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Siya’s POV 

In the Morning

It is still early morning, and I am sitting in the garden, trying to calm the storm of anger inside me.

After last night’s argument, I had been too angry, and not able to sleep. I don’t even know when I dozed off, sitting upright in the chair.

When I woke up, it was morning. I freshened up, took a bath, and got ready but not in the outfit Maa saa had sent last night, because I wasn’t going anywhere.

He hadn’t come to the room all night. I didn’t know where he had gone, and honestly, I didn’t care.

Suddenly, I heard the door creak open and then close. I was sure it was him—who else would come to this room so early? But I completely ignored his presence, pretending not to hear a sound.

The sound of his footsteps grew closer.

Then his rough, husky voice came from behind, and I froze. “Do you think you can ignore me?”

I didn’t respond. I remained seated, unaffected. Why should I? He hadn’t listened to me last night, so I wasn’t going to answer him now.

He came in front of me, but I didn’t lift my head. My eyes were fixed elsewhere.

His next words shocked me. “Oh… so my rani wants too much attention from her husband, huh?”

I finally lifted my gaze. His eyes were already locked on me, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips, only fueling my anger.

I snapped, “When did I ever say that I wanted your attention, huh? Who told you that?”

He replied firmly, “Then why are you not ready? Do you want me to make you ready myself?”

“I told you last night that I’m not going anywhere, so why should I get ready? You’re free to go wherever you want,” I shot back in anger.

His jaw tightened, and his eyes locked onto mine. In a commanding tone, he said, “I also told you last night that we are going. Didn’t I?”

“Why should I listen to you?” I said sharply.

“Now you are my wife by your own will so you have to perform every ritual along with me,” he said in that same firm tone.

“You know very well that I don’t consider you my husband,” I said furiously, staring directly into his eyes.

He took a slow step toward me and said in a calm yet rough voice, “Then tell me what do you consider me? If not your husband, then what?”

I said nothing, because I had no answer to that question. The only feeling I had for him was hatred.

Suddenly, Devika’s words echoed in my mind, and I asked, “That day… why were you killing that man so mercilessly?”

Hearing this, he blinked in surprise, then his gaze fixed back on mine.

“You have no right to interfere in my personal life,” he said, his voice rough but face composed.

“I have every right to ask this question,” I replied in the same tone, “because you involved me in that murder too.”

“Oh yes,” he snapped back, “I also remember something. When you were fighting with me that day, some rice and flower petals fell from your dupatta. What was that? And why was it so important to you?”

I blinked in shock and turned my head away. What should I even say now? That it was Mahadev’s blessing meant for him?

“What happened? I’m asking you something,” he said, his tone hard.

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. My back collided against his chest.

He leaned close and whispered in my ear, “Don’t you dare avoid me again or cut the conversation in between.”

His firm grip didn’t let me move, but I shot back angrily, “You also cut our conversation in between last night, so why shouldn’t I?”

The next second, he lifted me in his arms—in bridal style. I looked at him, shocked, but his gaze was fixed forward as he walked into the room.

“What the hell is this?” I shouted, punching his shoulder, but he didn’t even flinch.

He always lifted me so effortlessly, as if I weighed nothing.

He placed me on the bed and leaned over me, maintaining just a slight distance.

“Get off me! Stay away from me!” I shouted, trying to push him away, but it didn’t work.

“What are you doing? Why did you bring me here like this?” I demanded irritably.

A mischievous smirk curved on his lips as he replied in a husky tone, “Rani sa, why are you so stubborn? Always ready to argue.” Then he added, “I’m giving you the attention you’re so desperate for.”

“What?” I shouted, stunned.

“Yes, Rani sa. That’s why you didn’t wear the outfit Maa sa gave you for today,” he said, still smirking.

“I will not,” I said, staring straight into his eyes.

Then, in a dominating tone, he said, “I’m going to change into my outfit. Until then, you’d better get ready in yours. Otherwise, I’ll change your clothes myself and you won’t like that. So don’t be stubborn. We have to leave early.”

He gently patted my cheek, stood up, and left for the changing room with his clothes in hand.

I sat at the same place. Today, I really wanted to see what he would do if I didn’t listen to him.

After some time, he came out, dressed in an orange kurta. The moment his gaze fell on me, still sitting where I was before, his eyes darkened and his jaw tightened.

He said nothing and walked toward the table where that outfit was placed. I kept watching him silently.

He picked up the outfit, came to me, and said,

“Wear it and get ready quickly. We’re getting late. I’m asking you for the last time after this, I’ll do whatever I feel is right.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t even lift my gaze toward him.

He placed the clothes in my hands and stood straight in front of me, but I didn’t look at his face even for a second.

I placed the clothes on the bed and stood up. As I lifted my head, his eyes were already fixed on me.

In a serious voice, I said, “Look, I don’t want to argue or fight with you, but please try to understand I can’t do what you’re asking me to do. I’ve performed every ritual with my own will, but I cannot go to Kuldevi’s sacred temple and pray for a false relationship. Please don’t force me to commit this sin.”

Something changed in his eyes, something serious, but his expression remained firm.

He replied in the same serious tone, “Still, we have to do it because I don’t want our family to ever find out the truth about our relationship. And no one forced you into this marriage; you married me of your own will. So now, you can’t refuse to fulfill any part of it.”

Hearing that, anger boiled inside me. I was trying to make him understand, but he didn’t even want to try.

“Why can’t you understand?” I shouted, tears stinging my eyes. “Or maybe you just don’t want to! This isn’t about the family, is it? It’s about your revenge. You want to ruin my life, and that’s why you keep forcing me to do everything I don’t want to do!”

He looked straight into my eyes and whispered in a firm, and painfully calm voice, “Seems like you’ve understood me perfectly.”

“Oh, so you want to perform every ritual, right?” I asked, my voice breaking, my heart heavy with pain. I didn’t know why I suddenly wanted to cry, why it hurt so much.

“Please go and get ready,” he said quietly, turning away from me.

I felt completely broken. My voice was calm, but the anger was still there when I spoke,

“Then you forgot one ritual after marriage.”

He kept walking toward the chair, but my next words froze him in place.

“You should have spent the wedding night with me too as a husband, right? If you want to destroy me, then ruin me completely.”

He turned toward me, shock written all over his face. Then he took a few steps and stopped just two steps away from me.

His voice was low but carried a deep weight.

"O bhi manate agar es hridye me aap ke liye prem ya koi bhawna hoti nafrat ke siwa, suhagrat koi rasam nahi hai o ek bhawna hai jo do hridye (dil) aur do aatma ko ek karti hai. Wah do jivan ko ek karti hai, do alag alag manusya ke sukh dukh ko ek bnati hai."

(“I would have… if this heart felt anything for you other than hatred. A wedding night isn’t a ritual it’s a feeling. It binds two hearts, two souls together. It makes two lives one. It unites two people in their happiness and pain.”)

I hadn’t expected that kind of answer from him. Hearing those words, my anger melted into a feeling I couldn’t even describe. I could only stare at him in disbelief, while his eyes held mine, saying things words never could.

Then, in a calm yet commanding tone, he said, “Go and get ready.”

I didn’t respond. He stepped toward the bed, picked up the outfit, and held it out to me silently.

“You want me to change your clothes myself?” he asked, his dark gaze locked on me.

Without emotion, I said quietly, “Do whatever you want." I don’t want to talk to you anymore.

My hopeless gaze stayed fixed on him.

Ekansh pov

I liked her eyes when they burned with anger and hatred, not when they drowned in tears and emptiness.

I moved toward her, my gaze locked on her. She stood there, unaffected, not even flinching. When I reached her, I pulled her closer by the waist.

Her breath grew heavier, and she tried to free herself but said nothing. After several futile attempts, she finally stopped struggling and lifted her eyes to mine, glaring with fury.

My closeness was enough to bring life into her eyes again the fire in them suited her.

Still holding her gaze, I lifted my  hand up to her shoulder, intending to remove her dupatta. That much was enough to convince her to change into the outfit.

She quickly grabbed my hand midway. I looked straight into her eyes and said in a calm tone, “What's wrong, Rani sa? Let me change your clothes. You don’t care anymore, right? You said I can do whatever I want so let me do it.”

She shot back, her voice trembling with anger and her eyes blazing, “Don’t you dare touch me or come near me again!”

“Why not?” I replied firmly. “After all, you’re my wife. And not long ago, my wife was completely ready to spend our wedding night with me. What changed now?”

She clenched her teeth and said coldly, “You want me to wear this outfit, right? Fine, I’ll change. But that doesn’t mean I’ll come to the temple. I’m not going anywhere.”

“We’ll see about that later,” I said, loosening my grip.

The moment I released her, she stepped back quickly, as if desperate for space. She threw me a deadly glare before turning and walking toward the changing room with the outfit in hand.

Why is she so stubborn? I know she doesn’t want to go to the temple but I want her to perform this ritual.

There are two reasons behind it. First is family.

Second because I want her to regret her decision to marry me. She’s made my life far too complicated.

I want her to hate me hate me even more and stay as far away from me as possible.

Author’s POV

Ekansh was sitting on the edge of the bed when Siya stormed out of the changing room, fury burning in her eyes, holding her changed clothes tightly in her hands. Ekansh looked at her with a calm, almost casual expression.

When she came just a few steps closer, she threw the clothes straight at his face and shouted angrily,

“Now are you happy?”

He quietly gathered the clothes and placed them beside him. His tone remained calm, as if he had already expected this kind of reaction,

“Now go and get ready like a good wife.”

“Who told you that I’ll get ready?” she snapped.

“So, you won’t get ready?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “I’m asking you one last time.”

“No, I won’t,” she said firmly, her voice full of challenge as she glared at him.

Ekansh stood up from the bed, picked up her dupatta lying nearby him, and held both its ends. Before Siya could understand what he was doing, he threw the dupatta toward her and with a swift motion, pulled her close to him. In the blink of an eye, he wrapped the dupatta around her, binding her hands near her waist.

"What is this nonsense? Untie me!" she shouted in anger.

"Enough is enough. Now I’ll do whatever needs to be done," he replied in a firm tone, staring at her dangerously.

Then he grabbed her arm and made her sit on the edge of the bed. She struggled hard to free herself, refusing to sit, but he forced her down.

In a dangerous and dominating tone and with a deadly glare, he warned, "If you get up from here, next time you won’t be on the bed  you’ll be on my lap."

She swallowed hard, staring at him speechlessly, shock written all over her face. Confused, she watched as he went to the table and brought the tray Ekansh’s mother had sent last night.

He placed the tray on the bed and uncovered it. Then he sat beside Siya. When Siya tried to stand up, he caught her arm, not letting her move.

He picked up an earring and turned toward her, extending his hand to make her wear it, but she turned her head away. His grip tightened on her hand not harshly, not allowing her to escape.

In a commanding tone, he said, "Sit calmly. Don’t move and let me do my work."

"It’s not your work," she taunted, glaring at him.

"That’s your last warning," he said roughly.

She snapped, "What will you do?"

With a victorious smile, he replied, "Before making you wear the jewelry, I’ll kiss every place first. You’ll like it a lot, won’t you?"

"I’m not afraid of you or your threats," she challenged boldly.

"He only says such things to scare me and make me obey him," Siya thought silently.

Instead of replying, he suddenly pulled her closer, closing the distance between them. Now sitting side by side, he leaned in and kissed her ear for real.

Her eyes widened in shock. She couldn’t believe he actually did it.

Ekansh lifted his head and looked at her, his expression serious and dangerous. "I don’t joke, Rani Sa. Whatever I say, I do," he said coldly.

Furious, Siya shouted, "How dare you touch me! Untie me!" She struggled to free herself.

"Silence," his commanding voice cut through. "That was only the first kiss. Do you want more, or will you let me put this jewelry on?"

She breathed heavily in anger but said nothing. Turning her face away, she stopped resisting.

Ekansh placed an earring in one ear, then picked up the second one, stood up, and moved to her other side to put it on as well.

She glared at him with burning eyes. Their gazes met, and she hissed, "I hate you even more now."

A smirk appeared on his lips as he replied, "In those eyes, there should never be any emotion except hatred."

Then, leaning forward, he picked up the necklace and made her wear it  carefully, without touching her skin. Her eyes remained fixed on him.

While adjusting the necklace, he murmured without looking up, "If you keep staring like that, you might just fall in love with me."

(Imagine him in a orange kurta 🤭🤭)

She quickly shot back, "Love? And with you? Never!"

Then he took the comb and began brushing her hair gently, making sure she didn’t get hurt.

Suddenly, Siya stood up and snapped rudely, "Untie me!"

"That’s not going to happen, fighter girl," he said in dominating tone, though his tone still carried command.

Hearing “fighter girl,” she turned toward him, confused. "What did you just say?"

"You heard right," he replied casually. "You’re always ready to fight with a sword in hand, so I’ve given you that name." He pulled her back to sit again, and she sat with a huff while he stood up.

"It’s not done yet, so sit quietly. Otherwise, you know what I’m capable of," he warned in a commanding voice.

"Why are you bothering me?" she asked irritably, jerking her arm to free it.

With a mischievous smile, he replied, "I was just wondering how you’d look dancing on my lap like this."

She froze for a second, then said in irritation, "Just finish it fast. I can’t tolerate you anymore."

(Just imagine they are not smiling)

"Rani Sa," he said calmly, "you’ll have to tolerate me for a lifetime."

Then he took a bindi and placed it gently on her forehead, his expression serious.

Finally, he picked up a pinch of vermilion. When his gaze met Siya’s fiery eyes, a faint smile curved his lips.

"This isn’t just vermilion," he said softly. "It’s your decision."

And with that, he filled the parting of her hair with vermilion.

“I’m not bothering you it doesn’t mean I can’t do anything. I just want to stay away from you because I can’t tolerate you around me,” she said to him in a serious tone.

“Fine, stay away then. But if you had just said yes, I wouldn’t have had to do all this,” he replied in the same tone.

He lifted a small bowl from the thali and asked in confusion, “What is this? And where is it supposed to be applied?”

“Why are you staring at me like this? Tell me what this red liquid is for,” he said, raising his brows.

Siya replied curtly, her expression cold and straight, “That’s Alta. It’s applied on the feet.”

“Ohh,” he murmured, staring at the Alta with curiosity.

"He’s looking at this Alta as if he’s about to apply it to my feet himself. But the King of Pratapgarh putting Alta on my feet? Impossible. And he hates me anyway," she thought in her mind.

Ekansh suddenly bent down and knelt on one knee before her.

“Put your feet on my leg,” he ordered in a commanding tone.

She was shocked to see him kneeling before her.

Siya said nothing. Ekansh raised his head and looked up at her. “What happened? Place your feet on my leg. Let me finish it.”

Is he serious? Is he really asking me to put my feet on his knee? she thought, stunned.

When she didn’t respond, Ekansh took her foot gently in his hands and placed it on his knee himself. “Now tell me what to do next,” he asked calmly.

Siya just stared at him in disbelief.

“Let go of my foot. You don’t have to do this,” she said, trying to pull it away, but his grip stopped her.

“When I start something, I finish it. I don’t leave it halfway,” he replied firmly.

“Get up. You don’t need to do this,” she said again.

Ekansh tilted the bowl slightly, about to pour the Alta onto Siya’s feet, when Siya stopped him. “What are you doing?”

“You said it’s applied on the feet, so I’m applying it on your feet,” he replied with quiet pride.

“Then Why were you going to pour it on my feet?” she asked, confused.

“I told you, I was applying the Alta on your feet,” he repeated simply.

“That’s not how it’s done,” she said.

Then, suddenly remembering something, she snapped in anger, “You know exactly how to untie and tie a blouse string properly, yet you don’t know how to apply Alta?”

He didn’t respond intentionally—just to provoke her further. “Then tell me what to do, otherwise I’ll do it my own way,” he said casually.

“Dip your fingertip in the Alta and apply it around the edge of the feet,” she said furiously, turning her head away. She was burning with anger, while he seemed to be enjoying every bit of it.

He began his work, taking his time with quiet precision.

After a while, she grew impatient and snapped, “What the hell is taking you so long?”

When she turned her head toward him, her eyes widened in shock. She was speechless.

She sat at the edge of the bed, both her feet resting on his knee as he knelt before her—completely focused, applying the Alta with utmost care.

Finally, he finished, took a deep breath, and looked up at her.

Seeing her stunned expression, he smirked and said, “Rani sa, close your mouth and don’t trouble your eyes.”

“You don’t like it?” he asked, teasingly.

Lost in admiration, she quickly replied, “No, no… it’s beautiful. Too beautiful.”

Ekansh had applied the Alta neatly around her feet, without a single smudge. In the center, he had drawn a delicate lotus design—one on each foot.

She looked up at him in wonder and asked, “You said you didn’t know what Alta was or how to apply it. Then how did you make such a perfect design?”

“Oh, good question,” he said with a faint smile. “I didn’t know its name or how it’s used, but when you said it’s applied around the feet, I understood. I’ve seen it before—just never knew the process. And since you are about to be punished today, I thought something good should happen to you first.”

“Now untie me!” she shouted angrily.

“Calm down. Why are you so impatient?” he replied calmly, which only fueled her anger more.

He placed her feet gently on the floor and stood up. Then he untied her.

As soon as her hands were free, Siya grabbed the collar of his kurta with both hands and shouted, “Who do you think you are? What joy do you get from troubling me like this?”

He said nothing. Instead, locking eyes with her, he held her hands down and quietly slipped bangles onto her wrists.

She stared at him in shock and disbelief she was yelling at him, and he was busy adorning her hands.

“Then he adjusted the dupatta over Siya’s head. "Done,” he said softly. “Now you’re completely ready to come to the temple.”

His eyes then caught something on the bed. He bent down, picked up a small box of kajal, took a bit on his fingertip, and applied it behind her ear.

“You should always,” he said in a low, commanding tone, “wear this black mark (kala tika) to protect yourself from my eyes.”

That was the last straw. Furious, Siya went to the bed, picked up a pillow, and threw it hard at him. “Go to hell!” she shouted, sitting down angrily.

He caught the pillow, placed it neatly back on the bed, and said calmly, “If your anger is over now, shall we go?”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she snapped.

Without another word, he walked to her, lifted her up in his arms in a bridal style.

“What are you doing now?” she yelled.

“Well, if you won’t walk on your own, I’ll have to carry you,” he replied nonchalantly, walking toward the door.

“Put me down! What if someone sees us? You can’t just forcefully take me like this!” she protested, struggling in his arms.

But he didn’t listen. He walked down the corridor calmly, her in his arms, as everyone’s eyes followed them. She was nervous, while he walked as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

When they reached the dining room, the entire family was staring at them with wide eyes.

It was an unbelievable moment for everyone.

“Bhai sa is in full mood today,” Prem teased, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Siya whispered softly to Ekansh, “Put me down, everyone is watching us.”

She was nervous; all eyes were fixed on them.

Ekansh stood tall and composed in front of everyone, unaffected by the attention.

Devika was staring at them with her mouth slightly open and blinking rapidly. “Siya’s kheer seems to have had quite a deep effect on both of them," she muttered to herself.

As Ekansh took a step forward, his mother asked in shock, “Ekansh, why are you carrying Siya like this?”

Ekansh replied in a calm tone, his face completely neutral.

“Maa sa, at her place there’s a ritual  before visiting the Kuldevi temple, the husband must carry his wife in his arms.”

Siya was still in his arms. After hearing this, her eyes widened, and her heartbeat quickened. She looked up at him in disbelief, while he continued to face everyone — fully aware of her reaction.

Siya thought in her mind, “What kind of man is he? He turned his stubbornness into our ritual!”

Ekansh finally put her down. She adjusted her dupatta over her head and gave a nervous smile to everyone — but shot a deadly glare at him.

Suddenly, Prem’s cheerful voice broke the silence.

“Wow! What a lovely ritual, Bhabhi sa! I’ll marry a girl from your kingdom too, so I can perform this ritual myself.”

Everyone burst into laughter. Siya replied with a smile,“Devar sa, that’s not a good enough reason to marry someone.”

“Bhai sa,” Prisha said in a mocking tone, “Bhabhi sa doesn’t have any sister, so how will you marry then with a girl from Sitapur?”

Everyone laughed again. Prem replied cleverly, “I’m not that kind of prince who only marries a princess. I’ll marry the one I love.”

“Oh, so Rajkumar ji has already made all his plans,” his mother teased.

“Maa sa, it’s not like that,” Prem said with a shy smile.

Ekansh said firmly, “You only know how to do one thing.”

Excitedly, Prem asked, “What, Bhai sa?”

“Talk nonsense,” Ekansh replied flatly.

“Thank you!” Prem said proudly, then added with a grin, “Bhai sa, you know how to do everything — but do you know what you do best?”

Ekansh raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Ruining a perfectly good mood,” Prem said, making a funny face.

Everyone laughed loudly even Siya couldn’t stop smiling while looking at Ekansh.

Prem continued playfully, “Bhabhi sa, how do you tolerate him? If I were his wife then........”

He stopped immediately, noticing Ekansh’s deadly glare.

Then he dramatically wrapped his arms around his brother and said, “Bhai sa, I was just saying if I were your wife, I would tell you, ‘I love you!’ You’re so loving!”

“Bhai sa, are you interested in men?” Prisha asked with a fake shocked expression, trying to tease him.

“No, no!” Prem quickly stepped away from Ekansh.

“You both are such a hopeless pair,” Ekansh said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Siya bit her lower lip, thinking to herself, “They were just hugging… and Prisha was teasing them. What am I even thinking? Ugh, Siya, stop it! My thoughts are getting too wild. Hehe… am I also becoming a hopeless case?”

Ekansh noticed her flustered expression and thought silently, “Why do I feel like something strange is going on in her mind?”

His mother stepped closer to Siya and said warmly,

“In their drama, I forgot to look at my beautiful daughter-in-law properly. You look so different today — even more beautiful than usual.”

“Yes, Bhabhi sa, you’re right,” his aunt agreed. “I was just about to say that! When we first bought this lehenga, it didn’t look as beautiful as it does on her today.”

“Yes, but she looks this beautiful because of the jewelry chosen by me and Bhai sa,” his uncle said proudly.

“And who told you that?” his aunt protested, pretending to be offended.

“The bangles we chose look the best, right Bhai sa?” Prisha said to prem.

“Of course,” Prem replied instantly.

“Wow, Bhabhi sa, this Alta design is amazing!” Prisha exclaimed. Everyone’s gaze dropped to Siya’s feet.

She felt nervous from all the compliments  and from the way Ekansh’s eyes never left her, filled with a quiet pride.

Devika thought to herself, “Siya could barely apply Alta properly before. How did she make such a design today? That means…” A teasing smile appeared on her face.

“Oh, I—” Siya started to say, but Devika interrupted,

“Rajkumari Prisha, Siya knows how to make such beautiful designs. She’s very talented,” she said, glancing at Siya with a knowing smile.

“Yes, Maa sa, she’s right,” Siya replied quickly, agreeing before anyone could say more.

Ekansh clearly enjoyed watching Siya’s condition.

“Bhabhi sa, why are you sweating?” Prem suddenly asked.

“What should I say — that it’s because of your Bhai sa?” Siya thought irritably.

“She must be feeling hot, wearing such a heavy lehenga,” Ekansh said teasingly.

“Shall I bring a fan?” Devika asked innocently.

“No, I’m fine,” Siya replied nervously.

“Alright, don’t trouble my lovely daughter-in-law now,” Ekansh’s mother said with a smile. “Let’s have breakfast.”

Siya let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“your son is alone enough to trouble me,” she thought, glancing at Ekansh. “He’s already made my life miserable.”

“Maa sa, I want to say something,” Siya said hesitantly.

“Yes, beta, you can say anything freely,” his mother replied warmly.

Without wasting a moment, Siya blurted out in one go, “Maa sa, I don’t want to go to the temple.”

“Why, what happened? Is everything alright?” his mother asked with concern.

“Yes, Maa sa, everything is fine. She’s just missing you all already,” Ekansh said in a convincing tone.

“Oh, so that’s the matter! I got scared for a moment, thinking something was wrong. I thought maybe Siya is not feeling well,” his mother said in relief.

“Maa sa, actually the thing is…” Siya began to explain, but Ekansh interrupted her midway.

He quickly said, “Maa sa, she just wants all of you to come with us and watch us perform all the rituals.” His eyes turned to Siya with a teasing challenge.

“Bhabhi sa, I’m ready to come!” Prem’s cheerful voice rang out.

“No, Siya, we can’t come with you. You both have to go alone,” his mother said with a gentle smile, placing her hand affectionately on Siya’s shoulder.

Siya didn’t get the chance to say anything after that.

Then everyone took their seats, and breakfast continued as usual.

After some time, everyone, along with Siya and Ekansh, stood at the gate of the mahal.

On one side, Ekansh was talking with his father and uncle, while Siya stood quietly beside Devika. Around them, the palace courtyard was alive with preparations.

Devika leaned closer and whispered teasingly, “Siya, why didn’t Daksh Bhai-sa and Rani-sa perform this ritual, which Rana sa specified? Maybe Maharani Maa forgot about that ritual right?”

Siya shot her a dangerous glare and whispered back, “you have started speaking a little more these days?”

Devika chuckled softly. “No, I’m just asking. And look at you! In just two days, you’ve learned to make such beautiful alta designs. Very impressive,” she said with a teasing smile.

“Devika, please don’t trouble me,” Siya said, then added with a gentle smile, “Take care of yourself and everyone else."

“Oh, don’t worry, I will,” Devika replied playfully. “You’ve started loving everyone so much in just two days."

Siya smiled softly. “How could I not love my family? Everyone is so kind.”

“Yes, they’re all wonderful,” Devika said, then added with a grin, “except your Devar-sa. He’s a little strange.”

Siya raised an eyebrow. “And why are you saying that about my Devar-sa?” she asked in mock anger.

“Well, he seems a bit too eager to get married. Looks like he might just kidnap someone and marry her if he doesn’t find a bride soon,” Devika said, making a funny face.

Siya laughed softly. “Oh, I don’t think so. Devar-sa is too innocent and sweet for that.”

“I don’t believe it,” Devika said stubbornly.

Before Siya could reply, a voice called out, “Ekansh, come soon—it’s time to leave!” It was his mother.

Ekansh came forward with his father and uncle. A few moments later, Prem arrived, leading the palki and Ekansh’s horse.

“Everything is ready now,” Prem said with a smile.

Ekansh’s mother approached Siya and Ekansh with a serious expression.

“I need to tell you both something important,” she said. “You’re not just going to the Kuldevi temple for pooja. You’ll have to stay there for two days—living as commoner people. No one should know that you are the Raja and Rani of Pratapgad.”

“What?” Ekansh said in disbelief. “But why, Maa-sa?”

Siya’s eyes widened. I am already going unwillingly, and now we have to stay there too? she thought bitterly. "At least he said something in our defense!"

“It’s a ritual Ekansh,” his mother said calmly.

“What, Bhabhi-sa, this is—” his uncle began, but she cut him off with a forced smile and said playfully, “Devar-sa, let the children go now. They’ll get late.”

“But Maa-sa, such a ritual—” Ekansh started to protest.

His mother interrupted again, her tone firm. “Ekansh, I said it’s a ritual.”

“Maa-sa, this doesn’t feel right,” Ekansh said quietly.

“Now both of you go, or you’ll be late,” his mother said, ending the discussion.

Turning to Siya, she smiled warmly. “Siya beta, take care of yourself.” Then, looking at Ekansh with mock sternness, she added, “And Ekansh my bahu shouldn’t even get a single scratch, understood?”

She hugged Siya lovingly. Siya and Ekansh then bowed and took everyone’s blessings.

Siya followed everything unwillingly. Leaning closer to Ekansh, she whispered, “You could stop this if you wanted to. Why aren’t you? I don’t want to go.”

He lifted his gaze to her and said quietly, “I know what I’m doing, and what I have to do. Just think, how will you tolerate me for the next four days?”

Prem and Prisha came forward, smiling. “Bhabhi-sa, please come—the palki is ready.”

Ekansh’s mother took Siya’s hand gently and led her toward the palki.

“Beta, sit inside,” she said softly.

Without a word, Siya stepped into the palki. Ekansh mounted his horse, and soon the two of them left together.

Watching them go, Ekansh’s uncle sighed dramatically. “Bhabhi-sa, we didn’t  perform this ritual after my wedding,” he said in a sad tone.

“Then, Chacha-sa, you can go now and complete it,” Prem said, laughing.

“Devar-sa, this ritual doesn’t even exist,” Ekansh’s mother said with a smile.

“Maharani, you created this ritual yourself, didn’t you? Just to make those two stay together?” Ekansh’s father asked with a knowing grin.

“Yes, Maharaj,” she replied with a proud smile.

“Bhabhi-sa, your plan is truly brilliant,” his aunt said admiringly. “But you sent Siya and Ekansh with only a few soldiers—and asked them to live like ordinary people. What if someone attacks them?” she added with concern.

“I’ve thought of everything,” his mother replied confidently. “No one will know who they are, so no one will attack them. And when those two are together, they can defeat the whole world. They’ll never let anything happen to each other. I know them both.”

“But Maa-sa, the temple is surrounded by jungle. What will they do there?” Prem asked curiously.

“In that jungle, nothing comes easily,” she said with a smile. “They’ll have to work hard even for small things. In doing so, they’ll start sharing, understanding, and truly becoming life partners.”

“Wow, Maa-sa, you’re amazing! When I get married, I’ll also try this new ritual it’s so interesting,” Prem said with a shy smile.

Ekansh’s uncle leaned toward his wife and whispered, “Maybe we should try this ritual too. What do you think?”

She whispered back teasingly, “Now I see who Prem takes after! At your age, you still want to perform rituals like this?”

“Oh really? Let me remind you how young I still am,” he whispered seductively.

She blushed and looked away.

“Some people here seem too eager to perform rituals,” Ekansh’s mother said teasingly, giving a knowing smile toward Ekansh's aunty. “Shall we go inside now, or do you plan to stay here forever?”

Everyone burst into laughter and began heading inside. Ekansh’s father and mother walked behind the group.

“Maharani,” his father whispered mischievously, “don’t you think we also need to understand each other better? May be a few days in the jungle would help.”

“You’ll never change,” she said, shaking her head with a smile.

So many things are about to happen ahead… and honestly, I’m so excited to write them! I hope you all are just as eager to see what happens next.

How did you like this chapter?

If you have any thoughts, suggestions, or even a tiny opinion  please drop a comment below. Your words truly mean the world to me.

Every single comment gives me the strength and motivation to write faster no matter how busy life gets.

Aap sab hamare aane ka intezaar karenge na?

(You’ll wait for my return, right?)

See you soon in the next update!

Your authoshivi