"Our household has highly proficient housemaids, even by Miss Gauri's estimations."

"When Duchess Oberoi got married, did she not bring a single maid with her?"

"All right, so..."

The discussion went Count Sharma's way in many respects. Had he done so, he could have brought Ragini in with Gauri.

Count Sharma gave me another glance, but this time he seemed to be wrapping up the negotiations with a warm and caring expression.

"My dear Gauri, I'm not sure what to do; The Duke won't let you bring a few maids with you."

The idea of breaking down in tears at any time sent a shiver down my spine, but I had to remain composed. My life would depend on what I decided to do here.

"I'm alright. I don't have to bring a housekeeper.

"Huh? Gauri..?

"You don't have to think about sending me a maid, Father. The Oberoi family's maids are only as good as ours, and I don't want any maids to leave our mansion because of me."

The Duke and his two sons were keeping a close eye on me. They appeared to believe that I would defend myself before asking for different conditions.

Gentlemen, I am innocent!

Please, Your Excellency, disregard my father's request. My father is too worried about getting me married when I'm still so young.

"No, all right.

It sounds as though the Duke of Oberoi is having problems. Here, I can't be a coward!

As the Oberoi family's daughter-in-law, I don't want to come across as a spoilt brat. I'm confident the Duchess will provide me with a decent maid when I arrive alone.

I made an effort to smile as broadly as possible.

Gauri's eyes were slightly turned upwards, so it was hard for me to pretend she was innocent.

With a hint of annoyance, the Duke and Duchess nodded their heads in agreement, and Count Sharma's expression hardened.

Count Sharma erupted as soon as we were inside the carriage and outside the mansion gate. Would you please stop being crazy?

I'm relieved he didn't slap me because I was afraid he would. I have to take action now with everything I have.

"Dad, did you not notice the expression on Duke Obero's face earlier?"

"What the heck?"

When you mentioned that you wanted to bring the maids along, he already understood what you meant. Should you make such an obvious demand, what could I do?

At my words, the count Sharma's eyelids trembled.

Hearing his daughter, who was always so adept at following his instructions, speak up and say something completely unexpected must have seemed strange.

I couldn't give up now, though.

Bringing in a maid seems pointless if you've already raised suspicions. I would prefer not to have one, Father, because there will be more curious eyes around.

That's the case!

"Have you forgotten what this marriage's main goal was? It was done to allay their fears. Initially, we need to lessen the sharp awareness they have placed upon us.

That's what you get when you work as a staff speaker for the marketing department on the India Peninsula and have been perfecting your presentation skills since college!

The Count's fierce expression softened, almost as if on cue.

"So, what will you do after this?"

"I'll go in alone for the time being, and once their concerns are dispelled, I'll come up with some excuse—homesickness, maybe—and tell them I'm bringing a maid along "just for a while." I won't let them stop me from doing that.

"Um...,"

"father, don't let your impatience ruin things."

In the end, I succeeded in convincing Count Sharma.

The sword that was aimed for my throat seemed to have shifted ten centimetres away from me.

*********************

And now, following an insane week, here I am, attending this gloomy farce of a wedding.

The priest continues to say prayers. Long, tedious ceremonies are becoming less common in my country, but I guess that hasn't spread to this one yet.

"Thus, the obedient offspring of the Creator construct an additional nest, the alm, bestow blessings upon their shared rings, and establish an enduring covenant within them."

Ah, at last, the ring exchange.

I faced Omkara, just as I had practiced.

He barely turned, taking his time, as if he truly didn't want to turn, in contrast to me who turned easily in my uncomfortable dress.

Now that I could see it clearly, his formal wear was breathtakingly beautiful, but if I looked at him right now, I felt like I was asking for a serious mishap.

Luckily, I was managing to stay sane in this skimpy dress.

Yes, Omkara, indeed. I understand your feelings, so let's move past this.

I really do. I too want this uncomfortable, terrible period of time to end.

With the rings resting on a tiny cushion, two ring bearers stepped forward. They are very adorable and couldn't be older than seven years old.

These kids had red cheeks from happiness at being a part of such a lovely wedding, unlike the adults from both families, who appeared to be ready to devour each other. They warmed my heart so much that I could only smile at them.

Omkara gave me a stern look before taking the ring.

With great grace, I extended my left hand, and Omkara placed the bridal ring on my left ring finger with hardly any contact.

He didn't even use his other hand to hold up my left hand.

"Whoa, it seems like he doesn't like me."

It got worse than what happened next.

Before I could pick up the groom's ring, he reached out and grabbed it. After putting it on, he turned to face the priest and pretended to be done with his business.

The only person standing awkwardly in front of him and attempting to pick up the ring was me.

The groom's side guests erupted in laughter, while the bride's side guests appeared ready to lose their cool at any second.

Although I didn't like it, expressing my disapproval would only exacerbate the situation.

I gave the kids a quick peck on the cheeks before turning to face the priest.

It's okay to not have a man in my life, I told myself as I felt a slight chill emanate from Omkara.

After all, I should be happy with a nice life and a fit body, but if I'm avaricious enough to desire a man, I'll pay a price.

"A life of leisurely hobbies enjoyed without fear of physical harm from my father or brother." How pleasant!

With any luck, I'll be able to use the heir's excuse to have a few dates with that attractive, physically fit man.

I'll find a lover later if that doesn't work out and I'm left alone.

That's all there is to it.

I made the decision once more to fully embrace the "Fan" and give up on the "Ro" in the Rofan.

*** The reception ended early in a rather chilly setting; I had been concerned that it would be too busy and hectic.

"I never imagined that the two families' lack of harmony would make me feel so thankful!"

Although Ishana appeared concerned that I might be angry, I was appreciative.

My back hurt like it was broken all day from having to keep my back straight because my dress was too low-cut. Not to mention my swollen calves and my feet in uncomfortable high-heeled shoes.

Ishana took me to the bridal chamber at the Duchess's request, just as I was about to cry out that this was torture.

My uncomfortable and embarrassing dress was taken off by a maid who was waiting for me, and I was dressed in a nightgown.

"I believed that I would pass away before the story even started." Haha.

I let out a sigh of relief at my continued survival.

Ishana seemed hesitant to speak after dismissing the maid.

Miss Ishana, is there anything you would like to share with me?

"Oh, right.

No matter how exhausted I was, I didn't want to pass up this chance to speak with the female lead, even if I could have pretended not to know.

Befriending a good-hearted female lead is also one of the survival guidelines for a villainous possession story.

"A good and moral Ishana would never shy away from my cordial approach, hohoho!"

I laughed slyly to myself, like a character with a plot hidden, and saw that Ishana was gorgeous because she was fidgeting with her hands and was hesitant to speak.

She looked even more stunning than I did just a few minutes ago when I was blinged out in ivory, an elegant yet simple dress.

She fit the description of a shy, chaste bride better. which the author most likely intended to achieve.

"I hope you don't hate Omkara too much because, despite his outward bluntness and coldness, he is actually a deeply caring person. I apologise on his behalf for his rudeness to Miss Gauri today."

What? This scene is one I remember!

Ishana speaks to Gauri first in this scene from the original story, just as she does now.

She then erupts at Ishana, who reassures her not to despise Omkara, saying, "How dare you mention Omkara's name in front of me, his wife, and how dare you wear a white dress to someone else's wedding!"

In all honesty, as a reader, I understand Ishana's reasoning, but Gauri had every right to be upset because she had to listen to it without understanding what was going on.

However, who am I? I am the one who finished reading the book.

I swear not to make the same error as the original Gauri.