Rithambara was beyond shocked and tensed. Kiss? That also infront of everyone? Back in her culture, it was kind of prohibited to do so in front of any third person but if she would deny kissing him then in a way it will be disrespectful which she didn't want to be.

She had never seen anyone kissing in real life and it added more to her fears and she miserably failed to masquerade her fear this time. She just closed her eyes and prayed to Lord Shiva to help her in a situation where she was totally perplexed .

When Augustus lifted the veil, he couldn't believe what he saw. The brave 'yellow fabric ' stood frozen with eyes closed taking heavy breaths and she looked ummm frightened ? Now, that was something new to Augustus. Then realisation hit him that she might not be knowing about the kissing ritual because no such thing happened in their Indian marriage.

Before he just wanted to get done with the kissing part but now even he was a bit hesitant to take next step. He took deep breath and tried to comfort her.

After feeling someone's hand on her, Ritha opened her eyes and saw Prince Augustus looking at her. She watched him with her adorable perplexed expressions and at that moment, Augustus felt his heartbeat rising. He went little close to her and whisperd in her ears, "trust me". Ritha was too nervous to utter anything and just nodded her head upside down.

Everyone in the crowd was getting a bit impatient so priest just cleared his throat to bring back there attention . After taking a glance at the priest, Augustus brought Ritha close to him by her waist and turned her in a way that Ritha was hid behind him and his back was facing the crowd.

He leaned towards her and gave a quick peck on her lips which were trembling a bit due to nervousness. He could clearly hear her increased heartbeat which was matching his own. After hearing the claps and cheers from the crowd, Ritha opened her eyes to see her husband looking at her with tinder smile playing on his lips. She really liked the way he hid her from everyone's stares and at that moment she knew that he will be there for her in every situation unlike what Felix said.

He was content after seeing trust in her eyes for him and he vowed to protect her from dangers of this palace. With a peck on her forehead, he regained his position and brought Ritha infront of everyone and again kissed their intertwined hands.

Justus at first didn't know why his father turned her mother but as soon as he heard claps all around, he looked at everyone's happy face and started clapping.

They came down from the stage and there were showers of best wishes and congratulations on the couple. Some were genuine while some were fake but it was difficult to segregate fake ones from real. Elite men with their classy ladies were coming one by one to give their regards to the couple.

While Augustus was busy talking with few of the kings of their associate states, a man with Amber eyes came near Rithambara to wish her. He introduced himself and said, "congratulations on your marriage, my lady! Myself, Alessandro, Prince of Milan. " He asked for her hands to kiss and said, "may I kiss your beautiful hands. "

Ritha joined her hands (indian way of greeting) and politely said, "thank you so much for you regards sir but I'm not very comfortable with the hand kissing gesture. There is nothing wrong about the gesture but I'm not from here so I'm not used to it and I hope you understand. "

Being a prince, Alessandro was not used to this kind of behaviour as ladies were the one who wanted to be close to him. His ego was bruised a bit and to trigger Ritha he said, " I understand and hope you have a merry life ahead but it is very sad that a beauty like you has to marry a widower who has a son from previous marriage. "

Now Ritha's anger knew no bound and she wanted to slit his throat by her sword which she had hidden in her belt but she didn't want to kill someone on her wedding day so she concealed her anger and said in the same fake concerned tone, " I'm so thankful to you as you thought about me but it will be very sad to see any woman marrying a prude and an insensitive man like you. "

Alessandro gulped and glared at Ritha which she returned with her sharp looks and went away . He was fuming with anger and wanted to bruise the lady's pride.

After few minutes, it was time for the wedding dance. Again, it was something very new to Rithambara so she just held the stretched hands of her husband.

Augustus kept his hands on her waist j like a gentleman and asked Ritha to keep her hands on his shoulders to which Rithambara obliged. The slow music started playing and Augustus told her to just sway her legs with him. It was very embarrassing for Ritha as she was not used to this kind of intimacy and dance. She had a tint of pink on her cheeks which Augustus found very adorable. The pair was dancing beautifully unaware of the danger watching them.

After few minutes, over enthusiastic Justus joined them and it was a beautiful family dance .After their dance was over, Ritha was about to step down from the stage as she didn't want to dance anymore when she suddenly heard the voice , "may I have a dance with you, my lady "

Ritha turned around to see the same amber eyes. Augustus just glared at the man and was about to punch him as he hated this man before his eyes. He had betrayed Augustus in the past after getting his help .

Ritha held Augustus's fisted hands as they were the host and it would stain their reputation if he would punch him . So, she said to Alessandro in a composed tone, "sorry sir! I don't know how to dance ."

" Just follow my lead, your highness and you will be perfectly fine. " said Alessandro and smirked thinking he won this verbal battle but he didn't know whom he was messing with.

Ritha just smiled and said, " sorry to disappoint you sir but I don't follow someone's lead. It's me who leads the way or I'm not doing the work ." Now people had their face turned towards then and they became the focus of the party . Few noblemen were smirking after witnessing Alessandro being rejected. It added fuel in the fire for him and he said in an angry tone, "but just now, you were dancing with your husband following his lead. "

Rithambara raised her eyebrows and said, "he is my husband , he has special place in my life and I will follow his lead but not of someone else specially of insensitive people ."

Few giggles erupted from the crowd and before turning, Rithambara added, "one more thing, never use this tone on me if you value your tounge ."

Saying this she held Augustus's hand who was smirking at Alessandro and went away.