Rajgarh Palace – Sabha Kaksh – Morning

The royal court was alive with movement. Silken drapes in gold and crimson adorned the high pillars. Ministers moved like chess pieces across marble floors. But at the center stood Yuvaraj Aviraj Singh Rajvanshi, tall and composed, yet with something new in his eyes — a quiet resolve.

"Rajtilak ko ab sirf saat din bache hain, Maharaj," said Rajguru Mahipatya solemnly. "Tayyariyon mein kisi bhi tarah ki chook nahi honi chahiye."

Aviraj nodded.

"Rajtilak sirf mukut pehne ka samay nahi hota, Rajguru. Yeh samay hai apne rishte, apne logon, aur apne faislon ka bhar uthaanay ka."

---

Royal Dressing Room – Later

Aarohi sat before a grand mirror, while palace maids adorned her in Rajputana emerald green, her bangles clinking like soft wind chimes.

Her beauty was breathtaking—but today, she looked like Rajgarh’s future queen.

As she adjusted her dupatta, a maid smiled.

“Rani-sa, aapke chehre pe toh ab roshni wapas aa gayi hai.”

Aarohi smiled faintly, glancing at her reflection.

“Roop tabhi chamakta hai jab mann thoda halka ho.”

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Public Courtyard – First Public Appearance Since the Rift

The palace gates opened wide.

Drums rolled. Flower petals floated in the air.

Aviraj stepped out in a navy bandhgala, silver embroidery catching the sunlight.

Aarohi walked beside him, a soft veil covering her head. The public gasped in admiration.

One woman whispered, “Dekha aapne? Kitni shobha lagti hai dono ek saath.”

Another murmured, “Woh raja banne layak hai, aur woh toh rani pehle se hi hai.”

Children waved flags, and elders bowed with reverence.

“Rajgarh ko na sirf ek yuvaraj mila hai,” said a village elder. “Par ek aisi rani bhi... jiske kadmon se raaj mahal mein phir se shanti aayi hai.”

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A Moment Between Them – Corridor Behind the Stage

After the speeches and blessings, Aarohi and Aviraj found themselves briefly alone in a long marble corridor. The sound of celebration echoed faintly behind them.

Aviraj looked at her sideways.

“Tumhare saath sab kuch alag lagta hai… jaise main bhi pehli baar raja ban raha hoon, tumhare nazar mein.”

Aarohi didn’t reply instantly.

Then she turned toward him and said, “Tum raja banne ja rahe ho, Aviraj… par tumhara rishte nibhaane ka tareeka bhi raja jaisa ho.”

He nodded, his smile calm but filled with meaning.

“Main vachan deta hoon... tumhare vishwas ka taj mere sir ke taj se bada hoga.”

---

Royal Garden – Rehearsal for the Grand Rajtilak Ceremony

A rehearsal was being held under the guidance of Rajmata and the Royal Advisor. Aviraj walked the ceremonial path lined with guards and Brahmins.

From the sidelines, Aarohi watched.

Rajmata’s POV:

"Pehli baar uske kadmon mein itni nishchinta dekhi hai maine. Pehli baar uske saath koi aisi rani khadi hai jo sirf roop se nahi, himmat se bhi rajya ka hissa hai. Aarohi… tum sach mein Rajgarh ki dhadkan ban chuki ho."

Rajmata approached Aarohi quietly.

“Tum dono mein phir se ekta dikh rahi hai. Is rishte ki seema sirf prem nahi... poore rajya ki aas hai.”

Aarohi lowered her eyes respectfully. “Main bas apna kartavya nibha rahi hoon, Rajmata-sa.”

Rajmata touched her head fondly. “Kabhi kabhi… kartavya se bhi prem ubhar aata hai.”

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Royal Banquet – Evening Gathering with Nobles and Diplomats

The palace shone with lights. Foreign dignitaries and local lords attended a gala dinner to honor the upcoming rajtilak.

Aarohi entered beside Aviraj, now in a maroon lehenga with a diamond tiara resting gently on her forehead.

Every step she took was grace. Every glance she gave, power.

Ambassadors leaned toward each other.

“Rajgarh ka raja toh samarth hai, par uski rani... usmein chhupi shakti alag hai.”

Aviraj offered his hand toward her for the ceremonial dance.

“Ek naya safar shuru kar rahe hain… saath chalogi?”

Aarohi placed her hand in his.

“Jab tak chaal rajaon jaisi ho, rani kadam milati rahegi.”

The orchestra played. They danced slowly under chandeliers, like fire and moonlight weaving through marble halls.

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Final Scene – Palace Rooftop – That Night

Away from the banquet, under a starlit sky, Aviraj and Aarohi stood side by side.

She leaned slightly into the breeze. He watched her.

“Aaj log tumhe dekh ke keh rahe the... ‘Rajya ki rani aayi hai,’” he said softly.

Aarohi replied without looking, “Aur tumhe dekh ke logon ne kaha… ‘Dil jeetne waala raja aaya hai.’”

A moment passed. No words.

Then she added, “Tum phir se jeet rahe ho, Aviraj… is baar mera bharosa bhi.”

His eyes moistened, but he didn’t blink.

Because for the first time, the crown didn’t matter as much as the hand that reached toward it with him.

_______

Rajgarh Palace – 5 Days Before Rajtilak

The palace was abuzz with pre-Rajtilak excitement. Every corridor whispered elegance. Guests from all royal lineages and business empires began arriving, and so did the extended royal family.

Among them entered Yuvraj Virat Singh Rajvanshi—Aviraj’s cousin. Tall, athletic, and sharp-jawed with an arrogant grin stitched to his face. Where Aviraj's gaze was composed and warm, Virat’s eyes were sharp, scanning, and intrusive.

He walked into the darbar, loud and entitled, arms wide open.

"Mere shehzade bhai, badhai ho! Rajtilak ki tayari ho rahi hai, aur mujhe ek din pehle hi bulaaya gaya? Yeh toh nainsaafi hai!"

Aviraj smiled diplomatically, pulling him in for a formal hug.

"Virat, rajtilak meri zimmedaari hai, lekin iss rajya ka daayra sirf mere daayre se bada hai. Tumhara swagat hai."

Virat’s eyes darted past Aviraj toward the stairs, where Aarohi stood, unaware of being watched.

Wearing a pale pink saree with pearl embroidery, she looked ethereal.

Virat’s gaze lingered. “Yeh hui na baat… Rajgarh ki rani toh asli hiran hai. Kaash…” He trailed off, smirking to himself.

---

Next Day – Palace Courtyard

Aarohi was overseeing arrangements with palace staff.

Virat strolled in, overly familiar.

"Rani-sa, kya hum aapki madad karne layak hain? Ya aapki muskaan hi kaafi hai sab kuch sambhalne ke liye?"

She smiled politely, unaware of his layered intent. "Namaste Virat bhai-sa, sab kuch sambhal gaya hai. Aap aaraam kijiye."

He leaned closer, breaching comfort. "Aapki aagya bina toh raat ko neend bhi nahi aati, Rani-sa."

Aarohi looked confused, slightly awkward. She shifted away with grace. "Aap kuch keh rahe the?"

He laughed it off. "Kuch nahi, bas itna ki... Rajgarh mein aap jaisi sundarta pehle kabhi nahi dekhi."

She frowned subtly, her unease rising—but his words were wrapped in such smooth formality that she couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong.

---

Meanwhile – Rajmata’s Chamber

Rajmata sat with the royal ladies—Jethanis of the palace and Bhua Saas. Their words, dipped in sugar and venom, fluttered through the air.

Jethanisaa: "Aarohi toh sundar hai, lekin zyada akalmand na ho, toh sundarta kya karegi?"

Bhua Saas: "Jab se aayi hai, riyasat ke niyam badal diye. Na toh purani maryada rahi, na parampara. Yeh naye khayalon wali ladkiyaan rajgharana nahi sambhaalti."

Rajmata remained quiet but observant. She could see Aarohi being targeted.

---

Later That Evening – Family Dinner

The dining hall was grand, with lit chandeliers and silver thalis. Aarohi sat beside Aviraj.

Virat joined, deliberately sitting opposite her. Throughout the meal, he made pointed comments.

"Rani-sa, aapke haathon se paani bhi zahr lagta hai... itna nasha toh humne pehle kabhi mehsoos nahi kiya."

Aarohi dropped her spoon, startled. Aviraj’s jaw clenched.

Aviraj: "Virat, tameez ke daayre mein raho. Yeh riyasat hai, tavern nahi."

Virat raised his hands mockingly. "Arey bhai-sa, mazaak tha. Aap toh raja banne se pehle hi praja par gussa karne lage."

Aarohi looked down, trying to hide her discomfort.

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Later That Night – Aarohi’s Room

She stood by the jharokha, eyes lost in the moonlight. A soft knock.

Aviraj entered. "Tum theek ho?"

She hesitated. "Main… bas thodi thak gayi hoon."

He stepped forward, sensing more. **"Kisi ne kuch kaha kya? Ya… Virat ne kuch kiya?"

She shook her head quickly. "Nahi, kuch nahi. Sab theek hai."

But her voice cracked slightly.

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Aarohi, main tumhara pati hoon. Riyasat se pehle, tumhara rakshak hoon. Agar kisi ne… zara bhi seema laanghi, toh Aviraj Singh uska muh tod dega. Main tumse vada karta hoon."

Her eyes welled up. His voice was fire, but his touch was protection.

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Final Scene – Temple in Palace Grounds

Aarohi prayed quietly, a diya in her hand. Aviraj stood a few steps behind, watching her.

He walked up, lit a diya beside her.

"Main chahta hoon... tumhare har aansu ka hisaab mujhe diya jaaye. Rajtilak ke din sirf ek mukut nahi pehnunga... tumhara vishwas bhi pehnunga."

She looked at him—no words.

But her silence was soft now.

Not fear.

But trust.

End of chapter

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