Page 52 of A Royal Deception

“A fucking Maharaja,” I snapped.

“Exactly,” chimed in Isha. “You’re married to one of the richest men in the country. There’s nothing you can’t afford, you fool!”

“I can’t allow you to waste so much money on me,” Shivina argued. “Besides, these grand clothes aren’t my style. Your aunt picked out the lehenga, and I don’t think it looks so great on me.”

“It looks lovely,” I insisted, and she shot me a furious look. All three of them did.

“I might be poor, but I’m not blind, Your Highness. And while I haven’t been exposed to such clothes until now, I do know when an outfit looks good on me. And this one doesn’t,” she said angrily. “I look like I’m wearing a tent.”

“I agree this isn’t your style, Shivina,” began Diya, but I cut her off. I couldn’t believe she was being nasty to my wife.

“Shivina looks wonderful in everything she chooses to wear,” I said firmly.

Diya groaned loudly and set her plate down with a thump.

“But this is not whatshechose to wear, you big idiot. This choice was forced on her by your aunt, who has as much sense of style as one of the camels roaming across our desert. I know you’re trying to protect her feelings, but treating her like she can’t think for herself is not the way to do it.”

“I’d never do that,” I protested.

“Then why are you invalidating her opinion?” asked Isha sharply. “If she feels she doesn’t like the way an outfit looks on her, then that’s all that matters because it’s her body and her choice. I know you mean well, RV, but you still have a lot to learn about women.”

Clearly, I thought with frustration, my closest friends had ganged up on me to impart that education.

“You can say what you like, but you will not make my wife feel bad about herself,” I declared.

“You look so cute when you try to lay down the law,” teased Diya.

“I’m serious,” I snapped. “Shivina, you’re drop-dead gorgeous the way you are, and I won’t let anyone convince you otherwise. I can ban these two from the palace if they give you any grief.”

“Uff! Give it a rest, will ya? We’re trying to help your wife, not harass her.”

“And I’m grateful for that help,” said Shivina gently. “But I cannot afford to buy too many expensive clothes right now. I need to save for my sister’s future.”

“I will buy you all the clothes you need,” I reminded her. “I’ll give you an unlimited allowance just for clothes and jewellery.”

“No, you won’t,” she said sharply. “Not until we get to know each other better. Your mother’s clothes will do for now for special occasions, and for other times, I’ll wear my own clothes.”

“How about a compromise?” asked Diya diplomatically.

I was up for anything that would break this standoff. It was ridiculous of Shivina to refuse an unlimited clothes allowance. Any other woman would have jumped at the idea. But my wife seemed to think there was something wrong with accepting my money.

“I’m listening,” said Shivina.

“The new Maharani of Mirpur can be the face of my fashion house. Which means I’ll pay you to wear my clothes.”

Shivina stared at her as if she’d lost her mind.

“You mean like a celeb or a model? But I am neither.”

“Girl, you’re a celeb now, whether you like it or not,” exclaimed Isha. “Take it to the bank!”

“But these heavy clothes are just not my style, Rani Sa. Why would you pay to make your clothes look bad?” asked Shivina sceptically.

Diya cast a disparaging look at her outfit.

“That ghastly lehenga is not my style either. Nor is it Nandini Aunty’s style, which is why it was still brand new and wrapped in tissue paper. Why don’t you come by the studio tomorrow and have a look at the collection? If you feel it could suit your style, I’d be very happy to have you onboard. And I know you don’t believe this yet, but you’re going to be forced into the limelight anytime now. You can either embrace it and make it your friend,or you can skulk in the shadows. But you can never hide from it,” she said wisely.

Shivina still looked conflicted.

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