The sunlight fell on my face. I tried to open my eyes but felt a severe headache. I rubbed my eyes and sat up on the bed.

Then, I looked around. The king-sized bed and the room's interior were entirely brown. On the other side, there was a big balcony from where the sun's rays hit my face because the curtains were drawn back.

I shouldn't have watched so many Disney princess movies that I'm starting to see their castles in real life.

I laid back down, pulling the soft quilt over me, thinking it was all a dream.

Moments later, I opened my eyes again and sat up on the bed. This is real. My god, where am I?

I held my head in my hands, trying to remember everything. The memories flashed in my mind.

I bumped into someone, but after that, I don't remember anything. Mahira's boyfriend tried to misbehave with me. I should tell her.

But before I could think or do anything further, two women entered the room with their heads bowed and carrying two plates.

"Rajmata aapse milna chahti hai." They placed the plates in front of me and left.

Rajmata? Who's that? I uncovered the plates and saw a royal pink-colored kurti in one. In the other, there were some makeup items and jewelry that I had never seen before.

It means I'm in a palace. What the hell? Mujra karwane ka plan hai kya?

I'm not going to accept any of this.

I stood up and looked at myself in the nearby mirror.

I looked like a complete mess and smelled like alcohol. I should probably accept all these things because I have no other option.

I took a shower and dressed in the kurti, adjusting the dupatta over both shoulders. I just applied some lip gloss and put a small black dot with the kajal on my forehead.

I left the room wearing my discarded heels from last night, which were lying in the corner.

I descended the stairs. Gosh, the architecture is breathtaking.

There were huge paintings of several men and women.

But my eyes were drawn to a large painting in the center of them all-a young boy with a crown on his head, his eyes black and fierce. I got lost in it for a moment before realizing that he was the same person I bumped into yesterday.

What the hell? Is he the King? No, I can't be at Shikhar Palace. Why would he bring me to his palace?

Kabhi sach mein toh mujra nahi karwane wale log. Waise bhi suna hai yeh rajgharane wale bahut rangeen mizaz ke hote hain.

I was still lost in these thoughts when an elderly woman, perhaps in her 50s, entered the living room draped in a cream-colored silk saree. She was tall, and her eyes were just like his.

I gulped as she stood near me. Her aura was dangerous.

I bowed my head, looking down, but she lifted my chin and spoke in a gentle voice, "Queens never look down in our family."

My eyes widened. I couldn't comprehend her words.

"Let's sit. We need to discuss something important," she continued.

There was a meeting-like table, and she sat on a chair. I sat opposite her. The maids came and placed tea and various snacks in front of us.

She took a sip of tea and asked, "So, what's your name, dear?"

I looked at her and spoke in a low voice, "Kritika."

She hummed, not even curious about my surname or family.

"I've already done my research on you. Tejaswi found you at the highway at the age of 12. Tejaswi, my most trusted woman for many years, told me that you don't remember your parents. Why they left you...anything at all?"

A lie that I've been holding onto for years.

It's true that I don't remember much about my real dad, but I remember every bit of pain they inflicted on me.

My eyes filled with tears, and my breathing became uneven.

I snapped out of my trance when she placed her cup of tea on the table.

"Ye-yes, I-I don't remember anything," I stammered. But why is she asking me all this?

"Let's get straight to the point then. The man you bumped into is my son, the King of this royal state, Abhijeet Singh Sisodia. There was no problem when you fainted, and he took you here since he didn't know your whereabouts. But now, it has become a big problem." She spoke with seriousness.

His name. The most shocking for me. It brought back memories, but I pushed them away and focused on the present.

"What problem?" I asked, my nervousness growing.

Instead of answering, she switched on the TV. I saw the previous night's news on the screen, showing him carrying me to his car.

I looked down, embarrassed. But what did Rajmata want from me?

I looked at the TV again, and my heart shattered when I read the headlines.

"Is she the King's girlfriend?"

"Are they dating?"

"Or is it some kind of one-night stand?"

"Is the King involved with a bartender?"

How can they say such things? But then, an interview appeared on the screen, featuring Mahira and her other friends.

She'll tell the truth.

But she spoke, betraying me.

"Yesterday, she called everyone to the party. She's a party girl. I don't know if she works there or not. She used to simp for the King so much. And yesterday, she went to meet him after leaving us all alone. Fun girl, after all."

She and her friends laughed.

Tears streamed down my face. It was hard to breathe. The only friend I had abandoned me, too.

Hastily, I looked at Rajmata.

"This is not true. I-I've never even been to such places before, nor have I seen the King in my life," I choked through my tears.

She stood and sat in front of me on a chair. She caressed my head.

"I know you're not like that. Tejaswi told me everything this morning. You just need to choose people wisely in your life."

I sobbed, "When you have no parents or guidance, you start leaning on people who show you even a little care."

I wiped my tears. This wasn't the time or place to cry.

"So, what now? I can give my statement to the media that they are lying," I suggested.

But her words stunned me.

"You know the orphanage is also surrounded by media today. The news is spreading like wildfire. How many days will you keep proving your innocence? They won't listen, and because of all this, the children living peacefully at the orphanage are disturbed. There are only two options. First, we'll help you leave this state and settle anywhere else. That orphanage is my life. I don't want any trouble there."

I interrupted, "No, please. I don't want to leave my orphanage. That is my home, and the kids are my life."

I pleaded.

"There's another option. Marry my son." She spoke casually.

My eyes widened. How could I marry someone I didn't know? And marrying this man would bring a huge responsibility.

She continued, "I think the second option is much better since you'll be the Queen. We'll make a fake love story for the media, and they'll believe it. You'll be fine, and so will my orphanage. My son is already crowned, so you won't have to face a coronation."

I didn't know what to do.

If I chose the first option, I'd have to leave everything. I would be at peace, but I couldn't do that if it meant abandoning the kids.

And if I married him, I wasn't capable of taking on such a huge responsibility.

"Is there any other option? I don't want to leave my kids, but I can't marry either. It's too big a responsibility, and I won't be able to handle it," I replied.

"Don't worry about that. Before marriage, you'll be shifted to the palace and trained to learn about us," she said with a small smile.

I was speechless. I had no other option but to say 'Yes.' Because no matter what, I could never abandon the orphanage that sheltered me when there was no one else.

I don't think this marriage will work at all.

"I'm ready for the marriage," I said, looking directly at her.

She gave me a big smile, "I was hoping you'd say that. I'm so glad you'll be my daughter."

She kissed my forehead. She felt so motherly. That word-Mother-has haunted me for so long.

"Don't worry. Your belongings will be transferred to the palace tomorrow, as your wedding will take place soon. By the way, if you want, you can go to the orphanage now," she assured me.

"Ji, Raj-" I was about to say, but she cut me off.

"It's Mom for you," she spoke while caressing my head.

I nodded with a smile. I got up from the chair and started walking toward the gate when a big black car lined up outside.

A man in a full black suit bowed and said, "You can take a seat in the car."

I nodded as Mom waved goodbye.

In the car, all I could think was how one's life could change in just a moment.

Yesterday's party was the destruction of my today and my future.

How Mahira betrayed me. For some money, they gave false interviews.

Here, this marriage thing. I am not feeling good about this marriage at all.

The darkness of my past that I left behind when I was 12 is coming back.

I looked outside the car and noticed three cars following.

Royals, whom I despised, and soon, I'll be one of them.

Not a princess, but directly a queen. I chuckled at my unsettling life.

I reached the orphanage. There were so many media people, but all the guards surrounded me and helped me enter the orphanage.

I could hear their questions:

"Are you in a relationship with the king?"

"Do you work at that club?"

But the next sentence broke me-

"Or is the king into one-night stands?"

I felt so helpless right now. I really want to go and slap them hard in the face.

But with a straight face, I entered the orphanage's office where Maah was sitting.

She stood up and bowed in front of me. She spoke in a low voice, "Baithiye."

Why is she behaving so strangely?

I asked, "What happened, Maah? Why are you suddenly behaving so formally with me?"

She said, "I have to be formal. You'll be our Queen soon. And the head of this orphanage."

I raised my brows at her last sentence.

"Whatever I become, I'll always be your small Kritika. And how can I be this orphanage's head?"

I held her shoulder and made her sit.

She spoke comfortably now, "Rajmata came early this morning and inquired about everything related to you. I told her everything, except about that boy. She told me that you'll be the head of the orphanage after the marriage, and she even took the property papers for you. She also warned everyone here to behave nicely with you."

"You are my Maah; I am not going to be any queen for all of you. Stop becoming so formal. I am hating it." I whined like a child while hugging her shoulders.

"Okay, okay, so did you meet Raja Sa?" she asked. I shook my head.

"You know, he is so handsome. Girls are lined up just to catch a single glance of him," she said. I scrunched my nose, feeling it was cringe.

"But I am genuinely happy for you, Kritika. You really deserve this. You can bring changes with your compassion and kindness," she said while caressing my head.

"But I am afraid, Maah. What if this doesn't work out? What if he treats me badly? What if he's in love with someone else?" I asked, hint of sadness in my voice.

"Be positive, Kritika. Don't think like this. My astrology says that you'll both be the best royal couple," I chuckled at her prophecy.

If he would have been here, this would have never happened.

"Are you out of your mind, Masa? You want me to marry that silly girl?" I stormed at my mother, who was forcing me to marry.

She spoke casually, "Abhijeet, you hold the reputation that is being tainted by last night. You save helpless girls and provide justice, but here, the innocent girl is being characterized."

I know once my mom decides on something, there's no going back.

She is not understanding that this could be our rivals' scheme. She cannot be innocent. But it's alright.

I can go to any extent for the sake of my and my family's reputation. I'll marry her. But I guarantee I won't give her any princess treatment.

"Okay, I'll marry her," I said coldly, clenching my jaw.

My mom's face lit up. "Okay, so from tomorrow, the preparations will begin, and I'll call the pandit to decide the date soon."

She's so happy and excited. After so many years, she is smiling like this.

At least for her happiness.

I sat on the couch and held my forehead, thinking-if she would have been here, this would never have happened.

I'll hate her for this forever. She must have planned all this, but she can fool everyone, not me.