Before he could explain anything, the loud sound of a bell echoed from outside. He immediately turned towards the window at the edge of the room, his face went serious for a moment. Then, he looked at me and, with a mischievous smile, said, "Looks like someone else needs me more right now. Don''t leave the palace until I say so, alright? Take care of yourself!"


    As he teased me by tugging on my nose playfully, I could feel a mixture of emotions building up inside me.


    (How could I let him go now? What would I do alone here without him? I didn''t even know what to say. I hesitated, torn between wanting to stop him and the uncertainty of what words to use.)


    Just as he reached the door, I gathered some courage and softly asked, "Who else lives in this palace.....?"


    He paused, smiled knowingly, and with a wink, replied as he walked out, "Am I not enough for you? Do you really need someone else too?"


    Ughhhhhhh, he always says things that leave me speechless, and then doesn''t give me a chance to respond! He left so easily, without even telling me where I was or what to do without him.


    For somethime after he left, I stared at myself in the mirror for a while and then began exploring the room, admiring its decor. Suddenly, I heard a voice from outside the window.


    "Swami... Swami!" Startled, I peered out and saw a girl, dressed like a princess, riding a horse and calling out for someone. When she saw me, she stopped. My heart raced, and I quickly backed away from the window, hoping she would leave soon.


    For a few moments, everything was silent. But then I heard sounds, as if someone was climbing up the wall. My heartbeat quickened. New place, unfamiliar surroundings, and I was alone!


    I nervously approached the window again, and as I leaned forward to look, I suddenly felt a push and tumbled to the floor. A girl, the same princess-like figure I''d seen on the horse, climbed through the window. She looked about 19 or 20 years old, and she was stunning-far more beautiful than I was, adorned in heavy jewelry. How had she managed to climb up here so gracefully with those heavy glitters!!!!? I stared at her in confusion, unsure if she was the thief or if I was.


    She extended her hand to help me up. I took it, standing in awkward silence, not knowing what to say. She broke the silence first.


    "He was here, wasn''t he?"


    I assumed she was asking about Krishna. But still, I hesitated to answer. I simply stared at her, unsure of how to respond.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Are you the one?" she asked, looking me over more like suspecting me.


    I blinked, utterly confused by her question. What did she mean? I continued to look at her, hoping for some clarity.


    "Do you know where he is?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to read me.


    "I... I don''t know where he went!" I replied softly.


    "Hmmmm, as usual.... He never tells anyone where he''s going!" she muttered, her expression frustrated.


    "Who... who are you, by the way?" I asked, trying to understand the situation.


    "Oh! I forgot to introduce myself. I am Princess Shreya of a small kingdom near kingdom Pushkar. I''m going to be his future wife," she said, blushing slightly. "You must have heard about the incident, right....? I''m one of the girls he''s going to marry. He''ll marry us all on different days. My turn is in about a month, but I just couldn''t stay away from him..... You know, ever since I first saw him, I''ve been under his spell. He''s like a hero straight out of a storybook-he saved me,.... saved all of us......Now, he''s not only the king of our hearts but will soon be my husband too!" She giggled shyly as she said the last part.


    I couldn''t help but smile as I watched her blush. She spoke with such innocence that even her cheeks had turned red.


    "Why are you smiling?.... You''ve already married him, haven''t you? Tell me, how is he?..... Do you know, I learned horse riding just for him! When I first saw him riding that white horse, I knew I had to match his grace. Now that our wedding is coming up....., I''m dreaming of riding alongside him-it would be magical....! I heard from my spies that he built this new palace, so I snuck in to see him..... Oh, and there''s another princess nearby, Rajkumari Prapti. She''s also going to marry him. She''s an excellent painter, you know? She''s even learning to cook for him! I thought I''d meet her too while I was here and maybe catch a glimpse of Swami''s paintings! done by her" She continued excitedly, barely pausing for breath. "It''s rare that my family let me to meet him... you know how it is with princes and princesses that we cant meet our future partner before marriage ..... Oh! I''m sorry, I''ve been talking non-stop, but I just can''t help it-I''m so happy.... And excited!"


    I chuckled lightly, finding her enthusiasm contagious. "No, no, it''s fine. I don''t mind listening at all! But... Krishna and I aren''t married. I''m ......."


    Before I could finish, she cut me off.


    "Wait, what? How can you just say his name like that? Don''t you know you''re not supposed to speak your future husband''s name so casually?" she scolded, looking at me with mock disapproval.


    I tried to explain her, "No, no... I''m not marrying him. I-"


    "Then what are you doing here in the palace? Who are you, then?" she asked, suddenly more serious, her eyes widening in surprise and full of curiosity.


    "I... I''m..." I stammered, not knowing what to say. How could I tell her the truth?


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    How will she handle this situation ? What if her truth will be out ??