AUTHOR POV

The heavy atmosphere in the study broke as **Veer** crossed his arms, a playful, knowing smirk finally dancing on his face. He looked around the room, then back at Rudra's composed, charcoal-grey suit.

"Vese ye sab toh ho jayega (Anyway, all this will be done)," Veer said, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Lekin... **Ishu** kahan hai? I haven't seen her since yesterday's ceremony."

Rudra didn't even look up from the security tablet he was calibrating. "So rahi hai (She's sleeping)," he replied, his voice a low, steady rumble.

Veer checked his watch, his eyebrows shooting into his hairline. "Ab tak? It's almost 12:00 in the morning, bhai! The sun is at its peak, and our Queen is still in dreamland?"

**Shiv** let out a loud, dramatic cackle, slapping his knee as he leaned back against the mahogany bookshelf. "Areeee pagal, samajh na! (Hey fool, understand!) He couldn't control himself last night. **Bhabhi** ko thaka diya hai! (He's exhausted Bhabhi!)"

Veer's eyes went wide as the realization hit him. "Ooooo... haaaa! I forgot! our emotionless king probably forgot that humans need sleep."

"Control? Rudra and control don't exist in the same dictionary when it comes to Ishita. I bet the bed didn't even get a break, let alone her!"

"Twelve o'clock and she's still out? Damn, Rudra. Give the poor girl a chance to breathe! You're the King now, not a marathon runner."

* Krishiv, who had been silent, just shook his head. "And he wonders why we're worried about security. The man is so 'busy' in the bedroom, the palace could be stolen and he wouldn't notice until he came up for air."

Rudra finally looked up, his **ocean-blue eyes** dark and completely unbothered by their teasing. A slow, arrogant smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth.

"Are you two done?" Rudra asked, his voice dripping with the quiet confidence of a man who knew exactly how much his wife had enjoyed being "troubled."

"Nahi, abhi toh shuru kiya hai! (No, we've just started!)" Shiv teased, dodging a pen Rudra flicked at him. "Seriously, Rudra, at this rate, mini Rathor will be here by next year

"I certainly hope so," Rudra replied coolly, his thoughts drifting back to the way Ishita looked curled up in his shirt, her hair** messy against the silk pillows. "Now, focus on the security grids. If I have to leave the room again today, I want to make sure I'm the only one allowed back in."

The air in the study thickened with the kind of camaraderie only decade-long friendships could produce. **Krishiv** leaned back, his dark eyes glinting with curiosity as he pivoted the conversation.

"Vese everyone was saying something about the gift the King gave to his Queen," Krishiv noted, his voice smooth. "What did you give her, Rudra?"

Rudra's mind immediately flashed to the **diamond waist chain** and the intricate **breast jewelry** he had specially commissioned-the pieces that had been tangled between them in the water and ground against her skin on the marble steps. He felt a flare of possessive heat just thinking about how those gems looked against her brown skin.

"Tujhe kyu bataun?" Rudra replied, his voice a low, warning rumble. "Meri aur meri biwi ke beech ki baat hai (It's between me and my wife)."

"Aisa kya de diya jo bataya nahi ja raha?" **Shiv** chimed in, grinning. "Bata yaar, main bhi dunga Tanya ko (Tell me, I'll give it to Tanya too)."

"Kyu bataun?" Rudra repeated, a smirk playing on his lips.

Krishiv let out a dry, knowing chuckle. "Pakka kuch scandalous diya hoga (Surely he gave something scandalous). Dirty-minded person."

Rudra turned his **ocean-blue eyes** toward Krishiv, his expression full of lethal amusement. "Tu kam bol. Tu bhi sharif nahi hai (You talk less. You aren't innocent either). Hum sab mein se sabse pehle shaadi tune hi kari thi (Out of all of us, you were the first to get married)."

Rudra leaned forward, shifting his voice into a flat, monotone drone, perfectly mimicking Krishiv's brooding college persona.

*"I don't like this marriage thing at all... it's a waste of time... I'm a lone wolf..."*

**Veer** and **Shiv** erupted into laughter, the sound echoing off the mahogany bookshelves.

"Yarrr!" Krishiv groaned, rubbing his temples as the memories of his own "anti-romance" phase were thrown back in his face.

"See?" Rudra taunted, his **6'3" muscular frame** radiating victory. "The man who hated the idea of 'forever' was the first one to fall. So don't lecture me on being scandalous. I'm just making up for lost time with my Janna."

The banter in the study was becoming a full-blown trip down memory lane, the kind that only happened when the "punctual boys" finally let their guards down.

"Chaha to bahut tha ki na padu in sab me, par Chavvi aa gayi aur..." Krishiv trailed off, a rare look of defeat softening his usually sharp features.

"Tu phisal gaya (You slipped)," Rudra completed the sentence with a smirk, his **ocean-blue eyes** mocking his friend. "Right?"

Krishiv let out a short, genuine chuckle. "Yeah. Totally."

"Lekin we still don't know where you met her," Veer pushed, leaning forward.

"Hospital mein, of course," Krishiv snapped back, his defensive wall sliding back into place. "Doctor hai meri biwi. Degree hai uske paas (My wife is a doctor. She has a degree)."

Shiv groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Itna padh-likh kar karna kya hai, lekin? Mujhse toh 10th pass nahi ho rahi thi (What's the point of studying so much? I couldn't even pass 10th grade)." He looked at Rudra. "Bhabhi ke paas degree hai?"

"Oi! Har koi teri tarah nahi hota na (Not everyone is like you)," Veer teased, pointing a finger at Shiv.

"What do you mean 'teri tarah'?" Shiv shot back. "Remember how Krishiv failed in 8th?"

"Yeah," Veer laughed, "And you in 9th!"

"And you in 11th! Two times!" Shiv countered, causing the room to erupt in laughter.

Krishiv shook his head, looking at the only one who hadn't been roasted yet. "Bas Rudra reh gaya."

Rudra sighed, his **6'3" muscular frame** shifting as he leaned back in his leather chair. His thoughts immediately went to **Ishita**, who was currently sprawled out in his bed wearing nothing but his shirt.

"Meri biwi ka ye haal hai..." Rudra began, a mix of amusement and genuine concern in his voice. "Exams hain uske June mein (She has exams in June)."

"Really?" Veer asked.

"Haan, IGNOU se (Yes, from IGNOU)," Rudra replied. "Majal hai, jo ek book bhi uthayi ho ab tak... (It's a palace, but has she picked up even one book yet?)"

He chuckled, picturing her hair messy with sleep. "Between the **Raj Tilk**, the move to Rajasthan, and... well, everything else... she hasn't looked at a single page. If she doesn't start soon, she's going to be in trouble come June."

The conversation in the study took a sharp turn into a "wife-appreciation" battle as the men leaned into their competitive streaks. **Shiv** looked at **Krishiv** with genuine confusion.

"Chavvi ke paas kaun si degree hai?" Shiv asked, genuinely curious.

Krishiv didn't just answer; he started listing them off like a seasoned professor reciting a syllabus. "She's a specialist. She has her MBBS, followed by her MD, then a fellowship in advanced surgery, and a certification in trauma care..."

**Veer's** mouth fell open. "What? Is she a doctor or an encyclopedia?"

**Shiv** started counting on his fingers, his brow furrowed. "One... two... three... and half... wait..."

"Aadhi toh mujhe pata bhi nahi hai (I don't even know half of them)," Krishiv added with a shrug, though his eyes gleamed with pride.

"Ye saari is janam ki hain na? (Are these all from this lifetime?)" Veer joked, shaking his head. Rudra let out a low, vibrating chuckle, enjoying the sight of his friends being schooled by Chavvi's academic record.

Not to be outdone, Veer straightened his collar, a proud smile on his face. "Well, meri wali (**Aditi**) is no less. She works in multiple national companies, handling high-level management. She's a powerhouse."

Rudra leaned back, his **6'3" muscular frame** radiating a different kind of pride. "Meri wali (**Ishita**) is a successful model and a professional makeup artist. She's built her own name in the industry."

**Shiv** looked down at his hands, deflating instantly. "Tanya ne 12th ke baad kuch kiya hi nahi. Naak katva di meri... chhh (Tanya didn't do anything after 12th. She cut my nose... ugh)."

"Teri tarah hai vo (She's just like you)," Krishiv shot back without missing a beat, causing another round of laughter.

"Aree yaar, main toh mila Aditi ko meeting mein tha (Hey man, I met Aditi at a meeting)," Veer said, his expression softening. "Haye, kitni cute lag rahi thi vo. But even then, she was busy on a call."

He looked at Rudra. "Us waqt bhi vo **Ishu** se baat kar rahi thi call par (Even at that time, she was talking to Ishu on the call)."

Rudra's expression softened instantly. He knew how close **Aditi** and **Ishita** were-childhood friends who had stayed together through every high and low.

"They're inseparable," Rudra rumbled, his mind drifting back to the sleeping Queen in his room. "No matter how busy they are, they always find time for their gossip. It's a miracle they ever put their phones down."

The conversation in the study took a turn toward the past, revealing the deep bonds that tied their inner circle together. **Shiv** leaned forward, his curiosity piqued.

"Vese, Aditi apna ear operation nahi karwayegi kya?" Shiv asked, his voice dropping to a more respectful tone

NOTE

Aditi had been born with an underdeveloped left ear due to complications before her birth-a secret she usually kept hidden behind her hair. **Veer**, who had been listening intently, didn't even flinch at the question.

"Pata nahi, uski marzi," Veer said firmly, his eyes reflecting a steady, unwavering devotion. "Agar karna hoga toh main saath hoon, nahi karna hoga toh bhi. (If she wants to do it, I'm with her; if not, I'm still with her.) I didn't marry her for her ears; I married her for who she is."

**Krishiv** let out a low whistle, leaning back against the mahogany desk. "Kamal hai na... vese kahan log aise problem ko dekh kar baat bhi nahi karte hain, tune seedha shaadi kar li. (It's amazing... usually people won't even talk seeing such problems, and you went and got married.)"

"Vo bhi Ishu ki wajah se," Veer admitted, a small smile playing on his lips as he looked at Rudra. "Jab mila tha tab mujhe bhi laga tha... how the future would go. Even Aditi was not ready to date; she was so insecure about it."

"But Ishu was so confident about Aditi," Veer continued. "She literally forced both of us to become friends first."

"She helped Aditi so much since they were kids. Did you know Ishu once broke a girl's head?" Veer asked, chuckling at the memory.

* **The Incident:** "Just because that girl mocked Aditi's ear in school, Ishita didn't think twice. She went full warrior mode for her best friend."

Rudra, who had been listening silently, felt a surge of possessive pride chest. He could perfectly visualize his **5'3" Queen**, with her **long curly hair** and **brown eyes**, standing up to someone twice her size to protect the people she loved.

"That's my Janna," Rudra rumbled, his **ocean-blue eyes** darkening with affection. "She's soft as a rose for me, but she's a tigress for her family. If she could take on a bully back then, imagine what she'd do now as the Queen of Rajasthan."

"Seriously," Shiv added, shaking his head. "No wonder you're so obsessed with her, Rudra. She doesn't just have a heart of gold; she has the fire of a Rathore in her already."

The serious atmosphere of the security meeting had completely dissolved into the kind of chaotic warmth that only these four could manage. **Veer** leaned back, his face glowing with a quiet, paternal pride.

"Aur ab toh hum two months pregnant bhi hain," Veer shared, his voice softening. "Toh surgery ab na karwaye till delivery. Aur mujhe lagta hai zaroorat bhi nahi hai. However she is... I love her."

Rudra let out a low, warning rumble from his chest, though a smirk played on his lips. "Don't say this in front of Ishita," he cautioned, his **ocean-blue eyes** glinting. "Jealous ho jati hai vo (She gets jealous). She wants to be the only one showering Aditi with that much love."

Veer laughed, the sound echoing off the mahogany walls. "Hum topic se alag ho gaye vese (We got off topic, by the way)."

"Kaun sa topic?" **Krishiv** asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned against the heavy desk.

"Ye hi ki Rudra ne Ishu ko kya gift diya!" Veer exclaimed, pointing a finger at the King.

"Aree haaa... chal bata kya diya," **Shiv** pushed, his curiosity reaching a breaking point.

Rudra adjusted his charcoal-grey cufflink, his **6'3" muscular frame** radiating a smug, silent power. "Nahi bata raha (I'm not telling)."

"Thik hai, mat bata," Veer said with a dismissive wave, a crafty glint in his eye. "Mujhe vese bhi pata chal jayega (I'll find out anyway)."

"Kaise?" Krishiv asked, skeptical.

"Vo Aditi ko khud bata degi," Veer replied with a triumphant grin. "Best friends, remember? There are no secrets between those two."

"She won't," Rudra stated flatly, though even he sounded unsure of his own command.

"Haa... jaise tu use rok lega (Yeah, like you'll stop her)," Veer retorted, laughing. "The King of Rajasthan might rule the state, but inside that bedroom, we all know **Ishita** is the one holding the remote."

"Exactly! One pout from Bhabhi and Rudra will be the one holding the phone for her while she describes every diamond

"I can see it now. The 'Cold king' standing guard at the door while the Queen leaks state secrets-or in this case, 'jewelry secrets'-over a video call."

Rudra sighed, rubbing his temple. He knew they were right. He could control an empire and secure a border, but stopping **Ishita Sharma** from telling her best friend about her new "scandolous" jewelry was a battle even a King couldn't win.

The atmosphere in the grand study went from a tactical strategy room to a complete comedy of errors within seconds. The heavy oak doors swung open, shattering the boys' private conversation as the women of the household decided they had waited long enough for their husbands to finish "working."

**Tanya** stepped into the room first, her eyes sharp and suspicious as she caught the tail end of Veer's joke.

"Kaun kisko kidnap kar raha hai? (Who is kidnapping whom?)" she demanded, crossing her arms.

Shivay's heart dropped into his stomach. He scrambled, his mouth opening to twist the question into a harmless lie, but **Veer**-ever the instigator-shouted out with a grin: "Tere papa ko! (Your father!)"

"WHAT?!" Tanya gasped loudly, her eyes widening in pure outrage. She marched straight toward Shiv. "Himmat kaise hui tumhari, Shiv?! He is my father!"

"Baby, baby, suno! I didn't even say it!" Shiv pleaded, raising his hands in defense before glaring at Veer. "Veer, yaar! Kya hai ye?!"

Trying to save his own skin, Shiv pointed a finger back at Veer. "Hum... hum actually **Aditi** ke papa ko kidnap karne ki baat kar rahe

"Oyyy! Mere papa ne kya kiya hai? Unhe kyun kidnap karoge?!"

Like magic, Aditi stepped into the room from right behind Tanya, her jaw dropped. She locked her eyes onto her husband, her voice rising to a royal screech. "**VEEEEEEERRR!**"

Veer's playful smirk instantly vanished. He rushed forward, his hands instantly going to her waist, gently caressing her **two-month baby bump** to keep her blood pressure down. "Sweety, calm down... breathe. Shiv is lying. He's completely lying!"

Desperate to pass the blame to the only other person in the room, Veer blurted out, "We were talking about **Chavvi's** father!"

"Oyyy!" **Krishiv** growled, his dark eyes snapping toward Veer as his protective instincts for his wife kicked in.

But the warning came far too late.

The door creaked open just an inch wider, and there stood Chavvi, leaning against the frame with a cold, analytical doctor's glare that could freeze the Thar Desert. She had heard every single word.

Rudra, who had been sitting quietly behind his massive mahogany desk, just closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. The **King of Rajasthan** could command an army, but looking at the chaotic web of angry wives and panicked best friends in his study, he knew this was a battlefield where even his crown couldn't save them.

Chavvi marched right past Veer and Shiv, her eyes locked onto **Krishiv**. The feared Mafia King, who usually didn't blink in the face of loaded guns, actually took a strategic step backward until his lower back hit Rudra's heavy mahogany desk.

"Chavvi, suno... look, let me explain-" Krishiv started, raising his hands.

"Mere Bauji ko chuna bhi mat! (Don't you dare even touch my father!)" Chavvi snapped, pointing a manicured finger right at his chest. "Varna doctor biwi hone ka bahut bada nuksan hoga aapko. Asthi-panjar baahar nikal dungi saare! (Otherwise, having a doctor wife will be a huge disadvantage for you. I will rip out your entire skeleton!)"

"Par maine toh kuch kaha hi nahi! (But I didn't even say anything!)" Krishiv defended himself, looking around the room for backup. None of his friends dared to make eye contact.

"Sabko pata hai yaha kidnapping ka kaam aap hi karte ho! (Everyone knows you're the one who does the kidnapping work around here!)" Chavvi reasoned with terrifying medical precision. "Sudhar jao, Krishiv! (Mend your ways!)

Aditi and Tanya marched up right next to Chavvi, forming an impenetrable wall of furious spouses.

"Exactly, Chavvi!" **Tanya** chimed in, glaring daggers at Shiv. "Aur ye Shivay toh plan mein bilkul shamil hoga. Mera baap thoda kya khadus hai, ye unhe uthane ki baat kar rahe hain!" (And this Shivay must be completely involved in the plan. Just because my dad is a bit grumpy, they're talking about picking him up!)

"Aur tum, Veer!" **Aditi** said, placing her hands on her hips, her **two-month baby bump** pressing slightly against her top. "Mere papa ne tumhara kya bigada hai? He is such a sweet man! How could you even think about kidnapping him?!"

"Sweety, trust me, I was just making a joke about Tanya's dad! Shiv started it!" Veer pleaded, completely throwing his best friend under the bus to save himself.

"Oye! Chal jhootha!" **Shiv** yelled, his face turning red. "Plan toh Krishiv ka tha! Maine toh bas sawal poocha tha!" (Oye! You liar! The plan was Krishiv's! I just asked a question!)

From behind his desk, Rudra leaned back in his leather chair, watching his fierce inner circle crumble under the wrath of their wives. He didn't say a single word. He knew that the moment he opened his mouth, one of them would bring up **Ishita**, and he wasn't about to let his sleeping Queen get dragged into this madness.

Krishiv shot a lethal glare at Veer and Shiv, then looked back at Chavvi, who was still crossing her arms tightly.

"Fine," Krishiv muttered, clearing his throat and adjusting his jacket to regain a shred of his dignity. "No one is kidnapping anyone's father. It was... tactical banter."

"Tactical my foot," Chavvi muttered, though the corner of her mouth twitched. "Next time I hear the word 'kidnap' in this palace, I'm hiding all your car keys

**Krishiv** cleared his throat, his terrifying mafia aura completely melting away as he looked at Chavvi. "Haan haan, meri jaan... kisi ko kidnap nahi karunga tumhari permission ke bina," he muttered, smoothly sliding an arm around her waist. "Ab chalo... room mein chalte hain, thak gayi hoongi itna gussa karke." (Yes yes, my life... I won't kidnap anyone without your permission. Now come... let's go to the room, you must be tired after getting so angry.)

Chavvi gave him one last warning glare, but let him guide her toward the exit, the lethal doctor satisfied with her victory.

Seeing the master escape artist at work, **Veer** immediately pivoted to his own wife. "Haa haa..." he chuckled nervously, turning **Aditi** around before she could even open her mouth to argue. "Baby, tumne kuch khaya?" (Baby, did you eat anything?)

Before Aditi could even answer, Veer was already steering her out of the grand study, holding her securely and launch-padding into a full, loud lecture to drown out any lingering anger. "Tumhe pata hai na current timeline mein diet kitna important hai? Dual nutrition mandatory hai abhi, and what about your calcium medicines? No negligence, Aditi..." His voice faded down the marble corridor as he carefully guarded her and their **two-month baby bump**.

Meanwhile, Krishiv also managed to guide Chavvi outside, maintaining the facade of a proper, *sanskari pati* (dutiful husband) until they were safely away from the danger zone.

That left only **Shiv** and **Tanya** standing in front of the royal desk. Shiv looked at Tanya, his eyes sparkling as he tried to completely brush the father-in-law kidnapping drama under the rug.

"Chalo baby, romance karte hain!" Shiv grinned, winking at her. (Come on baby, let's romance!)

***"Ahem."***

A sharp, icy sound cut through the air. Rudra cleared his throat, his **ocean-blue eyes** narrowing as he fixed a lethal, 'Cold Prince' glare right onto Shiv. The King was still sitting behind his desk, and he was *not* about to tolerate any shameless romantic announcements in his official workspace.

Shiv jumped slightly, his grin turning sheepish as he felt the temperature in the room drop to below freezing.

"Mera matlab... room mein. Chalo, chalo, Tanya!" Shiv scrambled, grabbing Tanya's hand and practically dragging her out the door before Rudra could call the palace guards on him.

As the heavy oak doors finally clicked shut, the grand study fell into absolute, blissful silence. Rudra leaned back in his leather chair, a slow, genuine smile breaking across his handsome face.

He glanced at the watch on his wrist. It was past noon. Standing up, his **6'3" muscular frame** moving with silent grace, he decided he had done enough royal duties and security mapping for the day.

The "boys" were handled, the fortress was secure, and now, it was time for the King to return to his chambers to see if his sleepy, beautiful Queen was finally waking up in his oversized shirt.

👑 Rudra Perspective

I entered our chamber, closing the heavy wooden door behind me with a silent click, locking out the chaotic energy of the palace and my friends. The contrast was instant-the room was cool, quiet, and heavily scented with the lingering fragrance of wet roses and my sandalwood cologne from this morning.

I walked over to the bed with silent steps. She hadn't moved an inch. My frame** of pure gold was still deeply asleep, practically swallowed alive by my oversized white button-down shirt. Her hair was scattered wildly across the silk pillows, a few dark strands clinging to her cheek.

I stood there for a long moment, just watching the steady rise and fall of her chest. The sight of her wearing my clothes, completely safe and at peace within my walls, did something to the cold, ruthless prince inside me. It grounded me. After five years of absolute chaos and three years of a living hell apart, this quiet bedroom was my true kingdom.

I didn't want to disturb her rest-I knew exactly how sore and exhausted her body was after the relentless way I had loved her in the water. Moving with practiced grace, I unbuttoned my crisp charcoal-grey suit jacket and tossed it onto a nearby chair, loosening my tie and kicking off my shoes. I slipped off my formal shirt, leaving my frame bare-chested, the names **ISHITA and Janna** etched permanently over my steady heartbeat.

I quietly climbed onto the mattress and sat beside her, leaning back against the plush headboard.

I leaned down, my lips pressing a slow, lingering, and reverent kiss onto her warm forehead. She let out a tiny, soft whimper in her sleep, shifting slightly closer to my thigh, but she didn't wake.

I reached over to the nightstand and picked up her iPad. Setting aside the King's state affairs for a moment, I logged into the secure servers of my company

As Co-CEO and President, the corporate world didn't stop moving just because I had a crown on my head now. I began scanning through the quarterly financial reports, approving international shipments, and checking the updated security grids Krishiv and Veer had just synchronized.

My left hand held the iPad, my fingers tapping away at global contracts, while my large right hand rested gently on her hip, feeling the soft cotton of my shirt against her skin. Every now and then, my gaze would drift from the glowing screen down to the **moles on her I was utterly obsessed, and having her right here, completely dependent and safe under my watch, made the endless corporate emails entirely bearable.

💖 Ishita's Perspective

A soft, heavy warmth kept me anchored to the bed as I slowly started to drift out of my deep sleep. I stirred, a small yawn escaping my lips as I stretched my limbs beneath the heavy silk blankets. Almost instantly, I felt a familiar, large hand gently caressing through my tangled, curly hair, the rhythmic strokes soothing the last lingering bits of my exhaustion.

I didn't even need to open my eyes to know exactly who it was. The scent of pure crisp mountain air, and raw masculine heat filled my senses. My *Ru*.

My hand aimlessly roamed across the mattress, seeking him out, until my fingers brushed against something incredibly solid and warm. I opened my **brown eyes** slowly, blinking against the soft midday light filtering through our palace curtains. There he sat, leaning effortlessly against the plush headboard, completely bare-chested. My hand was resting right against the rigid, muscular curve of his thigh.

As I shifted, I felt the unfamiliar texture of loose, crisp cotton draping over my skin instead of the damp towel from this morning. I looked down and a soft blush immediately crept up my neck. I was drowning in his massive, white button-down shirt, the sleeves completely covering my arms and the hem reaching past my thighs.

A quiet smile touched my lips. He had definitely changed me into his own clothes while I was sleeping, wanting me to be comfortable. Even in his sleep-deprived, ruthless state, his tenderness for his *Janna* never failed.

My body was still incredibly sore, a sweet, aching reminder of how completely he had possessed . Dragging my heavy, tired limbs, I slowly slid myself up the mattress, abandoning the pillows entirely.

"Ru..." I murmured, my voice thick and raspy from sleep.

I didn't wait for him to set aside the iPad he was working on. I crawled right into his space, dragging myself up until I could snuggle into him completely. I tucked my legs under his large frame, wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my face directly into his chest.

My cheek pressed right over his heartbeat, the skin warm and smooth beneath my touch. Right there, etched into his skin, were the names **ISHITA and Janna**, a permanent mark of his absolute obsession with me. I closed my eyes, letting out a contented sigh as the steady, heavy thud of his heart echoed against my ear.

He instantly dropped his arm around me, his large hand anchoring me securely against his chest as if I were the rarest treasure in his entire Kingdom. Sitting here, wrapped in his shirt and held by his strength, the rest of the grand Rathore Raj Mahal completely faded away. He was the King of Rajasthan to the world outside, but right here, in the quiet sanctuary of our room, he was just my husband, my protector, and my entire world.

I shifted against his chest, trying to tuck my legs under me and settle my head just right, but every time I moved, my sore muscles protested. I couldn't find that perfect, weightless sweet spot. Frustrated and still half-asleep, I let out a tiny, annoyed *"Tch,"* my brow furrowing against his warm skin.

The rhythmic clicking of his fingers on the iPad screen stopped instantly.

Without a word, Ru set the tablet down on the nightstand, his full attention shifting to me. Before I could even complain, his large, powerful hands hooked under my arms, and with absolute ease, he lifted my frame entirely.

In one smooth motion, he pulled me right onto his lap. I straddled his thighs, the oversized white shirt bunching up around my hips as he anchored me against his heavy, muscular torso.

The contrast was intoxicating-my soft skin against his rigid, bare chest, the names **ISHITA and Janna** pressed right against my palms.

I let out a soft, satisfied hum, immediately wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders and burying my face into the crook of his neck.

I inhaled deeply, my nose brushing against his pulse point where the scent of pure masculine heat was strongest. I nuzzled deeper, making tiny, cute, sleepy whimpering sounds as my lips brushed his jawline, completely content now that I was practically a part of him.

Ru's massive arms wrapped securely around my back, one hand tracing the curve of my waist under the cotton shirt, while the other tangled into my hair, pressing me closer. I felt a low, deep vibration in his chest as he let out a dark, breathless chuckle right against my ear.

"Still restless, Janna?" his raspy voice rumbled, his lips brushing against the **moles on my neck** that he was so utterly obsessed with. "You fit perfectly right here. Don't move."

I hummed in response, tightening my grip around his neck. He could have all the corporate empires and royal council meetings in the world, but right now, his only job was being my personal pillow, and I had no intention of letting him go anywhere.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I wanted to give you a mix of chaotic family banter and deep, cozy romance.

It's so beautiful to see how safe and peaceful Ishita feels in Rudra's space after everything they've been through. He really treats her like his entire kingdom. Meanwhile, our boys desperately need a lesson in how to lie to their wives without throwing each other under the bus! 😂

Let me know your th

oughts on this chapter in the comments below, and please don't forget to vote. Love you all! ✨