Page 312 of A King's Oath

“What are you scared of?”

“I don’t know! That’s the problem. It’s jitters… to think… Maarani?” She questioned herself more than him. “That’s responsibility, Samarth. That’s… a job forever. Like being Brahmi’s Mama. It’s…”

“Thinking about something bigger than just your own family,” he supplied helpfully.

“Yes. Exactly. I don’t know how to do that. All I have done in the palace of Gwalior is enjoy my life! Never looked around… never taken care of things, or people, or… you get the gist, right?”

“I do.”

“Then that’s it. Yes,” she realised after ranting it aloud. “I don’t know how to do that.”

“Even when I am by your side?”

“Don’t change the topic now.”

“I am not,” he was serious. “I mean it. Even if I promise to not leave your side in this? Even if I make it my life’s mission to make every strength of yours greater and hide any weakness thatever pops up? We have been partners once on a bench and done a lot of stuff together. We can be that again, only this time, we will sit on a throne together.”

“I am not Brahmi, don’t mollify me like that.”

“You are Brahmi’s Mama and here’s where she gets all her bravery from. You raised a girl like that alone. You can raise a kingdom to the future with me.”

A gust of wind touched her back and pulled goosebumps with it. She blinked, unable to process what was going on inside her.

“Ava, I am happy staying, I am happy going — as long as it is with you. All I want you to know is that we’ll manage. Whatever comes, you and I.”

“You want to stay though?”

“I want to be with you.”

She wet her drying lips, unable to look away from his eyes. She could read there, plain as day — he wanted to stay. His family had finally fallen into place.

“Ava?”

“Hmm?”

“So?”

“So?”

“Will you be my Maarani? Mind you, if you say no, I will ask the same question again with a different title.”

“What title?”

“My wife,” he smirked — that Samarth from Saraswati Crest smirk.

She broke into silent tears. Her face began to screw up.

“I don’t know…”

“Spell it for me.”

“Samarth, please…” tears kept flowing down her cheeks.

“Spell your answer for me, Raje.”

“Y for Yak,” she spat, the words automatic. “E for elephant…” something cool slipped up her finger. She glanced down. A brilliant round amethyst was shining on her ring finger. She stopped.

“This…”

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