💖 Ishita's Perspective:

The venue was transformed into a floral dream. It was the day of my **Bridal Shower**, and I felt like I was walking on a cloud of peonies. I was draped in a **beautiful baby pink lehenga** that shimmered under the fairy lights, making my **brown skin** glow with a soft, ethereal radiance. My **long hair** was styled in an intricate braid, woven with fresh jasmine and baby's breath, cascading down my shoulder.

I looked at my reflection, admiring the **perfect eye makeup**-a soft rose-gold shimmer that made my brown eyes pop-and my **long nails**, painted a matching pearly pink. But as always, beneath the heavy earrings and the clinking bangles, I felt the familiar weight of the **silver payal** he had proposed with. It was my lucky charm.

Her look

But as I adjusted my **high heels**, a knot of anxiety tightened in my chest.

Today was also his **Sagan ceremony**. In our culture, it's the day my parents officially give gifts and tokens to the groom's family. I knew the Rathores were billionaires. I knew their lifestyle was worlds away from my **middle-class** upbringing. My father was a man of immense pride, but I knew his bank balance couldn't match the level of "gifts" the world expected for a Prince like Rudra.

I had secretly transferred every penny I had earned from my **hard work at the studio** and my **modeling gigs** into my father's account last night.

*"Papa, please use this,"* I had whispered to him this morning. *"I don't want anyone to look down on us. I don't want Rudra's family to think we aren't enough."*

I stood by the window of the bridal suite, looking down at the courtyard where the men were gathered for the Sagan. I saw my father holding a silver tray, his hands shaking slightly. My heart ached. I loved Rudra, but the fear of our "levels" clashing was a ghost that haunted me.

👑 Rudra's Perspective:

I sat on the carved silver chair, the center of attention for the **Sagan ceremony**. I was dressed in a pristine white sherwani with subtle silver embroidery, looking every bit the "top 5 businessman" the world knew me as. Around me, my family-**Akshat, Vardaan, and Jay**-were laughing, enjoying the festivities.

His look

But my eyes were fixed on Ishita's father as he approached me. I saw the way he clutched the envelope and the traditional gifts. I saw the hesitation in his eyes, the weight of a man trying to prove his worth in a room full of titans.

I knew what Ishita had done. My private investigators had flagged a large transfer into her father's account yesterday. I knew she was trying to bridge the gap with her own hard-earned money because she was scared of my world.

*Stupid, beautiful girl,* I thought, my jaw tightening. *As if a few zeros in a bank account could ever match the value of the woman she is.*

As her father reached me and started the **pooja**, he tentatively offered the silver tray. I saw the envelope-likely filled with the money Ishita had slaved away for in her studio.

"Beta," her father said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "This is just a small token... for your happiness."

I didn't take the tray. The silence in the pavilion became heavy. I felt my mother, **Maa**, and **Papa** look at me in confusion.

I stood up, my **6'3" muscular frame** towering over the gathering, and I did something that broke every tradition of a Rajasthani royal wedding. I took the silver tray from his hands, but instead of keeping it, I handed it back to him. I then reached out and took his weathered hands in mine, bowing my head slightly in respect.

"Uncle," I said, my voice deep and carrying across the entire courtyard, silenced by the authority in my tone. "In my world, I trade in gold, and big Industries  But today, I am not a businessman. I am a man who is about to take your most precious treasure."

I looked him straight in the eyes, my **ocean blue eyes** firm and unyielding.

"I won't take a single penny from you. Not a gift, not a token, not a cent of Ishita's hard work. I am Rajasthan's Prince; I have everything. The only thing I don't have is the girl who makes my heart beat. Give me your blessings, and give me your daughter. That is the only 'Sagan' I will ever accept."

A gasp went through the crowd. I saw my father, the King of the Rathore empire, smile with a rare sense of pride. I saw Ishita's father's eyes fill with tears-not of shame, but of pure relief.

Up on the balcony, I caught a glimpse of a pink lehenga. She was standing there, her hand over her mouth, her eyes shimmering with tears.

*I see you, Jaana,* I thought, a **shameless** smirk tugging at my lips. *I told you-I don't play fair. And I definitely don't need your money to know you're mine.*

I watched as the tension evaporated from her father's face, replaced by a look of profound gratitude. He didn't just bless me; he stepped forward and pulled me into a **tight, fatherly hug**. I felt the tremors of his relief against my chest. This man had spent weeks worrying if he was "enough" for the Rathores, never realizing that by raising a woman like Ishita, he had already surpassed every billionaire I knew.

Following his lead, the rest of her family swarmed me. I made sure to touch every single gift they brought forward-the silks, the sweets, the traditional platters-acknowledging their effort and the love behind them. But with each one, I gently closed their hands back over the trays.

"Keep these," I said firmly but kindly. "Use them to celebrate her. I have everything I need."

Suddenly, Ishita's mother stepped through the crowd. Her eyes were red from crying, but she had a determined smile on her face. She was holding a small, velvet box, clutched tightly as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

"Rudra, beta," she said, her voice trembling. "I know you are a Prince. I know you have jewels that could buy cities. But please... take just this one thing. I didn't buy this today. I had this **customized for you-for Ishita's groom-when she was just a little baby.**"

I froze. My **ocean blue eyes** softened instantly. A vision of a tiny, **brown-skinned** baby Ishita with those same big brown eyes and wild curly hair flashed through my mind. This woman had been dreaming of the man who would love her daughter for over twenty years.

"She used to play in whole housebwith her curls all messy," her mother whispered, a tear finally falling. "And I would sit and pray that whoever took her from me would see the gold in her heart. This is for that man."

I felt a lump in my throat that no board meeting could ever cause. I reached out and took the box, opening it to find a **stunning, antique gold brooch** featuring a delicate phoenix-a symbol of beauty and resilience. It was classic, timeless, and carried the weight of a mother's prayers.

I didn't just take it; I looked up at the balcony where I knew Ishita was watching, and then I turned back to her mother. I leaned down and **touched her feet**, seeking her blessings with more sincerity than I had ever shown anyone in my life.

"I will wear this on the wedding day," I promised, my voice thick with emotion. "Right over my heart. Thank you, Maa."

The word 'Maa' made her sob with joy, and she pulled me into another hug, kissing my forehead. I stood back up, my **6'3" frame** feeling taller than ever. I tucked the box into my sherwani, right against my chest.

I looked up one last time toward the balcony. I couldn't see her clearly through the floral decorations, but I could feel her. I could feel her love, her relief, and her pride.

*You hear that, Ishi?* I thought, a soft,* smile playing on my lips. *I'm not just the Prince of Rajasthan anymore. I'm the man your mother chose for you twenty years ago. And I'm never letting you go.*

💖 Ishita's Perspective

The moment the Sagan ceremony ended downstairs, I was summoned. I descended the grand staircase, my **high heels** clicking against the marble, while the heavy flare of my **baby pink lehenga** swirled around my ankles like a sunset cloud. My heart was still hammering against my ribs from watching Rudra's noble gesture from the balcony.

As soon as I entered the hall, I was surrounded by a sea of silk and glittering diamonds. The Rathore ladies were waiting.

"There she is! Our Rani Sa!" **Ahana** squealed, pulling me toward a velvet sofa.

Then, the "gifting" started. And when I say gifting, I mean a literal avalanche of luxury. **Maa (Rudra's mother)** opened a mahogany box revealing a **diamond and ruby necklace** so heavy I thought my neck might snap. **Chachi brought out diamond bangles, and **Bebe** handed me an antique waistband that looked like it belonged in a museum.

I felt my eyes go wide. I leaned into Maa, whispering urgently, "**Maa... please, this is too much. I can't even handle all these things. It's too expensive!**"

Maa just laughed, patting my cheek with a diamond-clad hand. "**Uff, pagali! Take it. After the marriage, all these things are coming to our mansion anyway. I'll handle everything for you, okay? Now take it.**"

"But still, Maa-" I tried to protest, looking at the sheer volume of emeralds.

"**Chupp!**" she teased, mock-scolding me. "**You are our daughter-in-law now. You can't say no to the elders. It's a rule!**"

I shut my mouth immediately, making a "zipper" motion over my lips, which made everyone erupt in laughter.

"Look at her, she's already scared of Maa!" **Dhristi** joked, nudging **Reet**. "Don't worry, Ishita bhabhi . Maa is the boss, but we're the ones who will help you hide the shopping bags from the boys!"

"Exactly!" **Reet** added, winking at me as she draped a delicate silk dupatta over my arm. "And don't worry about the jewelry. If it gets too heavy, you can just lean on Rudra. He's muscular enough to carry you *and* ten kilos of diamonds."

"More like twenty kilos," **Ahana** chimed in, leaning over my shoulder. "Have you seen his gym routine lately? He's basically preparing to carry his 'Pink Princess' across the threshold and never let her down."

"Oh, shut up, Ahana!" I blushed, my **perfect eye makeup** crinkling as I laughed. "He's already acting like a bodyguard. I went to show him photos at the office and I thought he was going to lock me in his cabin forever!"

"He probably wanted to!" **Dhristi** whispered, leaning in for some 'girl talk.' "We heard he cancelled a huge meeting after you showed up. The 'Ice King' is melting, and it's all your fault, Ishi."

"He's not melting," I teased, touching the **heavy earrings** that were now dangling from my ears. "He's just... adjusting his temperature."

"Yeah, to 'Sizzling Hot' whenever you're around," **Ahana** joked, making me hide my face in my hands.

The laughter was infectious. For the first time, the "middle-class" anxiety in my chest started to fade. They weren't looking at me as a girl with less money; they were looking at me as the missing piece of their family.

"Okay, okay, stop teasing my Bhabhi!" **Jay** poked his head into the room, grinning. "The photographers are ready for the 'Bridal Shower' portraits. But fair warning, Ishita-Bhai is standing outside the door like a hungry lion waiting for his lioness. If you don't come out soon, he's going to break the 'No Entry' sign!"

I stood up, feeling the weight of the diamonds and the even greater weight of the love in this room. "Tell him the Lioness is busy being pampered. He can wait five more minutes!"

"I'll tell him," Jay laughed, "but I'm staying ten feet away from him when I do. I value my life!"

The ceremonies finally wrapped up, and I honestly felt like a walking, sparkling treasure chest. From my **mang tikka** resting perfectly on my forehead to the heavy **diamond and ruby necklaces** layered over my chest, I was shimmering from head to toe. The Rathore ladies hadn't left a single inch of me unadorned. My ears felt heavy with the rubies, and my wrists were stacked with bangles that clinked every time I moved.

But then, the aunties noticed my feet.

"Wait, this silver payal doesn't match the set!" one of the Chachis pointed out, already bringing over a pair of heavy, diamond-encrusted anklets.

My heart skipped a beat. "Oh, but this one is..." I started to protest, but before I could finish, they had already unclasped my precious silver payal-the one Rudra had used to claim me. I felt a sudden pang of loss, like my lucky charm had been taken away.

Just then, the "hungry lion" himself appeared at the entrance of the suite. Rudra stood there, looking absolutely lethal in his white sherwani, his **ocean blue eyes** scanning the room until they landed on me. He saw the transition-the way I was now draped in the Rathore family jewels-but he also saw the slight pout on my face and the silver payal sitting lonely on the velvet cushion.

He walked straight through the crowd of teasing women, his presence so commanding that the chatter died down instantly. He didn't say a word to anyone else. He reached down, picked up my silver payal, and tucked it safely into the **pocket of his sherwani**, right next to the phoenix brooch.

"It's safe with me, Jaana," he whispered, his voice a low vibration that only I could hear.

He reached out his hand, his **6'3" frame** towering over me, and helped me get up from the low sofa. The weight of the lehenga and the jewelry made me wobble for a second, but his grip was like iron-firm, steady, and incredibly warm.

"Ready for the world to see my Queen?" he teased, a **shameless** glint in his eyes.

"I think I might trip and fall on my face, Ru. I'm carrying half of Rajasthan's wealth on my body right now," I whispered back, clutching his forearm.

"Then I'll just have to catch you again, won't I? Just like at the temple," he murmured, led me toward the grand floral backdrop for the **photo session**.

The flashbulbs started going off immediately. First, it was the family portraits. I stood between Maa and my own mother, while Rudra stood behind me, his hand resting possessively on my waist. **Akshat, Vardaan, and Jay** were making goofy faces behind the photographer, trying to make me laugh, while **Ahana and the devranis** kept fixing my dupatta.

"Smile, Bhai! Don't look like you're about to sign a merger!" Jay shouted.

Rudra leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. "Tell your devar if he doesn't stop, I'm sending him to the Chennai office for six months."

I giggled, and *click*-the photographer caught the perfect shot of me laughing while Rudra looked at me with that raw, intense adoration.

Finally, the photographer cleared everyone out for the solo shots. Rudra didn't leave. He stepped into the frame, turning me toward him. He looked at the **diamond and ruby necklace** and then up at my **brown eyes**.

"The jewels are expensive, Ishi," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion, "but they're still struggling to compete with you."

He pulled me closer for a closeup shot, his nose brushing against mine. The scent of jasmine from my hair mixed with his cologne. In that moment, surrounded by millions of dollars worth of diamonds, I realized that the most valuable thing I owned was the man holding me.

"I love you, Ru," I whispered as the camera clicked.

"I know," he smirked, his thumb grazing my jaw. "And I love that you're finally, officially, almost a Rathore."

👑 Rudra's Perspective:

I walked into Ishita's studio with a heavy step, my jaw locked tight. The bright colors and the scent of makeup that usually made me smile now felt like an irritation. I didn't stop to greet the staff; I simply gestured toward her private cabin with a sharp tilt of my head.

She followed me, her **brown eyes** wide with confusion, clutching a makeup brush like a shield. "Ru? What happened? Why do you look like you're about to fire the whole world?"

I closed the door behind us, the click sounding like a gunshot. I turned to face her, my **ocean blue eyes** dark with a mix of hurt and frustration.

"**Kal jo kiya aapne... woh kya tha?**" (What was that, what you did yesterday?)

She blinked, looking like a **scared mouse** again. "**Kya kiya maine?**" (What did I do?)

"**You didn't know?**" I stepped into her space, my **6'3" frame** towering over her. "**Sagan mein itne gifts... maine humesha se kaha tha ki mujhe aap chahiye aur kuch nahi. Phir bhi aapne woh sab...**" (In the Sagan, so many gifts... I always said I only wanted you and nothing else. Still, you did all that...)

"**Sorry... par zaroori tha,**" she whispered, looking down at her feet.

"**What sorry? What zaroori tha?!**" I snapped, my voice rising in a way I never let it with her. "**Maine kabhi kuch maanga pyaar ke alava? I feel like you are returning a favor, Ishita. Like you're paying me back for loving you.**"

The silence that followed was suffocating. I hated the idea that she thought she had to "buy" her place in my family.

💖 Ishita's Perspective:

My heart shattered at his words. *Returning a favor?* How could he think that? I dropped the brush on the table and walked right into his personal space, standing so close I could feel the heat radiating from his **muscular chest**.

"**Nahi! Aisa nahi hai... bilkul nahi,**" I said, my voice trembling.

"**Maine ya meri family ne kabhi kuch kaha is baare mein?**" (Did I or my family ever say anything about this?) Rudra asked, his voice thick with a wounded pride.

"**Nahi... main jaanti hoon aap aur aapki family ne kabhi kuch nahi kaha,**" I replied, looking up into his **ocean blue eyes**. "**Par sab ka mooh thodi na band kar sakte hain, Ru.**" (But we can't shut everyone's mouth.)

I took a deep breath, the tears finally stinging my eyes. "**Main nahi chaahti ki log meri family ka mazak udaaye... aur humare saath saath aapki family ka bhi.**" (I don't want people to make fun of my family... and along with us, yours too.)

I gripped his **veiny forearms**, pleading with him to understand. "**Main apne Papa ki insult nahi karna chaahti thi. Log kya kehte? 'Beti ne pyaar karte waqt nahi socha, toh ab dete waqt kyun soch rahe hain?'**" (I didn't want to insult my Papa. What would people say? 'The daughter didn't think while falling in love, so why are they thinking while giving [gifts] now?')

Rudra's expression softened, but I wasn't done. The memory of five years ago flashed in my mind.

"**Main apne Papa se bohot pyaar karti hoon. Unki insult ya unki aankhon mein aansu nahi dekh sakti... isliye kiya.**" (I love my Papa so much. I can't see him insulted or see tears in his eyes... that's why I did it.)

I leaned my forehead against his chest. "**Aur yaad hai? 5 saal pehle jab Papa hospital mein admit hue the... aapne kitna kuch kiya tha.**" (And remember? 5 years ago when Papa was in the hospital... you did so much.)

I felt Rudra's breath hitch.

"**Jab Papa ko bataya kuch din pehle... he felt a debt on himself, Ru.**" (When I told Papa a few days ago... he felt a debt on himself.) "**He's a middle-class man, but he's a proud father. He wanted to give his daughter away with his head held high. That money wasn't a 'favor' to you-it was for his peace of mind. And mine.**"

I looked up at him, a single tear escaping. "I don't want to be the reason people whisper that the Rathore Prince 'bought' a middle-class girl. I wanted them to see that we are enough."

Rudra didn't say a word. He just wrapped his strong arms around me, pulling me into a hug so tight it felt like he was trying to fuse our souls together. He buried his face in my **long curly hair**, his grip possessive and protective.

"Ishi," he groaned, his voice cracking. "You were always enough. With or without a single rupee... you were always the greatest wealth I ever found."

👑 Rudra's Perspective

The moment she mentioned the hospital-the moment she mentioned that "debt"-my heart felt like it was being squeezed by a cold hand. I pulled back just enough to frame her face in my large hands, my thumbs wiping away the tear that had dared to escape her beautiful **brown eyes**.

"Debt?" I rasped, my voice thick with a raw emotion I usually kept buried under a billion dollars' worth of ego. "**Ishi, listen to me.**"

I looked at her, my **ocean blue eyes** burning with an intensity that made her breath hitch. "5 years ago, I didn't help your father because I was 'investing' in a future father-in-law. I did it because I couldn't breathe seeing you in pain. To me, that wasn't a transaction. It was survival."

I leaned down, pressing my forehead against hers, my **6'3" frame** hunching over to protect her from the very air around us.

"**My Jaana... my brave, stubborn Baby Doll,**" I murmured, the endearments slipping out of me like a prayer. "You think I care what 'people' say? Those people whose mouths you want to shut-they don't matter. They didn't see you working late nights in this studio. They didn't see you dreaming while the world was sleeping. I did."

I cupped her jaw, my fingers grazing the sensitive skin behind her ear. "If your Papa feels a debt, tell him he's already paid it back a million times over by giving me you. He gave me the only person in this world who sees Rudra, not the 'Prince.' He gave me the girl who dares to scold me in my own office."

She let out a small, watery chuckle, and the sound was like music to my ears. I pulled her back into my **muscular chest**, my arms locking around her tiny waist as if I were afraid she'd disappear if I let go.

"Listen to me, Ishita," I said, my voice dropping into that dark, possessive, yet incredibly soft tone. "No more 'returning favors.' No more worrying about levels. From the moment I saw you at that Mandir, you were my equal. Actually, you were higher. You were my Goddess."

I pulled back and looked at her **long curly hair**, which was a little messy from my grip, and I couldn't help but smirk-that **shameless** Rathore look she loved and hated at the same time.

"And as for the 'money'..." I teased, my eyes dancing with mischief. "If you really want to pay me back for 5 years ago, I can think of a few ways that don't involve a bank transfer. Starting with you taking the rest of the day off to be with your 'time-passing' fiancé."

"Ru!" she gasped, blushing that beautiful deep red again. "I have clients! I have a studio to run!"

"I already told Laksh to put a 'Closed for Royal Emergency' sign on the door," I said, catching her hand and kissing the 'I' ring on my finger. "You're coming with me, Baby Doll. I need to remind you that in my world, you're the only gold that matters."

I tucked a stray curl behind her ear, my gaze lingering on her lips. "I love you, Ishi. Not because of what your family gives me, but because of who you are. Never forget that."

I led her out of the studio, ignoring the curious glances of her staff, and drove toward the outskirts of the city. I didn't stop until the noise of the traffic was replaced by the rustle of leaves and the gentle lapping of water. It was the same **secluded lakeside** where we had spent a few quiet moments on our Roka day.

I spread a blanket over the grass, my **6'3" frame** finally relaxing as the cool breeze hit us. Ishita sat down, in her **kurti, but she still looked like a queen to me. She leaned her head on my shoulder, her **long curly hair** tickling my neck.

"Why here, Ru?" she whispered, looking at the orange reflection of the setting sun in the water.

I wrapped my **muscular arm** around her, pulling her into my side. "Because this place doesn't care about Rathores or business deals. It's just us." I took a deep breath, the tension of our earlier argument finally dissolving. "Ishi... when we were talking about your Papa earlier... it made me think about the future."

I turned to look at her, my **ocean blue eyes** more serious than she'd ever seen them. "I don't just want a wife, Ishita. I want a life. I want a home that sounds like your laughter. And I want... I want a version of us."

She pulled back, her **brown eyes** widening slightly. "A version of us?"

"Kids," I said, the word feeling heavy and sacred on my tongue. "I want a daughter who has your spirit and your stubbornness. Someone who will look at me with those big eyes and make me realize I'm not the boss of anything. And I want a son who I can teach to respect women the way your father taught you."

Ishita's expression softened, her hand reaching up to caress my cheek. "You... the cold, heartless prince... wants to talk about babies?"

I smiled, a genuine, **shameless** one. "For you, I'd talk about anything. I want them to grow up knowing that their mother is a self-made queen. I don't want them to think about 'middle class' or 'royalty.' I just want them to see two people who loved each other enough to bridge every gap."

"They'll have your eyes, Ru," she breathed, her voice filled with wonder. "And hopefully, my sense of humor, because if they're as grumpy as you, I'll never survive."

I laughed, pulling her onto my lap so she was sitting between my legs, her back against my chest. "If our daughter has your smile, I'll probably give her the whole world by the time she's three. I'll be the most 'time-passing' father in history."

We sat there in silence for a long time, dreaming of a future that felt so close we could almost touch it. The "debt" was forgotten. The money didn't matter. There was only the lake, the sunset, and the promise of a family that started with a "yes" at a temple.

I chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated against her back. I tightened my grip on her **tiny waist**, pulling her closer as if to shield her from the cool evening breeze. The way she was already planning her "strict mummy" routine was the most adorable thing I had ever heard.

"**Agar unko aapne spoil kiya toh dekh lena, main bohot strict mummy banungi!**" she warned, turning around in my lap to point a finger at my chest. Her **brown eyes** were narrowed in mock seriousness, but I could see the sparkle of joy in them. "**Okay? Aur agar aapne unki side li, toh aapki bhi kher nahi!**" (If you spoil them, just watch out, I'll be a very strict mummy! Okay? And if you take their side, you're in trouble too!)

I raised my hands in a mock surrender, my **ocean blue eyes** dancing with amusement. "So, you're telling me that in my own house, I'll be outvoted by a tiny version of you *and* you? That's not a fair deal for a businessman, Ishi."

"Business deals don't work in parenting, Mr. Rathore," she teased, poking my **muscular chest**. Then she sighed, looking a bit dreamy. "**Bas bhagwan kare woh padhai mein acche hon... meri tarah na hon, aapki tarah smart hon.**" (I just hope to God they are good at studies... not like me, but smart like you.)

I caught her hand, kissing her knuckles one by one. "Hey," I said, my voice dropping to that low, velvet tone. "You are the smartest person I know. You built a career out of your passion. You managed to tame the 'Ice King' of Rajasthan. That takes a level of intelligence no textbook can teach."

"Aww, look at you being all sweet and sentimental," she giggled, her **long curly hair** falling over her face as she leaned in. "But seriously, Ru, can you imagine? A little boy with your stubborn jawline refusing to eat his broccoli? Or a girl with my curls wrapped around your finger?"

"I'm already wrapped around your finger, Jaana," I murmured, brushing a stray curl away from her face. "If our daughter looks anything like you, I'm doomed. I'll be buying her toy factories by the time she's two just to see her smile."

"See! I knew it! You *will* spoil them!" she cried out, laughing. "I'll be the one saying 'No, finish your homework,' and you'll be in the background whispering, 'It's okay, let's go get ice cream instead.'"

"Probably," I admitted with a **shameless** smirk. "But only if you come with us. I don't do anything without my Queen."

I pulled her into a soft, lingering kiss, the taste of her laughter still on my lips. The lake was quiet, the stars were peeking out, and for the first time in my life, I wasn't thinking about the next billion-dollar move. I was thinking about the "time-passing" life I was going to have with the woman who made me human.

"Whatever they turn out to be," I whispered against her forehead, "as long as they have your heart, they'll be perfect."

I felt my face heat up-not from the cool breeze, but from the sheer audacity of this woman. Here I was, the man who made international investors tremble in their boots, being handled like a literal teddy bear.

Ishita reached up, her small, soft **palms squeezing my cheeks** with all her might. My face was completely squished, my **lips forced into a ridiculous pout**, and I probably looked the least "Top 5 Businessman" I had ever looked in my entire life.

"**You are a cutie pie husband!**" she chirped, her **brown eyes** crinkling with pure delight. "**Sweetie, sweetie... I love you!**"

Before I could even protest or try to regain my "Ice King" dignity, she leaned in and gave me a quick, playful **peck on my pouted lips**.

I sat there for a second, stunned, as she let go of my face and collapsed into a fit of giggles, clutching her stomach. I rubbed my jaw, trying to bring my face back to its normal, regal shape, but the **shameless** smile on my lips wouldn't go away.

"Cutie pie?" I repeated, my voice a mix of disbelief and deep affection. "Ishi, if Laksh or my brothers heard you call me that, I'd have to go into exile. My reputation would be finished."

"Oh, please," she said, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye. "Your reputation is already 'finished' with me, Ru. To the world, you're the Prince of Rajasthan, but to me, you're just my sweetie-sweetie who gets grumpy when I don't give him enough attention."

I lunged forward, catching her by the waist and pulling her back into my lap before she could run away. I growled playfully near her ear, my **ocean blue eyes** dark with mischief.

"Since I'm a 'cutie pie' and a 'sweetie-sweetie,' I suppose I don't have to be a gentleman anymore," I teased, my hands tickling her sides just enough to make her squirm. "And for the record... if you ever call me that in front of the board of directors, I'm going to kiss you right there in the middle of the meeting just to keep you quiet."

"Is that a threat or a promise, Mr. Rathore?" she whispered, her arms winding around my neck, her face glowing in the moonlight.

"A promise, Jaana," I murmured, my heart full to the point of bursting. "A lifelong promise."

I looked at her-my beginning model, my middle-class dreamer, my everything. In two days, she would be mine officially. No more lakeside goodbyes, no more separate homes. Just us.