Aishwarya ~ The Prince's Brown Bride

Bonus Chapter 1

Aishwarya POV

My nipples were aching. Inhaling a deep breath, I straightened my back and looked at the recent designs for the new collection. It was going great, but it seemed like my body was growing tired and weak recently.

I stood up to walk for a while. My blouse felt tight, and I could feel the pinch in my bosom. Something was wrong. I thought of telling Hukum about this but could not find the right time.

I stretched my arms and looked at the setting sun as I walked into my chamber gallery. It was wise to change into comfortable clothes as I did not have to go out.

I did not waste any more time. I stripped off the heavy royal clothes and wore my simple night pair of lehenga. It was made of cotton and seemed best to rest for a while. I asked the attendees to bring my dinner into the chamber, too.

I lay on the bed, reading Hukum's diary, which he had written since childhood. He knew I was reading it, but he did not stop me.

It was filled with so many memories, so many perspectives of his. Reading it gave me great insights into his mind, how he used to see things in his teenage years, and how Agastya Devarsa irritated him. In a few pages, he seemed immensely pissed off by him.

I did not know how long it grew until I heard his voice.

"Aishwarya," he always called before stepping into the chamber. He knew I might be busy with the workers or other people.

"Ji," I called and tossed on my chest. I laughed reading the few moments from the Gurukul: how one-day Kunwar Agastya fed him the sleeping herbs and made him sleep until late afternoon. And Agastya Devarsa was mad when Guruji did not say anything to him. He forgave him.

"What are you reading?" he asked, walking towards the couch and taking his overcoat off.

"I miss Agastya Devarsa. With him, time flies," I could not stop myself from saying, and he nodded.

"He is the center of attraction always," he agreed. He walked towards me and lay on the bed, his legs hanging low. I closed his diary and shifted closer to him, how faces close but upside down to each other.

"How was your day?" I asked, caressing his cheek, and he smiled.

"Good," he muttered, holding my hand to kiss my palm.

"You finished your work early?" he asked, and I nodded, inhaling a deep breath.

"I feel sick," I declared, pushing his diary aside, and he sat up a little.

"Hn? What happened?" he asked, pulling my hand, and I sat beside him.

"I do not know. I feel lazy, and," I took a slight pause, and his brows thinned, waiting for me to finish. "And, my breast," I lifted my hand to signal towards it. "It feels aching," I managed to finish, and he stared at me blankly.

"Have you talked to the physicians?" he asked, and I shook my head.

"I thought of telling you first," I said, and he pulled me closer and made me sit in his lap.

"When did you bleed last?" he asked, and I lowered my gaze slightly timidly. No matter how much time we had spent together, a few words of his made me flush.

"I do not remember," I said, and he just knit his brows with confusion, lowered his gaze to my breast, placed his warm hand over them, and caressed gently.

"Are you okay? Baby," he asked, and I nodded.

"Yes, it's just laziness," I said, pressing my head against his shoulder, and he caressed my hands.