Amelie09, I hope you are happy with this chapter. Please let me know.

Amelie POV

The Queen had arranged Indian dresses. Piyali looked like a true princess. She was the Family Haldi attire. She looked so pretty. I loved all the sparkling clothes that everyone wore. I especially liked my Salwar as the Queen had called it. Queen Sitara had send all of us could keep our dresses. Piyali would of course pass it on to her daughter-in-law at the Haldi ceremony. Mine was golden and red. Princess Sanjana was the only one wearing a saree. Apparently she had insisted. I did not like her much. Although I love her sister Naina.

Princess Eadlyn also looked very beautiful in her blue and white Lehenga.

"Amelie, the Royalty of Italy have come." said Lydia as she passed my room. She was wearing blue and white salwar. It suited her skin tone very much. I did not know Pia and Queen Sitara had such good taste.

I saw the royal family. Queen May of Italy was hugging Sanjana. Her other sister I assume Amrit and Nimrit were giggling and standing on the sides. King Raj looked as regal as ever. He looked happier than the time I had met him.

"May, I have kept dresses for all of you in your rooms. It was very kind of you to step in as Piyali's parents as her aunt and cousin can't make it." said Queen Sitara.

"No problem."

After about an hour we were all at the Palace Gardens. There were yellow and white draperies everywhere. The two prides were seated on a couch like seat with their legs propped on pillows. Eadlyn was beaming with joy. Separated by a white cloth were the guys in the Sherwani. They too had Haldi. Luke was apparently America's old friend Aspen's son. Aspen and Lucy had passed away during a rebel attack.

We all had to apply turmeric on the girls and guys arms, legs and face. I may have sneered at the thought.

"It's to ward off evil." Said a voice behind me. When I turned it was prince Vikram.

What's to ward off evil?

"The Haldi Function is believed to ward off evil. But the main reason is that Turmeric is an antiseptic and it will make the skin of the couples more smooth and clean." said Vikram.

He put his hand around my waist. I smiled and blushed.

"You do know that tonight there is practice for the Sangeet right?"

Sangeet?

"Yup, it's kind of like a competition between the youngsters among the girl's side and guy's sid as to who dances better. But this time we are going to form teams based on chits."

By then my turn came, I went and applied turmeric on Eadlyn and Piyali. Piyali looked so happy. I felt genuinely happy for her. Then I went to the guys' side and applied turmeric on Luke and Jai. Jai seemed rather upset. I wondered what but I couldn't ask as by then Vikram dragged me away from there to the garden.

We sat in the Gazebo.

"What are your Interests, Amelie?"

I like to read, compose music and play instruments.

"Have you ever played a sitar?"

No, but I have always wanted to.

"Come. I will teach you."

Vikram took me to the palaces music room. There in a corner was what what looked a guitar but it had huge things attached to its holding area.

"This is a sitar."

Can you teach me to play?

Whole afternoon we sat and played.

"Now you have something to do for the Sangeet. Apparently Naina is going to Dance some classical dance."

But she can't walk.

"Oh didn't you hear. Piyali did something to her leg. Now she can walk. Although not for long hours that is why she on the wheelchair today."

Oh that is just great. Now let's go back to the function before everyone realises that we are missing. Thanks Vikram for teaching me to play Sitar.

"No problem. Now come."

We entered the garden area just as Pia put the paste all over her new Bhabhi.

Everyone was so happy. King Maxon was walking around clicking pictures. He came and asked me and Vikram to pose. Ahren was irritating his sister, who finally threw the leftover turmeric on him. I would ask King Maxon to give me the photos so that I can keep them as memories.

The tune of the sitar went through my mind as we all went back inside the palace to change into our night attire for the adults to rest and for us to practice for the Sangeet.

Author's Note: Next as promised is Aria's POV during the Sangeet preparation. Pictures of attires of all the functions have been uploaded on the blog. If anyone wants a change please message me with an idea. This will be done after March 23rd.