The Royal Deal

22.

Fate doesn't care about plans.
-Unknown

*****

Shaina Singhania.

Nervous. Anxious. Upright.

I didn't know what reason I would give him for pulling our mutual decision card when it was anything but a mutual decision.

I softly pushed the door of the terrace open and stepped aside for him— who was following me— to walk past me into the terrace.

He's observant, I noticed and I know that he knew that I was nervous to talk to him. He noticed every little detail about me, from my posture to my fingers fondling with that bow at the side of my waist. But isn't that how all observant people are supposed to be?

"What was that?" He asked me and stopped beside the two seater swing placed behind the small table. His back still faced me, unknowingly I was taking my time analysing his back. His beige sweater stuck to his body giving me a hint of his build.

Shaina. Focus, you moron.

"What?" I asked him, hoping that he wouldn't call me out but who's Yuvraaj Singh Shekhawat if he's not being a complete dick.

"I don't remember talking about wanting to know you. You used me to get things done, your way." He said as he turned to look at me and his burning gaze on me had me shift my weight from one foot to another. Maybe I was embarrassed as well.

"I didn't know you were so desperate to have me as your wife." I taunted back because deep down I wanted to hear a no. I wanted to know that we are in the same boat; neither of us want this.

"I am not but neither did I ask-"
"Let's cut the crap. I need time to make sure when I am away for five years, everything's still under control." I told him, he kept quiet and just stared as if he wanted to watch my confidence crumble and demeanor to break. It did.

"There's more to my deal with dad." I whispered and his eyes scanned my tensed body but I kept quiet, I let him.

I wanted him to notice my deliberately tightened fist to whiten my knuckles just so he gets the idea that I am nervous and vulnerable. So, I let him.

Even when I hate vulnerability, it is the greatest factor to manipulate things in your favour and I wanted him to put the ball back in my court because I had enough. Even if it meant I became one percent pathetic of what I truly feel, at the front.

"And two months were too less for me to act upon things and after that move to a completely different state. All of it aside, Aryahi is too young to realise that I won't always be here for her. She needs to understand, that'll take time." My voice was kept from any emotion because, I obviously had to make sure that it looks real, especially the vulnerability I'm putting up.

This man is like a fucking panther. Stealthy. Fearless. Intimidating. His eyes see what anyone in such situations would fail to, and just like that I know that he noticed that twitch of my eyebrows which happened out of frustration of putting up a show for him.

"This might truly be the last time, I give you the liberty to walk away from this marriage without any consequences. Are you sure that you want this?" He asked me and I looked away from him, not saying anything.

"Silence, Miss Singhania, means a yes. And you don't want to say yes." Silence doesn't mean a yes, it means nothing. But I don't want to rectify his statement. I remained quiet and unmoving as a statue while I stared into his eyes.

"Even if it was a lifetime and not five years, I wouldn't have said no. I am doing it, crown prince." It might be a lie because I am not giving my whole life to a strange but an insanely rich and hot prince.