Chapter 214

The butler stepped to the centre of the floor and announced, "The Lady Mother wishes to inform the gathered that the ceremony will commence presently."

Every conversation in the ballroom fell to a lull and everyone ardently huddled closer to the space before the fireplace where Payal was seated in the golden armchair. To her either side stood Lady Mother and Lord Manohar, the former the witness and the latter the ceremonial initiator.

Lord Akash stood before her, handsome in his new suit and beaming with excitement for the auspicious moment. He gazed lovingly at his wife, never looking away; and every time his nervous gaze caught hers, they shared an assuring smile.

Kushi's heart warmed, watching the two of them and she patted herself mentally for having played the cupid to bring them together, fall in love, marry and begin a merry family.

She glanced occasionally in the direction of her own spouse, who was somewhat removed from the assemblage, his thoughts drawn elsewhere. But once, when he sensed her looking in his direction, he glanced up at her, his intense gaze making her blush. She looked away and he grinned superiorly. She bit her lip in annoyance that he could still make her heart flutter with a mere look, after all these weeks of being intimate.

The Ceremony commenced with Lord Akash lifting his wife in his arms, holding her with great care and affection, as she wrapped her arms fondly around his neck.

As Lord Akash turned his head to look at his wife, their noses touched and a blush crossed Payal's cheek at the thought that their intimate closeness was being watched by many keen eyes.

Stepping towards them, Nani blessed them with a few murmured words and then she nodded to Lord Manohar to proceed with the ceremony.

Lord Manohar stepped forward and instructed Lord Akash to carry his wife closer to the fireplace. Lord Akash complied and, once he was positioned appropriately, he looked towards his father, all the while feeling his wife's caring gaze on his face.

Lord Manohar pronounced the ritualistic query, "Why stand before the fire, voyager of life?"

Lord Akash replied aloud, "I stand with my wife in my arms," and here he looked at her and his voice instinctively softened, "To tell her she is the light of my Home, and the child in her womb the light of my Heart."

Lord Manohar addressed Payal next, "Why have you let him carry you before the fire, wife of the voyager?"

Payal smiled at her husband, her gaze glazed with admiration for him, "To tell him that he is the fuel of my flame, and the child in my womb is my gift for his love."

In fatherly pride, Lord Manohar smiled inwardly before blessing them, "Then may the Child live up to be the Light of your Future," following which Lord Akash inclined his head down and kissed Payal gently on her lips.

Mistress Garima wiped a happy tear and watched as Lord Akash returned Payal gently to the golden armchair. Then he stood beside her as Master Shashi, Mistress Garima, Lord Manohar, and Lady Manorama approached to kiss and bless the couple, followed by the guests in the ballroom who thronged towards them to offer them their gifts and blessings.

The Prakash brothers, the butler and a handful of maids were serving red wine and luscious appetizers on golden salvers around the room.

Standing to the secluded side of the room, sipping his Cabernet, stood Lord Arnav, one hand in his pocket as he watched over the happy horde being pleasantly served in the ballroom. Just then, Mistress Madhumati appeared beside him, carrying a cheerfully dressed Baby Anarkali.

"So, babua," remarked Mistress Madhumati, without fanfare, "when are you going to let my favourite niece have a fine Ceremony like this?"

Lord Arnav's cheeks coloured instantly and he only looked sideways at his wife's doting aunt.

Offering her an embarrassed smile in response, he casually turned the attention to the child in her arms, "I see our Princess has taken an instant liking to you."

"Who wouldn't?" claimed Mistress Madhumati, "Am I not likable?"

Lord Arnav was flustered by the turn of the query and hastily assured her, "You are VERY likable indeed, Buaji, no doubt of that!" He had to stop himself from laughing out at the sight of her outrageously orange wig.

Mistress Madhumati grinned smugly, "Oh, look what a sweet boy you have become! I am certain this is my niece's doing!"

"Indeed," Lord Arnav smiled with a twinkle in his eye.

"Of course it is!" repeated Buaji snapping her free fingers, "She was trained to melt any mountain by this very Buaji of hers! In fact, she takes after me!"

Lord Arnav smirked. I hope not. But he said aloud, "She is certainly turning out to be as spirited and outspoken as you."

"I told you so," commented Mistress Madhumati proudly and then she amused the child for a moment, Lord Arnav watching their happy play.

"Do you know a strange thing," began Mistress Madhumati, looking up at him, "I've never met her father." She indicated, with a nod, to the child.

Lord Arnav blinked. His eyebrows rose in surprise, "Never?"

"Not once," asserted Mistress Madhumati, turning to the tease the child again as she explained, "Every time I came to the Castle, he was not be found here, either gone to the market or to see a friend."

"I see," Lord Arnav was thoughtful, absentmindedly watching the child pull playfully at Mistress Madhumati's nose who offered a fake expression of alarm to amuse the child.

"Would you like to meet him then?"

"Of course, I would!" Mistress Madhumati looked at him and then slid her acute gaze over the assembly of guests milling about in the ballroom, "Point him out to me, would you?"

Lord Arnav's quick eyes glanced once across the room but found no sign of the General.

"It seems he has left the ballroom for some personal matter," Lord Arnav said in an important whisper, "but I will make sure you meet him before the night is out."

Similar to the last ball, Lady Anjali wanted to do a quadrille for the first dance of the night but, because she couldn't find her husband anywhere, she had to announce to the orchestra that they commence with a special song for the Couple of the Ceremony.

Payal objected to being called for the dance but her protests fell to no avail. Her husband held out a hand to her and she couldn't bring herself to reject it.

Taking her hand, he led her to the centre of the checkered ballroom floor.

Lady Anjali nodded to the orchestra that they could begin playing their choice of song and soon Lord Akash was moving Payal to the music of his heart, merry in love for her.

Her eyes, her eyes

Make the stars look like they're not shinin'

Her hair, her hair

Falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful

And I tell her everyday

Payal laughed as she danced around him and then was gently held close to him.

I know, I know

When I compliment her she won't believe me

Payal rolled her eyes as they continued to dance.

And it's so, it's so

Sad to think that she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"

I say,

Payal grinned, her eyebrows raised in eagerness to know the answer.

Lord Akash stepped back and knelt at her feet, looking admiringly up at her.

When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change

'Cause you're amazing

Just the way you are

He stood up and held her face as they moved their feet to the beats.

And when you smile

The whole world stops and stares for a while

'Cause, girl, you're amazing

Just the way you are.

Blushing, Payal laughed and then he led her to a slow waltz.

Her lips, her lips

I could kiss them all day if she'd let me

Her laugh, her laugh

She hates but I think it's so sexy

She's so beautiful

And I tell her everyday,

The butler paused beside Lady Anjali and they shared a content smile before they resumed watching the happy couple waltz.

Oh you know, you know, you know

I'd never ask you to change

If perfect's what you're searching for

Then just stay the same

So don't even bother asking if you look okay

You know I'll say,

Lord Arnav, who had been talking to someone, looked over his shoulder at the couple and then his gaze fell on Kushi who was absorbedly watching her Jiji and Lord Akash dance.

When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change

'Cause you're amazing

Just the way you are

And when you smile

The whole world stops and stares for a while

'Cause, girl, you're amazing

Just the way you are