💖 Ishita's Perspective

His hands, which usually handled steel pens and royal decrees with cold precision, were incredibly warm and gentle as they slid beneath the hem of his oversized white shirt. He found the tight, aching muscles of my thighs and began to knead them with a slow, steady pressure.

"Ahhh..." A soft, completely unbidden sound of pure satisfaction escaped my throat, my face burying deeper into his neck as the tension in my lower body finally began to melt under his touch.

Rudra's hands paused for a fraction of a second, a low, dark rumble vibrating in his chest at the sound I made. His fingers pressed a little deeper, massaging the exact spots that had been strained

"Are you sore, Janna?" his raspy voice murmured right against my ear, his lips brushing over the sensitive skin of my jaw.

"Hmm..." I whimpered softly, nodding my head against his shoulder without opening my eyes. I tightened my arms around his neck, letting my entire weight relax into his muscular frame**. I was too exhausted to give him a full answer, but my body was completely betraying just how ruthlessly and beautifully he had loved me.

👑 Rudra's Perspective

The tiny, sleepy whimper she made as I massaged her thighs died down, replaced by a sudden stiffness in her body. I felt her breath catch against my neck before she slowly pulled her face away, her brown eyes blinking up at me, still slightly hazy with sleep.

"Ru... what is the timing?" she murmured, her voice beautifully raspy.

I kept one hand securely around her waist, my thumb tracing a slow circle over her hip beneath my shirt. I didn't even look at the clock on the nightstand. "It's twelve, almost," I replied smoothly, my voice a low rumble.

In a split second, all the sleep vanished from her face. Her eyes went wide, and she practically jolted up in my lap, her hands gripping my bare shoulders.

"OMG! I slept so long!" she gasped, her face a mix of pure shock and horror. She looked at me as if I had committed a royal crime. "Why didn't you wake me up, Ru?!"

"You were tired, Janna," I said simply, completely unbothered by the midday sun streaming through the heavy curtains. My eyes tracked the way her long curly hair fell messily over her shoulders, framing the moles on her neck ."You needed the rest."

"What will everyone must be thinking?!" she cried out, her voice pitching higher as she genuinely began to panic. She tried to scramble off my lap, but I tightened my grip on her waist, holding her firmly against my chest. "The new Queen sleeps till noon?! Maa, Bebe, everyone was at the breakfast table, and I'm hiding in bed wearing your shirt!"

I let out a low, dark chuckle, pulling her back down until her chest flushed against mine again. The names *ISHITA and Janna* etched over my heartbeat pressed right against her palms.

"Let them think whatever they want," I rumbled, my tone shifting into that cold, arrogant register I used for the rest of the world, but laced with absolute possessiveness for her. "I am the King of Rajasthan, and you are my Queen. No one in this palace, not even the elders, has the right to question when my wife wakes up."

"But Ru-"

"Shh," I cut her off, leaning forward to press a firm, lingering kiss right on her jawline, making her shiver. "Maa was already asking about you at breakfast. I told her you were resting. Veer and Shiv were busy teasing me about how I couldn't control myself last night, so the damage is already done, sweetheart."

Her face instantly turned a brilliant shade of crimson, her mouth dropping open. "You... you told them?!"

"They guessed," I smirked, entirely shameless as I ran my large hand up the back of her thigh, smoothing out the fabric of my shirt. "Now stop worrying about the palace, and focus back on your King. You're not going anywhere yet."

Seeing that I wasn't going to let her leave the bed anytime soon, she let out a soft, defeated sigh. The panic slowly drained from her beautiful brown eyes, replaced by that sweet, helpless compliance she only ever showed to me. She settled herself back down onto my lap, straddling my thighs completely as she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck.

"You are spoiling me, Ru," she whispered against my skin, her voice a mix of a pout and a gentle scolding. "The whole palace is waiting, and you're turning your Queen into a lazy creature."

I didn't answer. A slow, dark smirk pulled at the corner of my lips as my eyes** locked onto hers. Slowly, deliberately, I slid my large, warm hand beneath the hem of the oversized white shirt she was wearing, my palms making direct contact with the smooth, bare skin of her thigh.

I slid my hand up higher, tracing the curve of her hip, and pulled her body flush against my chest. The sudden, unrestricted heat of her skin against my bare torso made her breath hitch instantly.

Her eyes widened in a split second as the fog of sleep completely cleared, a deep crimson blush violently rushing up her neck and staining her cheeks. She went completely rigid in my arms as she finally realized the truth.

She was completely naked under my shirt.

"Ru..." she gasped, her hands tightening on my broad shoulders, her fingers digging slightly into my skin "You... I'm not wearing... did you-"

"I told you, you were so sleepy when we had breakfast after the pool," I rumbled, my voice dropping into a dark, raspy register that vibrated directly against her chest. I didn't stop my hand; my fingers traced the sensitive skin of her waist, pulling her so close that there wasn't a single millimeter of space left between us.

"I like you better this way anyway," I murmured, leaning in until my lips brushed against the **moles on her jawline**, making her shudder in my arms. "Wrapped only in my clothes, smelling like my cologne, and completely bare for me. You are my Queen, Janna. If I want to spoil you and keep you locked in this room all day, no one can stop me."

She blushed so intensely that her entire face, neck, and the exposed skin at the collar of my shirt turned a beautiful, burning shade of crimson. She buried her face in her hands for a second, trying to hide from my unyielding gaze, before looking back up with pleading brown eyes.

"Leave me, Ru... please," she whispered, her voice trembling as she tried to shift her weight on my lap. "I need to go wear something. This is... I can't walk around like this."

I let out a low, dark chuckle, my **ocean-blue eyes** glinting with absolute amusement as my grip on her waist tightened, completely trapping her

"You are wearing something, Janna," I murmured, my voice dropping into a dangerous, raspy register as I leaned down. My lips brushed against her ear, sending an immediate shiver down her spine. "You are wearing my shirt... and that waist chain I gifted you."

Before she could protest, my large hand slid further up beneath the crisp white cotton, my fingers tracing the cold, heavy metal of the diamond waist chain wrapped around her soft waist. The intricate diamonds caught the warmth of my palm, but the real heat came from the way her skin reacted to my touch, goosebumps blooming instantly.

I whispered against her neck, my lips intentionally grazing the sensitive **moles on her jawline** that I was so utterly obsessed with, making her breath hitch.

"Let's see if it's still sitting perfectly where I left it..." I rumbled softly.

Slowly, deliberately, my hand slid downward, following the heavy line of the jewelry toward her core. My fingers brushed against the delicate, intricate diamond hangings that rested against her thigh, right at the center of the chain.

"Ru-!" She gasped loudly, her eyes flying wide as her fingers dug desperately into my bare shoulders, her entire body arching into my frame**. The friction of her bare skin against my chest made my own breath catch

She was completely helpless in my lap, trapped between the cold, glittering diamonds of my gift and the overwhelming heat of her King.

"Ru... I am not in a state, please," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly as she clung to my bare shoulders. "I am sore."

My fingers stilled against the delicate diamond hangings of the waist chain the exact moment her words left her lips. She was trembling in my arms, her breath hitching as she looked at me with those wide, vulnerable brown eyes that always had complete power over me.

"I know, Janna," I rumbled instantly, my voice dropping its dangerous, teasing edge and softening into a deep, comforting murmur.

The cold, ruthless prince the world feared vanished, replaced entirely by the man who worshipped the very ground she walked on. I immediately relaxed my grip on her waist, ensuring my frame wasn't placing an ounce of pressure on her aching body.

"I am not going to do that. Relax, sweetheart," I reassured her, my large palm flattening against her lower back, gently rubbing soothing circles through the crisp fabric of my white shirt to help her unwind.

To prove it to her, I leaned down and pressed a slow, lingering, and completely comforting kiss right into the crook of her neck. My lips brushed against her sensitive skin, intentionally tracing the **moles on her jawline** that I loved so much, but without any of the fierce hunger from last night. It was pure adoration.

She let out a long, shaky exhale, her forehead dropping onto my shoulder as the tension completely drained from herself Her small hands relaxed against my chest, her fingers lightly tracing the outlines of her own name, **ISHITA**, etched permanently over my heartbeat.

"I just wanted to see you wearing it," I whispered against her skin, my thumb smoothing over her hip where the diamonds rested. "You look beautiful, Janna. My shirt, my jewelry... you look like my empire."

She hummed softly, burying her face deeper into my neck, finally realizing that no matter how possessive or obsessed her King was, her comfort would always be his ultimate decree.

💖 Ishita's Perspective

I stayed right there on his lap, my legs still wrapping around his waist as I looked directly at him. The initial panic of waking up late had completely melted away, replaced by the heavy, comforting warmth of his presence.

Ru leaned in again, his ocean-blue eyes darkening as he looked at my neck. He didn't say a word, but his lips found the dark, blooming hickeys he had branded onto my skin last night in our bed, and then reinforced this morning against the marble edge of the pool.

Every touch of his lips was a slow, deliberate reminder of how completely he claimed me. I let out a soft hum, my fingers tangling into the hair at the back of his neck, pulling him closer as his stubble grazed my jawline, right over the moles he was so utterly obsessed with. Wrapped in his oversized shirt, with the cool diamonds of the waist chain resting against my skin, I felt like the most protected woman alive.

***Knock. Knock. Knock.***

The sharp, polite sound of someone rapping on the heavy oak doors of our bedchamber shattered the quiet sanctuary we had built.

Ru's lips froze against my skin.

Instantly, his entire body went rigid beneath me. The soft, gentle husband vanished, and the cold, ruthless king of Rajasthan returned in a split second. A dark, dangerous scowl etched across his handsome features, and a low, furious rumble vibrated deep within his bare chest. He looked at the door as if he wanted to burn it down with his eyes alone.

Maharaja a voice called out from the hallway. It was one of the palace staff, sounding completely terrified to even be breathing near our wing of the mahal. Bade hukum is calling for the King in the royal court. The ministers from Jaipur have arrived early."

"Tch." Ru let out a loud, heavily frustrated sound, his grip tightening on my waist for a brief second as if he were refusing to let the outside world take me away from him.

I couldn't help the small, amused giggle that escaped my lips at his sheer annoyance, even though my own heart was hammering at the thought of someone realizing we were still in bed at noon.

"Ru..." I whispered, smoothing my hands over his tense, muscular shoulders to calm him down. "Your ministers are waiting, Patidev."

He looked back down at me, his jaw clenched, his eyes tracking the slight curve of my smile. "They can wait," he rumbled dangerously, his voice thick with irritation. "I should have Krishiv lock the palace gates."

Even with the palace staff practically trembling on the other side of the door, the King of Rajasthan was absolutely refusing to yield his territory.

Instead of pulling away, Ru’s grip on my waist only tightened. He leaned right back down, his lips trailing a path of burning, stubborn kisses along my jawline, completely ignoring the world outside.

"Ru! Clear your throat all you want, they aren't going away!" I laughed, my shoulders shaking as his stubble tickled my skin. I pushed gently against his massive chest "Chhodo, Patidev! (Leave me, husband!) The ministers will think the King was defeated by his own bedroom!"

It took an entire thirty minutes of endless negotiation, stolen kisses, and me literally begging him before his ruthless grip finally loosened. But even then, he didn’t just let me go.

Before my feet could even touch the cold marble floor, Ru scooped my frame up into his arms, carrying me effortlessly into the royal master bathroom.

He set me down gently on the plush vanity chair, and right before my eyes, the cold, powerful billionaire Co-CEO began running a warm bath for me. He poured in the expensive rose-infused oils, adjusted the water temperature to absolute perfection so it would soothe my sore muscles, and laid out a fresh, soft towel.

"You take a bath," Ru rumbled, his **ocean-blue eyes** dead serious as he turned back to me, his broad, bare chest gleaming under the bathroom lights. "I will wait right here until you’re done, and then I'll carry you back.

"Ru, no!" I gasped, a deep blush returning to my face. "You cannot keep the ministers and your father waiting while you sit on the bathroom counter! Go change, please!"

It took a mountain of sweet-talking, a few deliberate pouts, and a firm promise that I would rest in bed the moment I was clean to finally crack his stubborn resolve. He stared at me for a long, heavy moment, evaluating my words like a strict monarch, before finally letting out a defeated sigh.

"Fine," he muttered, though his jaw remained tightly clenched in pure frustration. "But if I find out you overexerted yourself, I’m canceling the evening banquet."

I watched from the vanity as he walked back into the bedroom to prepare to go downstairs Watching him transition from my fiercely possessive husband back into the ruler of the state was always breathtaking.

He slid his arms back into his crisp, formal shirt, buttoning it up over the tattoo that held my heart. He adjusted his heavy cuffs, smoothly slipped into his tailored designer coat, and ran a hand through his dark hair, instantly locking his cold, unreadable face back into place.

He walked back to the bathroom doorway, his frame** completely commanding the space. He didn't say a word, but the burning, intense look he gave my brown eyes told me exactly where his mind would be during the entire ministerial meeting.

With one final, lingering look at his Queen, the King turned on his heel and strode out of the chamber, leaving me to finally step into the warm, rose-scented water he had prepared.

The warm water of the bath did wonders for my sore muscles, exactly as Ru had intended. Once I stepped out, I spent the next hour getting ready for the evening, wanting to look every bit the Queen of the Rathore Raj Mahal.



I chose a breathtaking **peacock blue net saree** that draped beautifully over my slim figure. The blouse featured intricate, full-sleeved gold zari embroidery that caught the light with every movement. Reet had truly outdone herself with this design.

To complement the look, I added the classic royal touches:

Heavy, matching peacock-blue jhumkas swayed against my neck, brushing right past the **moles on my jawline**. Around my neck, the diamond *mangalsutra* I never remove

My hands were adorned with traditional deep red bridal *chooda* contrasting stunningly against my dark mehndi. My nails were done in a matte navy blue with delicate gold leaf accents.

On my feet, I wore heavy, ornate kundan anklets (*payals*) with tiny pearl drops, and slid into glittering gold platform heels to give my frame a royal lift.



Taking a deep breath, I walked down the grand marble corridors of the palace. The heavy silence of the royal court wing was suddenly broken by the rhythmic, melodious *chan-chan* of my heavy silver payals echoing against the stone walls.

Downstairs, the atmosphere was serious and formal. **Rudra**, dressed immaculately in his dark royal sherwani, was seated at the head of the long mahogany table, flanked by his father, **Ram Singh Rathore**, and three senior ministers from Jaipur. They were reviewing state documents, Ru's face completely locked in his signature cold, unreadable expression.

But the moment the sound of my anklets drifted into the court, his entire demeanor shifted.

Before the ministers could even look toward the entrance, Rudra's head snapped up. His **ocean-blue eyes** locked onto me, tracking my descent down the grand staircase. The ruthless, calculating look in his eyes completely vanished, replaced by a dark, burning intensity that made my heart flutter.

Without a word to the ongoing conversation, he stood up from the royal chair, drawing the immediate, respectful silence of everyone in the room.

He walked with slow, commanding strides toward the base of the stairs, completely ignoring the ministers. As I reached the final step, he extended his large, warm hand toward me, his palm open, the heavy silver signet ring gleaming on his finger.

I looked up at him through my lashes, a soft blush creeping onto my cheeks despite the audience. Slowly, I lifted my hand, the red *chooda* clinking softly, and placed my palm securely into his. His large fingers instantly wrapped around mine, pulling me gently to his side, anchoring the Queen right where she belonged—next to her King.

Rudra didn’t let go of my hand for even a second. With a gentle but possessive pull, he guided me* right to the head of the massive mahogany table, keeping me flush against his side. Before I could even adjust to the formal setting, his large arm slid around my waist, his palm resting right over the **peacock blue net saree** where the hidden diamond waist chain sat.

He looked down at the senior ministers from Jaipur, his frame** radiating absolute, unyielding authority as a proud smile graced his lips.

"Gentlemen," Rudra’s deep, baritone voice echoed off the high-arched ceilings of the court. "Meet my wife, the Queen of Rajasthan, **Ishita Singh Rathore**."

The three ministers instantly stood up from their chairs, their expressions shifting from serious political faces to masks of profound respect.

I gracefully brought my hands together, the red bridal *chooda* clinking softly against my kundan bangles, and bowed my head slightly. "Namaste."

"Khammaghani, rani sa " the eldest minister, a gentleman with a stark white mustache and a traditional Rajasthani safa, replied, folding his hands deeply in return. "It is an absolute honor to finally meet you. The entire state has been singing praises of the new Queen since the **Raj Tilk**."

"Ji, Bilkul," the second minister chimed in, bowing. "Rajasthan is blessed to have a Queen who carries herself with such grace and dignity."

Papa ji, sitting just to the right, looked at me with warm, fatherly pride in his eyes. "Sit down, everyone. Ishita, beta, I hope your rest wasn't disturbed? Rudra was quite insistent that you shouldn't be bothered until you woke up on your own."

I felt a sudden rush of heat hit my cheeks, my mind flashing straight back to the bathroom scene and my nakedness under his shirt just an hour ago. I shot a quick, subtle glare up at my husband, but Rudra remained entirely shameless, his thumb casually tracing a slow line across my waist.

"No, Papa, I am completely fine," I managed to say smoothly, keeping my voice steady. "Thank you. Please, don't let me interrupt your important discussion."

"You are never an interruption in this court, Janna," Rudra rumbled softly, his **ocean-blue eyes** softening for a split second just for me, before he turned a cool, commanding gaze back to the ministers. "We were just finalizing the new cultural heritage restoration project for the Udaipur borders."

"Yes, Ranisa," the eldest minister explained respectfully, gesturing to the maps laid out on the table. "Hukum has been very strict about the security and the budget allocation. He wants the local artisans to profit directly without any middlemen."

I looked at the documents and then up at Rudra, a wave of pure admiration washing over me. He might be cold and ruthless to the world, but as a King, he cared deeply for his people.

"That is a wonderful initiative," I said, offering a warm smile to the council. "Our artisans are the true heart of Rajasthan. If *The Rathor Company* or the royal trust can assist in funding their materials directly, it will speed up the process significantly."

The ministers exchanged impressed looks. "A very sharp suggestion, Ranisa. Hukum, the Queen already understands the logistics perfectly."

Rudra’s arm tightened around my waist, pulling me a fraction closer as a smug, proud smirk settled on his handsome face. "Of course she does," he rumbled, his voice dripping with possessiveness. "She’s a Rathore now."

I nodded politely and said, "Okay. You all continue, I won't disturb you further." Rudra's fingers loosened on my waist at my signal, and he finally let me go. The cool air of the hallway hit me as I stepped away, my heart still thudding from the closeness of him. For a moment I caught his eyes—calm, unreadable—but he only offered a small, almost imperceptible nod before turning back to the ministers.

I smoothed the fall of my peacock-blue net saree and walked into the adjoining living room where the rest of the family had gathered. The space felt warmer, softer—a careful contrast to the formal severity of the council chamber. my mother-in-law, rose at my entrance with a practiced smile and an approving look that made me relax a little. Beside her, Chachi fussed over a tray of tea cups, the aroma of cardamom wrapping around us like a familiar shawl. Bebe sat in her favorite recliner, watching everyone with sharp, amused eyes.

My mummy was already there, her face glowing with a mix of pride and relief. She reached for my hand and squeezed it, whispering, "My girl, you look beautiful." I leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek; in that simple gesture I felt the steady, grounding love that had always kept me centered.

A soft murmur of greetings came from the other corner where Dhristi and Reet—my devranis—were chatting animatedly with Nand and Ahana. Dhristi waved me over first, her voice bubbling with the kind of warmth that made me smile without thinking. Reet clicked her tongue playfully and offered me a cup of coffee, insistence wrapped into her expression.

"Beta, sit," Diya said, patting the sofa beside her. I sat down, folding my saree neatly across my knees, feeling the hidden diamond waist chain press faintly against my skin. It was a small, private reminder of Rudra—his touch, his possessiveness—an intimacy that made my cheeks heat even here among family.

Did Rudra behave himself? How are you feeling? I replied with calm, practiced answers, keeping my voice even and my smile steady. Inside, memories flickered—his thumb tracing along my waist in the council, the way he'd eased me to the head of the table, the surge of protectiveness that wrapped around me like a cloak. There was warmth in that memory, a softness beneath his ruthless exterior that I couldn’t help but cherish.

Bebe cleared her throat and, with a twinkle in her eye, teased, "So, our Queen has already started advising on state matters?" Laughter bubbled around the room. I laughed too, but felt that familiar, quiet pride bloom within me. Rudra might rule the state, but in these moments—surrounded by family, with my mother by my side—I felt the gentle power of belonging.

Mummy leaned closer and murmured, "Don't let him spoil you too much." I grinned at her and whispered back, "I won't. But he already does." She squeezed my hand again, then turned to chat with maa

As they spoke, I watched the family move around me—small gestures, whispered jokes, the way chachi fussed over a loose strand of my hair—and felt anchored. Outside the doorway, the echoes of the council still lingered: Rudra's presence, the weight of his title, his protective hand. Inside the room, I was simply Ishita—daughter, daughter-in-law, wife—finding my place in a sprawling new life.

I settled back into the sofa, letting the easy warmth of the living room fold around me. For now, that felt enough.

A gentle hand beckoned me toward the ladies’ garden. Ahana’s mischievous smile said she already knew more than she should. Reet and Dhristi followed closely, chattering like schoolgirls as we made our way past jasmine hedges into the sunlit courtyard where Aditi, Chaavi, and Tanya were already gathered around a low fountain.

The garden felt like its own world—green leaves, the soft tinkling of water, and the muffled gravity of the palace a distant hum. The women fell silent for a heartbeat when I arrived, then erupted into a flurry of questions in voices half-loud, half-whispered.

“So? How was it? Tell us everything,” Aditi urged, leaning forward with bright-eyed curiosity, her hand instinctively resting on her two-month baby bump.

Chaavi smirked, adjusting her elegant posture, already picturing the headline. “Don’t think you can escape us just because you have a crown on your head now, Ishi. We've been waiting since breakfast!”

Tanya clapped her hands in eager expectation. “Yes! We literally had to watch our husbands scramble out of the study earlier because they were terrified of Rudra bhai, but you? You have the ultimate remote control!

I gave a small, composed smile and settled on the carved stone bench, smoothing the peacock-blue net saree around me. Their faces were open, warm, conspiratorial—the kind that made it impossible to keep anything from being noticed.

Ahana nudged me playfully. “Come on, Ishita. We deserve at least one detail. How did the first night go—after you became Queen?”

My cheeks warmed, and for a moment I let them imagine whatever they wanted. The truth felt too private to lay out in full. Still, memories rose unbidden: the hush of our chamber, Rudra’s heavy weight beside me, the way he had presented me with delicate gifts that felt both possessive and reverent. The breast ornament—an ornate piece he’d fastened with fierce tenderness—and the glittering waist chain that sat like a promise under the saree. Even now, I could feel the faint pressure of the lower chain against my skin, a slow, private reminder that hummed at the center of me.

I kept my voice low, letting the memory skim the edge of what I would say. “It was… intense,” I answered, soft and careful. “He—he was passionate. He gave me something beautiful.” I touched the fabric at my waist as if to confirm it was still there.

Reet and Dhristi exchanged delighted squeals, their bangles clinking loudly.

“I knew it!” Reet gasped, pointing a well-manicured finger at me. “When I was designing that outfit, Vardaan told me Rudra bhai was looking at the jewelry catalogs for weeks. Did he give you the traditional royal kundan set, or was it something more... personal?”

Tanya leaned in, whispering the inevitable, “Gifts? Show us!”

I laughed and shook my head, my heavy jhumkas brushing my jawline. “No way. It’s staying exactly where it is.”

Chaavi raised an eyebrow, sly and amused. “At least tell us if he behaved like a king or like a jealous husband,” she teased.

I hesitated, thinking of Rudra’s dual faces—public ruler, private man. In the council he was iron; in our chamber he had been all fire and tenderness, both at once. “Both,” I said finally. “He was careful, but… very sure of himself.

The women murmured, approving and scandalized in equal measure.

Ahana’s curiosity pressed on. “Any marks?” she asked in a tone that suggested she already knew the answer.

My fingers brushed my neck unconsciously. I remembered how I’d spent the morning before the council with my makeup kit open, smoothing over small, private traces—shadows and faint impressions where skin remembered what had happened in the hush of darkness and against the cool marble of the pool. The cosmetics had been a tiny kind of armor: concealer to erase, powder to set, a touch of kajal to draw attention to what I wanted people to see—my composed face, not the story written on my skin.

I met their eyes and shrugged, playful but guarded. “A queen must always present herself well,” I said. “So everything that needed hiding is well hidden.”

The reply got the reaction I expected: gasps, knowing nods, a chorus of “Good girl”s and laughter.

“Oh, please,” Aditi laughed, nudging my shoulder. “We saw the way Veer and Shiv were snickering when they came out of the study. Veer literally told me, *'Baby, don't go near the west wing, the lion is marking his territory.'* Rudra didn't even try to hide his frustration that the council meeting started at noon!”

“And he cleared his throat so loudly when Shiv tried to romance me!” Tanya giggled, hiding her face in her hands. “Shiv was practically running out of the room!

Chaavi leaned back against the fountain edge, a soft, genuine smile replacing her teasing smirk. “Jokes aside, Ishi... we all saw how he stood up the moment your payals jingled near the courtroom. The ministers were completely forgotten. He only saw you.”

Aditi reached for my hand, squeezing it like an ally. “He adores you, Ishita. You can tell.”

Her words were simple and true. Saying them aloud made the warmth in my chest deepen. Even surrounded by whispers and teasing, I felt something steadier: the knowledge that Rudra’s devotion—no matter how possessive, ruthless, or overwhelming—was entirely real.

“He does,” I whispered softly, a small smile escaping my lips as my thumb traced the bridal chooda on my wrist. “Some

times it’s a lot to handle... but I wouldn’t change a single thing about my Patidev.”