Hey everybody,

Thank you so much, my dear genuine readers, for always being here! 💖

I’m really sorry for the late update my exams kept me quite busy, and I couldn’t find the time to write.

Your patience and support mean the world to me. Thank you for staying with the story! 🥰

Please do comment and share your views are you enjoying the story or not?

I hope you enjoyed last chapter,

Enjoy your reading with me

__________________________

Ekansh pov

I’ve always had the habit of waking up early in the morning for sword practice.

when I woke up and stepped inside the room, my steps halted.

She was sleeping on the floor beside the bed.

I sighed softly. Then I bent down, lifted her carefully in my arms, and placed her on the bed. She was sleeping so deeply that she didn’t even stir, not even for a moment.

Instead of heading for practice, I walked straight into the bathing room. I wasn’t in the mood today.

After my bath, I changed into a yellow kurta and came back into the room.

She was still sleeping  peacefully, like a child. She looks too cute and innocent when she sleeps, and when she cries for her cow.”

I shook my head and ignored the thought, grabbing a clothe from the chair to dry my hair.

“Hmmm… let me sleep,” I suddenly heard her sleepy murmur barely a whisper.

I turned toward her. She was rubbing her cheek against her arm, probably because the water from my hair had reached her.

A mischievous thought crossed my mind. I shook my hair deliberately, sending more drops toward her.

She made the cutest little face in her sleep as the cold droplets touched her skin.

I did it again this time, she opened her eyes lazily, pouting adorably.

“Why are you troubling me? Let me sleep,” she mumbled in a drowsy voice and shut her eyes again.

Then suddenly, her eyes snapped open when she felt the warmth of the blanket I had placed over her.

She looked at me wide-eyed, almost startled.

“Why were you sleeping on the floor?” Without wasting time, I asked, my tone firm but calm.

She sat up slowly, her voice soft. “I was just sitting there… didn’t realize when I fell asleep.”

“The way you were sleeping didn’t look like an accident,” I said, raising a brow.

“I slept by mistake, the bed was feeling strange to me,” she replied quickly, avoiding my eyes, then got off the bed and hurried into the bathing room.

Then I sat on the chair and began checking some pending letters related to the court.

After some time, I heard a knock on the door. I went to open it  Maa sa was standing there.

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” Maa sa said in a serious tone.

“Alright, please come in,” I said, and we both walked inside.

“There are still a few rituals left to be done today. I want you to be present,” Maa sa said.

“How many more rituals are there? For days now, that’s all we’ve been doing,” I replied, a bit frustrated, I am not getting enough time to focus on my work.

“Just a few rituals are left,” Maa sa said politely.

“You’re still upset with us?” she asked softly, sadness in her voice.

“Yes,” I replied quietly.

“How long will you stay angry with us?” she asked again, her tone filled with hope.

“I don’t know,” I answered bluntly.

Just then, the faint tinkling of anklets echoed in the air, drawing both our gazes toward the sound.

She was coming completely ready, dressed in a green lehenga adorned with matching jewelry.

Siya’s outfit

The moment she saw Maa sa, she adjusted the corner of her dupatta over her head, walked forward with a gentle smile, and bent down to touch Maa sa’s feet.

Maa sa placed her hand on Siya’s head, blessing her lovingly. “Sada suhagan rahiye aur khush rahiye. May God fulfill all your wishes.”

Siya smiled softly in return.

“You are looking too beautiful,” Maa sa said affectionately, placing hand on Siya’s cheek with a smile.

Then she took a bit of kohl from her own eyes and placed it behind Siya’s ear.

“Are you ready, or do you need a little more time?” Maa sa asked.

“Maa sa, I’m ready,” she replied in a melodious voice, her smile tender and graceful.

In front of me, she only ever yells. I never knew her voice could sound this sweet.

When she felt my gaze on her, she briefly lifted her eyes toward me, only to look away the next moment and turn back to Maa sa.

“Alright then, let’s go,” Maa sa said gently.

Siya nodded and was about to took veil, but Maa sa stopped her. “No need to take a long veil, beta.”

“Ji,” she replied softly.

“Ekansh, let’s go,” Maa sa said.

I nodded in response.

Maa sa turned to leave, and we followed behind her. I was taking long strides, and just as Siya stepped forward, we didn’t notice each other and unknowingly, we collided.

Suddenly, I held her hand to protect her from falling. The soft tinkling of her bangles filled into the room, and Maa Sa turned around. We were standing close—too close—her hand still resting in mine. Seeing us like that, Maa Sa smiled teasingly. Quickly, I let go of her hand, and she took a step back. We both straightened up immediately.

“Sorry, I collided with you by mistake,” I said politely to break the silence.

“Maa Sa, we accidentally bumped into each other,” she said awkwardly.

“I know, I know. You both relax. Come along,” Maa Sa replied with a teasing smile.

“No, Maa Sa, I’m coming with you,” she said quickly.

Maa Sa turned and began walking toward the door. She followed her, and I walked beside her. She didn’t glance at me even once. Maa Sa was a few steps ahead, and we were walking side by side.

When we reached the doorway, she whispered softly so Maa Sa wouldn’t hear, "aap manusya hai ya pathar yaisa laga jaise hum kisi diwar se takra gye ho."

( “Are you a man or a wall? It felt like I bumped into a stone.”)

She was rubbing her hand gently.

Hearing that, a playful smile automatically appeared on my lips. Leaning slightly toward her as we walked, I whispered, "pathar se adhik kathor hain hum Rani sa."

(“I’m harder than any stone, Rani Sa.”)

She lifted her head and stared at me with wide eyes. “I know you’re too hard,” she said, a hint of anger in her voice.

“Yes, Rani Sa, I’m hard… but only because of you. You can check if you want,” I said with a teasing smirk.

“Chi! What kind of things do you say? What sort of man are you?” she exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.

“You’re the one who keeps thinking that way. I was only saying I’m strong,” I replied, pretending to be innocent.

“You start these shameless talks yourself and then blame me for it,” she snapped.

“What shameless talks? What are you trying to say, Rani Sa?” I asked, still feigning innocence.

“You’re not just a bull, you’re a pervert too!” she shot back angrily, gathering her lehenga with both hands and walking ahead in long, quick steps toward Maa Sa.

“Maa Sa, where are we going?” she asked, clearly trying to ignore me.

We began walking beside Maa Sa. The way she and Maa Sa were talking, it seemed as if they had known each other for years.

Finally, we reached the sitting area, where my entire family was already gathered. Impatience was clearly visible on Prem and Prisha’s faces.

The moment they saw us at the doorway, they squealed with joy, “Bhai Sa and Bhabhi sa have come!” Every gaze instantly turned toward us.

Only family members and three or four close guests were present there.

Her eyelashes were lowered, and a soft smile on her lips. Everyone looked genuinely happy at our arrival.

“Beta, you both sit there,” Chachi Maa instructed, pointing toward the place prepared for us.

At the center, there was a large thal filled with milk and decorated with rose petals. Two seats were arranged opposite each other one on either side of the thal.

We both took our places, facing each other.

Everyone else also settled around us.

"I am on Bhabhi Sa’s side!” Prem suddenly announced with excitement.

“Fine, then i am on Bhai Sa’s side!” Prisha replied in the same playful tone.

“Maa Sa, please start soon we can’t wait any longer!” both of them exclaimed together, their eyes gleaming with joy and happiness.

Author Por

“You two are always so curious about everything,” his mother said, nodding her head with a smile.

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Aap sab hamara uphas uda rhe hai, hamari pratistha ki to kisi ko kadar hi nahi hai," Prem declared dramatically, placing a hand over his heart.

(“You all are making fun of me! No one cares about my dignity anymore,” Prem declared dramatically, placing a hand over his heart.)

"Rajkumar prem Aapke pratistha bhi hai," his father teased, laughing.

(“Prince Prem, you still have your dignity,” his father teased, laughing.)

Hearing that, Laughter filled the room again, louder this time.

When Prem noticed Devika laughing, he shot her a dangerous glare  the kind that said “How dare you laugh at me?”

The moment Devika saw his reaction, she stopped laughing, turned her face away in mock anger, and looked toward siya. Siya, on the other hand, was busy laughing along with everyone.

“Alright then, let’s begin the ritual,” his mother announced cheerfully, signaling his aunt to start.

His aunt stood, came over to Siya and Ekansh, and sat in front of the ceremonial tray. Both watched her carefully, a quiet curiosity in their eyes.

“I’ll drop this ring into the milk,” his aunt said, smiling. “You both will have to find it. We’ll do this three times, and whoever finds the ring more often will be the winner of this ritual.”

Ekansh and Siya exchanged a glance.

“That’s not all,” one of the lady guests added with a chuckle. “According to tradition, whoever wins this game will rule the marriage for life!”

Ekansh and Siya looked at her with a smile.

"Ye sab to bas khawat hai," her husband interrupted, laughing. "Satye to ye hai ki es rasam ke vijeta koi bhi ho jivan bhar chalti to patni ki hi hai,"

(“That’s just a saying,” her husband interrupted, laughing. “In reality, no matter who wins here, it’s always the wife who rules the home!”)

The entire room broke into cheerful laughter.

“You are right,” Ekansh’s father said teasingly while laughing.

Ekansh’s mother turned toward his father with mock anger. "Achha to aapke kehne ka arth hai ki hum aap par hukum chalate hai."

( His mother turned toward him with mock anger. “Oh, so you mean to say  I rule over you?”)

"Ji ha maharani sahiba, he replied with a teasing smile. "jab tak aap hum par hukum nahi chalati hai hame achha hi nahi lagta,"

(“Yes, Maharani sahiba,” he replied with a teasing smile. “In fact, if you don’t command me, I don’t feel right.”)

“Uhum uhum, Bhai sa” Ekansh’s uncle teased, raising his brows playfully.

His mother blushed, and everyone laughed at her shy reaction.

"Maharani aap itna adhik sarma kiyo rhi hai, hum to bacho ko sikha rhe hai ki patni ki aagya ka balan karna pati ka kartawaye hota hai isi me jivan Khushal rhti hai," his father said dramatically.

(“Maharani saa, why are you blushing so much? I’m just teaching the children that obeying one’s wife is a husband’s greatest duty that’s how life stays peaceful.” his father said dramatically. )

"Nirlaj aadmi bacho ke samakchh yaisi bate kon karta hai," she wishpered slowly, they were sitting beside each other.

(“You shameless man! Who says such things in front of the children?”)

"Ji pita ji hum sadew aapke es bat ko Smaran rakhenge," Prem said loudly while laughing.

(“Yes, pita jii, I’ll always remember this great lesson.”)

Ekansh and Siya couldn’t help but smile along with the others.

"Yaisa pratik hota hai ki ab hame  Rajkumar ke liye bhi kanya dhunna parega," his aunt teased, looking at Prem.

(“It seems we’ll soon have to find a bride for our dear prince too,” his aunt teased, looking at Prem.)

“Bhai sa, why are you blushing? We’re only talking  no one’s found a girl yet,” Prisha teased, laughing. “We’re just trying to annoy you!”

"Ha pehle hum aapko vida karenge tabhi vivah karenge, anetha hum apni patni  ke sang bilkul samay nahi bita payenge," Prem replied quickly while laughing.

(“Yes, first we’ll marry you off, otherwise, after my marriage, I’ll never get time alone with my wife!”)

“I’m not getting married,” Prisha replied playfully. “I’ll stay here and keep bothering you all. Looks like you’re the one desperate for marriage.”

"Hamne es visay par kabhi wichar nahi kiya ki hum vivah ke liye uthsuk hai ya nahi, prantu hum vivah to karenge na, anetha hamari patni ka kya hoga ve jivan bhar akeli reh jayengi," Prem said dramatically.

(“I’ve never thought about whether I’m eager or not, But of course, I’ll have to marry someday  otherwise, what will my poor wife do? She’ll be alone forever.” Prem said dramatically.)

"Ye kahiye na ki jivan bhar aap akele reh jayenge," his aunt teased.

(“Or maybe you’ll be the one alone forever,” his aunt teased.)

“Chachi Maa!” he said, pouting.

The room was filled with laughter and joy.

Siya said nothing. She still felt a little shy and unfamiliar in her new home, among her new family. She simply watched and smiled quietly. Ekansh too was smiling; he knew his siblings’ mischief all too well.

"Jinhe vivah karna hai unki koi karwa nahi rhe hai aur hame fasa diya es musibat ke sath," Ekansh thought in his mind while starring siya.

Why is he staring at me like that? He’s definitely thinking something bad about me, Siya thought, glancing back at him.

“Whenever these two are together, nothing ever happens on time,” his mother said to Prem and Prisha, shaking her head. Both of them made childish faces, making everyone laugh again.

“Alright, let’s begin,” his aunt said finally.

She dipped her hand into the thal of milk, stirred it around a little, then withdrew her hand, leaving the ring inside.

“Now you both find the ring,” she said.

Ekansh and Siya exchanged a challenging look  as if silently saying, ‘Only I will win.’ Then they both dipped their hands into the milk together.

Their hands moved in circles, searching for the hidden ring beneath the milk and rose petals.

“Come on, Bhabhi Sa! You have to win!” Prem cheered.

“Bhai sa, hurry up! You have to win!” Prisha challenged prem.

Under the milk, their hands brushed against each other unexpectedly. Both froze, their hands still beneath the surface. For a moment, their eyes met. Then Siya quickly pulled her hand back and started searching again for the ring.

Ekansh also began searching for the ring. In between the search, their eyes met several times, exchanging playful yet challenging glances.

Siya’s fingers brushed against the ring, but as she moved her hand too quickly, it slipped away with the flow of milk. She started searching again, but before she could find it, Ekansh lifted his hand out of the bowl  the ring glimmering between his fingers.

Siya stared at him, both surprised and a little disappointed.

“Wow, Bhai Sa, you won the first round!” Prisha exclaimed joyfully.

“Siya beta, don’t worry,” Ekansh’s mother said kindly to encourage her. “There are still two rounds left.”

“Yes, Maa Sa,” Siya replied softly.

“Still,” Ekansh said firmly, his eyes locked on Siya, “it’s possible I’ll win again.”

Siya shot him a dangerous glare and replied in the same tone, “Anything can happen.”

“Yes, Bhai Sa, I know Bhabhi saa will win this time,” Prem said confidently.

Then his aunt once again dropped the ring into the milk and said with a smile, “Siya beta, this time it’s your turn to find it.”

Both Siya and Ekansh dipped their hands into the milk again, searching for the ring. This time, Ekansh lightly held Siya's fingers, stopping her hand while giving her a playful, challenging look. Siya met his gaze with equal defiance, refusing to back down.

A silent battle had begun one that only the two of them could understand.

Everyone else watched the bowl intently, smiling, unaware of the hidden war beneath the white swirl of milk.

Siya then caught his fingers in return, holding them firmly to stop him, challenging him with her eyes.

The milk rippled and swirled with their movements, but from the outside, it simply looked as though they were searching for the ring.

Finally, both managed to free their hands  and lifted their hands out at the same time.

Everyone gasped in surprise.

Seeing their reaction, Siya and Ekansh looked down at their own hands and froze.

Each of them was holding a ring.

Even they were shocked.

Ekansh was holding Siya’s ring, while Siya had the one his aunt had dropped into the milk.

“Where did this come from?” Ekansh asked, confused. Then his eyes met Siya’s, and they both realized  it must have happened during their playful tug-of-war beneath the milk.

“Wow! That means both of them won!” Prisha exclaimed with a wide smile.

“Siya, you’ve won this round  and Ekansh you won our Siya,” his aunt said with amusement.

“Yes, but since the ring is now in Siya’s hand, this round’s winner is Siya,” his mother said with a proud smile.

Siya smiled at Ekansh, her eyes glimmering with quiet triumph.

His aunt once again dropped the ring into the milk.

“You both have won one round each,” his mother said. “Now, whoever finds the ring this time will be the final winner.”

“Bhabhi Sa, win this round and earn your lifetime right over Bhai Sa!” Prem shouted teasingly.

“Bhai Sa, this time win both  Bhabhi Sa and the ring!” Prisha added with laughter.

Everyone giggled as Siya and Ekansh dipped their hands again.

I have to win this time. I can’t let him win again, Siya thought to herself while searching for the ring.

No matter what, I must win. I can’t let her have the upper hand forever, Ekansh thought with equal determination.

Both moved their hands quickly, their fingers brushing often, but the ring kept slipping away with the movement of the milk.

Their hands moved faster, the petals swirling around them. Suddenly, they heard a faint clink  the ring had struck against the thal, closer to Siya’s side.

Siya immediately reached toward the sound, while Ekansh also darted his hand in the same direction. Both tried to catch it at once and, Without realizing it, they lifted their hands out together  the ring was caught between Ekansh and Siya’s fingers.

For a second, neither understood what had happened  until everyone burst into laughter.

When they looked down, they saw that their hands were  joined  a red thread from Ekansh’s wrist had tangled around Siya’s bangle.

They both froze in surprise, staring at their joined hands.

When they had hurried to catch the ring, the thread must have caught around her bangle  but neither had noticed until now.

Seeing this, the whole family burst into cheerful laughter.

But Siya and Ekansh simply looked at each other, wide-eyed and stunned.

Then, both of them hurriedly tried to detach their hands, attempting to free themselves from the thread tied.

“The more you try to pull away, the tighter it will get,” his mother said with a smile  but her words seemed to carry a hidden meaning, one that hinted at something deeper… something about their marriage.

Hearing this, Ekansh and Siya looked up at his mother, their hands frozen in midair.

Suddenly, his aunt’s voice broke the silence.

“The ring may be one, but it’s in both of your hands  so both of you are the winners of this ritual.”

“That means,” she added playfully, “neither of you will dominate the other you’ll be equals.”

Everyone laughed joyfully. Ekansh and Siya exchanged a glance before gently freeing their hands. This time, they succeeded.

For both of them, the moment was slightly awkward. They glanced at each other for a brief second before turning toward the family, who were still laughing and gossiping.

“Bhai-sa, I was only joking when I said you should win both Bhabhi-sa and the ring  but you actually did it!” Prisha teased happily.

“Now you two completely belong to each other,” Prem said with a bright smile.

“All right then, I am leaving now,” Ekansh said in a firm tone, standing up quickly  eager to escape the awkward situation.

“He’s really going to leave me alone to face everyone after all this? We both did it  so why should I be the only one embarrassed? But how do I stop him?” Siya thought.

"Rana sa thori der ruk jaiye phir chalejaiyega," Siya said sweetly, her voice too soft and loving, pretending to blush.

(“Rana-sa, please wait a little longer. You can leave afterward,” Siya said sweetly, her voice soft and teasing, pretending to blush.)

Hearing her, Ekansh was taken aback. His eyes widened as he stared at her, shocked. Everyone’s attention shifted toward Siya.

"Yekant me hamare hisse ka dudh aur hamara rakt dono pi jati hai, aur yaha sanskari patni banne ka natak kar rhi hai. Inka kuchh nahi ho sakta," Ekansh thought grimly, though his expression remained unreadable.

(“In private, she drinks my milk and my blood and now she’s acting like the perfect, modest wife. Nothing can fix her,” Ekansh thought grimly, though his expression remained unreadable.)

“Bhai-sa, when Bhabhi-sa is asking you so lovingly, you must stay,” Prem teased again.

“Ekansh, sit down. The ritual isn’t over yet,” his mother said gently.

Reluctantly, Ekansh sat back in his place, his gaze instantly locking with Siya’s. She gave him a victorious little smile.

“There’s still one tradition left something that must be fulfilled,” his father said with excitement.

“Yes,” his mother agreed, “and it’s a tradition that’s very close to your father’s heart.”

“What tradition, Maa-sa?” Prem asked eagerly.

“Of course bhai sa, you’ll want to know  you’ll have to follow it at your own wedding too otherwise your wife will be alone for entire life, right," Prisha teased him with a playful grin.

“You two, stop bickering again,” their mother scolded lightly.

“The tradition is that you both have to feed each other with your own hands, and whoever wins will give five promises to their partner,” his mother instructed warmly.

“Maa saa, I don’t find this tradition necessary to perform,” Ekansh replied firmly, his expression unreadable.

“It’s good that he refused to perform this ritual. I don’t want to do it either,” Siya thought to herself, feeling happy.

“Ekansh, it’s a tradition,” his aunt reminded gently.

“Ekansh, please don’t say something that isn’t meant to be a promise,”his mother thought silently, her eyes fixed on her son.

Ekansh said nothing in response. He just sat there, face blank, emotions locked away. Siya too sat quietly beside him, her eyes lowered.

A maid arrived with a silver bowl of water and placed it before them on his mother’s order before leaving.

“Both of you, wash your hands now. We’ll continue with the next ritual,” his mother said.

Coincidentally, Siya and Ekansh lifted their hands at the same time. Their eyes met briefly, and then Ekansh pulled his hand back first, then one by one they washed their hands.

Soon, the maids returned with thals of food for everyone. Each thal was filled with a variety of dishes sweet, spicy, and savory. They placed the thals in front of everyone.

The plate lay between EkanshandSiya, the faint clink of steel echoing in the still air.

His mother said softly in stressed, trying to ease the tension in the air, “You both can just feed each other. No need to exchange promises."

Ekansh picked a small piece of puri and dipped it into the sabzi, his movements measured, almost ritualistic. The faint aroma of ghee mingled with the sharp scent of cardamom sweet and heavy, like the moment itself.

He lifted the morsel toward siya. His face was composed, his tone steady but cold.

“I promise,” he began, “to fulfill every duty that comes with being a husband  every single one, without fail.”

For a heartbeat, neither moved.The word husband landed between them like a challenge.

Their eyes locked  as if the world had disappeared and only the storm between them remained.

“Husband?” Siya thought bitterly. I will never accept a man like you as my husband," she said in her mind, taking the morsel in her mouth without breaking eye contact with him.

He didn’t look away. A muscle ticked in his jaw. "If you refuse to see me as your husband, then I’ll still do everything a husband does that itself will be your greatest punishment," Ekansh thought grimly in his mind.

Everyone was watching silently as Siya and Ekansh completing the ritual.

Siya and Ekansh’s eyes held a war of quiet defiance  a battle only they both could see and understand. To everyone else, it was simply a ritual being performed by a newlywed couple.

Ekansh took a small morsel of a spicy dish and held it out toward Siya.

"Every moment, you’ll regret this marriage, he thought darkly in his mind," before speaking aloud, then he gave his second promise his voice steady and calm. “I promise to uphold this marriage till my last breath, no matter what it costs.”

Hearing his words, Siya’s jaw tightened slightly a change so subtle that only Ekansh noticed. To the others, it sounded like a beautiful promise; but to her, it felt like a punishment.

She reached out to take another morsel, her thoughts burning beneath her composed expression. "There is no bond between us that you can uphold," she said in her mind.

As she took the morsel in her mouth, the spice hit her tongue sharply, but she didn’t flinch. Without showing the slightest reaction, she chewed and swallowed, her gaze never leaving his.

Their eyes remained locked cold, unyielding, and full of everything neither they said.

He picked up a piece of ladoo and held it out toward her.

His third promise came slower, quieter  as if weighed down by something unsaid.

“I will stand by your side in every circumstance of life  in light and in shadow, in peace and in storm,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers.

Siya took a small bite, and she said in her mind, "Neither do I need you, nor your companionship.

Ekansh looked at her, a storm hidden behind his calm expression. "Even if I belong to you, I will never truly be yours," he said in his mind.

Then Ekansh broke off a small piece of a savory dish and held it out toward Siya.

“I promise,” he continued with his fourth vow, his tone growing heavier, “to shield you from every pain and every danger of life.”

Then, almost bitterly, he thought to himself, "But not even I can protect you from myself." His mind whispered what his lips could not.

Protect yourself from me  that will be enough, Siya thought, a faint, almost unnoticeable smile curling on her lips as she took the bite.

Ekansh took a piece of pickle with the puri and held it out toward Siya.

Finally, he gave the fifth and final vow  his voice softer now, carrying too many unspoken meanings. His face remained firm and unreadable.

“I promise to remain loyal to you for lifetime in name, in bond, and in every breath I take.”

Hearing this, a bright smile spread across everyone’s faces. But Siya’s heartbeat quickened, though her expression stayed perfectly composed.

"It doesn’t matter to me what you do. You mean nothing to me. You are my husband only for the world," Siya’s mind echoed coldly, her face unreadable.

She opened her mouth and took a bite  the tang of the pickle spreading sharply across her tongue.

"Neither I nor my heart will ever belong to you. Only hatred will live there," Ekansh said silently in his mind.

Everyone started clapping when Ekansh completed his fifth promise.

“Wow, what lovely promises, Bhai sa,” Prisha’s lively and cheerful voice broke the silence  and the invisible war between Siya and Ekansh.

Their eyes finally drifted apart as if they had just woken up from a trance, returning from a world that only belonged to the two of them.

“Ekansh, we’re all so proud of you,” his aunt said warmly.

Everyone seemed genuinely happy.

“Bhai sa, looks like you’ve left the whole family behind in becoming the perfect husband,” Prem said excitedly.

"Prem aaj kal aap kuchh adhik hi bolne lage hai," Ekansh replied in a dangerously calm tone.

(“Prem, you’ve been talking a little too much nowaday,” Ekansh replied in a dangerously calm tone.)

“Bhai sa, I only spoke the truth,” Prem said dramatically.

“Nowadays you seem to be doing nothing but talking. Meet me in the study room after breakfast,” Ekansh said firmly.

“Bhabhi sa, please tell your husband to have a little mercy on me,” Prem said with mock despair, shifting toward Siya.

“Devar sa, you can show me the whole palace today,” Siya said softly with a gentle smile  and then shot a quick glare at Ekansh.

“I already told you to come and meet me,” Ekansh ordered sharply to Prem.

“Bhai sa, Bhabhi sa said she wants to see the palace today,” Prem insisted playfully.

“Fine then,” Ekansh replied with a dangerous little smile, “from tomorrow, you can come to court. Seems you have plenty of free time anyway.”

“Haha! Bhai sa, you’re so scare,” Prisha said, laughing at Prem’s expression.

“Bhai sa, I was just joking! I’ll definitely come to meet you. Bhabhi sa, I’ll show you the entire palace at evening,” Prem said hurriedly.

“And why would you be showing her the whole palace?” Ekansh cut in quickly.

“Why not? Can’t I?” Prem asked, genuinely confused.

“I mean… you have to do lot's of work today?” Ekansh corrected himself, trying to cover up.

“For Bhabhi sa, I can find time for anything,” Prem said with a teasing smile.

“I’ll come too!” Prisha said excitedly, then she added. “Devika, you’re coming with us it’ll be so much fun!”

“All right, for now, let’s start breakfast,” Ekansh’s mother said with a warm smile.

Everyone began eating.

Siya quietly took a single bite from every dish that Ekansh had fed her during the vows. Then, she offered the first morsel to him.

"We’re alike, you and I," she thought with a mischievous smile, her gaze locked on him. I was silently listening to every promise you made because I know their true meaning. You can’t fool me like the others. So I made sure you tasted every flavor at once just like the taste of your own words.

Ekansh took the bite and ate it without showing any reaction. His eyes were already fixed on hers, while everyone else remained busy eating.

“Wow, this is delicious!” Prem said, tasting the dishes one by one.

"Bhai sa es prakar bhukhad ki trah mat khaliye anetha jab aapki patni aayengi to pratham din hi aapko chhor ke bhag jayengi unhe ye lagega ki unka vivah ek bhukhad saand se ho gya hai," Prisha teased to Prem, giggling uncontrollably.

(“Bhai sa, don’t eat it like a starving bull! When your wife arrives someday, she’ll probably run away the very first day, thinking she’s married to a bhukhad saand,” Prisha teased to prem, giggling uncontrollably.)

At the words bhukhad saand, Ekansh suddenly started coughing hard. Everyone turned toward him, and he shot Siya a sharp side glance she sat there with an innocent face, pretending not to know anything.

“Here, have some water, beta,” his aunt said, handing him a glass.

“Bhai sa, why are you suddenly coughing?” Prem asked curiously.

“Nothing, something just got stuck in my throat,” Ekansh said smoothly.

Everyone returned to eating. Then Ekansh lifted his gaze again toward Siya. When their eyes met, she froze, her heart skipping a beat. She nervously bit her lower lip and blinked rapidly, unable to hold his gaze.

“Rani sa, why aren’t you eating?” Ekansh asked deliberately, a faint smirk curling his lips.

“I… I am eating,” Siya replied nervously.

“What happened, beta? Do you want something else? I’ll have it made for you,” Ekansh’s mother asked lovingly.

“No, no, Maa sa, I’m eating,” Siya replied quickly and began eating again. Ekansh too resumed eating, hiding a barely noticeable smile.

They both shared a single thal a single plate and continued their breakfast.

After everyone finished, Ekansh stood up, and said firmly. “Maa sa, i am leaving now. I have some work.”

“All right,” his mother said kindly.

Ekansh gave Siya one last glance before turning and walking away.

“Beta, you come with us,” his mother said, taking Siya’s hand affectionately. “It’s time for your pehli rasoi ritual.”

“Ji, Maa sa,” Siya replied softly.

“I’m leaving too, before Bhai sa drags me to court tomorrow,” Prem said dramatically, making everyone laugh.

“I’m coming too!” Prisha said to her mother cheerfully, grabbing Devika’s hand. “Let’s go together!”

And so, Ekansh’s mother, aunt, Prisha, Devika, and Siya began walking toward the kitchen, their laughter echoing softly through the grand corridors of the palace.

Ha ha ha... here’s a little glimpse of the next chapter “16. Bitter Punishment.”

“Rani sa, would you prefer to eat with a spoon… or should I feed you with my lips?” Ekansh’s voice carried a dark, dominating edge.

For the spoiler of the next part, check my Instagram ID: @authoshivi.

I’ll be post the spoiler for the next part very soon.

Tell me in the comments when do you want the next part?

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Happy Diwali in advance! ✨