Page 108 of A King's Oath

She sighed — “What’s the scene there?”

“It has gone from bad to worse. He has made peace with me not inheriting the throne. But his new obsession is marrying me off. Says my marriageable age is passing because men in Solanki dynasty are usually on their way to mid-life crisis by now.”

Her eyes widened — “You are 25… just turned 26.”

“My father had married, inherited the throne and had me by 26,” Samarth rolled his eyes. But the adoration in his tone was clear.

“So we can see a swayamvar for Kunwarji soon, huh?”

Samarth shook his head, eyes down, playing with the crumbs on his plate.

“I have tried to explain to him, numerous times, that I cannot marry. That I made a promise. I do not want to have a family and create hurdles for the future for Sharan. Maarani and her family are finally at peace…”

“Of course they are! Haven’t they gotten to know you by now?”

Samarth chuckled, his gaze hitting hers — “She is not the villain you have built in your head.”

“Listen, you can live in your world of happy family delusion but a grown woman letting a teenager destroy his life for her peace of mind, even if she is an apsara descended from heaven… she is a villain in my eyes.”

He remained silent.

Avantika pushed the plate of fruit towards him. He quietly peeled the banana and ate. Then picked the apple slices one by one, dipped them in peanut butter and polished it all off.

“So,” she inserted, sensing his morose mood. “You weren’t even a little J?”

“J?”

“Jealous?”

His body vibrated, his amused eyes coming back to her.

“No, Ava.”

Her lips twisted.

“One day I will be,” he added.

She frowned.

“But I guess that’s what I accepted years ago. Not only a life alone for myself but a life of the best husband and the best family for you that is not me.”

Avantika did not want to say it. She did not want to tell him. She never wanted to tell anybody. Just keep pushing, stretching, dragging time with her until they stopped asking anymore.

“I will not give you the satisfaction.”

“What do you mean?”

“Who said I was ready for that best husband and best family that wasn’t you?”

His slumped body kicked to alert.

“Ava… Avantika, what does that mean? You can’t seriously…”

“My rizz is my art, my work and this life,” she smiled.

“What the f…” he shook his incredulous expression off. “You are too young to say that!”

“And you weren’t at 15?”

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