It had been nearly three weeks since Devika had left for Sivi.

She also told me how she'd gone to Hastinapur on an urgent matter. When I enquired, through the letters we exchanged nearly every three days, she said that it wasn't her secret to tell.

I could imagine her smirk. Hers wasn't like others though... Everyone's smirk hid either naughtiness or mirth behind it. Hers held genuine amusement and joy. Perhaps it's what differentiated her from the others. She would never belittle anyone.

Which is why, when mata and pitashree called me down to the main hall, my eyes couldn't leave the spectacular beauty that Raajkumari Devika is.

She stood there, in the middle of the raajsabha, a blue and pale pink saree that adorned her, while white jasmine flowers that drew attention to her long and dark hair. She had her signature smirk on, one of her best features. The one that made me fall in love with her....

"Pranipat Maharaj. Pranipat Raajkumari. "

"Pranipat... Yuvraj Ajatshatru. " She greeted politely.

" While we are incredibly honoured to have you hear Maharaj. What is the purpose of your visit? " My father asked.

"Maharaj, I am here to propose the hand of my elder daughter, Devika to your son Ajatshatru. " He announced and I looked at them with wide eyes... She did what?

" Wh-that is a truly wondrous news. We are profoundly grateful that you trust our son to hold your daughter's hand and support her in her life ahead. " Mata said, her joy glinting in her amber eyes.

" Devika, putri, do you have anything to add? " Her father asked, gently.

" Yes, only that his sister be a part of my procession, not his." She asked. I looked at her with surprise.

"Why so? "

"Well, she's my friend. "

"She's my sister first. "

" Well, you're wrong about that. " She muttered.

"Putr, where's the harm. It should be fun. You can take Yuvraj Yudhishthir on your side." Mata advised, with eyes that said, 'you better listen to what I say or we'll be having some choce words later'. Honestly, do all mothers have these eyes?

"Ji mata. Alright. Sagarika will be on the bride's side.. That is if she agrees. " Ha. She's my best friend... She won't leave my side....... Right?

" Wonderful. Pitashree, may we go into the gardens... I'm sure the Yuvraj and I have some important details regarding marriage that we'd like to discuss. " She said..

"Avashy putri, as long as Maharaj and Maharani don't mind - "

"Absolutely. Putr, take her with you. " Father said.

" Come Raajkumari. " I said, as we exited the room, I gently held her hand.

" Why, Yuvraj, aren't you truly a forward man? " She asked.

Looking carefully at both sides of the hall, I pulled her into an enclosed area between two walls.

" My dear Raajkumari, I'll say, you've been imticing me ever since we met with that beautiful smirk of  yours that adorn those beautiful rosy lips... Why I think we've both been rather forward haven't we? " I asked. She looked up at me, as though unaffected but I could sense the rise in her breath, the way she fisted her hands where they rested on my shoulders.

"Yuvraj - we'll be seen. " She whispered.

" So? We're about to be married. You've been troubling me for so long, either asking me random questions or looking at me with eyes that kill. I think a hug between two people who are about to get married isn't a crime? " I said, as I gently pulled her into one, giving enough space for her to pull back if needed.

I burrowed my face into her beautiful hair, they smelled of jasmine and a certain scent I was unable to place.

" Yuvraj. We should leave. " She whisperer,slowly as she opened her hands to pull me closer into our hug.

" Why? You're nervous? Do I scare you kumari? " I whispered.

" N-no. It's just. "

"What? "

"I've-"

"What? Kumari? "

"I've soiled your dhoti with red paint. " She whispered, her words hitting my ears like the warmest steam of a sauna.

" What! " I said, pulling back to look around. My bright yellow dhoti was stained at the hips with red.

"What now kumar? How will you explain why there are handprints on your dhoti. Specifically near your waist? " She smirked, running out of the enclosed space, showing me her red hands.

"Where did you get the paint? " I called, following her to the gardens.

" It was in my hair! The red flowers that I hid under my bun!" She yelled out, as she ran towards the garden benches.

" Oh. " I said, skidding to a stop, near where she sat under a tree.

So I sat next to her, opening my arms in invitation.

"May I intice you today my princess, to a day spent with me, in my arms as I wish to hold you here forever. " I asked her, watching as she smirked and agreed, nodding her head.

She wiggled closer, putting one head on my shoulder while holding my other hand.

" I think I chose wisely my dear Yuvraj. Don't let me down. After all, my questions as you said have chosen you as a worthy suitor. "

" I will try my best to live up to your standards. "

"I have a secret to tell you. " She said eyes suddenly downcast. She looked hesitant. So I did what any good fiance would.

With a finger on her chin, I pulled her face back up to face me. I saw her eyes, glassy.

"You know I won't judge you my sweet. What is wrong? "

"I'm not who you think I am. " She whispered. What? She's not a girl?

"You are a girl.... Aren't you? " I asked, barely avoiding the indignant slap to my arms.

"Yes you stupid man! I am a girl. What I mean to say is... I'm not human. " So she's a werewolf?

" Well, what are you then? "

"I -I'm a flame. "

"Well, that you are. My own flame. " I said, suddenly confused at her worry. She was a beautiful flame, my own flame.

" No. You have it wrong. I am a flame, that is I am one of the seven flames of agni. I am Manojava. " She whispered.

"What? " I asked, confused.

"I don't know how else to explain it to you. Agni has seven tongues, seven flames. I am one of them. " She answered, feeling more and more vulnerable, her figure was curling onto herself as fear gripped her heart.

"Oh my sweet. I am not judging you. The fact that I, a mere human has been blessed with a goddess herself as my to be wife is one of the greatest gifts I could have ever received. " I whispered and her face let go of some of the worry.

"You are not afraid?"

"Tell me.. You'll not burst into flames in the middle of the night and burn the bed to ashes, right?" I asked her, trying to cheer her up.

"N-no. Of course not. I can control my fire. "

"Then I don't care. You're still my Devika, no matter what anyone says." I said softly, pulling her face into my shoulder for a hug.

She relaxed instantly , as if comforted by my admission. I felt proud of myself.

" This isn't one of your crazy questions again right? "

"No. No questions are needed anymore. " She said and then stood up, offering me a hand.

"I Manojava, also known as Devika, one of the Seven tongues of Agni dev, from this day forth give my heart, mind and soul to you, to hold and cherish forevermore. I hope our love defies all challenges that come our way and we remember, that it's us against the world, not against each other. " She said, holding my hand.

Well, that's a better 'I love you' than I could ever do.

" I Ajatshatru, AJ. A simple human with a big heart and a love for history, give you, my dear beautiful love, my heart, mind, body and soul. I will hold your heart and cherish it, as I hope you'll hold mine forevermore. I also promise to you today, that I will never take another to be my wife, for ardhangini can only ever be one and you hold that position in my heart beyond eternity. " I said, pressing a kiss to the hand that I promised to hold and support from this day on.

She smiled, one that brought out the joy in her cool moss eyes. The one that crinkles in the corners and brings a wide smile on my own.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

So... They're getting married... Soon?

Tell me how it was in the comments... I know you all missed our dear AJ and his idiotic thought process. But he's adorable all the same..

Please do vote if you like.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥