MYRA'S POV

It's 12 AM. Should I go to his room and wish him? Ah, forget it. I never wished anyone in my life. It's not going to work. I closed the door and the window shut. I am rolling on my bed, unable to sleep.

Apart from the saree, what are the other things he is planning to give me? Are they only for me, or for everyone? Why is he treating me differently ? God damn it, I didn't think these many things at once before.

My instinct got alert when a sound outside my room was heard. It's past 12; no one should be awake. What if it's some enemies? I rushed, holding my gun, walked slowly, and abruptly opened the door, aiming my gun straight.

"Adhvay."

He didn't seem shocked, just surprised. "Are you planning to kill me on my birthday, little storm?" He raised his hands in the air.

"Adhvay, what are you doing here?" I asked, lowering my gun.

"Ah, I came outside because I couldn't sleep," he said, taking a step forward. "It seems someone else is also awake." He was smiling.

"No," I snapped. "I fell asleep long ago. And don't roam like this in the middle of the night, Adhvay," my voice came out like a warning.

"Ouch.... Look, I didn't expect you to come to my room and wish me a happy birthday." His face fell. "But at least now I am here; don't you want to wish me?" He took a step forward.

The air around us grew heavy again. Something in my stomach churned, spreading like fire from head to toe. What should I do now? Should I wish him?

I rubbed my hand across my forehead, unable to decide. He is looking at me without blinking. Why? With those eyes and that small smile...

"H—happy b—birthday," I stuttered. Damn it. It feels so weird. I am always sharp; my words can cut throats. Then why the hell is this happening to me?

He came a little closer, he looked like he was hovering over me. I lifted my head to meet his gaze. I hadn't let anyone come this near to me in my life, yet if it's him, I can't push away.

"What?" he asked. His voice was husky, deep, and commanding. "I didn't hear you."

"Happy birthday." This time I didn't stutter. I just looked into his eyes completely, mesmerized. His hair falling on his forehead made him more attractive.

A slow smile carved his lips, his eyes brightened. He caught his breath, looked down at the floor once, biting his lower lip and looked back at me, "Thank you, little storm."

My cheeks burned. A sudden urge to draw my fingers through his hair erupted in me. I almost smiled. No.

This is wrong.

Whatever I am feeling is wrong.

I am his employee; my place is somewhere far away.

My mind slapped my heart.

I stumbled back, closed my eyes for a second to calm myself down. "Adhvay, I am feeling sleepy. You go back to your room, and don't roam outside, okay?" I turned toward my door.

Suddenly, my hand got caught, jerking me toward him, making our faces just inches apart.

"I can't sleep," his voice came like a whisper. "Can you stay with me for some time?"

Seeing him this close made my lungs lack air. I tried to breathe, and failed. I tried to blink and failed. His aura is something else, something I can't describe in words.

I came to my senses. "No, I have to sleep now", I walked quickly, leaving him there.

The scent of Adhvay's presence lingered even I got into my room.

That man is celestial .  The word echoed in your mind again. I squeezed your eyes shut, to erase all these forbidden thoughts. I am here to protect him, not to worship him.

_____

Sun rays hit my face and a sharp knock shattered the  silence. I opened the door , and the woman from yesterday entered, not empty-handed, but struggling under the weight of a very large box.

"Good morning, ma'am," she greeted, her smile warm and immediate.

"Good morning," I managed a smile but I am truly surprised. "Why are you here so early? It's only 6 am."

"I apologize if I disturbed you, ma'am," she lowered her gaze slightly, "but Prince Adhvay sir ordered me to have you ready first thing this morning. I must obey him."

"What?" The word was a breath of shock. "No, it's not like that. Come, sit here. I'll just freshen up and be right with you, okay?" I gestured toward the sofa, my mind already spinning about  his command.

She settled down, and I rushed to the washroom, trying to force my brain to settle. What is he doing ? What would people think about us?

The poor lady must be waiting . I finished your routine in a  half-hour and returned.

"Are you ready, ma'am? May I start?" she asked politely.

"Yes," I replied, the word slightly tight, although I'm out of control, I managed to speak.

She opened the box. I gasped , my hands moved to my open mouth, an off-white georgette saree, a red blouse, white bangles, earrings, a nose pin, anklets, and a waist chain.

I nearly choked on my own saliva,. "What is all this?"

"Ma'am, Prince Adhvay sir personally arranged all of this for you," she said innocently. "Shall I start?"

All other things are a bit okay to digest but a waist chain ? The waist chain felt too intimate. Why was he doing this? He was deliberately reaching for the woman inside me—a part of myself, I never knew. No one has ever gifted me anything like this. A wave of aching loneliness for my lost parents washed over me ; if they are alive , I may have grew up like other girls and experience all these things by now.

He was pulling me in ,with an undeniable gravity. If he continued behaving this way, I fear I'd never be able to let him go.

The woman began to drape the saree. Despite the internal chaos, as the fabric settled, something shifted. For the first time in my life, wearing something new made me genuinely smile. She finished, adorning me with every piece from the box and kept my hair open .

"You are looking beautiful, ma'am," she complimented with a sincere smile.

"Thank you," I murmured, offering a small nod.

She left as quietly as she arrived, her duty done. For a few minutes, I couldn't recognize the reflection in the mirror. My heart hammered against your ribs, forcing me to grip my chest, breathing heavily.

No. I cannot have him. To love him ,means betraying everyone who believed in me, everyone who supported me.

He is a Royal heir, stunning; handsome, he can have any other beautiful woman, he wants.

I took a deep, steadying breath I had to regain my control.

From this moment on, I will behave like his bodyguard. Nothing more.



ADHVAY'S POV

My first plan had worked flawlessly. She wished me first. She actually wished me. Her eyes, those fierce eyes, had betrayed her entirely—they spoke everything, her sharp tongue could never utter. Remembering her stuttering, "H-happy birthday"—I actually let out a stupid, breathless giggle.

Fuck. This is a specific kind of torture. Wanting her so badly, yet being forced to keep this distance, is absolute hell.  If she stays this far away, I swear I'll develop some terminal illness just from the lack of proximity. Sleep was impossible; my eyes were burning now, all I did last night was staring at the ceiling.

The woman I sent yesterday to Myra ,reported back: that she doesn't know how to wear a saree. That information short-circuited my brain. That means She's wearing it for first time ...only for me.

No royal privilege, no power, could ever deliver this pure happiness. I was desperate, consumed by the eagerness to see her. Every second ticked by like an eternity .

I dressed instantly, pulling on a simple white kurta—a perfect, pale frame for the off-white to match her saree. When will she come? Is she struggling with the pleats? Am I being selfish? A sudden knock on my door made my heart seize. She was here. I ran to the door, halting just before reaching it, forcing air into my lungs, exhaling heavily to maintain calm. Then, I opened it.

The sight destroyed my composure. I nearly stumbled back, physically unable to process the reality before me. She wasn't just wearing a saree; she was a freaking goddess sculpted in grace. Every single piece I gave her , were suddenly hers—meant only for her. The kajal perfectly lined her eyes, The small bindi between her brows, the glint of the nose pin, the bangles , the delicate earrings... and God, that waist chain, just resting on her waist. The off-white silk, the accessories, Every damn feminine thing that ever existed in the world belongs only to her. Suddenly I got jealous of things she is wearing because they can touch her.

Myra waved her hand through the air near my face—an unexpected movement that jolted me back from the absolute drug of her presence.  Dragged back from Cloud Nine, I tried to speak, but the words simply died in my throat. A hard, desperate gulp was the only thing I could manage. Her eyes, never once shifted from mine.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes".

If I can resist her for more than five minutes, I can conquer any fucking thing in this world.

"Is everything okay?" she pressed again, her gaze unwavering.

"Y—yes, everything's okay," I stammered, except my heart.

Her formal voice broke the spell: "Your Highness returned from Delhi just half an hour ago. Shall we go down?"

She has no fucking idea how hard I am physically forcing my muscles to obey the laws of physics right now, to stand upright in front of her without closing the distance completely.

She turned, starting to walk away towards the door. My hand catched her wrist with a claiming grip. She stopped instantly, turning her head back to me with that controlled posture.

"Just a moment," I managed, the whisper raspy.

"Look at me."

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