My eyes almost jumped out.

"What???" I said trying to sit.

I felt him smiling again.

He held my hand again and softly kissed my fingers.

"Yes, my wife"

I tried to say something but nothing came on my lips. He drifted off in sleep but I couldn't.

All the things we discussed, talked started blurring my vision now. How could it be possible? How could we do so but then I remembered what Sakhi said about it all.

It wasn't like I didn't want to do with him but it was soon or might be I was overthinking. I didn't know what I wanted, I was confused. I was saying no but somehow I wanted to know about it. I wanted to explore, I wanted to learn or moreover I wanted him to be closer to me.

The night was the longest, He was sleeping over my stomach peacefully and I knew If he said tomorrow and then it was tomorrow. I was worried and excited at the same time. That something I learned was so much new to me but not actually. I knew Prince loved me, he would never hurt me but still, there was something which was stopping me or maybe it was just the nervousness of imagining myself in such a condition with him.

The sleep was nowhere to be found, I looked at his sleeping figure. My stomach started hurting as he was heavy. His head was on my stomach and the left body was lying over the bed. I feathered his hairs softly again and he shifted a little while muttering in sleep.

"What happens, Abhi," He said softly and I didn't know why I found it so adorable. He shifted and placed his head on the pillow, He was still in sleep and pulled me closer in his embrace. I kept my face on his chest as he pulled me closer. He kept his hand on my head and patted a little. I closed my eyes smiling at him.

"My king" I muttered softly.

After that, I drifted in sleep and woke up when I heard the announcement of Maa saheb coming.

I woke up alarmed as I heard the announcement, there was still darkness in the room that means it was early morning. I looked at Prince whose strong arms were keeping me still. I tried to get off his hold but he was way heavier in sleeping state.

"wake up, Maa saheb is coming," I said shaking him.

He moved a little and I tried to stand up again. I pushed his hand away and he woke up with a jerk. He looked at me and about to say something but he could I pressed my hand on his mouth.

"Shhh, She will listen"

He raised his eyebrow and pulled my hand down.

"So what?" He asked.

"No, No, you are not understanding. You are half-naked and I don't have my dupatta. Ohh God! what will she think about us. What if she thinks we were sleeping together. No, Ohh, God!" I said in a breathe as I didn't know what to do. He had a separate chamber but no, he never sleeps there. She was coming and what if she saw us like that.

I looked at my open hairs and tried to tie them quickly, at least I should look presentable.

I looked at Prince who was looking at me with a huge smile and keeping his head on the elbow.

"What?" I asked.

"You are crazy Abhi," He said and stood up from the bed.

Suddenly I heard an attendee standing behind curtains.

"Princess, Maa Saheb wants to meet you. she is sitting in the Restroom waiting for you"

I took a breath of peace and looked at Prince. He raised his eyebrows and smirked looking at me.

" I will meet you Soon," He said and went to his chamber through the secret garden adjoined to our chambers.

I took my dupatta and went to see Maa saheb, after him.

I walked to the rest part of the Chamber and met Maa Saheb, I bowed in front of her and she placed her hand on my head blessing me.

"God bless you"

I smiled.

"Sorry, Princess I didn't want to disturb you this early morning but we need to do some rituals for your crowing." She said and I noticed that she wasn't alone but there were more ladies, who were wives of respectful and designated royals of Palace. I bowed to them too and they all blessed me.

"Was Raj here?" Maa Saheb asked looking at me with a huge smile.

I couldn't help but nod.

"You know I asked him to let you rest well, I think he didn't." She said looking at my face. I didn't know why but that line made me blush.

"Come with me," She said.

I started following her as she moved towards the Snankaksh.

"Sit here Abhi" She ordered when we entered the bathing area. There was a wooden low height stool.

I did as she asked me. I sat on the stool calmly. Then she clapped two times and a few of attendees showed up with huge pots.

"Abhi, This is Milk Bath. You are supposed to bath with milk so that your beauty will outshine on the precious day of your crowning." She said with a huge smile.

I smiled back as everyone seems excited about it but didn't know why my heart was racing. I couldn't comprehend whether whatever I was doing or letting them do was correct or not. I was sitting peacefully and the slightly warm milk poured over me by attendees soothed my skin. The smell of bathing oils and especially rose hit my nose. The milk had hints of roses and I knew why.

Obviously, he loved roses and me too. We completed the milk bath soon and then I was asked to take bath with water. I was left alone with my personal attendees to take the bath and I enjoyed warm water peacefully for some time.

My mind was still stuck at that consummation thing. He said we would do it today and I didn't know how, when, where and how would it be. The more I was trying to relax in the water and do not think about it, the more I found myself into that. The visions of him touching me, feathering my skin and lying with me blurring my mind again and I ended up smiling foolishly.

"What happened Princess?" An attendee asked softly.

"Nothing," I said looking at her. Suddenly thought of asking her hit my mind. I looked at the vermilion she had in the partition of her hairs.

"Are you married?" I asked.

"Yes," She replied feathering the knots of my hairs with her fingers softly.

"Umm, Do you sleep with your husband?" I asked.

She thinned her eyebrows and replied.

"Yes"

I instantly straighten my back and aligned my neck closer to her. She pulled her ear closer to me too seeing my action.

"Does your husband hurt you?" I asked.

For a moment he got shocked but then said.

"No, he loves me a lot." She replied smilingly.

"Ohh, do you both did that on your wedding night?" I asked with curiosity.

"What?" She asked.

"That," I tried to refer.

She blushed a little and replied.

"oh, Yes, Princess"

I smiled but I was still curious to know, what happened with her, what she felt, how she did it, what she reacted and everything.

"How you felt?... I mean was it bad?"

She smiled looking at me and then shook her head.

"No Princess, My husband is in the army of the Palace. He loves me a lot. We had a great wedding night." She replied.

"Great?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah, Actually we got married in summer and on our wedding night, It rained all of sudden. I love rain and I forgot everything when I saw it raining. In the middle of the night, I got myself drained in water and suddenly realised that I was a newlywed bride and my husband was watching me from afar. We both didn't saw each other before our wedding and he smiled looking at me. I felt shy and my heartbeat raced to see him. I instantly covered my face with a veil, Then I felt him coming closer and I stood frozen, Princess. The night was beautiful and I still remember as if it happened just yesterday. He picked me up in his arms and made me feel beautiful. He treats me as if I am his princess." She said with a smile and wide eyes. I could see that she was imagining all of it.

But, My curiosity didn't end there as I asked nervously. "What happened after he picked you up? Did you cry?"

she thinned her eyebrows a little then replied.

"No, Princess. It did hurt a little but that Pain had its own magic. It was sweet, I felt as if shivers were running through each of my nerves. I love him and the night was great." She finished.

"Ohhh," All I could reply was this.

By the time she was done with my hair and I was asked to get ready for the Ceremony. I came out of the water and changed into a pair of plainclothes.

I went outside and Maa Saheb was waiting there for me.

I smiled looking at her as she took steps forward to me.

"Very Beautiful"

She handed over me a heavy pair of Lehnga of yellow and red colour. It had heavy embroidery and work on it. I touched its fabric and I felt as I was touching the softest thing. The Skirt was of yellow colour having hints of red colour and The dupatta was fully embroidered, heavy of red colour.

"Abhi, Raj chose this for you. You know he said you look extravagant in yellow" She said smilingly.

Yellow. But, he always liked red. This man has gone insane, and soon I will get too.

"Oh" I replied slowly.

"You should change now," She said.

I nodded.

Everyone left me alone except Sakhi as I needed to change. I changed into the Heavy pair of Lehnga and tied the knot around my waist tightly. I instantly felt burdened as I wasn't much fan of heavy Clothes. I always liked simple, plain and light clothes, But as everyone wanted I needed to be comfortable.

I changed the blouse too and looked at Sakhi who was looking at me with big doe eyes ready to jump out of the socket.

"Abhiiiiiiii..." She almost jumped.

"You are looking so beautiful," She said.

I smiled softly.

She walked to me a little as I was signalling her to tie the blouse.

"Oh God!, You are looking Beautiful"

I looked at Maa Saheb, who just entered in.

"Thank you Maa Saheb!" I said softly.

"Come Outside" She ordered softly.

I nodded and walked outside the changing corner.

I looked at the attendees who were having huge plates covered with silk cloths.

"Keep it here" Maa Saheb ordered signalling towards the Table.

"Abhi, These are the jewellery and everything you need to wear for the day. Every piece of jewellery is special and meant for you. These ornaments belong to our ancestors and here is something Raj specially called for you" She said with a huge smile and I thinned my eyebrow a little not getting a hint of that something special.

"Abhi" She caught my attention again.

"Ji, Maa Saheb," I asked softly.

"They will help you in getting ready. I need to go and prepare for Gulaab's ritual function" She said.

"Ji" I agreed and she left me alone with attendees but not before pecking a soft kiss on my forehead.

"God bless you" She muttered softly.

I smiled and bowed to give her respect.

"Let's Get Ready!!!!!" Sakhi screamed excitedly when Maa Saheb left us alone and a wide smile appeared on my face instantly. She was the one who was more excited than me for the Ceremony.

Suddenly, the thought of yesternight and Prince hit my mind. All the moments we spent yesternight blurred my vision for a moment as if flashed the images of sweet memories of us. I somehow was missing him and didn't know why I had felt as if something was going to change this night.

I could feel something big was going to happen, I was nervous because it was a crowning ceremony and also Prince said that we would be consummating our wedding. I was nervous because I didn't know How would I feel, how would everything and I was going to become Queen by the end of the day. Everything was fast but seemed right and perfect as if I always thought of. The only thing bothering a little was the kind of marriage I had with the Prince.

But, I knew that it was pure and complete bliss. I trusted him, he was the one who saved me from every wrong thing about to happen in my life. He was my saviour, But I knew he was impossible at sometimes but later or sooner, he always protected me and saved me.

"PRIVACY!!!"

I shivered suddenly and came out of thoughts when I heard Prince's loud and roaring voice commanding all of them leave.

Why was he asking them to leave?

"Why are you asking them to leave, I need to get ready. I need help" I asked softly looking at him as he was standing at the entrance of Dressing part of Chamber.

He stood still until all the attendees left and I was standing like an Idiot.

"What?" I asked angrily looking at him.

He smiled looking at me looked at me from head to toe, I felt blushed as he was walking closer after making me a little uncomfortable with his staring.

"They don't deserve the pleasure of helping you in getting ready," He said a little seductively walking close to me.

"What?" I yelled the moment I understood what he just said thinning my eyebrows.

"Yes," He said almost standing a few inches away from me.

"But, I can't get ready all by myself," I said looking into his eyes that were still locked on my face.

"Then," He said slowly while walking closer, "Let me help you"

I stood frozen as I was looking into his eyes and he was in mine. He feathered his thumb softly on my cheek and a shiver ran through my spine.

"After all, Today and tonight is special" The moment he mentioned 'night' all the images of me doing all such thing with him blurred my vision and a giggle and knot happened in my stomach.

Are you crazy?

"Look, Your cheeks got red"

I lowered my gaze a little nervously and just then his fingers aligned my eyes to look at him by pulling my chin a little up softly.

"Are you scared?" He asked softly.

I shook my head and muttered "No"

"Then?" He asked again.

I shook my head again to signal that its 'nothing' but he understood the architecture of face and nervously as he came closer and hugged me softly.

My head touched his chest and shoulder and everything, every shivering and every nervousness froze. His hand caged me lightly and pulled me closer in his embrace. I closed my eyes and my heartbeat became calm and rhythmic slowly.

"You know Abhi, Your name Abhishree became the inspiration of so many women out there in the Kingdom. People never witnessed a fighting Princess and such a strong-headed and warm women. Whomever you met, you make them a fan of you. You are becoming the inspiration of so many people. You are a strong woman and a powerful personality. Why are you being nervous or scared? You are meant to be the Queen Abhi."

I smiled listening to him and my hands moved to hug him back.

"Thank you, Prince!" I muttered softly.

"Ummm, No thank you! I want your approval" He muttered in my ear.

I realised the hug and took a step back.

"Approval?" I asked softly.

He came closer and took my hand in his, while I was watching his actions without having any hint of what was he doing. He made me walk along with him towards the mirror and stopped in front of it. He stood behind me and I moved my gaze from him to mirror. He was standing behind me as I could look at him through the mirror.

We were alone in the chamber and it was peaceful. He was looking at me without uttering a work and so do I. I was actually able to feel what his eyes wanted to say, and all they were singing was love and respect for me. All his movements and gaze was telling that I was someone very special for him, Someone for whom he had a special place and respect in his heart.

He was not the same person whom I met him first, Maybe he was never like an animal but become one just to show me. He was a pure and real person who tried to show fake arrogance, power and hate to me just to protect his sister.

Suddenly I felt his fingers touching my nape, He was still looking at me and then he touched the red thread in my neck, He started opening the knot of that holy thread which was in my neck from the day he married me. He was undoing the knot of our relation.

"Why are you opening it?" I asked touching the thread.

He didn't answer but opened the knot and removed the thread from my neck. I felt nervous and scared about what was he doing? Did he change his mind of making me, Queen? Did we were separating?

A trail of question grew in my mind instantly and my heartbeat raced a little. I was looking with Questioning at him thinning my eyebrows.

Slowly he took a few steps back and I stood frozen.

What the hell is he doing?

He walked to the huge plates kept on the couch and removed the silky cloth.

He picked something from it and walked back to me. I was watching his actions cluelessly as he again stood behind me making me face the mirror. I was continuously staring into his eyes trying to figure out what was he doing. His expression was flat as he ordered me slowly.

"keep your hairs up"

I couldn't understand what he wanted to do but I obeyed him. I roughly held my slightly wet hairs with both of my hands and raised them a little above. Both of my hands were up and behind my head and somehow I found myself blushing with standing like that in front of him and that too without a dupatta.

He feathered my now visible nape with his fingers and I felt a spark in my stomach. He brought his hand forward and there was a nuptial chain of our culture in his hand.

My body felt numb and I could feel cold instantly when I saw him placing the chain around my neck. I felt excited, nervous, precious, happy, surprise and what not? I felt as if the wind changed its way suddenly.

He tied the knot of chain behind my neck and I almost had tears in my eyes, I was standing still as he muttered in my ear.