Opinionated Mangetor

Nalini twirled around, showcasing her dress.

..."What do you think, brother? Isn't it pretty?"...

...Her brother looked up from his book, a warm smile on his face....

..."Nalini, you look lovely. But don't you think you're trying too hard to impress him?"...

Nalini's eyes sparkled with excitement.

..."Who, Daivya? Of course, I want to impress him! He's my fiancé, after all."...

His expression turned serious, his voice low.

..."I know, Nalini. But sometimes I worry that you're sacrificing too much for this arrangement. You deserve to be happy, not just bound by duty."...

Nalini's face softened, touched by her brother's concern.

..."I appreciate your worry, but I'll be fine."...

Just then, Daivya appeared at the entrance, his eyes fixed on Nalini with a hint of disapproval.

..."You seem to be giving your time to a man other than your fiancé, Nalini. That's disappointing."...

Nalini's eyes widened as she rushed to Daivya.

..."I was waiting for your arrival, Your Highness."...

Daivya's expression softened as he offered Nalini a charming smile.

..."Well, then, shall we take the boat across the lake to see the blooming lotus, which I heard was as pretty as you?"...

As they floated across the lake, Nalini noticed Daivya's somber mood.

..."Something seems to be bothering you, Your Highness."...

Daivya's eyes locked onto Nalini's.

..."Well, hearing 'Your Highness' from you isn't pleasant. Why don't you just call me Daivya, as you did for the past 12 years?"...

Nalini chuckled, and her eyes sparkled.

..."We will be married soon. I was betrothed to you even before I was born. I was made aware that I would wed the prince, and I was tailored according to your preference. I should be sad for my life, which never belonged to me, yet here I sit across from you with a fast-beating heart, looking forward to our future."...

Daivya stopped rowing, his gaze intense.

..."Women here are told to obey, never question the elders, and follow the man. Yet, you sit across from me, talking about the life you never wanted."...

Nalini's voice was laced with sarcasm.

..."You're disappointed that your mangetor (fiancée) has opinions of her own."...

Daivya smiled, his eyes crinkling. He gently tucked a stray hair behind Nalini's ear, his fingers grazing her skin. Nalini felt a shiver run down her spine as their eyes met.

As Daivya leaned in, Nalini's heart skipped a beat. His breath whispered against her skin, sending goosebumps down her arms. His hand touched hers, and Nalini felt a spark of electricity as their fingers intertwined.

Their lips were inches apart, the tension between them palpable. Daivya's eyes locked onto Nalini's, his gaze burning with intensity. Nalini's pulse racing, she knew that their first kiss was imminent.

Just as their lips were about to touch, Daivya's hand moved to her face, and he tucked the brightly bloomed lotus behind her ear.

..."I thank the gods every day for giving me you, my princess. You having opinions is not something I should be disappointed in, but celebrate. How did I become so lucky to marry you, my light and pride?"...

As their faces drew closer, Daivya's gaze fell from Nalini's eyes to her lips, and she mirrored his movement, her own eyes locking onto his mouth. Nalini's breath caught in her throat as she felt the gentle brush of Daivya's nose against hers. Their lips were mere millimeters apart, and Nalini could feel the softness of his breath dancing across her skin, making her heart flutter wildly in her chest.

Abner's voice cut through the moment,

..."My lady?"...

Nalini snapped back to the present, where she sat on the stairs with Abner next to her, his book ready for further narration. She looked at her kids, who were playing with Vatsala, trying to remove the garment covering her face.

Nalini smiled, composing herself.

..."Yes, where were we?"...

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