Murat pov:)

As she disappeared into the crowd, my pulse remained erratic, my body humming with a sensation I hadn't felt in years—anticipation. 

Her departure wasn't an end; it was a challenge, a promise that our game had only just begun.

I lingered in the courtyard for a moment longer, trying to appear unaffected, though my mind was replaying every second of our silent exchange.

The way her eyes had locked with mine, bold yet cautious, spoke volumes. She wasn't just a princess. No, Chavi was a queen in the making—a force of nature disguised in elegance and silk.

I turned back to the pillar and leaned against it once more, my gaze sweeping over the festivities. 

The music had resumed, the chatter of courtiers filling the space. Yet I found no interest in any of it. My thoughts were consumed by her—her smirk, her defiance, her quiet strength.

Footsteps approached, and I didn't need to turn to know it was Rhaman. His energy was always restless, and tonight was no exception.

"You're playing with fire, brother," he muttered, standing beside me. "Her brothers will rip you apart before you get close enough to touch her."

I smirked, crossing my arms. "Who says I need to touch her to win?"

Rhaman gave me a skeptical look, his brows furrowed. "You're already in deep, aren't you? Don't tell me you're actually... interested."

I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I let my eyes drift toward the path she had taken. "She's unlike anyone I've met before," I admitted, my voice low.

 "Smart, sharp, and completely unafraid. If I'm going to marry someone, why not someone who can match me?"

Rhaman scoffed. "Match you? She'll destroy you if you're not careful."

I chuckled softly. "Maybe that's exactly what I need."

Before Rhaman could respond, a movement at the edge of the crowd caught my attention. Chavi was back, her presence impossible to ignore. 

She wasn't looking at me now, instead conversing with a group of nobles, her posture regal and commanding. Yet I felt her awareness of me, just as I was aware of her.

Our connection was magnetic, unspoken but undeniable.

"God help you, bhaijaan (brother)," Rhaman muttered under his breath. "You're already lost."

"Perhaps," I replied, my voice edged with determination. "But if being lost means chasing her, then I'll gladly lose myself."

Her laugh rang out across the courtyard—a sound that sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn't light or careless; it was rich, layered with meaning. 

She knew what she was doing, and she was enjoying every second of it.

I straightened, ready to make my next move.

The game had only begun, and I was ready to meet her on every battlefield she created—be it with words, glances, or the quiet storms that brewed between us.

Princess Chavi had set the rules.

But I would play to win.

As the night deepened, the air between us thickened, heavy with unspoken tension. I watched her as she moved through the crowd, graceful yet commanding, her every action calculated to exude both strength and charm. 

She was a queen in every sense of the word, even before a crown had graced her head.

I leaned against the marble pillar, feigning indifference while my eyes tracked her every step. 

The moonlight played tricks, glinting off her jewellery and casting her in an ethereal glow. 

She was untouchable, yet the pull toward her was magnetic. She hadn't looked my way since our earlier exchange, but I knew—I knew—she was aware of me.

Finally, she stopped, her head turning ever so slightly. Her eyes met mine, and time seemed to slow. 

Across the courtyard, amidst the sea of nobility and grandeur, it was just the two of us. Her gaze was a challenge, her expression daring me to make my move.

I pushed off the pillar, my steps deliberate, slow, almost predatory.

The crowd parted as if sensing the shift in the atmosphere. I stopped just short of her, leaving enough distance to keep the tension crackling between us like a live wire.

"Princess," I said, my voice low and steady, bowing slightly but keeping my eyes locked on hers. "You have a way of commanding attention, even when you're silent."

Her lips curved into a slight smirk, a flicker of amusement lighting her features. "And you, Prince, have a way of following attention wherever it goes."

I chuckled softly, letting her words settle. "Perhaps. Or maybe I just know when someone is worth following."

She arched an eyebrow, tilting her head. "You speak with such confidence, but confidence without substance is arrogance."

"And arrogance without reason is foolishness," I countered, stepping slightly closer, my voice dipping lower. "Do I strike you as a fool, Princess?"

Her smirk deepened, and she took a deliberate step back, maintaining the space between us. "You strike me as a man used to getting what he wants. But let me warn you—this isn't your kingdom. And I am not a prize to be won."

"No," I said, my tone serious now. "You're not a prize. You're the whole battlefield."

Her eyes flickered, a mix of surprise and intrigue. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw her defenses waver, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. She straightened, her regal composure returning.

"Then tread carefully, Prince," she said softly, her voice carrying an edge of warning. "Not every battle is yours to win."

I watched her turn and walk away, her silhouette disappearing into the shadows of the palace. 

My heart was racing, my mind spinning with her every word. She was a puzzle, a storm, and I was a man willingly stepping into the eye of it.

Rhaman's voice broke through my thoughts as he appeared beside me, shaking his head. "You're doomed, brother. Completely doomed."

I smirked, my eyes still fixed on where she had vanished. "Perhaps. But I can't think of a more beautiful way to meet my end."

This wasn't just a game anymore—it was war. And Princess Chavi wasn't just an opponent; she was my obsession.

At midnight I slowly go towards her chamber, which is quiet and has a lot of security. I planned to be unnoticed, as I told Rhaman to create the distraction, and soldiers went towards him.

 I quickly knock on her chamber door, and she opens it, and within the second I pull her out, whispering, Let me explain. Come with me, and she quietly follows.

The cool night air wrapped around us as I guided her through the shadows of the palace, her soft hand still in mine. 

My heart hammered against my ribs, a mixture of exhilaration and nervousness flooding me. Every step we took away from her chamber felt like a rebellion, a daring challenge against every protocol this kingdom held sacred. 

Yet she followed, quiet but curious, her trust in me unspoken but palpable.

When we reached the terrace, I stopped, turning to face her. Her questioning gaze met mine under the soft glow of the moonlight. 

"Close your eyes, Princess, I have a gift for you" I whispered, my voice low and insistent.

She folded her arms, raising an eyebrow at me. "You're gifting something to the Hind Princess, who has everything?" she teased, her tone laced with skepticism.

I smirked, leaning slightly closer. "Trust me, Princess. You're going to love it."

With a soft sigh, she relented, closing her eyes but shaking her head as if to say she didn't entirely believe me. I led her a few more steps, the faint flicker of candlelight illuminating the space as we stepped onto the terrace.

"Open them," I said softly.

Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, the guarded Princess of Hind was gone, replaced by a woman who was completely, beautifully, disarmed. 

The terrace was transformed into a wonderland—a delicate tent adorned with intricate fabrics, the warm glow of candles casting golden hues on every surface. 

Platters of her favourite sweets, painstakingly prepared with the help of her ammai and the palace helpers, were arranged neatly on a low table.

The breeze carried the scent of jasmine and cardamom, mingling with the soft rustle of the tent.

"It's... beautiful," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she took it all in.

I smiled, unable to take my eyes off her. "Not more than you, Princess."

She turned to me, her expression soft but tinged with suspicion. "How do you know these are my favorites?"

"Your ammai," I admitted, shrugging. "The Queen of Hind is a very sweet woman. She told me everything—what you love, what you dislike. She even helped me prepare some of this."

Chavi chuckled softly, shaking her head in disbelief. "You got the Queen of Hind to help you? That's... unexpected."

"But wait maasa don't know how to cook", she asked.

"I cook it for you princess with her instructions." I said and she just kept look at me with her jaw dropped.

"Let's just say I can be persuasive when I need to be," I said, my tone playful. "Now, sit. Enjoy this."

She hesitated, her gaze flicking to mine, searching for something. I didn't know what she was looking for, but when she sat down on one of the cushions, a small smile played on her lips. "You're full of surprises, Prince."

I took a seat across from her, watching as she reached for one of the sweets. "I meant what I said earlier," I said, my voice softer now. "This isn't about winning. It's about you."

She paused, the sweet still in her hand, and looked at me. "And what exactly do you want from me, Prince? Because I'm not a prize, and I don't belong to anyone."

Her words were sharp, but her tone was not unkind. I held her gaze, letting the tension linger. "I don't want to own you, Princess. I want to stand beside you. There's a difference."

For the first time, I saw a flicker of something in her eyes—something soft, almost vulnerable. She took a bite of the sweet, breaking the silence. "You've set the bar high, Prince. I'll give you that."

"Good," I said, my lips curving into a smirk. "I intend to keep exceeding it."

For the first time, I felt something stir within me—a sense of belonging, of hope. I didn't know if this was love or obsession. 

But I knew one thing: Princess Chavi was more than just a conquest. She was my equal, my storm, and the only woman I could ever imagine standing beside me in this world of chaos and power.

"It's delicious," she said, savouring the jalebi with an expression of pure delight. Her voice, soft yet unguarded, sent a wave of satisfaction through me.

All my hard work, the planning, the late nights of sneaking around this palace—it was all worth it just to see her like this.

I leaned back slightly, watching her eat with a smile I couldn't seem to contain. Lately, I'd been smiling far more than I ever had in my life, and all because of her.

She noticed my gaze and narrowed her eyes, looking up at me with mock irritation.

"Mujhe nazar lag jayegi!" (I will get evil eyes because of you)she said, her voice carrying a teasing lilt. "Stop watching me like that."

I couldn't help but laugh, leaning forward slightly. Lowering my voice, I whispered, "Nazar ki nazar nikal dunga agar aapko kuch hua toh." (I'll remove the  eye of evil eyes if something ever happens to you.)

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head as if unimpressed by my dramatic declaration. "Stop it. This isn't even romantic," she said, though her tone betrayed the faintest hint of amusement.

I raised an eyebrow, leaning in just a fraction closer. "So, do you want me to romance you, Princess?" I asked, my voice dipping into a husky, teasing tone.

Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

She blushed. After all my efforts, after every subtle tease and lingering glance, she finally blushed because of me. 

The light flush on her skin looked ethereal, a delicate bloom that seemed to glow under the soft candlelight. But what made it truly breathtaking was the fact that it was my words, my presence, that had caused it.

She quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the platter of sweets in front of her, but I could see the way her lips pressed together, fighting a smile.

"Allah," I murmured under my breath, my gaze still locked on her. "You're beautiful, Princess. But like this? When it's because of me?" I smiled, the kind of smile I reserved for victories. "It's perfect."

She peeked up at me from beneath her lashes, her eyes holding a challenge. "You're too confident, Prince. Don't let it go to your head."

"Oh, but you see," I replied, leaning back with a smirk, "when you're the reason, how can I not be?"

She picked up a piece of jalebi and threw it at me, her laughter spilling out before she could stop it.

 And in that moment, with her laughter echoing softly in the night air and her blush still lingering, I knew. 

For the first time in my life, I wanted to keep this—her, this moment, this feeling—forever.

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I hope you all will like this chapter byeeeeeeeeeeeeee