Page 44 of A Royal Deception

Zarna gave me a measuring stare.

“Whose home?” she wanted to know.

“Our home. Now that your sister is married to me, you will live with us in Mirpur Palace.”

“But my sister isn’t really married to you, is she? That was just a dirty trick Rani Sa and Baisa played on you.”

“It began as a trick, but Shivina and I have decided to stay married,” I informed her.

Her gaze sharpened, and I had to do my best not to squirm under her scrutiny.

“Why?” she asked bluntly.

That gave me pause because I didn’t know how to explain our arrangement to a fourteen-year-old kid. I looked at Shivina to see if she was waiting to chime in at any point, but she seemed to be enjoying my discomfort. She shot me a wicked grin before she turned to her sister.

“The why doesn’t matter, Zarna,” she began.

“Of course it does,” exclaimed her sister. “We know nothing about him, Di. Sure, he seems nice, but you’re very naive, and I don’t want anyone to take advantage of you.”

How old was this kid anyway?

“I am not naive,” replied Shivina hotly.

Her sister rolled her eyes in reply.

“Oh, please. Any idiot could have foretold how this morning’s grand idea was going to work out. But you still fell for Rani Sa’s plan, and look how that turned out for us!”

“It turned out very well,” I pointed out. “You never have to go back to Sajjangarh, and you and your sister will live in a grand palace with a handsome Maharaja.”

“Umm, conceited much?” she asked, rolling her eyes at me this time. “Besides, how do we know that life in your palace won’t be the same as our life in Sajjangarh?”

“First of all, my mother is nothing like Kavya’s mother,” I replied immediately. “And secondly, your sister will not be a member of the staff at Mirpur. She is the new Maharani. Trust me, your life in my palace will be nothing like your life until now.”

The chopper landed smoothly, and Zarna’s attention was diverted again by the sight of my huge palace.

“That’s your new home,” I announced, and she stared at it in wonder.

“For now,” said Shivina, so softly that I could barely hear her above the sound of the helicopter. “This is our home for now.”

There it was. Another reminder that this was just a business arrangement.

“Leave the bags. Someone will have them sent up to our room,” I said when Shivina reached for them.

My mother was waiting for us in the great hall, as were our friends. Shivina and Zarna looked intimidated by the royal welcome committee.

“I’m so glad you’re safe, dear child,” said Ma to Zarna. “I hope they didn’t hurt you.”

“N… no, Your Highness,” replied Zarna hesitantly.

“Sannata will show you to your room. Why don’t you go and rest for a bit? I’ll have a lovely dinner sent up to your room. Do you like pizza and ice cream?”

“I love it,” exclaimed Zarna, and she followed Sannata upstairs happily.

Shivina stood just inside the door and stared at everyone apprehensively as if she wasn’t sure of her welcome. Ma smiled at her, trying to put her at ease.

“Come in, beta. Don’t look so scared. We’ll figure out how to annul the marriage without any embarrassment to you, I promise.”

Shivina looked even more worried, and I blew out a deep breath because my mother was in for a bit of a shock. I hoped she wouldn’t take it out on Shivina, though. I wouldn’t tolerate any rudeness towards my wife. Not even from my mother.

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