Miracle of Love - Avyukt Manasa

17. Dinner

Soon the night fell. The grand dining hall in Avyukt's quarters was ready to host dinner for Manasa's father. The table was set with delicacies of both north and south. Servants were lined up ready to serve as soon as the royals enter.

The king of the south walked in with his father. His eyes roamed around and brows frowned when he didn't find the prince and his daughter. He running out of patience and this disrespectful behavior enraged him.

He had already planned everything and even warned his daughter not to do anything foolish but she didn't seem to care.

"Your Highness. The prince and the princess are on their way. Please have a seat." A man, the head servant, informed them and showed them their seats.

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"You don't have to force yourself. I can talk and settle this." Avyukt said as he examined her cut wrist.

It was fortunate that she didn't cut the correct artery and just bled. He started bandaging the wrist carefully. Manasa smiled slightly as she looked at him. He told her to take rest but she didn't want to hide in their room anymore. Not when she had a loving and supportive husband.

"No. I want to right. We are already married and we couldn't even go temple to pray together because of me."

"Those all can wait. We have a lot of time to do all those." Avyukt said. He seriously didn't care about all those things as long as Manasa is safe, happy and with him.

"No. I want to do it all right. I want to properly start our marriage. Lets meet everyone tomorrow and visit temple in the evening."

Manasa held her husband's hand and spoke sincerely. Being married to the man she loved has been a beautiful thing that happened to her after many years. She didn't want to mess this up.

A happy smile crept on Avyukt's lips as he felt Manasa holding his hands. He was very much eager to start his married life with his wife.

"Sure. Whatever you say my princess" Avyukt said and put a light bracelet on her wrist. Not heavy but enough to cover the bandage. They both got up and left for the dining hall.

For the first time Manasa was not scared of going to her father. And it was mostly because Avyukt held her hand firmly all the way to the dining hall.

Soon the servants opened the doors and Manasa saw her father and grandfather waiting for them.

"My Apologies for being late Father-in-law and grand-father-in-law." Avyukt said as the couple walked in, hand-in-hand. 

The king had no choice but to mask his irritation and give a smile. "We have just arrived son."

"Greeting father. Greetings grand father" Manasa said politely and bowed to the elders. Her father eyed her from top to bottom. She seemed perfectly fine. And well adorned in gems and silk. The fear and sadness from before was absent now. And her body language told him that she was very comfortable in Avyukt's presence.

Her father put on a bright smile as he regarded his daughter. "I am very happy seeing you daughter. Hope you didn't trouble the prince."

"My wife. Have a seat." Avyukt interrupted as he pulled a chair for Manasa and helped her sit before taking a seat beside her. His polite and caring attitude towards Manasa didn't go unnoticed by the other two men in the room.

Avyukt even helped her handing the bowls and serving dishes as she refrained from using her left hand much.

"Haha son. You don't have to trouble yourself. Manasa. Serve your husband first." Her grandfather said while eyeing Manasa.

"There are servants to do that your highness." Avyukt said and servant came forward to serve him. The grandfather shut his mouth. 

They wanted Avyukt to be enchanted by Manasa enough to hear their demands, but not so much that he will go digging into how they treated Manasa in the past.

"I wanted to have dinner with you to assure you that your daughter will be treated well here. She my wife now. I make sure she is happy in this marriage" Avyukt said sincerely after all the plates were served.

Though he didn't like her father and grandfather, they were her guardians and he would make this clear to them.

"Hahaha.. I am relieved to hear that son. I was worried my little princess would be alone after we leave. So I got her few maids from south who can take care of her your highness. This will take some burden off you son" Manasa's father said as he remembered that the prince didn't allow the maids meet his daughter in the morning.

Manasa's mood dampened as soon as she heard of maids. They were all her father's spies. She didn't want then around.

"Oh right. Manasa. There were few maids from south wanting to serve you in the morning. You were resting, so I sent them away. Do you need them princess?" Avyukt asked gently as he ate his food.

The two elders present didn't expect he would ask for Manasa's opinion on this. Or on any topic for the matter. Her father intently stared at Manasa that she had to glance at him. To be honest, even she didn't expect that Avyukt would ask her.

"Uhm.. They are from south your highness. I am not sure they are aware of the protocols in our palace. I mean I am myself unaware of the customs here. I believe you can make the right decision here." Manasa said. Her statement didn't only show her trust in Avyukt but also the 'our palace' in her statement spoke volumes.

Avyukt smiled and gently squeezed her hand under the table. He then turned towards her father. "My wife is right. Let's do this. My head servant will put them into training here. When he thinks they are fit to serve the future queen of the North, we can appoint them. What do think?" Avyukt asked.

The king's face had an awkward smile as Avyukt gave instructions to the head servant standing behind them.

"Please be assured father-in-law. Your daughter will be safe here. I will appoint the best maids here to serve until then."