"Abhimanyu!"
Avantika jogged across the grand corridor of the palace, barefoot, her soft cotton kurti fluttering around her knees as she hurried after her husband.

He paused mid-step and turned.

She stood there, slightly breathless, hair in a messy braid, eyes sharp. "Wait."

He raised an amused brow. "Yes, Rajkumari?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare mock me."

"I would never." His lips twitched.

"I have questions."

"Of course you do."

"I want answers."

He crossed his arms. "Fire away."

She looked down at her feet, chewing her lip before raising her eyes. "What exactly... do I have to do?"

He blinked. "Do?"

"As your wife. As—whatever I am now. Princess. Rajkumari. Consort. Future Queen. Do I just smile and wave?"

He chuckled. "That's a surprisingly accurate summary."

She glared. "Abhimanyu."

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Okay, listen. There are roles, yes. Responsibilities. Appearances to maintain. But none of that changes you. You are still Avantika. Student. Smart-mouth. Dino-pyjama owner. My wife."

She groaned. "Seriously?"

He laughed.

"You'll have a public schedule sometimes," he said, stepping back and walking again. She automatically began following him down the corridor. "Events, appearances, press releases. But we've made sure none of it clashes with your university calendar. You'll study. Graduate. Do what you want to do."

She tilted her head. "You made sure?"

He looked over his shoulder. "Abhinav and I cleared it with the council. I had to remind them that your education matters."

Her heart tugged at that.

"So..." she started, "I don't have to stop studying?"

"No," he replied simply.

She exhaled. "Thank God."

They turned down a marble hallway with arched ceilings painted with scenes from Mewar history. She took in the opulence as he continued.

"You'll also have to start meeting some of the women from royal and political families. That's part of the job now. Representation, diplomacy, the whole nine yards."

"Ugh," she muttered.

He chuckled. "You'll be fine."

They entered a study. Books lined the walls, and the windows opened to a blooming courtyard filled with roses.

Abhimanyu sat down on a carved teakwood chair and gestured for her to take the seat opposite him.

She didn't. Instead, she walked over and plopped down cross-legged on the rug beside his feet, chin resting on her palm.

He looked down at her in surprise. "Comfortable?"

"Very."

He smiled.

"Okay," she said. "Serious question now."

He nodded.

"Are you sure your family's okay now? About me? The media? Everything?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "The media's been muzzled. Abhinav was relentless. Our lawyers issued statements. We made it clear that any false stories would result in lawsuits and possibly sedition charges."

She blinked. "Sedition?"

He shrugged. "Royal privileges."

She was quiet for a moment. "And your parents?"

He hesitated.

"They weren't happy at first," he admitted. "But after the engagement... and especially after the wedding... they've accepted it."

"They accept it," she said slowly. "But do they accept me?"

He looked down at her. "I do. I love you. That's what matters."

She nodded, but the worry was still there.

"Besides," he added, nudging her foot with his, "they've been oddly quiet after you corrected my mother's grammar during dinner."

She flushed. "That wasn't my fault! She was wrong."

"And you were right," he laughed. "And she's been terrified of you since."

Avantika groaned into her palms. "Oh God."

He leaned forward and cupped her face. "You are perfect. As you are. Even if you chew on your pen caps, or refuse to wear shoes inside the palace, or fall asleep mid-conversation."

"I do not—"

"You did it twice last night."

She huffed.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You're my Rajkumari. Not because you married me. But because you are fierce. Brilliant. And you have a heart that loves fiercely."

She softened.

Then immediately asked, "Do I have to wear sarees every day now?"

He burst out laughing.

"No," he said, wiping his eye. "You can wear whatever you want, as long as the public appearances are appropriately traditional."

"Good."

"Though the waist chains are encouraged."

She glared.

He grinned.

Just then, her phone pinged.

A message from Meher.

Meher: Sooo... when can we come visit your royal highness?

Avantika giggled and held the phone up.

He peered at the message and smirked. "Tell them the palace doors are always open. Just not the media."

She quickly typed back and looked up. "Speaking of which... the media's really silent. Weirdly so."

He nodded. "We've drawn boundaries. Made it clear you're not to be touched."

She leaned against his leg. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For making space for me in your world."

He stroked her hair gently. "You're not in my world. You are my world now."

She looked up and rolled her eyes. "Again with the lines."

He smiled. "You married a poet in disguise."

She laughed softly.

Then a pause.

"Hey," she whispered, "will I ever feel like I belong here?"

He looked at her with all the seriousness in the world.

"You already do."