Chapter 1

The birds chirped away singing a sweet early morning song. As the sun shone in the blue sky. Khushi twirled on the bed with a smile on her face. She was dreaming about a man with dark mysterious eyes. He was strong and tall and looked handsome as ever. She bumped into him and he caught her in his muscular protective arms she looked into his eyes finding his sole deep within him. She felt her heart beat faster and faster when she couldn't control it any more she woke up with a start. She sat up on the bed and flashed opened her eyes, taking in her surrounding she found herself in a big room on a king size bed. It was dark as the curtains were draw but morning light seeped in through the curtains. She was confused how did she reached here getting up from the bed she put her feet down and felt a soft carpet. She got off and headed towards the first door she saw. Opening it she came towards the balcony and looked over it. The scenery around her looked so beautiful, she could see the mountains look lively and fade into the white fog. A smile appeared on her face, she looked down to see a man intensely thinking of something, As he watered his plants. He was tall and handsome similar to the face in her dream. The figure turned to the right revealing his full face and on seeing that Khushi's mouth dropped and her jaws fell. As flashback in her mind she remembered the previous day where she climbed the palace walls in excitement to see the prince and how she caught and fainted. It all came back to her. 

Her eyes popped and she didnt know what to say remembering what happened, when it was reveled to her that the man she bumped into was the prince himself. Now worry taking over her face she didnt know what to do she was embarrassed what would she say to him, and what will happen now. She was about to go in when she felt some one tap her from behind turning around she saw a young girl a princess. It was Princess Shilleena. She smiled and asked in a bubbly voice 

Shilleena: Hi good morning

Khushi: (smiled) good morning

Shilleena: i hope u slept well, i have been waiting for you all morning 

Khushi: yes i slept well but my head hurts a bit.

Shilleena: i can fix that come with me 

She held khushi's hand and took her in, making her sit on the chair she asked one of the maids to come in and told her to massage khushi's scalp with some nice cooling nut oil. As the maid dug her fingers into khushi's head she felt so good she shut her eyes and enjoyed the massage. Her headache reduced. The girl was tying her hair up when Shilleena asked 

Shilleena: so khushi where you from, i guess ur not from here because you never knew who the prince was (she giggled teasing)

Khushi: (blushed) I stay around the village in a tiny cottage near the river. (taking a pause she said a bit scared) I am sorry i messed your brothers coronation yesterday 

Shilleena: (giggling away she said) dont be silly you were the highlight of entertainment 

Khushi looked even more embarrassed. Shilleena noticed to lighten the mood she said 

Shilleena: Ok enough chitchat (she got up opened the cupboard to remove a light blue long gown  and said) here take this, have  a bath and where this and then come down

Khushi: (confused she said) but how can I your Majesty i mean i think its best i go home 

Shilleena: oh you cant go home you have to meet Bhai. He wants to meet you. 

Khushi: (scared she stuttered) m..meet me 

Shilleena: (tried to control her laughter she said) yeah he does, so come on fast get ready 

She said this and left the room leaving out giggles on the way shutting the door behind. Khushi was dead nervous and she removed her clothes and got into the hot bath tub as she washed her hair. Her mind was only stuck on one thing and that is what did the prince want with after yesterday how would she face him. As she got out she slip on the gown and looked at herself in the mirror. straighting the creases she combed her hair and headed down to the gardens where the prince was watering his plants 

Her heart was rising up and down beating incredibly on what is going to happen next, She reached the garden he was so into his plants but the minute she walked in he felt a light breeze blow over his heard.  He turned around and there she was, standing in a blue gown he looked at her from top to bottom taking in her figure the dress highlighted her curves so well making them look visible, he smirked to himself. She looked scared her eyes down, she was fiddling with the ends of her scarf. He came forward towards her and said in a husky voice

Arnav: So you came to see me 

Khushi: looked down continuously she didnt know what to say

Arnav: Why did you want to see me (he asked firmly)

Khushi: (hearing him raise his voice she got scared and started to babble off) look i am sorry i really am. please dont kill me i am sorry i ruined your coronation, i didnt mean to it was an accident (she went on and on)

Arnav: seemed to get annoyed with it, he held her by her waist and pulled her up front her bosoms resting in his chest she was shocked by this move, he covered her mouth with his hand and looked deep into her eyes and then said in a harsh voice

Arnav: Why did you want to see me khushi 

Khushi was blank she didnt know what to answer to him, he scrunched his eyes and said louder 

Arnav: Answer me dammit 

Khushi: Mhhh... Mhh (she screeched under his hand that was covering her mouth, he noticed it and removed it)

Arnav: tell me (he said expressionless)

Khushi: (looking down embarrassed and scared she said) I just wanted to see you, i didnt know what you looked i\like and then when chottu said he is going i tagged along. but i couldn't get a glimpse of you so i kept going further and i reached the palace (she said in one breath out of fear) 

Arnav: (for a second was taken aback by what she said he just starred at her, but he soon snapped out of it and said) you made a mistake by ruining the ceremony and now u must pay a prince 

Khushi: I dont have money your majesty

Arnav: well then you must pay it another way 

Khushi: what way (she asked confused)

Arnav: Sleep with me (he said bluntly)

Khushi: (shocked) What 

Arnav: (making it clear) sleep with me. i want you to stay in the palace for 6 months, as in when i can i will court you. 

Khushi: (now angry) Your majesty how can you demand something like this from me, i am not a girl to be used and thrown 

Arnav: (smirked at her anger) But as far as i see it you have no choice you have to listen to me. Dont worry i will keep you no less than a princess. You will have your own room and also will be free to roam around the palace during the day. But at night you are mine.

Khushi: (shouted) no never i will never do what your telling me to. i cant and i wont

Arnav: do you have a husband (he asked with a straight face)

Khushi: No 

Arnav: then i dont see any problem 

Khushi: Its not about being married i cant do this its against my ethics please your majesty there must be another way (a few tears fell off her eyes)

Arnav: (seeing the tears softened a bit but then came back to his senses saying) Look khushi either you listen to me or i will take away your little cottage by the river and then when u go from here you wont have a place to stay, you will be all alone and left to answer all the people in the village about what you were doing in my arms. there will be no one to give you shelter food or water (he threatened her)

Khushi: (was shocked she was quite unable to say a word she was lost and scared. but she knew she had no choice and so she asked softly) if i stay here will you make sure i am not treated badly and taken care off 

Arnav: (raised his eye brows and said) yes, you will but in return i expect you with me every night in my chamber (he made it clear)

Khushi: (took a deep breath, she didnt want to do it but she had no choice and so she nodded and said) Deal, but after 6 months i am free 

Arnav: (smirked and nodded and said in a husky voice) I will see you in bed chamber at night. 

Khushi nodded and went inside. while Arnav just stood their mesmerized by her.