Pari cast a curious glance at her maid, Lily, who stood frozen in place like an exquisite statue. With a playful tap on her shoulder, she roused her from her daze.
Suddenly aware, Lily's face lit up, her voice bursting with excitement. "Miss! You look absolutely breathtaking—like a goddess descended from the heavens!"
A warm smile danced on Pari's lips, though she chose to remain silent, letting her beauty speak for itself. Together, they stepped out of the room and into the vast corridors of the mansion, which echoed with an eerie silence.
Once aboard the carriage, they set off toward Prince Veer's grand palace. The carriage approached the imposing gates, where guards stood tall, their senses sharpened. However, their stoic demeanor faltered as they glimpsed the enchanting figure emerging—Pari, radiant and ethereal.
As she walked toward them, Lily engaged the guards, recounting their visit to the prince. Their guarded expressions softened, replaced by admiration, and they ushered them through the gates, granting them access to the kingdom's most splendid abode.
Veer Palace rose majestically before them, its opulence eclipsing even that of the emperor's residence. Ornate turrets reached toward the sky, and the gardens were a riot of color, vibrant blooms seducing the senses. Pari's heart raced with awe, drawn irresistibly to the palace's splendor.
A servant ushered them into the lush garden and offered an array of delectable snacks and fragrant tea. As they settled on a beautifully carved stone bench, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation.
Word of their arrival reached Prince Veer, and he strode into the garden with an air of quiet confidence. When his gaze landed on Pari, surprise painted his features. She was stunning—more so than the tales had described. Her long, flowing hair shimmered like moonlight, and her simple dress clung to her figure in a way that spoke of both grace and strength.
Pari felt her heart leap as she met his gaze, the air crackling with an unspoken tension. Veer was undeniably handsome, but there was a danger lurking behind his sharp features. His cold, assessing eyes held secrets, and his presence was electrifying.
As they sat across from each other, a heavy silence settled over them. Pari savored the delicate morsels and fragrant tea offered to her, contemplating each bite as if it were a fleeting moment of luxury—perhaps one she wouldn't experience again.
Veer watched her with a mix of intrigue and disdain as she munched on the treats without a care, a stark contrast to what he expected from a refined lady. His servant and the royal doctor exchanged glances, their expressions laden with contempt.
Then, breaking the silence with a voice both commanding and resolute, Veer leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Miss Pari, let's be frank. I have no intention of pursuing this marriage."
Pari froze, her hand hovering above a pastry as his words pierced through the air. The unexpected declaration sent a jolt through her, and she lifted her gaze to meet his. In an impulsive, bold move, she grasped his wrist, a daring act that left both him and his companions in stunned silence.
Around them, the atmosphere crackled with tension. The servant and the doctor gasped, astonished by her audacity. A chill swept through the air, and for the first time, Veer felt the stirrings of something unfamiliar—a challenge, perhaps, or the thrill of unpredictability from this intriguing woman before him.