It was as I was milking Maadu that I heard the messenger of our village, Balu, call my name. When I looked up, I saw the boy at the edge of our farm, waving a big wave with a huge smile on his face.

I waved back as I got up and rushed towards him. When I reached him, he handed me a small, beautifully decorated, red box. "You seem to have a very important package."

I was a little surprised, but knew that this had to be from Aaryan, seeing as the only other people who sent me letters were my sisters and Saratha, all of whom would not waste their efforts on such a pretty box.

Of course, I was instantly excited.

"Thank you, Balu," I smiled at the young boy as I took the box from him.

He grinned at me. "See you!"

I ran back into my home with the box, and when I reached our living room, I sat down on the floor and set it down in front of me.

After pulling off the lovely red ribbon, I unfastened the latch and opened it up. In it, was a piece of rolled, glorious looking paper as well as a gold ring and a gold chain. I rolled my eyes and frowned. I told him no gifts.

But I couldn't help but smile again.

It has been over a month since I'd seen him and so this was enough to make me feel a little better about that.

I picked up the rather heavy rolled paper. After unrolling it, I saw the beautiful handwriting which was completely expected from a Prince. This was the first time that I had seen his writing, and I was a little embarrassed. My handwriting was a mess compared to his.

But I pushed the thought aside and read on.

Dearest Seetha,

Before you get upset about the gifts, they are not for you. I have yet to thank your mother and father for their hospitality. So please give your mother the ring and your father the chain as a thank you. I assume that they will have a hard time accepting it, but I leave it to you to force them to take it.

Moving on, I hope you have been well while I have been absent. I do miss you dearly, and I am looking forward to seeing you again. Which leads me to the reason I am sending this letter to you.

I am very happy to tell you that my father has given us his blessing.

My eyes widened and my heart began to race as I read on.

I will be returning soon... to bring you to the place that you will soon be calling home. I hope you will find comfort in the fact that the people who I care mostly about are looking forward to meeting you in person, and seeing exactly what it is about you that enchanted me.

I am looking forward to calling you my Princess. Until then, let this letter be my promise to you that I will do everything I can to fill your future with nothing but love.

Yours,

Aaryaraavanan

The letter was followed by what looked like a royal seal and after reading the whole thing once more, I set it down and tried to relax. But a huge smile formed on my face as, with the letter still in my hands, along with the ring and the chain, I stood up and ran.

I ran as fast as I could, off the grounds of my farm and into the village.

I spotted my mother where she always was in the market as she traded our milk and crops for other goods. She didn't see me though, not until I pounced into her arms.

"Seetha!" She gasped. "You will break my back!"

I laughed as I pulled away. "Aaryan's father said yes!"

Her eyes widened.

"I'm finally going to get married!" I laughed.

My mother began to squeal and the two of us were jumping up and down while still in each other's arms. Soon, Mayu and my other sister-in-laws, who were not too far away, joined in the squealing when they reached us and heard the news.

We were creating quite the scene, and I could see the other villagers begin their curious whispering. But it didn't matter at this point.

Aaryan was coming for me.

"This is for you!" I said, remembering the ring, as as I slipped it onto the ring finger of my mother's right hand. It fit perfectly.

My mother looked surprised.

"A gift from your future son-in-law," I grinned.

"For me?" The shock on her face was unsurprising. It wasn't often that my mother got gifts. Especially not jewelry. And it was not because we didn't want to give her gifts... we just did not have that kind of luxury.

The only gifts my mother adorned was a simple gold necklace that my father gifted to her, and a few saris that my brothers bought for her.

"But... I can't take it!"

"You must!" I said. "Aaryan wouldn't be happy."

She hesitated, though she took a moment to admire the lovely ring which had a tiny red jewel in it. "Alright," she finally said with a large smile. "Come! Let us go tell your father and your brothers!"

I nodded, unable to get the smile off of my face.

---

My father was more reluctant to take the gift, but when I forced him to sit down and I put the chain around his neck myself, he sighed. He was obviously happy with the news I brought him, but at the same time, I knew my father well enough to know that his face showed worry.

It really hit me at that moment that my marriage meant more than me getting a husband.

It meant me leaving.

Me leaving to be somewhere that was nearly a two week trip away.

It meant that we would not see each other's face every single day. We would not be a short distance away. I would not be able to make my father tea every morning, and I would not be able to bring him drinks while he worked long hours in the field.

We would not eat dinner together everyday. And he would not say goodnight to me every night.

Suddenly, I understand the look of worry on his face.

My sisters, I believe, had it easier. Though they obviously loved my parents dearly, they were not as close to my parents as I was. Besides, they were married so early on.

I was, what the other villagers would describe as, a girl who was stuck to her father side. The favourite. The apple of his eye.

And now, this news, though wonderful, would mean that I was finally going to be separated from them. Just like every daughter eventually was.

"Seetha," my father was in front of me, my face in his hands. I didn't even know I was crying until I felt his rough hands wipe my tears. "What is it, love? This is good news."

"I..." I took a deep breath. "If I marry him then I... I have to go."

My father chuckled. "This is how life works, child. But it doesn't matter how far away you are physically. This will always be your home," he said, and I knew he meant it. My family was not like the family of Lalitha, who, when she was married, assumed she was out of their hands. Many families were like that, but I was gifted with a family who loved me. A family who would consider me to be one of them before anything else in the world. "We love each other too much to be able to be separated by the world, isn't that right?"

I smiled at him through my tears, seeing now that my mother was crying too.

"Your relationship with the Prince is obviously gods wish, seeing as how quickly that boy fell in love with you. And if that is the case then everything will be fine. The gods are watching over you and that is all I ever want."

I hugged my father tightly.

"Now, sweet girl, how about we make the best of the time you have left as being just the daughter of mine."

I chuckled and nodded. "Are you happy?" I asked as I looked up at him.

"I will be happy so long as you are happy," he responded.

Of course. I thought. I wouldn't expect any less from my father.