. "He told me that it changes nothing... but he's wrong."

My sister-in-law looked confused. "Wait... why are you upset?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Because... how could this have ever worked?" I asked. "He... made me start to fall for him only to realize it was a waste of time."

"But-"

"A peasant and a Prince?" I asked. "That's like a little stray cat and a majestic tiger trying to be together. Impossible."

She considered that. "But... we have all heard of the stories of Prince Aaryaraavanan," she said. "He is well respected in the kingdom. Maybe he has a choice. Maybe that was why he was so nonchalant about it?"

I shook my head and we both sat silently for a moment.

"Don't tell anyone," I finally said. "People would think I'm crazy."

She smiled at me. "Of course I won't, Seetha," she said. "But... I think you are giving up way too soon."

When I looked back at her, she was smiling warmly.

"I think... whoever this man is... he really does feel something for you," she said. "And I think you're giving up too fast."

I looked away, beginning to hug my legs again.

I didn't know what to think, so I just stayed silent.

...

Days had passed since I saw him, and it made me really think that the little fun we had was completely over. Though, I had hoped that I would get over it... the more and more time passed, the more upset I got. It was almost as if every day that had passed made me want him to come back more... to come back and tell me he was joking. Or to come back and tell me once more that whatever he was didn't really matter.

The thought that he would lie to me didn't make sense.

If he thought that saying he was the Prince would make me want him more, he could have taken it back when I began to push him away. And he couldn't not have imagined I would get upset by that... could he have?

My thoughts were consumed by him, and it hurt me to think that it was over now.

However, when I reached the village square, my heart stopped.

There he was, like every week before this. He was here once again to hear my stories. My heart was beating faster than ever, though I looked away as soon as we made eye contact. I couldn't deny, however, the slight relief I felt with the fact that I had seen him after nearly a week.

He looked like he always did from a distance... a stoic look on his face with his arms crossed, like a force to reckon with. And he looked out of place with the silk bottoms he wore and the sword as well... like he did not belong in that crowd.

I knew now another reason why he did not belong here.

I tried to ignore him as I told my story, tried not to let his gaze put any pressure on me. But I had failed. I stuttered a few times as I spoke of the mighty Rama who fought off the twelve headed demon that terrorized a small village just like ours.

When the story was finished, I felt relieved. My plan was to grab my basket and leave as fast as I could, and when I picked up my basket, I smiled at the donations, happy to see that the villagers were forgiving despite my poor storytelling today.

"Seetha," I heard Aaryan's deep voice say.

I turned around, startled to see that he was already behind me.

"I have to talk to you."

I didn't look at him and reminded myself to keep my mouth shut. If he really was the prince then I had no right to speak harshly to him... I had no right to speak to him at all, for that matter.

He waited for me to respond, and when I didn't, he sighed. "I'm leaving."

I looked up. "Leaving?"

"I've been called back to the palace," he said. "My brother as well. We are heading home tonight."

Something started to hurt inside my chest, but I tried to ignore it. I hated so much that despite him still being mostly a stranger to me, I could be so hurt by him. Why was that even possible? How could I have become so attached?

"Well," I started. "I hope you have a safe trip."

He looked a little angered by my response, but he blinked and then let out a breath.

"It was nice to meet you," I continued. "Maybe we will meet again."

"Yes," he said. "Maybe."

---

HEY GUYS,

So weird situation... I had such a bad day today LOL! So I thought that posting a chapter for you guys will make it better (and it has!) Haha!

I hope you enjoyed!

Please don't forget to vote and comment! I'd LOVE to hear what you think of the story so far!! <3 THANK YOU!

Love,

Luckycharms