Days are passing in a blur. Since Pratap joined the business, he goes early and comes very late, leaving me with little to no interaction with my husband.

Being in this palace for about 2 months, I am slowly understanding the dynamics of this family.
But everyone here is complicated. It looks like everything is fine on the surface, but their eyes hold unspoken secrets.

Maa is the sweetest. She is a kind, polite, and graceful lady. Dadamaharaj is a strict scion of this family—emotionless, firm, and way too traditional. Prakam is a cheerful, ever-helpful one. He is very interested in business, unlike Pratap, who gets schooled by Dadamaharaj for neglecting his responsibilities more than I wish to count.

He's a mystery. His actions suggest his dislike of handling business. His disappearances every weekend don't settle well with me. He's rarely home, and when home, he is either busy with his work or his usual silence.
I did try to break it, but his answers come in one word. But he's been respectful with me.

Though there's a constant tussle between Dadamaharaj and him, like now.

"How will you handle the business with such carelessness? Prakam is younger than you but still understands his duties."

Dadamaharaj's anger rose with every word.
"Pratap, you're the heir to this business. We are already facing a crisis; instead of support, all you do is cause more problems. Set your ways right; don't force me to go to extremes." With a roaring thunder, he left the dining room.
"Pratap, your disinterest in business isn't ideal. Pitamaharaj gave you enough time. He isn't wrong either," Maa says softly.
"I don't wish to be burdened with something I have no interest in. I have had enough."
"This family and business need you," Maa's voice breaks.
"And who stood by me when I needed them?" With those sharp words thrown at Maa, he too left.

As Prakam went to London for business, I was left with the dilemma of whether to go after my husband or console Maa. I chose the latter.

"Maa, don't cry; everything will be fine," I tried to convince her.
"It's my fault," tears rolled down her eyes.
"How is it your fault? It's a business matter; eventually, with time, everything will fall into place. Don't stress yourself." She said nothing and after sometime left to her room.
I came into the garden to see if Pratap was there. I searched the whole palace but couldn't find him. Even here, all I see is a garden blooming as spring comes, a complete contrast to the withering happiness of the palace.
I turned only to find Bal, he is Dadamaharaj's bodyguard. He is loyal to this family, as his ancestors also worked for them.

"Did you see Pratap?" I asked.
"Yes, he went out in his car."
I moved past him to return to my room when a thought crossed my mind. I turned.
"Bal," he looks up from the file he was reading.
"Can I ask you something?" I said, coming towards the bench he was sat on.
"Anything hukum." when I sit on opposite corner he stood up.
"You can sit. I wish to know something."
"I'm a servant; it's not appropriate." I know he won't listen if anything he's a toned-down copy of Dadamaharaj.
Maybe people you spend more time with do affect your personality.

"Do you know the reason for Pratap's dislike of business?"
"He never had any interest in business, Hukum forced him."
"And was he forced into this marriage too?"
"All I know is when Hukum proposed the marriage, he took 2 days to answer but eventually said yes."
"Then why does he ignore everyone? I mean, Dadamaharaj forced him, but he is very rude to Maa, sometimes even Prakam."
"I can't answer that; you should ask Agnija Hukum," with that, he left me with unanswered questions and lots of confusion.

A car horn gets me out of my reverie. I found Prakam walking towards me and a staff member taking his suitcase to his room. He came home rather early.
"I didn't know you were waiting for me." I rolled my eyes. In this huge palace, only he and Maa sound sane. I found a friend in Prakam.
"Didn't you say you were to come next week?"
He sat beside me.
"I thought you would miss me, so I came early." I scoffed. "Well, work finished before time, so here I am. But what are you doing in the garden in the afternoon?"
"Pratap went somewhere after breakfast."
"They fought again." It wasn't a question. I hummed.
"Don't worry; he'll come around."
"How? Pratap is not interested in business. Dadamaharaj is stubborn in his approach."

"Dadamaharaj had all his attention focused on Pratap since childhood. Anyway, he is heir to the throne, so he needs to be taking charge. But Pratap doesn't like it."
"But you love it when Dadamaharaj watches over you," I added, knowing that he grins when Dadamaharaj appreciates him; even suggestions and complaints get welcomed by him, unlike Pratap, who thinks of it as a dictatorship.
"Well, some die of thirst while some drown in water," Prakam remarked.
"But I don't know what I did to face such ignorance from my husband." His expression changed, and a teasing smile formed on his face.
"Seduce him," he said with a haughty smirk.
"Even a saint can't resist a woman's charm."
"Shut up," I snapped.
"Fine, if you don't need my brilliant ideas, I'll go get changed. Ahilya, can you please tell somebody to bring food to my room?" I nodded.

After I instructed the staff, I went to my bedroom. Months passed, but Pratap and I have a cordial relationship. It's not like he disrespects me. He's respectful, good with me. But I want more. I want my husband's love, a partner's companionship, not just a roommate.
As I ponder over my thoughts, a realization came to me. Prakam wasn't wrong. I mean, all this time, I try to fit in, adjust, and know about the palace traditions and whatnot.

He too was busy in business. After all, whatever time we got, we had decent communication.
And it makes sense, as we were literal strangers, so we can't act like lovesick people.

But somebody needs to take charge. We can't go on like this forever.
How about I arrange a date? I mean, there's no rule that only a man can.
With that thought in mind, I went shopping, as I'm aware Pratap likes more modern clothing than traditional.

I spent 4 hours in the mall. Then decorated our balcony, which is quite spacious, for our little date.
Instructed the staff to make all of Pratap's favorites.
I got done with my makeup when a shadow moved past me. I turned to see Pratap going to the bathroom. Maybe he didn't see me.

When the door opened, I waited to hear something, anything from him.
"Are you going somewhere?"
"No, actually, I thought we didn't spend much time together. How about a little date? I arranged it on our balcony only." Hence, I gesture towards my appearance.

"How am I looking, Pratap?" I asked with a smile, stepping towards him. Getting no response, once close enough, I hold his hand and lead him towards the balcony.
"Do you like it? Say something, na?"
Instead of answering me, he pinned me to the balcony door and buried his head in the crook of my neck.

My breath hitched; I wasn't expecting this. I thought of a romantic date, but this is too sudden, too much for me.
I felt his warm breath from my jaw following my neck and halt on the dip of my collarbone. His tongue was nibbling, teasing, tasting my skin like some delicacy.

I stood frozen. I tried to voice my nervous state, but my throat chokes; no sound makes it pass my lips, only ragged breathing.
I am losing my sense to this abnormal feeling when my mind registers a sharp pain. He bites my neck hard.
"Ahhh..... Pratap" my sight filled with salty water leaving threshold of my eyes.
His hand reaches at my back starting to undo my dress. That's when it strikes me where this is leading to, my eyes widen as all this is new, strange, and different than anything I ever known.

He shifted, bringing me closer to himself. His hands making patterns at my bare back while his lips assault my jaw, sucking, nibbling on it.
His hands exploring every inch of my skin. His fingers follow along my spinal cord, then he moved his hand dangerously close to my blossom.
Panic surges through me, and I push him with all the strength I could muster.

Inhaling air through my mouth, a breathy whisper leaves my lips "No".
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

When I open my eyes, I assume I will see a confused, hurt, maybe angry Pratap, but what I did not expect was him leaving the room.