MYRA'S POV

    I woke up with a jolt, eyes snapping open as I scanned the room on instinct.

My gaze landed on Adhvay, sitting on the couch. The moment our eyes met, he rose and walked toward me.“Are you feeling okay now?” he asked, settling into the bed across from me.

“I am,” still in disbelief at my own words. For the first time in years, I actually slept peacefully last night. No nightmares, no strange sounds—nothing. I switched off every instinct for once, and it worked.

He blinked slowly,  his eyes catching my attention. “Were you up all night or something?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “You don’t look like you rested.”

A familiar smirk tugged at his lips. “What if you needed something in the middle of the night?”

I frowned. “Do you do this for everyone in the palace who catches a fever—stay up with them all night?”

“Only the ones who come to mind when I’m trying to sleep,” he said quietly, eyes never leaving mine. “And that was you.”

Every atom in my body danced. Our bodies stayed still, but our eyes spoke in a language I didn’t recognize—one I wasn’t prepared to understand.

“What exactly are you implying, Adhvay?” I managed, my voice sharper this time.

“That I can’t stop thinking about you,” he admitted, just like that—so effortlessly, as if it cost him nothing.

“W-what?” I stammered.

Around this man, I seemed to lose all my sharpness. The feeling crawling across my skin was new—unsettling. My heartbeat quickened, breath uneven. I’ve survived freezing nights in minus-degree cold without flinching, yet this… this undid me completely.

He smiled faintly, like the chaos inside me , written across my face. His hand lifted, fingertips brushing my cheek to check my temperature. “You’re fine now. Freshen up—I’ll have them bring your breakfast.”

And just like that, he turned and left. As if nothing had happened.

As if he hadn’t stolen my breath and left my heart pounding.

As if he didn’t already act like he owned every piece of me.



ADHVAY'S POV

I resisted so hard all night not to move my feet  from my place. Self control I never broke in years was so close to breaking around her. Seeing her sleeping peacefully _not like a bodyguard but a girl full of innocence. The mask she intends to keep on her face never appeared last night . Just a peaceful and beautiful face that can draw any man and make him kneel before her.

I showered for at least an hour to settle my growing obsession, a dangerous kind that can spoil me , that can ruin her.

She is a siren. And I am falling more deeply, more madly in her siren song.

“Your Majesty,” a voice came softly from the door.

“Yes, enter,” I said, without looking up. My tone came out rougher than I intended.

A palace aide stepped in carefully, bowing. “Your Majesty, Deepika Madam has arrived. She said she must leave within thirty minutes and requests you meet her before then.”

I sighed, rubbing my temple. “What is it this time?” I muttered to myself. If she wasn’t the daughter of my father’s political ally, I’d have cut her off years ago.

“Ask her to wait. I’ll be there.”The aide nodded and left.

By the time I left my room, Myra was already standing outside. She looked completely composed again—hair tied, uniform perfect, her weapon fixed neatly at her belt. Her usual mask was back in place, unreadable and perfect.

The quiet professionalism around her almost made it hard to believe she was the same woman who had nearly undone me this morning with her eyes alone.

We started walking down the long corridor. The palace was quiet. Our footsteps echoed , I didn’t speak; neither did she. The silence was heavy but alive with everything unspoken.

The moment we turned the corner, Deepika spotted me. Her high heels clicked sharply as she ran forward, her perfume announcing her presence before her words did.“Adhvay!” she cried, and before I could prepare myself, she threw her arms around me. I nearly puked.

The scent of her roses and expensive makeup was suffocating. Myra froze instantly. I saw her eyes widen, one hand instinctively resting over her gun. Her jaw tensed, her gaze sharp—ready.

I gently pushed Deepika away, irritated. “Do you always greet people like this, Deepika?".

She laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Not everyone. Just you. We were closer once, remember?”

I almost groaned. Those two months in college still haunt me. She was chaos in heels. She is  Every man’s flirt, desperate for attention .

“What do you want this early in the morning?” I asked, tired. “I thought you’d still be asleep after whatever party you crawled back from.”

She pouted. “My father sent me, with these documents,” she said, holding out a brown envelope. “Something about your trust papers.”

I took them from her without looking, barely hiding my irritation. Her perfume still lingered on my clothes. I have to change immediately.

When I glanced back at Myra, she was standing straighter now, her eyes locked on us.. Her hand drifted to her belt again, fingers twiching over her gun. For a second, her eyes met mine, and I felt like a husband who cheated on his wife.

Deepika spoke again, stepping closer. “Adhvay, I’ve asked you so many times—why can’t we start again? Look at us, we—”

The sound of metal interrupted her. Myra had pulled her gun and aimed straight between Deepika’s eyes. Everything stopped. Deepika froze, her painted smile faltering. I felt the air tighten around us. Myra’s eyes didn’t blink; her finger rested dangerously close to the trigger, her expression fixed in fury. It was raw, wild, and for a terrifying second, I couldn’t look away.

My little storm is looking hot .

“Myra,” I said quietly, stepping toward her. “Lower it.”Her chest rose and fell rapidly. For a heartbeat, she didn’t move. Then she exhaled and slowly lowered her weapon.

Deepika’s face turned pale. “Do you know who I am?” she snapped, voice shaking. “Do you know who my father is?”

I turned sharply, my voice echoed the palace,

“Don’t raise your voice at her. She belongs to me. If your father ever hears what happened here, he’ll wish you’d kept your mouth shut. Leave, now.”The silence that followed echoed through the corridor.

Deepika’s eyes filled with tears, and she turned and ran without looking back. Her heels clicked faster and faster until the sound vanished behind the palace doors.

When I turned back, Myra was still there—her gun lowered but  her eyes were still burning.

“Myra,” I said softly, “let me explain—”

“I don’t need an explanation, Your Highness,” she said, her voice  sharp enough to cut my skin.“I did what I had to do. She is getting too close”.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “She and I dated for two months in college,” I said,  “The only worst decision of my life.”

Myra stared straight ahead. Her jaw tightened. I could see the pulse at her neck, quick and strong. Then she turned slightly, regaining her perfect, guard look once again.“You don’t owe me an explanation, Your Highness,” she said.

“Adhvay,” if she doesn't call me by my name next time, I am going to lose it. “Call me Adhvay.” I stepped forward.

She didn’t move away this time. Her eyes met mine. We stood like that, a storm quietly raging between us, until a soft voice interrupted.

“Your Majesty, breakfast is ready.”

She was the first to look away, stepping aside to let me pass. I watched her for a moment longer—the way her expression had turned calm again. But her eyes had betrayed her for a moment and that moment would stay with me.

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