79.
It was strange—Shaurya still hadn't returned. Evening had already crept in, the sky outside dimming into muted oranges and greys. Yug was busy with an online meeting, completely consumed, so it was just Aarav sitting beside Aarohi in the quiet lounge.
"I wonder what's happening there," Aarohi said softly. "It's already unsettling enough that Shaurya Bhai agreed to meet Bilal."
Aarav nodded, his jaw tight. "It has to be serious. Shaurya wouldn't entertain him otherwise." He paused, then shifted the topic gently. "But tell me—how are things at the palace? How's Dadi?"
Aarohi studied him for a moment, as if weighing her words.
"You know what she wants," she said carefully. "I think you should at least consider—"
"Being king?" Aarav cut in with a faint, tired smile. "I don't really have a problem with that. But there are... things I need to think about first."
"Is it about Aarya?" Aarohi asked quietly.
"Yes," Aarav said, then exhaled. "And no."
He leaned forward, clasping his hands. "She's not my biological child. I hate even saying it out loud—but it's the truth. And even if I have a child someday... that child still won't be the heir. It won't do justice to the crown."
"Bhaiya," Aarohi said gently, "people don't know what truly goes on inside our family. I don't think it would be a problem."
Aarav shook his head. "Maybe not for them. But it will be for me." His voice softened. "I'll feel guilty. Dadi might be disappointed. She accepted me being gay far more easily than I ever expected—and now this. Royals have always played the game of blood. Lineage. Legacy."
"So what are you going to do?" Aarohi asked.
"I don't know yet," Aarav admitted. "I need to talk to Shaurya first. But your and Veer's choices matter more here."
Aarohi frowned slightly, confused.
"I was thinking... maybe Vayu could be king after me," Aarav continued. "He's biologically related. It makes sense." He sighed. "But Shaurya has already announced Vayu as his heir."
Aarohi stayed silent for a moment. "I honestly don't know what to say," she said finally. "The whole family needs to sit together and talk. We need to hear Dadi's wishes too."
Aarav nodded slowly.
"Her clips go viral these days, you know," he said with a small smile. "I admire how she still carries out her royal duties."
"Papa's gone," Aarohi said softly. "She has to hold the family together now."
Aarav didn't respond. He leaned back against the sofa, one leg bouncing restlessly—an old habit returning when his thoughts grew too heavy.
Then footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Both of them looked up.
Shaurya and Ravi were approaching.
"Lo aa gaye Jethalal aur Popatlal," Aarav muttered under his breath. Aarohi glanced at him, amused despite the tension.
"Shaurya ki kismat Jethalal jaisi hai—saari musibat inke hi sirr pe jaake raita banati hai," Aarav continued quietly, eyes still on Shaurya. "Aur Ravi... inki shaadi iss janam mein mumkin nahi lag rahi."
Aarohi let out a small laugh, but it faded the moment she noticed Shaurya's expression.
Aarav's smile slipped. "Jethalal kuch pareshani mein hai shayad," he murmured and stood up, moving toward Shaurya.
"Hey," Aarav asked softly, searching his face. "Are you okay?"
Shaurya looked at him for a long second before giving a tired, practiced smile. He draped an arm over Aarav's shoulders and pressed a gentle kiss to his head.
"I'm okay. Just... a bit tired" he said, sitting down and pulling Aarav with him. "What were you guys talking about?"
Ravi took a seat beside Aarohi pulling out his phone from his pocket to play his usual game.
Aarav exchanged a look with Aarohi. She nodded, encouraging him.
"Uhh... Shaurya," Aarav began carefully, fingers fidgeting. "I wanted to ask you something."
Shaurya leaned back slightly. "Mhmm. I'm listening."
"I'm not disrespecting your decision or anything," Aarav said quickly. "But I was thinking... maybe Vayu could be the next heir after me. He does have royal blood. Only if you all agree. Veer's decision matters too."
"I don't allow it."
The voice cut through the room.
Veer stepped forward, arms folded, his expression hard. Shaurya turned toward him but stayed silent.
Veer scoffed, eyes locked on Aarav.
"You want to use my son because you can't see him take over after Bhai."
Aarav stood up instantly. "What the hell did you just say?"
"It's the truth," Veer snapped. "I won't let my son be dragged into this royal circus. I worked for this company when everything was falling apart. And now you come back when things are stable, looking for benefit—for your daughter."
"I never differentiated them, Veer," Aarav said sharply. "Vayu is like my own son."
"Bhaiya is right," Aarohi cut in, hurt and confused. "What are you even saying? We're family."
"Oh really?" Veer laughed bitterly. "Did we fucking die all these years? He left us to live with an outsider—someone we can't even trust."
"I trust him," Aarav shot back. His voice cracked, anger mixing with years of hurt.
"And honestly, he's far better than all of you. Far better than me too. At least he fucking cared. You didn't even try to talk to me."
"Don't play the victim card," Veer said coldly. "You're not a child. You can't expect others to solve your problem".
"No," Aarav shook his head. "That's not it. You never accepted me. None of you did. And honestly? I don't care anymore."
His voice hardened.
"I came here for Shaurya. Because I need him. I don't fucking care about the crown, the family business, or this mafia bullshit. Bhad mein jao."
Veer's fists clenched.
"And don't make me remind you," Aarav added quietly, dangerously, "what you tried to do behind Shaurya's back."
"Ab tum mere ghar ke maamle mein aana chahte ho?" Veer snapped.
"So you want to teach me how to survive in this mafia? Apni aukaat mat bhulo."
"Enough!"
Shaurya's voice thundered through the hall. Everyone froze.
Aarohi flinched. Veer fell silent.
"Baat abhi aukaat mein aa chuki hai to—" Aarav started.
"I said enough, Aarav!" Shaurya cut in sharply.
He looked at both of them, disappointment heavy in his eyes.
"Tum dono ke rehte huye hume dushmano ki kya zarurat."
Silence.
"Today," Shaurya continued, voice lower but colder, "you both proved that Ozge truly succeeded in breaking my family apart."
He turned to Veer.
"Apna muh chalane se pehle socha karo. Kya sahi hai, kya galat."
Then, firmly:
"Veer, you went too far. I won't tolerate anyone talking to Aarav like that. Aur yeh 'aukaat' dikhane wala tu koi nahi hota."
"Bhai—"
"I'm not taking sides," Shaurya said, cutting him off. "But today, I'm speaking as his lover."
He looked straight at Veer.
"You have no right to talk to him like that."
A pause.
"And about my heir," Shaurya added, voice resolute, "that decision is mine. Whoever is fit enough to take my place will be my heir. This discussion ends here."
Veer stared at Aarav for a long moment, then turned and walked away.
Aarohi stood frozen, shame and hurt written all over her face. Without a word, she went out of the mansion and not followed Veer because she doesn't want to see his face.
"Shaurya—" Aarav began, but Shaurya simply took his hand and pulled him into the guest room he occupied. The door shut behind them with a soft click. In the next moment, Aarav was pinned against the wall.
Shaurya didn't say a word. He just leaned in and kissed him—hard, urgent. Aarav's fingers slid into Shaurya's hair, gripping instinctively. There was anger in the kiss, a rough edge that made Aarav's chest tighten. He tugged at Shaurya's hair to stop him.
Shaurya stopped instantly.
Aarav was breathing hard now, his lips parted as he licked them nervously. He caught Shaurya's shirt, pulled him closer, and pressed a brief, gentler peck to his lips—before suddenly pushing him back onto the bed.
Aarav shrugged off his shirt, tossing it aside, and climbed over him. Shaurya's hands settled on Aarav's waist, firm and grounding. Aarav leaned down to kiss him again, deeper this time, until Shaurya shifted them slightly so Aarav's chest hovered over his face.
Shaurya's lips traced downward, kissing Aarav's chest, his tongue following slowly. Aarav shivered at the sensation, his breath hitching as he cupped Shaurya's face, eyes falling shut. When Shaurya lingered there, Aarav's body reacted instantly. Shaurya started sucking his nipples hard.
"Stop. Stop it," Aarav whispered.
Shaurya stopped at once.
Aarav looked down at him. Shaurya's expression was tight—angry, restrained. Aarav's heart thudded painfully. Why wouldn't he say what he was thinking? Is he going to be silent again as always?
Sensing it, Shaurya shifted, pulling Aarav down gently, tucking him against the bed. He rested his head over Aarav's chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"Today, Bilal came with Sheikh Omar's daughter," Shaurya said quietly.
He lifted his head just enough to look at Aarav. "They expect me to marry some random woman," he continued, his voice low, controlled. "When my eyes are already on you."
Aarav lay still, confusion and fear twisting together in his chest as the weight of Shaurya's words settled between them.
"For an heir?" Aarav asked quietly.
Shaurya nodded.
"And he thought you'd just say yes because your mother was a Sheikh's daughter too?" Aarav scoffed. "That's fucking crazy. I don't allow this." He grabbed Shaurya by the collar, anger flashing through his eyes.
"But according to your family laws, our marriage is illegitimate," Aarav continued, his voice cracking despite himself. "Because Aarya isn't our love child. This isn't small, Shaurya. People will question you. "
"I don't care what people say about us," Shaurya replied instantly. "I'm in power now—I can change the laws if I want. I'll never choose anyone over you. Never."
Aarav studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Then what's really bothering you, Shaurya?"
Shaurya exhaled, the tension finally breaking.
"I'm tired, Aarav. Bilal is plotting something, and he's dragging Sheikh Omar into it.
I don't want bad blood with the Sheikh. They aren't our enemies.
I just want all of this to end." His jaw tightened.
"And the only reason Bilal is still breathing is because I promised you I wouldn't kill him. "
Aarav understood. Anyone would be exhausted living with constant chaos—especially with the Ozge mess piling on every single day. Now after the father and daughter duo, Ozge's son was behind Shaurya.
"There's another meeting tomorrow," Shaurya went on.
"I want you there with me. Sheikh Omar will come himself.
I'll clear things directly with him." He paused.
"Bilal will probably say something vile about us.
Please... don't let it hurt you. Even after I burnt half his face for speaking about you, I know he won't shut up. "
Aarav gently guided Shaurya's head back to his chest and wrapped his arms around him, holding him tight.
"I like it when you talk to me like this," Aarav murmured. "See? It makes everything easier. And don't worry—I'll deal with Bilal in my own way. As for the Sheikh, he's a respectable man. His daughter is our guest. We'll treat them with dignity."
He smiled softly. "Don't stress so much, Baba. We'll handle this together. Okay?"
"I love you, Aarav," Shaurya said quietly. "I'm sorry you just arrived and everything's a mess here." He hesitated. "I'm sorry about Veer too."
"That's fine," Aarav replied. "Family drama is practically tradition." Then, grinning, he added, "By the way... is the Sheikh's daughter really beautiful? I've heard they're born that way."
"I'm no one to judge a woman's beauty," Shaurya said flatly.
Aarav laughed under his breath and shook his head. Shaurya really was impossibly cute.
"Waise bhi itne bade-bade muchhon wale insaan se kaun shaadi karega?" Aarav scoffed. "Woh toh hum hain isliye maan gaye. Daaku waise bhi lagte ho aap. Pata chala, woh ladki khud hi mana kar de."
Shaurya just listened, a quiet smile playing on his lips.
"Meri hi kismat kharab hai," Aarav went on dramatically. "Ek khane se thoosa hua jaanwar mere naseeb mein aa gaya."
Shaurya chuckled softly.
"By the way," he said, eyes glinting, "why did you open your shirt? You always forget the deal—you made it very clear. No sex before marriage." He leaned closer, smirking. "Ya phir kuch special chahiye tha?"
Aarav blushed instantly.
"I didn't forget. Aapke dimaag mein hi sab gandagi bhari rehti hai. Tharki."
Shaurya laughed under his breath, then gently turned Aarav around so he was facing the bed. Slowly, deliberately, he slid Aarav's pants down, tossing them aside.
"Shaurya," Aarav warned.
"Relax," Shaurya murmured. "I won't cross any limit."
He leaned over Aarav, caging him in, his presence heavy and warm.
"Aur kitni der hum apne aap ko roke," Shaurya whispered near his ear, "iss khoobsurat jism ki ibaadat karne se?"
One hand traced slowly over Aarav's abs,, while the other settled lower,under Aarav's boxers, making Aarav's breath hitch.
"I don't know whether I should thank your tattoo artist or cut his hands," Shaurya murmured. His lips found the small S on Aarav's neck, kissing it, lingering there. "But no more tattoos, Aarav. Jo jagah bachi hai... woh sirf meri hai. Only I'll mark here."
His grip tightened possessively at Aarav's butt cheeks. Aarav didn't speak—he just held Shaurya's hand, resting his head against Shaurya's arm, letting himself melt. Only a single hand of Shaurya was enough for him to feel heaven.
Shaurya eventually moved his hands upward, slowing things down, massaging Aarav's back with gentle pressure.
"Yes... there," Aarav breathed. "I like that."
Shaurya sat up slightly. "Back pain?"
"Yeah," Aarav admitted. "It's constant. Sore. I barely feel my back anymore. Don't tease me."
"I'm not teasing," Shaurya said softly. "You sit for hours without moving. Let me help."
His hands worked into the tight muscles, steady. Aarav stayed quiet—until Shaurya hit exactly the right spot.
A soft moan slipped out of him.
"Yeah, Shaurya," Aarav murmured into the bedsheet. "A little harder there, baby."
Outside the room, Yug happened to pass by—and froze at the sound. He cleared his throat loudly and walked away a little too quickly.