Rajgarh Palace – 3 Days Before Rajtilak

The air was thick with tension, despite the palace’s glittering preparation for the Rajtilak. While Aarohi had secluded herself after the humiliation, another storm was gathering quietly in the shadows of the marbled corridors.

Virat Singh Rajvanshi was in his private chamber, his jaw still bruised from Aarohi’s slap. The mirror in front of him reflected not just the swelling on his face, but the growing blaze in his eyes.

"Usne mujhe thappad maara... woh bhi sabke saamne. Ek aurat. Aviraj ki rani ho kar mujhe neecha dikhaya."

His voice echoed venomously. His pride—his biggest weakness—was torn, and he seethed in humiliation.

Door knocks.

In walked Veer Rathore, his calm, calculating demeanour cloaked in silk and deception. Veer had always preferred manipulating from the shadows rather than confronting directly. But today, he needed a pawn.

Veer: "Virat bhai-sa, aapko zyada takleef toh nahi hui?"

Virat scoffed. "Takleef? Mujhe? Ek aurat ke thappad se? Nahi Veer... main yeh toh bas yaad rakh raha hoon ki badla lena kaisa lagta hai."

Veer (sitting slowly): "Aur agar main kahun ki main aapka saath de sakta hoon?"

Virat (suspicious): "Mera saath? Tum? Kya faayda hoga tumhe?"

Veer (smiling slyly): "Aviraj ke raaste se humein dono ko hatana hai. Tumhe tumhara sammaan wapas chahiye, mujhe mera raaj. Shayad hum ek dusre ke liye faayda ka sauda ho sakte hain."

Virat leaned back, stroking his beard.

"Aur yeh sab kaise hoga?"

Veer: "Aviraj ki kamzori uski imandari hai... aur uska rasta hum Suryamukhi se hila sakte hain."

---

Same Day – Royal Entrance of Rajgarh Palace

The palace gates opened with a grand trumpet.

Princess Suryamukhi of Suryagarh—also known as Sophie, descended from the royal carriage. Her golden gown shimmered in the afternoon light, mirroring the legendary sun emblem of her kingdom. Her aura was both regal and effortless, blending tradition with modern poise.

Her long hair flowed like a river of jet silk, her hazel eyes surveying the palace with curiosity and warmth.

Rajmata personally came to welcome her.

Rajmata (smiling): "Suryamukhi beti, tumhara Rajgarh mein swagat hai. Tumhara aana is rajtilak ko aur bhi shubh bana raha hai."

Sophie (gracefully bowing): "Rajmata-sa, mere liye ye saubhagya hai ki main Rajgarh jaise paramparik riyasat ka hissa ban rahi hoon."

Behind her, stepped out Yuvraj Aviraj Singh, dressed in deep indigo and gold, his presence more composed than ever.

Aviraj: "Sophie ne kaha tha ki woh Rajgarh dekhna chahti hai... main mana kaise karta."

Everyone in the palace was struck by her charm. The ladies watched her with awe, and the men whispered admiration.

Royal Lady 1: "Kya roop hai... aur kitni guni bhi lagti hai."

Royal Lady 2: "Aviraj ke saath achhi jodi lagegi. Woh Aarohi se toh zyada unki barabari karti hai."

Bhua Saas (to Dadisa): "Rajmata ke mann mein agar thoda bhi badlav aaya ho, toh Suryamukhi ko Rajgarh ki rani banane ka soch sakti hain."

Rajmata watched the subtle comparison, but said nothing. Her eyes remained on Sophie, who walked gracefully beside Aviraj like she belonged there.

---

Later – Guest Chambers

Sophie was given the Queen’s Wing—an indirect symbol of honor.

Rajmata entered her chamber.

Rajmata: "Beti, main chahungi tum yeh ek hafta Rajgarh mein issi mahal mein bitao. Tumhara saath Aviraj ke liye bhi ek sukoon banega."

Sophie (smiling softly): "Aviraj aur maine bachpan saath bitaya hai. Agar unka sukoon ban sakti hoon, toh yeh mera adarsh hoga."

Rajmata (fondly): "Tum bilkul meri beti jaisi ho, Suryamukhi. Shayad iss riyasat ko tum jaise samajhdaar rani ki zarurat hai."

Sophie didn’t respond, but the silence between them brimmed with suggestion.

---

Evening – Royal Garden Soiree

A semi-formal event was hosted for guests and royals alike. Strings of lights draped over mango trees, with live sitar echoing in the garden.

Sophie arrived in a cream and lavender lehenga. The murmurs began again.

Royal Gentleman 1: "Kya baat hai… she carries herself like a queen already."

Royal Lady: "Unke aur Aviraj ke beech ek samajh hai… bina shabdon ke."

Virat, standing with Veer, watched the scene unfold.

Virat: "Woh Aarohi ko hata ke isko rani bana dein... toh main khush ho jaunga. Kam se kam yeh thappad nahi maaregi."

Veer (smirking): "Sophie sirf ek rani nahi, ek ran-neeti bhi ho sakti hai... agar sahi chali jaaye."

Virat’s eyes gleamed again, this time with strategy rather than rage.

---

Final Scene – Balcony Overlooking Rajgarh

Sophie stood alone, watching the city lights. Aviraj joined her silently.

Sophie (gently): "Aviraj, tum badal gaye ho... ya riyasat ne tumhe majboor kar diya hai?"

Aviraj (softly): "Shayad dono. Lekin kuch rishton ka bojh uthane se pehle samajhna padta hai ki kya sach mein woh rishta tha bhi ya sirf ek sapna."

Sophie: "Agar kabhi kisi mod pe, koi rishta toot jaye, toh kya naye ko banana galat hai?"

Aviraj didn’t answer.

But the breeze carried their unsaid words across the palace—the echoes of history, betrayal, and choices yet to be made.

Chapter 34: "Whispers of Fear"

The corridors of Rajgarh Palace gleamed with chandeliers and silken drapes, but beneath that opulence, the air around Aarohi had started to change. It was not something she could name, not something she could accuse. But she felt it—like a chilling breeze even in the warmth of her chamber.

Virat, ever the charming cousin to Aviraj, had begun taking liberties. Small ones at first: a lingering glance, a hand on her back when guiding her, a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Aarohi, sheltered and soft-hearted, brushed them off with innocent discomfort.

But now, something had shifted.

---

Mid-afternoon – Private Library Wing

Aarohi had come to find a book—one of her few refuges in the palace. As she reached up to the higher shelf, a shadow loomed behind her. She turned, startled.

Virat: “Main madad kar doon, choti rajkumari?”

Aarohi forced a polite smile. “Nahi, Virat bhai-sa. Main le lungi.”

He didn’t move away. Instead, he stepped closer. Much closer than necessary. Aarohi stiffened, clutching the book to her chest.

Virat (softly): “Tumhe pata hai... is mahal mein tum sabse alag ho. Masoom... aur sundar.”

Aarohi’s breath caught in her throat. The words weren’t wrong—but the way he said them was. She gave a hesitant laugh, trying to diffuse the moment.

Aarohi: “Aap hamesha mazaak karte hain, bhai-sa.”

But Virat’s smile didn’t fade. He leaned in more.

Virat: “Kabhi kabhi, mazaak mein bhi sach hota hai.”

Before she could respond, he gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. Aarohi froze.

Her heart pounded. She felt the danger now—its shape forming clearer, its weight heavier.

Aarohi (stepping back): “Mujhe... mujhe jaana chahiye. Rajmata mujhe bula rahi thi.”

She turned quickly, fleeing the library, her mind spinning. Was she imagining things? Maybe she misunderstood?

But the echo of his touch lingered. And that night, she couldn’t sleep.

---

Next Morning – Inner Courtyard

Aarohi sat with the younger royal ladies, her smile weak. Her mind kept drifting. Was something wrong with her for feeling this way? Or was it truly Virat?

He entered the courtyard later, and her body tensed instinctively.

Virat (loudly): “Choti rajkumari, aaj toh aap aur bhi khoobsurat lag rahi ho. Aapke liye toh suraj bhi sharma jaye.”

The women giggled.

Bhua Saas (taunting): “Zamana badal gaya hai. Ab toh devar bhi tareef karte hain, aur rajkumari sharma jaati hai. Kya zamaana aaya hai!”

Aarohi flushed. Was she overthinking everything? Or was everyone just blind to it?

---

Evening – Side Corridor Near Aviraj’s Study

She was walking back from the temple room when she heard footsteps behind her. Before she could turn, Virat’s hand caught her wrist.

Aarohi (startled): “Virat bhai-sa! Yeh kya—”

Virat (gripping tighter): “Bas ek baat kehni thi. Tum hamesha Aviraj ke peeche chhupi rehti ho. Kabhi socha hai kisi aur ne bhi tumhe dekha hai? Tarasta hai?”

Her eyes widened. She tried to pull back.

Aarohi: “Aap... aap kuch zyada keh rahe hain. Yeh theek nahi hai.”

He stepped closer, trapping her between the corridor wall and his looming presence.

Virat: “Tum samajh nahi rahi, Aarohi. Tumhari masoomiyat hi tumhara jaal hai. Tum roko ya na roko, mere jazbaat rukne wale nahi.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. Her hands trembled.

Aarohi (pleading): “Aap... aap yeh sab kyun kar rahe hain? Main Aviraj ki..."

Virat (darkly): "Tum uski rani ho, lekin yeh mahal... yeh riyasat sirf uski nahi."

That broke something in her.

She shoved him—hard—and ran. Her breath ragged, her dupatta slipping, her body shaking. Her chest ached from fear and her heart from betrayal. Her mind screamed for Aviraj, but she couldn’t speak. Not yet. She didn’t even fully understand what she’d escaped.

---

Her Chamber – Midnight

She sat in the corner of her room, knees pulled to her chest.

Aarohi (murmuring): “Main galat toh nahi hoon na? Main kuch ulta nahi samajh rahi... hai na?”

The moonlight spilled in, but couldn’t warm the cold that had settled in her.

She didn’t know how to tell anyone. Not when the predator smiled like family. Not when her own innocence blinded her until now.

But one thing was clear—she would never walk alone again.

And maybe, just maybe... she needed to fight this in her own way before she could tell Aviraj.

End of chapter

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