ADHVAY'S POV

“You didn’t smile at me like that,” I said as soon as Sreehan left, maintaining my voice low.

.She raised an eyebrow,  “I’m sorry, is laughing a sin now, your highness?”

I took a step forward until our faces were just inches apart, my gaze locking with hers. “This is the last time I’m saying it. Call me by my name."

Her lips twitched, and she opened her mouth to speak. Then, with a soft whisper, she said, “As you command, Adhvay.”She shifted the subject. “Since tomorrow’s your birthday, how many people are coming?”

“Not many—around thirty or so.” I sank into the grand sofa. “You should sit too, Myra. You can even  fight while sitting you know. Your pretty legs must be tired.”

I can flirt too.

Shaking her head, “No, thank you.”, she said.

I muttered just loud enough for her to hear, “I don’t understand who’s boss here.”

“What?” she exclaimed, eyes sparkling.

“Nothing, little storm.” I smiled softly. “Please sit. Seeing you stand all day breaks my heart, ”Her eyes widened, she didn't argue more_ just obeyed.

I want to see Myra in a saree—anything other than those bodyguard uniforms she always wears. Tomorrow’s my birthday, and that would be the perfect gift.

Oh God, my situation has come down, that  I am arranging my own birthday present from her. I knew Myra wouldn’t accept a saree if I simply gifted it to her.

So, I hatched a plan—tomorrow, every royal staff member would receive new clothes from my side. But for her... it would be something special. Something only she would get.That way, it wouldn’t seem like a direct gift, but rather a gesture that she couldn’t refuse.



MYRA'S POV

He unraveled every emotion inside me. He made me smile quietly, even though I didn’t want him to know. This growing feeling inside me, I didn’t even know how to name it. In twenty-five years of life, it was happening for the first time, and it scared me.

Just then, someone knocked on my door.“Ma’am,” said one of the royal staff, a gentle woman, stepping inside.

“Yes, please come in.” I offered a slight smile, still wrapped in my  thoughts.

“We need your measurements. Prince Adhvay ordered us to take every royal staff member’s measurements because he’s gifting clothes tomorrow. If you don’t mind, may I?” she asked.

I blinked in surprise. “U-uh… okay. But what’s the gift? And can it really be ready by tomorrow, with so many people?”

I mean there nearly a hundred royal staff working right now.

She chuckled softly. “Ma’am, don’t worry. We have a whole separate branch for that.” She stepped closer.

I felt awkward. I’ve never given my measurements before. I don’t have many clothes—not because of money. Rudra Mamayya ( uncle) never hesitated to buy anything I wanted. But me? I never cared much for clothes.

“Ma’am, it’s a saree. Do you have any preferences for the blouse?” she asked again.

“A saree?” My heart sank a little. “I don’t know… I’ve never worn one before.” Disappointment crept through my voice.

I always admired other women in sarees but never thought to try it myself.

“It’s okay, ma’am. Tomorrow, I’ll help you,” she said with a genuine smile. Her kindness made me feel a flicker of happiness.

Just after she left, there was another knock at my door. I expected Adhvay, but it wasn’t him. Sreehan stood there, arms crossed, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Hi, Myra,” he greeted, his smile wide and warm.

“Hi,” I replied, returning a faint smile.

“So, your room is next to Adhvay?", he just wants to have a conversation—I can feel it.

.

“Yeah, security reasons,” I said, gesturing to the couch opposite the bed. “Please, have a seat, sir.”

“What? You called me ‘sir’? Call me Sree,” he demanded.  Why do all these young royal men  insist on being called by their first names? Is this the new trend now? I muttered under my breath.

“Okay, Sree, please be seated,” I said.

Cough*

Cough*

A sharp voice interrupted. Someone cleared their throat. Adhvay. His eyes formed a glance that burned like fire. He never looked like this—furious. What happened?

"What are you doing here Sreehan ? I have been searching for you", he asked in a  deep, commanding voice.

Sreehan rubbed his temples, about to sit but immediately stood up again when Adhvay’s gaze swept over him. “Nothing, bro. Just came to talk with Myra.”

Adhvay’s expression hardened. “No. Your friends came because they heard you returned from the UK. Go meet them down in the hall.”

Sreehan looked awkward, avoiding my eyes, and then quickly left the room.  Adhvay’s presence felt relaxing and restless at the same time _as if he was controlling some dangerous thing inside him.

His slow steps toward me made my breath hitch, heart pounding uncontrollably.

“I’ve been telling you for a month now—call me by my name. And you do it only occasionally. But when he says it, you listen on the first try,” he said, his jaw clenched tight, a vein pulsing on his forehead. His muscles flexed, eyes sharp and dangerous, hands clenched into fists with nerves standing out.

“B-because I don’t work for him,” I stammered, stumbling back until I hit the bed. “I work for you. I can’t call my boss by his name.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets, lowering his head to meet mine eye to eye. “Exactly. You belong to me, and you have to listen to me, little storm.”. Sweat broke out on my forehead despite the chilling air conditioning. I gulped, hardly daring to look at him. I’ve never feared anyone like this before. My heart urged me to give him an explanation, but why? I haven’t done anything wrong.We stayed frozen like that for what felt like five seconds—no, minutes. I don't know, around him time lost its meaning and I was completely lost in him.

“I will send your saree and a few other things by tomorrow morning,” he said. “Make sure you wear everything. No excuses.”

My voice caught in my throat. “But the party is in the evening, right? And... what are the other things?” The words came out before my brain could fully process them.

He didn’t blink, didn’t look away. “You’ll see for yourself tomorrow. And wear it in the morning. Do you understand me?”I felt the weight of his gaze pinning me in place.

I nodded, i don't know why but I nodded immediately . His eyes flickered down—slowly—lingering on my lips. A sharp gulp echoed in the quiet room as his Adam’s apple rose and fell.

Heat pooled on my skin like I’d been left in a desert sun. My mouth went dry; I blinked rapidly to clear my vision.

Then, with a sudden sharp breath, he squeezed his eyes shut as if struggling against something inside, and without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out—leaving the air smell like him.

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