Third person POV-
After the pooja, the king took Agravin to the huge royal meeting hall, introducing him to important ministers and his acquaintances while Avni went with her sisters.
"Aaiye Kumar, ye hai humara niji Mantrina kaksh."
( Welcome Kumar, this is my private meeting hall.)
The king informed Agravin. Agravin looked at him and smiled. He was about to say something when an attendant entered the room.
" Pranipat Maharaj, Raj Guru aapse bhent ki ichcha rakhte hai. Unhone savinay aapko sabha grih me upasthith hone ka agrah kiya hai. "
( Greetings King, Raj Guru wants to meet you so he has requested you to meet him in the common meeting room.)
The king nodded and dismissed the servant. Turning towards Agravin he spoke " Kumar aap yahin rukiye, is kaksh me aap vishram kijiye , hum shigra aate hain."
( Kumar, you wait here and take a little rest I will be back .)
Saying so the king and his attendants left from there, leaving Agravin all alone.
Agravin scanned the room looking here and there , the chamber was indeed beautiful. A huge throne was placed in the middle, while the other seats were placed around it. Huge curtains we put around the windows to protect the confidential talks. The entire room was decorated with luxurious artifacts, afterall Maniprasth was one of the richest state of Aryavart. Agravin was looking here and there when suddenly a voice reached his ears " Dekhiye Kumar , or dhyan se dekhiye, apne jeevan me itne amulya vastu aapne nhi dekhe honge , hai na? Aap to bhikshuk the na."
( Look Kumar, look carefully, you may have not seen such luxuries artifacts in your entire life, afterall you were a mere beggar right .)
Angad commented. Agravin looked at him and just smiled. Angad was no one to him , he didn't know him , there was no need for him to argue back.
" Aapne bhi kya bhagya paya h n Agravin, Avni , Aryavart ki sabse sundar Rajkumari ko patni ke roop me prapt krna or to or Maniprasth jaise samriddh rajya ka jamata Banna sabke bhagya me Kahan ?"
( What fortune you have got , marrying the most beautiful princess and then being the son in law of a rich state like Maniprasth is not in everyone's destiny. )
Angad spoke in a filthy tone, giving more emphasis on Avni's name. The mention of his wife was enough to break Agravin's calm. Taking a deep breath he composed himself and spoke " Yatharth keh rhe ho tum , bhagyashali to hoon mai, akhir Rajkumari jaisi gunvati or shubh lakshanon se yukt patni jo prapt hui mujhe. "
( You are speaking correct, I am indeed very lucky , to have princess as my wife.)
The tinkling sounds of anklets drew Agravin's attention as he averted his gaze towards the entrance waiting to have a sight of his wife. She entered, and looked at Agravin that flattering feeling was back in her heart at the mere sight of her husband and a smile made its presence on her face, but it disappeared as soon as she looked towards Angad.
"Avni" Angad whispered and looked towards her infact stared at her. Avni felt weird but to her rescue her husband was there who came and stood between Angad and her, hiding her behind his tall and muscular frame.
"Rajkumari aap yahan , koi aavshyak karya?"
( Princess you here , anything urgent?)
Agravin asked her in ever so polite tone.
Avni nodded her head but before she could speak something, Angad jumped between them and spoke.
"Avni tum mere liye aai ho na? Mera tatparya hai ki tumhe mujhse koi karya hai?"
( Avni you are here for me right? I mean do you have any work for me? )
" Karya to nhi hai Angad kintu prashna avashya hai, tum yahan kya kr rhe ho? Ye Raja ka niji Mantrina kaksh hai, yahan kewal unhe hi aane ki anumati hai jise Raja ne agaya di ho, or mere vichar se pitashree me yahan kewal yuvraj ko aane kaha tha."
( No not any work but I have a question for you Angad. What are you doing here? This is king's private meeting chamber. Only those who have been given permission by the king are allowed to come here and as much as I know , only yuvraj was allowed to be here. )
Avni asked him suspiciously.
Angad laughed trying to escape her question. " Kya tum bhi Avni, wo to Maine Yuvraj ko yahan akela dekha to aagya , ye sab vastuye nai hai na unke liye soch thoda parichay de du , aakhir wo hai to ek bhikshuk hi na. "
( Oh Avni! Yuvraj was alone here so I thought why not to show him around, because, all these things are new to him. He is a beggar after all. )
" Wo bhikshuk nhi hai Angad , Maniprasth prasth ke hone wale Yuvraj hai, mere pati hain, or yahi tum inhe bhikshuk keh rhe ho to mai bhi to wahi hui na?"
( He is not a beggar,Angad. He is would be crown prince of Maniprasth, my husband and if you call him a beggar then call me the same.)
Avni said proudly looking at her husband. Agravin's heart filled with the warm feeling.
"Avni tum to bura hi maan gai , acha chalo Jane do maine Aaj tumhare liye ek vishesh uphaar mangaya hai , chalo tumhe dikhata hu."
( Avni , you just felt bad! Ah! Leave it. I have something special for you , come let me show you .)
Saying so Angad was about to take a step closer to her but Agravin was quick enough to step ahead , he didn't like how this man was calling his wife again and again by her name. He disliked the way that prince was looking at HIS wife. All he wanted was to hide her away . Taking a deep breath he turned towards Avni and asked " Rajkumari aap yahan kis karya se aai ? "
( Princess why you came here ? )
" Yuvraj , wo Mata or Pitashree aapko bhojan hetu bula rhe hai."
( Actually Yuvraj, maa and pitashree is calling you for meal.)
She answered.
" Avni , mehel me itni dasiyan hai tumne aane ka kasth kyu kiya, kisi or ko bheja hota na ."
( Avni ,there are so many maids in the palace. Why did you bother coming here , you could have sent someone else. )
Angad again interfaired.
" Angad, Yuvraj mere pati hai, unki seva krna dharm hai mera , or isme mujhe koi kasth nhi."
(Angad, yuvraj is my husband and serving him is my duty and I have no problem with this. )
Avni answered.
"Angad atithiyo ke liye bhi bhojan ki alag se vevastha ki gai hai, tum bhi avashya hi bhojan krna. "
( Angad , the food is arranged for guests as well , don't forget to eat. )
" Chale yuvraj" ( Shall we go yuvraj? )
She asked her husband, who gently nodded towards her and then let her walk ahead him when the left the chamber. Agravin was on cloud nine. Afterall his wife addressed him as HER Husband, she acknowledged her duty towards him , but again he felt a slight pang in his heart as the realisation hit him that it was just her duty towards him nothing more than that , though he can't expect her to fell in love with him this soon. He too was not sure about his feelings towards her. All he knew was that he respects her , and he will leave no stone unturned to make her feel proud of him. At least she accepted him as her husband and that was enough, at least for now. The newly wed couple entered the majestic dining room of royals where everyone was waiting for them.
" Kumar Agravin aap yahan baithiye.Or Avni aap unke nikat baithiye."
( Kumar Agravin you can sit here. And Avni you sit next to him. )
The queen said .
" Maniprasth ke riti ke anusar aaj aap dono ko ek hi thali se bhojan khana hoga , jisse aap dono me Prem or samanjasyaa bana rhe , tatpashchat kal se Kumar ko Avni ke hatho bana bhojan khane ka avsar prapt hoga."
( According to the tradition of Maniprasth, today you both will eat from a single plate, this will ensure love and compatibility between you two. After that from tomorrow Kumar can eat the food prepared by Avni.)
Avni's mother explained the ritual to them. Soon a huge golden plate was placed between them which contained various delicacies. From sweet to sour , tart to salty , the plate contained all types of tastes.
" Avni , pehle aap jamata Shree ko bhojan khilaiye."
( Avni , first you feed to son- in - law .)
Avni nodded at her mother's words. She took a piece of Puri and dipped it in the kheer and forwarded it to Agravin. Holding her delicate palm in his , Agravin wrapped his lips around her altah coloured fingers to accept the morsel. A wave of chill ran down Avni's spine when she felt his rough lips against her fingers. Agravin took the bite and started chewing it , he looked at his wife whose lashes were curled against her cheeks , refusing to look at him. Her cheeks turned rosy as she darted her vision here and there. Agravin couldn't figure out what he did but he surely enjoyed the blush that appeared on Avni's face.
" Jija shree ab aapki baari hai. "
( Brother in law now it's your turn.)
Krish spoke enthusiastically.
Agravin too followed what Avni did earlier and then forwarded the bite towards her, Avni looked at her husband and then to the bite which was comparatively bigger than what she eats. She didn't know how she would eat this huge bite.
" Kumar , humari Avni itna bada nivala kaise khayegi bhala ? "
( Kumar , how will our Avni be able to eat such a big morsel?)
Vaishali said.
Everyone in the room burst into fits of laughter. Meanwhile Agravin felt embarrassed , his cheeks too turned pink and now it was Avni's turn to enjoy it.
Agravin couldn't figure out what to do, he was about to put the morsel back in the plate when his wife held his hand and took a little bite out of the big morsel. Agravin smiled at her and she did the same. He looked straight into her eyes , but his heart skipped a beat when his wife smiled at him and shyly averted her gaze. Avni noticed her husband eating the same morsel that she just took a bite from. Indeed he had no ego. A broad smile appeared on her face. She looked at him who was focused on the food and then to her parents and cousin, everyone was happy and so was she.
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" Wah! Avni jiji ye to bahut Sundar hai. "
( Wow Avni jiji it's so beautiful. )
Krisha exclaimed joy eyeing a red colour cloth that Avni held in her hand.
" Haan Avni atyadhik sundar hai ye to."
( Yes Avni it's beautiful indeed.)
Vaishali said.
Avni looked towards the night sky. It was the time when he will return from the royal meeting. Her father decided to introduce him to all his ministers and officials today only. He must be exhausted, she thought to herself .
Her chain of thoughts broke as a dasi entered the chamber
" Pranipat Rajkumari, Yuvraj bheetar aane ki anumati maang rhe hai. "
( Greetings Rajkumari, Yuvraj is asking permission to enter the chamber. )
Avni looked at her sisters and then nodded towards the maid. Vaishali looked at Avni and smiled.
Agravin entered the bed chamber but was surprised to see his wife's cousins there. Everyone stood up as he entered.
" Pranipat jija shree."
( Greetings brother in law.)
They all greeted in single tone.
Agravin to joined his hands and returned the gesture.
" Waise jija shree ye kya baat hui aap apne hi kaksh me aane ki anumati kyu maang rhe the."
( By the way brother in law, why were you asking for permission to enter your own chamber.)
Grisha spoke.
" Or nhi to kya jija shree , akhir Avni ke ekant pr aapka hi to adhikar hai na. "
( Of course, after all you have all the right on Avni's solitude.)
An another cousin of Avni teased him.
Agravin felt a little awkward there. No doubt they were husband and wife now , but he wanted to give Avni her own privacy.
" Bahut hua tum sabka , ab chalo atyadhik ratri hui. "
( Enough you all, we must leave it's too late now. )
Vaishali scolded them, sensing the discomfort between the couple.
Agravin took a breath of relief when they left and then turned towards his wife. Avni poured a glass of water and forwarded it to him. Agravin thanked her and gulped down the entire glass of water.
" Yuvraj, aap vastra badal lijiye. "
( Yuvraj you should change now. )
Avni adviced him. Agravin sat infront of the mirror taking out his jewelleries. Al thought wearing jewellery was quite common for the royals but he was definitely not used to it. Specially these were more heavy than usual ones but he couldn't deny as his father in law selected them for him. After a few tries he was able to take out his armlets and wristband but this huge neckpiece which covered his upper body was giving him though time. Avni saw her husband struggling with the hook of neck piece. She approached him. Agravin looked at her from the mirror.
" Yadi aapko avshakta ho to mai kisi sevak ko shayata hetu bula du?"
( If needed , should I call a servent for help?")
She asked. Agravin shooked his head negatively. He was used to of doing his work on his own moreover he would definitely not like any male to enter their chamber at this hour of night. He looked at his wife from the mirror. He was wearing a light weight pink saree with minimum jewelleries, her hair open , vermilion adoring her forehead. She looked stunning as always. Avni sensed her husband's discomfort and decided to help him. She held his hand, Agravin paused and looked at her, without speaking a word Avni removed his hand and tried to unhook the jewellery. This was indeed a tough task she thought to herself. It must have left marks on his body, her fingers felt his skin beneath them, envoking some alien emotions in her. Her eye travelled to his muscular back, where she again noticed some marks of weapon. After a few attempts she was finally able to open the hook, the jewellery slipped from Agravin's upper body, exposing it . Avni averted her gaze and Agravin quickly wrapped the angvatra around his torso. Thanking his wife , he made his way towards the bathing chamber not wanting to embarrass his wife. Agravin returned to the chamber and saw his wife standing in the balcony as always adoring the moon. The moon was indeed lucky , he thought to himself, after a few calculative thoughts he decided to join her. Avni felt his presence beside her but of course at a distance.
" Yuvraj wo aapke liye kuch hai humare paas. "
( Yuvraj, I have something for you.)
Avni said hesitately.
" Avashya Rajkumari."
( Sure princess )
Avni took out a red colour garment from the box and forwarded it to him . Agravin took the the cloth and observed it carefully. This was a angvatra with matching dhoti, in deep red colour. The angvatra had a broad golden border with beautiful design crafted on it. He noticed that there was a sign of lotus beautifully created on it and he understood that his wife made it.
" Ye aapne banaya hai na?"
( You made this ,right?)
He asked her. Avni's eyes shined brightly. She nodded enthusiastically to him, just like a little girl. Agravin smiled at her expressions.
" Atayadhik sundar hai , dhanyawad. "
( It's very beautiful, thanku." )
He thanked her.
" Kintu aapne ise banaya kab?"
( But when did you make it?)
He asked her.
" Aaj hi"
( Today only. )
Avni said.
Agravin was surprised.
" Wo Aaj mujhe bhi aapko koi upar Dena tha kintu kya deti samjh hi nhi aaya isiliye ye ."
( Actually today I wanted to gift you something but I couldn't figure out so I thought of this. )
Agravin's heart filled with warm feeling. He admired the garment and his wife.
" Aapka bahut dhanyawad Rajkumari, mere jeevan ka dusra sabse bahumulya uphaar mujhe meri patni se prapt hua ."
( Thanku so much princess, the second most precious gift of my life , I received it from my wife. )
Avni's cheeks turned rosy at her husband's words. She wanted to ask him what was the first gift but then decided otherwise. Agravin looked at her lovingly and she felt extremely shy.

" Yuvraj ek nivedan Karu?"
( Yuvraj can I request you something?)
She asked.
" Nivedan nhi aagya kijiye Rajkumari."
( Don't request, order me , her highness )
Avni's heartbeats fastened at his words. Was he flirting with her but then, there was no harm in being flirted by own husband.
" Rajkumari?" Agravin spoke to draw her attention. He too was curious to know what his little wife was thinking.
" Wo aap mujhe Rajkumari keh kr mat pukariye, Avni keh kr pukariye."
( Don't address me as princess , call me Avni instead.)
She said.
" Acha yadi aisi baat hai to , aap bhi mujhe Agravin keh kr bulaiye , yuvraj nhi."
( Oh is it then call me Agravin not yuvraj.)
He too demanded.
" Kintu Mai aapke naam kaise le sakti hoon, mata kehti Hain ki pati ke naam nhi lete. "
( But how can I take your name, my mother says that we shouldn't address our husband by their name.)
" To fir wahi bulaiye Jo uchit Lage kintu yuvraj nhi. Aupcharikta dono or se samapt honi chahiye na. "
( Then call me anything you want, but not yuvraj. The formalities should be end from both the sides. )
He said.
Avni smiled at him a glint of mischief flashed in her eyes.
" To uchit hai sarva pratham aap mujhe Avni keh kr sambodhit kijiye fir mai aapko ."
( Okay then, first of all you address me by my name , then I will .)
" Kintu Avni aap mujhe kya keh kr pukarengi."
( But Avni , what will you call me?)
" Wo mai aapko tabhi bataungi jab aap mujhe Avni keh kr bulayenge. "
( I will tell you that only when you will call me Avni. )
She said , almost like a little girl. Agravin chuckled at her antics.
" Jaisa aap kahen , Avni."
( As you say, Avni )
He emphasised on her name and noticed that hue of red spread on his wife's cheecks. She smiled broadly. He admired her , her name tasted sweet.
" Ab aapki baari."
(Now it's your turn )
He said.
" Ji , Aarya. "
( Ok Aarya. )
She said lovingly. Agravin couldn't believe his ear. He looked deep into her eyes finding any trace of doubt but nothing was there except devotion. She addressed him as " Aarya" a way married women used to address their husband out of respect. She finally accepted him as her husband and his happiness knew no bound. The loud noice of bell caught their attention, it was almost mid night.
" Aarya , ab sone ka samay hai ."
( Aarya it's time to sleep now. )
Avni said. Agravin nodded but he was quite hesitate to go to the bed. He didn't want her to leave the chamber or feel uncomfortable in his presence.
"Avni, mai bhumi pr so jaunga. "
( Avni, I will sleep on the floor )
" Kintu kyu Aarya ? "
( But why , Aarya?)
" Wo aapko humari wajah se aashajta hui na isiliye to aap kal ratri kaksh se chali gai thi ."
( You must have felt uncomfortable in my presence, thats why you left the chamber last night. )
" Aarya kintu aapse kisne kaha ki mai ratri me yahan nhi thi ."
( But Aarya who said that I was not here in the chamber last night. )
" Aapke or k shaiya pr koi silwat nhi thi to..."
( There were no creases on your side of bed so...)
He said hesitately.
Avni smiled slightly and spoke
" Mai yahin thi Aarya, likhne me ratri kab beeti bodh hi nhi hua."
( I was here only Aarya, I was so engrossed in writting that I didn't realise how the night went.)
Avni smiled at him and went to the left side of the bed , Agravin to went to the right side and they both lied to their respective places leaving considerabl gap in between. The scent of Jasmin and blue lotus conquered Agravin's senses sending immense relief to him. While Avni too felt safe in his presence. They both closed their eyes and let the sleep consume them.
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