Ishita's Perspective

The morning sun flooded our royal suite, but I was in no hurry to move.  I stayed tucked under the midnight-blue velvet duvet, my **brown skin** still tingling from the **shameless passion** of the night before.  **Rudra** was already up, his **6'3" frame** looking lean and powerful as he buttoned a fresh white shirt, his **ocean-blue eyes** catching mine in the mirror with a predatory, satisfied smirk.

"Ready to face the music, Janna?" he murmured, leaning over the bed to press a lingering kiss to my forehead.

I finally gathered the courage to get dressed, choosing a delicate floral saree, but no amount of makeup could hide the "glow" **Dhristi** had teased me about.  As we walked down the grand marble staircase, my **chooda** clicking softly, I could already hear the laughter from the breakfast table.

The moment we stepped into the dining area, the conversation died down, replaced by four pairs of smirking eyes

"Oho! Look who decided to grace us with her presence," **Ahana** giggled, stirring her tea. "Bhabhi, we were in the middle of a very important discussion last night before the 'Big Bad Wolf' came and stole you away."

*Reet** winked at me, patting her **two-month pregnancy** bump. "Ishi Bhabhi, are you okay? Your legs looked a bit shaky on those stairs. Did the Prince take his 'night duties' too seriously?"

Jay** didn't miss his chance, still looking a bit salty from his encounter with the lion. Bhai, you were so ruthless! You didn't even let her finish her sentence. Is this how you handle 'kidnapping' cases now—just carry the victim to your room and lock the door?"

I felt my face turn a bright shade of crimson as I reached for a glass of water.  "Chup karo sab... (Everyone, be quiet...)" I mumbled, unable to look them in the eye.

**Rudra** pulled out my chair with a cool, calm elegance, his hand lingering on my shoulder in a silent, possessive claim.  He looked at **Jay** and **Vardaan** with that signature **cold-hearted** gaze that usually made boardrooms tremble.

"She’s my wife," Rudra said, his voice deep and unapologetic. "If I want to 'steal' her from a room full of gossiping women, I will. And as for my 'duties'—I believe in being very thorough with my work."

**Akshat** nearly choked on his paratha, laughing loudly while **Dhristi** shook her head.  The teasing was relentless, but as I looked at my "Patidev," I didn't mind.  The three years of separation had been a nightmare, but being "stolen" by the man I loved was the most beautiful reality I could have asked for.

The sun moved higher over the royal stables as the sounds of neighing horses and masculine laughter drifted toward the shaded pavilion.**Rudra**, looking powerful in his riding gear, was leading **Akshat, Vardaan, and Jay** toward the tracks, his **6'3" frame** commanding even the most spirited stallions.

Meanwhile, the women of the Rathor family had gathered in the marble pavilion overlooking the grounds. It was a rare moment where three generations sat together—**Bebe**, **Siya Maa**, **Urmila Chachi**, and us "younger" bahus, **Dhristi**, **Reet**, and myself, with **Ahana** keeping us entertained.

"Look at them," **Bebe** remarked, her eyes twinkling as she watched the men ride. "Rathor men are like these horses—wild and stubborn until they find a woman who knows how to hold the reins."

**Urmila Chachi** nudged **Maa** with a playful smile.  "Sahi kaha, Bebe. Remember how Lakhan used to act? But look at our Ishita... she’s tamed the wildest of them all. Rudra won't even look at a file if Ishi is in the room."

"Chachi Maa, please!" I blushed, tucking a stray lock of my **long curly hair** behind my ear.  "He’s still very much the cold-hearted CEO."

"Cold-hearted? Beta, we saw how he 'stole' you last night," **Maa** teased gently, making **Reet** and **Dhristi** burst into giggles. "Even as a child, Rudra was possessive, but with you, it's different. It's like he finally found his North Star."

**Reet**, glowing with her **two-month pregnancy**, took a sip of her fresh juice."Bhabhi, maa is right. Today, while you were walking down, the way Bhai was holding your waist... it was like he was marking his territory in front of the whole palace."

"And poor Ahana is just taking notes for her future husband," **Dhristi** added, winking at our sister-in-law.

"Bhabhi, stop it!" **Ahana** complained, though she was smiling."I'm a jewelry designer, I deal with diamonds, not 'energetic' any men yet!"

"Oh, you say that now," I said, joining the teasing with a shameless grin. "But wait until you have a husband who sneaks into the ladies' wing just to claim you. You won't be thinking about diamonds then!"

**Bebe** laughed, a deep, hearty sound. "Let them tease you, Ishita. A husband’s love is the only jewelry a woman needs in this palace. And looking at you, you’re covered in it."

As we sat there, the air filled with the scent of jasmine and the warmth of family, I looked out at **Rudra** on his horse.  He glanced toward the pavilion, and even from this distance, his **ocean-blue eyes** found mine.  He gave a single, slow nod—a private acknowledgment that no matter how much the family teased, I was his, and he was mine.

The days in the Raj Mahal were passing like a beautiful, hazy dream, each morning bringing a new layer of royal duty and deep, private passion . Today, the sun was particularly harsh, but it only added to the intensity of the scene unfolding in the grand practice arena of the palace gardens.

I stood on the marble corridor balcony, my hands resting on the cool stone as I shamelessly drooled over my husband. **Rudra** was practicing sword fighting with the royal soldiers, and the sight was enough to make any woman faint. He had discarded his royal clothes standing only in a tight **white vest and white pants**.

His **6'3" frame** was a masterpiece of hard muscle, his veins popping as he swung a heavy, ornate **Damascus steel sword** adorned with royal blue gems.

His **ocean-blue eyes** were narrowed in lethal focus, sweat dripping down his neck and soaking into his vest.

Every time his gaze flickered toward the balcony for a split second, I blew him a slow, deliberate kiss. I could see his jaw tighten—a sign that my **"Patidev"** was struggling to keep his focus on the soldiers and not on me

With a final, powerful strike, he disarmed the lead soldier, the clatter of metal echoing across the courtyard. He looked up at me, a triumphant, arrogant **smirk** playing on his lips as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

"It’s easy to fight them, **Ru**," I called out, my voice teasing and loud enough for the guards to hear. "Do it with me, my Future King."

Rudra raised a thick eyebrow, his eyes darkening with challenge. "You sure, Janna? I don't go easy on anyone in the ring."

I didn't reply; I just winked and turned, my **red anarkali** swirling around my ankles as I practically flew down the grand stairs. When I reached the dust of the arena, I began my own ritual. I pulled off my heavy dupatta and tossed it aside. I carefully set my **engagement ring** on a velvet tray held by a confused servant, but I kept my **sindoor**, **mangalsutra**, **chooda**, and **silver payals** on—they were a part of me now.

I picked up a practice sword, its weight familiar from the self-defense classes Rudra from Rudra

"Ready to lose in front of your soldiers?" I teased, circling him. My **long curly hair** was tied back, but a few strands escaped, framing my **brown skin**

"In your dreams, Ishita," he growled playfully.

We clashed. The sound of steel on steel was sharp. I was fast, fueled by the adrenaline of his proximity, but he was a wall of solid muscle. I lunged, my **payals** jingling with every footstep, creating a musical contrast to the violent sparks of our blades.

"You're distracted, Ru," I whispered as our blades locked near our faces. I leaned in, my lips inches from his. "Is it the 'night duty' catching up to you?"

He let out a low, rough chuckle, his **ocean-blue eyes** flaring with a shameless heat. "You're playing dirty, Mrs. Rathor. Using your charms to disarm the King?"

He suddenly pivoted, using his superior strength to twist my blade and pull me flush against his sweaty chest. His heart was hammering against mine, a wild, rhythmic beat. The soldiers looked away, coughing awkwardly, as the "Cold-Hearted Prince" pinned his wife's arms behind her back with one hand, his other holding the sword tip gently under my chin.

"I won," he murmured into my ear, his breath hot against my skin. "Now... what's my prize?"

I felt the heat radiating off **Rudra’s** muscular body as he held me pinned for a second too long, his **ocean-blue eyes** dark with a possessiveness that ignored the entire palace guard. From the edge of the arena, I could hear my *devars*—**Akshat, Vardaan, and Jay**—whistling and hooting  My *devranis*, **Dhristi and Reet**, along with **Ahana**, were cheering for me, their laughter ringing out over the sound of clashing metal

"Bhabhi! Don't let him win just because he’s handsome!" **Jay** yelled, leaning against a pillar with a smirk

I didn't lose heart. With a swift, calculated move, I stepped on his foot and used the momentum to slip out of his grip, my **silver payals** jingling like a battle cry. I spun around, my **red anarkali** flaring out like a blooming rose, and brought my sword up to meet his again.

Our swords met with a bone-jarring *clang*. I was smaller, but I was fast

As our blades locked, Rudra didn't just fight; he played  He used his free hand to graze my waist, his thumb catching the skin just above my waistband

"You're getting aggressive, Janna," he murmured, his voice a low vibration as he pushed his weight against my sword, forcing me to look up at him. "Is this about the 'night duties' again, or do you just want me to pin you to the grass?"

"In your dreams, **Ru**!" I hissed, though my heart was racing from his touch . I ducked under his massive arm, the **white vest** he wore damp with sweat, and delivered a mock strike to his ribs.

**Reet**,  clapped her hands in delight. "Go Bhabhi! Show the Prince that the Queen is the one who really rules the Rathor family!"

**Vardaan** laughed, wrapping an arm around Reet . "Bhai is distracted! Look at him—he’s not looking at her sword, he’s looking at her lips!"

It was true. Rudra’s focus was lethal, but it was directed at *me*, not the fight. He moved like a predatory cat, his **6'3" frame** looming over me as he executed a series of brutal, high-speed strikes that I barely managed to parry Each time our bodies brushed, he made sure it was lingering—a hand on my shoulder, a chest-to-chest collision that left me breathless.

"You're wide open, Ishita," he teased, his **Damascus sword** spinning in his hand with terrifying grace. He lunged again, but this time, he didn't aim for my sword. He aimed to trap me.

👑 Rudra's Perspective

I watched her move, a vision in **red anarkali** and shimmering silver. To the world, I am the **Prince of Rajasthan**, the cold-hearted CEO of **The Rathor Company** and **Eternity**, a man who doesn't believe in God . But as our swords clashed in the garden, I knew the truth—I worshiped the woman standing in front of me . My **6'3" frame** was built for war and business, but my heart was built only for her

I leaned into our next clash, the **Damascus steel** of our blades vibrating with the force of our connection. I wasn't just fighting; I was cheating, using every opportunity to cage her in my arms .

I stepped into her personal space, my **white vest** damp with sweat, and wrapped one arm around her waist while our swords were still locked.

I could feel the cold metal of her **mangalsutra** against my arm and the scent of jasmine from her hair.

"You're breathing hard, **Janna**," I whispered, my **ocean-blue eyes** tracing the curve of her lips. "Maybe you should surrender to your King."

"In your dreams, **Ru**!" she gasped, her **brown eyes** flashing with that fire I fell in love with at the **Shiv Mandir**.

I saw **Akshat** and **Jay** hooting from the sidelines, but they didn't matter. I began to go calm, slowing my strikes and intentionally leaving openings . For everyone else, I am a ruler, but for her, I am a servant to her love . I wanted her to feel the victory she deserved this after all

She saw her chance. With a clever twist of her wrist and a jingle of her **payals**, she knocked my sword from my hand. The blade landed in the grass with a dull thud. I didn't reach for it. Instead, I dropped to one knee, bowing my head in front of her in the middle of the dusty arena

"The King surrenders to his Queen," I said, my voice thick with an emotion I only ever showed her .

The courtyard went silent for a heartbeat before **Ahana**, **Dhristi**, and **Reet** erupted into cheers . Ishita stood over me, breathless, her face flushed and beautiful . She dropped her practice sword and stepped closer, her **chooda** clinking as she reached out to cup my face.

She leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering **kiss to my forehead**, right where the crown would one day sit .

"You're a terrible liar, Ru," she whispered so only I could hear. "You let me win."

"I’d let you win everything, Ishita," I replied, standing up and pulling her flush against my chest, ignoring the "eww" sounds from **Jay** . "My kingdom, my soul, and every fight we ever have—they’re all yours."

**Jay** walked up, shaking his head. "Bhai, you're a disgrace to the Rathor men! Bowing down in public? What happened to the 'Cold-Hearted Prince'?"

I looked at him, then back at my wife, my hand resting possessively on her waist. "The Cold-Hearted Prince died the day he met her, Jay. You’ll understand when you finally find someone worth bowing to."

I watched as **Jay** hopped down from the viewing area, his face twisted in a dramatic expression of mock horror as he fanned himself with his hand.

"Bhai, naam kharab kar diya aapne mera... chiiiii! (Bhai, you've ruined my name... yuck!)" Jay cried out, shaking his head at my display of affection. "Where is the ruthless Prince? Where is the 'Cold-Hearted' monster who used to make people tremble? Today, he’s just a puppy on a leash!"

My **ocean-blue eyes** narrowed, but not with anger—with a flash of my old, mischievous spirit.  Without breaking my hold on **Ishita's** waist, I reached down and snatched up my **Damascus steel sword** from the grass. With a lightning-fast motion, I swung the flat side of the blade and landed a sharp *smack* right on Jay’s bum.

"Aah! Bhai!" Jay yelped, jumping a foot in the air and rubbing his backside.

"Keep your mouth shut, Jay, or next time I’ll use the sharp side," I growled playfully, my **6'3" frame** looming over him as he scrambled toward **Akshat** for protection. [

**Ahana** came running down the stairs, her laughter echoing through the garden as she reached us.  She looked at me, then at a very red-faced **Ishita**, and finally at Jay.

"Oh, shut up, Jay! You're just jealous because the only thing that licks your face is a lion, while Bhabhi actually kisses Bhai's forehead," **Ahana** teased, poking him in the ribs.  She turned to me with a wide grin. "Bhai, that was the most romantic thing I've seen in this palace. Forget the sword fighting; you should give classes on how to be a 'Simp' for your wife!"

"Ahana! Tu bhi? (You too?)" I muttered, though I couldn't stop the **smirk** from returning.

"Sahi toh keh rahi hai, (She's right,)" **Ishita** chimed in, finally finding her voice as she leaned her head against my shoulder, her **long curly hair** brushing against my **white vest**. "The King has already surrendered. Now, he has to follow the Queen's orders for the rest of the day."

"Bhai, seriously," **Vardaan** added, joining us while holding **Reet's** hand.  "If you're going to be this soft, at least do it in the bedroom. You're giving the soldiers ideas! Tomorrow, they’ll all be bowing to their girlfriends instead of practicing their stances."

I pulled Ishita closer, her **chooda** clicking against my chest as I looked at my brothers and sister. "Let them learn. A Rathor man is only as strong as the woman standing beside him. Now, if you all are done making fun of your 'Future King,' I believe we have a lunch to attend."

"Sirf lunch nahi, Bhai," Jay muttered, still rubbing his bum. "Bhabhi promised me I'd get to see her 'Rasoi' skills today. If you're the servant now, does that mean you're going to be her sous-chef?"

I looked at Ishita and winked. "I’ll do whatever the Queen commands. Even if it means peeling potatoes in a **vest and pants**."

I laughed, pulling **Ishita** toward the grand oak doors of our suite, leaving the whistling and hooting of my brothers behind us . As we entered the sanctuary of our room, the air-conditioning hit my sweat-soaked skin, but it did nothing to cool the heat in my **ocean-blue eyes** as I looked at my wife.

"Lunch baad mein, pehle aap fresh ho jaiye... chaliye! (Lunch later, first you get fresh... come on!)" Ishita insisted, trying to sound firm despite her flushed cheeks .

I nodded, letting her lead me. Just as we reached the threshold, **Ahana’s** voice drifted up from the courtyard: "Hayeeee! Biwi ki duty chalu! (Wow! Wife's duty has started!)"

Ishita turned back, shouting through the corridor, "Chup karo! Mujhe bhi fresh hona hai, i am sweating .. jyada mat socho! (Shut up! I also need to get fresh, I'm sweating... don't think too much!)"

I leaned against the doorframe, a shameless smirk playing on my lips. "Sochne do... (Let them think...)" I murmured, my voice dropping to that deep baritone she loved "Hum waise bhi saath mein fresh hote hain roz. (We get fresh together every day anyway.)"

"Rudra!" She gasped, hitting my arm with her small hand, her **chooda** clinking against my skin. I just laughed, the sound booming in our private quarters, and pulled her inside, locking the door behind us with a definitive *click*

The room was silent now, save for the sound of our breathing. I reached up and pulled the hem of my **white vest**, stripping it off in one fluid motion and tossing it onto a nearby chair. My **6'3" frame** was still steaming from the sword fight, my muscles tense and defined.

I turned to her, my gaze sweeping over her **red anarkali** and the way her **long curly hair** had partially come undone from our duel.

"Chalti ho kya bathroom mein? (Are you coming to the bathroom?)" I asked, my voice laced with a raw, shameless invitation

Ishita froze, her eyes widening as she looked at my bare chest. "Ru... everyone is waiting for lunch. Hum late ho jayenge. (We'll be late.)"

I walked toward her, backing her up against the marble wall of the vanity. "Let them wait, Janna," I whispered, pinning her with my weight . "I’m the Future King, remember? And right now, my only duty is to make sure my Queen is... 'fresh' and properly attended to." I trailed a finger down her nose, stopping at her lips.

She pushed against my chest, her small hands looking pale against my skin. "You know... aap din pe din bade woh hote ja rahe hain... (You know... day by day you are becoming more of that...)" she trailed off.

I rolled my **ocean-blue eyes**, fully expecting her to call me out for my lack of restraint. "Haan, haan, *besharam* (shameless)... pata hai (I know)," I interrupted with a smirk.

"No!" she countered, huffing as she adjusted her **red anarkali**.

"Then what?" I asked, taking a step closer, towering over her **5'3" height**.

"Ch—" she started.

My eyes widened in genuine shock. My mind immediately jumped to a very specific word chutiya she liked

"Oyyy! Pati ko gaali deti ho? Sharam nahi aati? (Oyyy! You're swearing at your husband? Don't you have any shame?)"

Ishita looked at me like I had lost my mind, her **brown eyes** sparkling with disbelief.  "Oyyy! Jyada dimaag mat chalao! (Oyyy! Don't use your brain too much!)" she snapped, pointing a finger at me while her **chooda** clinked together. "Main 'chaalo' bol rahi thi! (I was saying 'clever'!)"

I paused, the realization hitting me, and then I erupted into a deep, booming laugh that I couldn't hold back.  Only she could make the "Cold-Hearted Prince" look like an idiot in his own bedroom.

"Toh theek hai, Janna... 'Chalo' (Then okay, my life... 'Let's go')," I murmured, my voice turning soft and husky as I caught her hand.  I started leading her toward the bathroom, my thumb grazing her palm. "Since we're both 'chalo-ing,' we might as well save some water for the Rajasthan drought and go together."

She tried to look annoyed, but I could see the corner of her lips twitching into a smile.

💖 Ishita's Perspective

The heavy bathroom door clicked shut, sealing out the rest of the palace and leaving us in our private sanctuary . Before I could even reach for the faucet, **Rudra** pulled me flush against his bare, solid chest. My hands instinctively landed on his broad shoulders before sliding up to wrap around his neck, the contrast of my **brown skin** against his fair, muscle-bound frame as striking as ever.

He began to trail soft, lingering kisses along my jawline, his **ocean-blue eyes** darkened with a flirtatious heat that always made my knees weak. I let out a soft laugh, melting into his embrace, but I couldn't resist a little more teasing .

"Ru... you cheated in that fight," I murmured, leaning back slightly to look at him. "Kyun jhuke aap? (Why did you bow?) You didn't even finish the game. Where is the **Mr. Cold, Heartless, Ruthless, Emotionless Rudra Singh Rathor** the world is so afraid of?"

He paused, his nose brushing against mine, a low chuckle vibrating through his chest . "Woh Rudra palace ke bahaar reh gaya, Janna. (That Rudra stayed outside the palace, my life.)"

He tightened his grip on my waist, pulling me so close I could feel the rhythmic thud of his heart . "For the world, I am the **Prince of Rajasthan** and the **President of Eternity**, but in this room? I am just a man who is hopelessly devoted to his wife."

"I only become 'soft' for you because you’re the only one who survived my coldness and taught me to believe in love again," he whispered, his voice thick with the sincerity

And as for the game... I did finish it. I got my forehead kiss, didn't I? Though I think the 'Future King' deserves a bit more of a reward now that we're alone."

I huffed, my **chooda** jingling as I played with the hair at the nape of his neck. "Bade besharam ho gaye hain aap, **Patidev**. (You've become very shameless, husband.) What if Jay or Akshat bhai ask why we took so long?"

"Let them ask," he replied, his lips moving toward mine with unapologetic intent . "I’ll just tell them the Queen had a very long list of 'commands' that her servant had to fulfill."

I giggled, my heart overflowing. Despite the **ups and downs** and the trauma of the **kidnapping**, this felt like the **happy ending** we were promised . He was the ruthless lion to the world, but to me, he was just my Ru

The dim amber glow of the bedside lamp bathed the room in a warm, intimate hue, casting soft shadows against the walls of our bedroom. I could hear the steady, rhythmic thrum of Ru’s heart beneath my palm—a sound that had become my favorite lullaby. I was half-draped over his muscular frame, my chin resting on the back of my hand as I looked up at him.

The cool air of winter and the heat radiating from his bare skin. He looked every bit the "Greek God" the business magazines called him, but here, in the quiet of the night, he was just my Ru.

"You know," I whispered, trailing my fingers playfully over the expanse of his chest, "it’s officially Teddy Day. The whole world is gifting fluffy, oversized toys... and Rajasthan’s 'Cold-Hearted Prince' seems to have forgotten his Janna entirely."

Rudra’s lips tilted into that signature smirk—the one that still made my breath hitch even after all these years. His hand, large and warm, came up to stroke my hair, his ocean-blue eyes darkening with a mischievous glint.

"A temporary teddy, Ishi? Really?" he murmured, his voice a deep, vibrating rumble against my chest. "Filled with polyester and fluff that gathers dust in a corner? You think so lowly of your husband’s taste?"

"It’s the sentiment, Ru!" I pouted, though we both knew I was just fishing for his undivided attention. "Every girl wants a cute teddy to hug when her husband is busy being a CEO."

He leaned in, the scent of his expensive cologne and sandalwood wrapping around me like a cocoon. "I have a better plan," he whispered, his breath ghosting over my lips. "Why would I give you a toy when I can give you the real thing? A permanent, living, breathing version of us. A mini-Rudra with these eyes, or better yet, a mini-Ishita with those curls I love so much."

My heart did a somersault. He was flirting shamelessly, his confidence radiating off him in waves.

"Rudra!" I swatted his chest lightly, my cheeks heating up. "You’re impossible."

"I'm serious, Janna," he chuckled, pulling me higher so our faces were inches apart. "Think about it. A little baby running around this mansion... wouldn't that be a much better gift than a stuffed toy?"

The mention the promise we made for our future daughter—made the playful atmosphere turn thick with emotion. He wasn't just flirting anymore; he was looking at me with a soul-searing intensity that reminded me why I fell for him in the first place. He didn't believe in God, but the way he looked at me made me feel like his only religion.

"You always know how to win an argument, don't you, Patidev?" I teased softly, closing the gap between us.

"I don't need to win arguments, Ishi," he whispered, his arm winding tightly around my waist to pull me flush against him. "I just need to win you. Every single day."

I chuckled, a light sound that vibrated against his skin, and poked his hard chest with my index finger.

"But Ru... think about it," I said, a playful pout forming on my lips. "What if that 'mini-version' grows up to be just like you? A little prince who is just as stubborn, just as moody, and just as demanding? *Vo baby bada hoke mujhe pareshan karega bilkul aapki tarah...* then what will I do, huh?"

Rudra’s laughter was a rich, low sound that I felt deep in my bones. He caught my finger with his hand, interlacing our fingers and bringing them to his lips for a lingering kiss.

"If he's like me, Janna, then he’ll be absolutely obsessed with his mother," he whispered, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my toes curl. "He won't 'trouble' you; he’ll be your protector. And if it's a little baby girl..." His gaze softened, a rare flicker of vulnerability crossing his handsome face. "If it's a little girl, I’ll be the one in trouble, because I won’t be able to say no to either of my queens."

I felt my heart melt. This man, who the world saw as a ruthless business tycoon, was laying here bare—not just shirtless, but soul-bare—dreaming of a family with me.

"You're very smooth, Mr. Rathor," I whispered, resting my forehead against his. "But don't think you're getting out of the Teddy Day gift that easily. If I'm getting a 'permanent' one, I expect a lot of pampering for the next nine months when the time comes."

"Only nine months?" He flipped us over in one swift, graceful motion so he was hovering over me, his ocean-blue eyes burning with love and a hint of his usual possessiveness. "I plan on pampering you for the next nine lives, Ishi."

I reached up, framing his face with my hands, feeling the slight stubble on his jaw. "Promise?"

"I don't believe in God to swear on Him," he murmured, leaning down until our noses brushed, "but I believe in you. And that’s a Rathor’s promise."

👑 Rudra's Perspective

The moment the word "baby" lingered in the air, I felt the shift. It wasn’t the usual shy crimson that crept up Ishi’s neck; it was a sudden, sharp intake of breath. She bit her lower lip, her eyes darting away from mine, searching for an anchor in the shadows of our room.

I know that look. It’s the same look she had when Riva was in labor. I remember Ishita pacing the hospital corridor, her face pale, her hands trembling so hard I had to catch them in mine to keep her from shaking apart. She had talked incessantly that day—rambling about the weather, the business, anything—just to drown out the reality of the pain happening behind those delivery room doors.

I shifted, moving from my back to my side so I could face her fully. I tucked my arm under her, pulling her small frame flush against the heat of my body. I rested my cheek against her forehead, my hand splaying across the small of her back, pulling her into the safest harbor I could provide.

"Janna..." I murmured, my voice losing its playful edge, turning into a low, grounding hum. "You went quiet. I felt that heart of yours start racing, and I know it’s not because of my flirting this time."

She didn't look up, her fingers twisting a loose thread on the duvet. "It’s just... Ru, it’s scary. I saw Riva Bhabhi. The pain, the blood, the way she was screaming... I’m a coward when it comes to needles, let alone something that big. What if I can't do it? What if I’m not strong enough?"

I felt a pang in my chest. My fierce, beautiful Ishita, who had survived a three-year separation and kidnapping, was terrified of the very thing I had just joked about. I cursed myself silently for being so insensitive.

I nudged her chin up with my thumb, forcing her brown eyes to meet my blue ones. "Look at me," I commanded softly. "Ishi, I am Rajasthan’s cold-blooded prince, right? I’ve built empires and crushed enemies without blinking. But do you think I’d ever let anything happen to you? Do you think I could breathe if I knew you were in pain I couldn't stop?"

"But you can't stop that pain, Ru," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It's nature."

"Then we wait," I said firmly, kissing the tip of her nose. "We wait until you aren't scared. Or we don't do it at all. I didn't marry you to turn you into a mother; I married you because I couldn't imagine a single second of my life without *you*. The 'mini-us' is a dream, but you... you are my reality."

I tightened my grip on her waist, letting her feel the solid strength of my body. "If and when that day comes, I won't be outside the door like the others. I’ll be right there. You can break my hand, you can scream at me, you can hate me for every second of it—but I won’t leave your side. I’ll carry the fear for both of us."

She let out a long, shaky breath, finally relaxing against my chest. "You'd really let me break your hand? You need that for the Rathor Company, Patidev."

"The company has Akshat," I smirked, glad to see the shadow lifting from her eyes. "I have you. It’s a fair trade. Now, no more thinking about hospital rooms or needles. Just focus on me."

I began to trace slow, soothing circles on her back, my touch deliberate and calming. I wanted to erase every haunting memory she had of that hospital hallway and replace it with the feeling of my arms around her.

"I love you, Ishi. More than the idea of any child, more than the legacy of the Rathors. Just you."