Arshi SS:Cinderella Complete - Page 20

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Arnav blinked "I..I beg your pardon?"

Khushi held her ground "I will not be your mistress"

Arnav stared at her as if she's grown horns.He suddenly grabbed her "You stupid silly woman! I haven't hunted you down from the past month and droven myself crazy just to make you my mistress!"

This time Khushi looked at him confused "Then I don't understand"

Arnav sighed and wondered if his father had to work this hard for his mother "I don't want you as my mistress" he repeated "I want you as my wife"

"But why" she asked softly "I am a middle class woman who has to work hard for her living.I'm not really pretty and-"

"But you are perfect for me" Arnav said.

"In what way?"

"In some of the ways we think alike.We have some things in common,the same expectations.In some ways you seem to surprise me unexpectedly which I would look forward to in the future" Arnav took a step towards her "And I think I may have fallen in love with you"

Khushi looked at him "But you've only known me for a short time now"

Arnav held her hand "Is that the problem?"

Khushi sighed "It's just..this suddenly seems like a fairy tale which I know very well don't exist in the real world.I suddenly feel like a princess the way you are giving me attention and I don't want that because there will always be a doubt in my heart that you will come to regret your decision in the future"

"Then how can I turn this doubt away?" Arnav asked softly.

"Your highness-"

"Arnav"

Khushi shook her head "It doesn't matter.You and I are from completely different worlds"

"Humans are used to adapting.I'll make sure you're comfortable"

"But-"

"Just one chance" Arnav said "Let me court you for a few weeks-"

"A month"

Arnav sighed "Fine.If you still think we would not be able to cooperate as a couple then we'll go our separate ways but if we are compatible then we marry without delay"

"Deal" Khushi agreed.

*********************************************

"We're ready" Arnav murmured to his father.

Aarav nodded and smiled "Go up and make your announcement"

Arnav gestured Khushi his hand to which she delicately put her hand in.The warmth that passed through their hands as they connected felt electrifying.Khushi felt her cheeks go warm.

Arnav smiled.The couple went up to the platform.Everybody in the ball immediately turned quiet.

"Ladies and gentlemen" Arnav started "I have looked for the perfect girl for me in my balls and have finally found her" He looked at her "Khushi Kumari Gupta.She will be your future queen"

Cheers rang out from the crowd.All but two.

"That can't be our future queen!" a woman all but screeched.

When Khushi looked closer she recognized the woman "Oh dear" she said.

"That woman is a mere middle class businesswoman.Unfit for the royal family" Mrs.Morelle said.

Murmurs ran across the crowd.Khushi bit her lip and looked down.

Aarav took a step forward "My son has best interests for our people.Choosing one of our subjects as your future queen is a way of helping you.Since she has already lived among you she knows of your problems and thoughts and ideas"

The crowd murmured agreement.

Mrs.Morelle frowned "I still think my daughter would be more worthy"

"Unfortunately that's one against the whole kingdom" Arnav said.He looked at Khushi and held her hand "Your future queen"

Once again cheers ran out.Mrs.Morelle fumed and left with her daughter.

"You didn't have to do that you know" Khushi whispered to Arnav.

"Nonsense" he said "They were speaking rubbish of you.We couldn't just let it slide"

"You do realize that they might not be the only one against me right"

"I don't care" he said "I will have no other for you have won my heart"

"Even if we have only known each other for a short while?" Khushi whispered.

"Of course.You are my heart's mate"

Khushi swallowed at the intensity of his voice.She now had very little doubt Arnav had won her heart.She was just afraid of dreaming of a fairy tale ending that would not end well.What if Khushi would not be able to keep him happy.What if he looked for someone else if he got bored of her? That would surely break her heart.

In all the fairy tales Khushi had read,they all had had a happy ending.But those were fairy tales.This was real life.Divorces happened.Love was so rare to find nowadays since men were always after dowry.Once they get that dowry men completely forget they have wives and suddenly disappear.

Khushi sighed.Arnav didn't seem like that at all.What if it actually worked out? What if their feelings become completely permanent and the rest of their life would be like heaven.

Khushi sneaked a peak at Arnav.The man who would be her prince.

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