ROYAL HIGHNESS

55. I love you

A vast transparent dome spread out before her, opening up to the ocean floor—an entire 360° view of the deep sea. Clear glass walls surrounded them on every side, revealing the deep navy world of the Alaskan coast. Jellyfish drifted like slow-moving lanterns. Stingrays glided above them like pale ghosts. Silvery fish darted through ribbons of seaweed. Corals in shades of pink, violet, and gold pulsed softly, alive with secret rhythms. Soft lighting inside made the entire space feel like a dreamy underwater temple. And in the center of it all—a single table set for two, surrounded by glimmering candlelight.

Amyardh lead her to the table and pulled out a chair for her like it was the most natural thing in the world. No pride, no theatrics. Just intention.

She sat slowly, her eyes still drinking in the view. Then, softly—almost like a confession—she whispered:

Life kitni pretty lag rahi hai… Amyardh, kya main saach mein yeh sab dekh rahi hoon ya yeh sirf ek sapna hai? Agar aisa hai toh… main iss sapne se kabhi jaagna nahi chahti.”

Amyardh didn’t answer right away. He studied her face, as if he was trying to remember every detail of this moment.

Then, he leaned forward just a little, his voice gentle and low.

“Tumhe yeh sab sapna lag raha hai?”

She nodded with a soft smile, eyes glossy in the underwater light.

“Haan… kyunki itni khushi maine kabhi feel nahi ki… aur pata nahi kaise sab theek chal raha hai!"

A quiet beat.

Then came his voice—steady, deep, and full of a kind of promise that didn’t need grandeur to feel powerful.

“Ab se sab theek hi hoga.”

Ovie looked at him, something in her expression cracking—like a glacier thawing just enough to show the spring underneath.

As the soft music hummed in the background and the last traces of their awe at the aquatic surroundings settled into comfort, a tall man in a sleek suit approached them with a graceful bow — the restaurant manager himself.

“Mr. Pathak, Miss khanna,” he greeted respectfully. “It’s an honour to have you here tonight. The chefs are ready for service whenever you are. Would you prefer to order from the menu or would you like our chef to curate a custom vegetarian tasting course?”

Ovie blinked at him, her brows furrowed slightly as something struck her suddenly. “Wait... why is the restaurant so empty? We came at peak dinner time, didn’t we?”

The manager gave a polite smile and glanced at Amyardh. “Sir booked the entire restaurant for the evening. For privacy and a better view.”

Ovie’s jaw parted slightly. “What?”

Amyardh lifted his wine glass in a mock toast and grinned. “It was either this or a noisy couple on the next table recording Instagram reels while eating spaghetti.”

The manager chuckled softly and added, “Shall I proceed with the curated vegetarian spread, sir?”

Amyardh nodded. “Yes. And if the chef could add something mildly spiced and something with mushrooms — she loves those.”

Ovie turned to him slowly. “You remember that?”

He looked at her, eyes unreadable but warm. “I remember everything you like.”

Moments later, their dinner began arriving in curated courses — each one presented like edible art. There was a warm mushroom cappuccino with truffle foam served in petite glasses, followed by grilled asparagus on saffron risotto with edible flowers, a spicy paneer roulade with baby carrots, and a handmade beetroot ravioli drizzled in lemon butter. Each bite tasted like magic, and paired with the unreal view of ocean creatures floating outside the curved glass walls, it felt like being suspended in a dream.