Chapter 7

Lily, Pari's maid, observed her master carefully. Today, Pari seemed different—more confident and fearless. This shift was a good sign.

Hesitating, Lily replied, "Miss, Miss Niya always gets what she likes, and your father often gifts her expensive things because… because they think Miss Niya is more capable than you."

I don't want my words to hurt her, Lily thought, but she felt it was important to be honest.

Pari nodded, considering this. "What about the relationship between my mother and father?"

Lily took a deep breath. "Your father married your mother because of an arrangement. However, he had a first love who left him and ran away with someone else before he married your mother."

That's why he seems to favor Niya, Pari thought curiously. "And what about Reeta? Why is she always so close to my father?"

Lily replied, "She is a doctor, and your father has a condition that requires him to have a doctor by his side at all times."

Pari nodded thoughtfully. "When did my father bring home this adopted daughter, and when did Reeta come into the picture?"

Lily felt a bit awkward, sensing the direction of Pari's thoughts. "When your mother was pregnant, your father went to war. He returned after a few months and brought home a daughter with him. As for Reeta, she came shortly after that incident."

I need to gather more evidence about my family's dynamics, Pari concluded in her mind.

With a mischievous smirk, she turned to Lily. "Do you want to do something daring?"

Lily felt a bit nervous at the mischievous glint in her mistress's eyes but replied, "Yes, Miss, as you say."

Meanwhile, in another part of the kingdom, a loud scream could be heard . A man, clearly in distress, pleaded, "Prince, please! Leave me! It was my fault, and I promise I won't do it again!"

The figure inflicting the punishment, Prince Veer, looked at him with cold, calculating eyes, showing no mercy. The man was an enemy who had attempted to kill him in his sleep.

He's begging for his life, Veer thought as he continued. His features were striking—handsome with perfect symmetry, his muscular frame exuding strength. Yet, there was a darkness to his gaze, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. 

Moments later, an informer entered, visibly trembling. "Your Highness, I have news about the arrangements for your matchmaking."

Why do they bother me with these trivial matters? Veer thought coldly as he regarded the informer. "Tell my father I will not marry anyone."

The trembling informer stuttered, "But, Your Highness, the emperor said it's not a marriage. You only need to meet her a few times, and if you don't like her, you can reject the idea."

Who dares to force me into a meeting? Veer contemplated, remaining silent as he dismissed the informer with a wave of his hand. As the man left, the prince sat in quiet contemplation.

He called for his secret informer, eager for more information. When the man arrived, he reported, "Prince Veer, the girl you're to meet is the daughter of Minister Mayank."