Chapter 40
Sarita led them forward as the newly married couple went to receive Kul Devi’s blessings.
For the first time, Meera stood beside Abhinav as his wife.
She bowed before the goddess. For years she had come here as Devendra Chauhan’s daughter, as the girl who ran barefoot through Anand Mahal’s corridors. Today, her place had changed.
She stood there as the bride of this house. As an Anand. As the Thakurain of Anand Mahal.
Emotion rose too fast, pressing against her breath. Beside her, Abhinav folded his hands and lowered his head.
Sarita stepped closer. Her fingers brushed across Abhinav’s head as she murmured a prayer in Marwari, too soft for anyone to fully catch. Blessings, protection, gratitude.
She turned to Meera. Her eyes softened completely. “Welcome home, beta.”
The words entered Meera’s heart with a warmth so complete, her eyes filled.
Abhinav’s hand closed around hers in the same moment, warm, grounding, as if he understood what those words had done to her.
Pandit ji guided them away. The couple moved toward the reception stage.
They welcomed each guest with folded hands, offering thanks for their presence. Servants moved through the crowd with trays and gifts. Kishore kept a watch over the arrangements, ensuring everything moved in order.
Near the entrance, the atmosphere changed. Conversations dipped. Heads turned.
Rajveer Singh Sisodia entered Anand Mahal.
He wore a midnight blue suit that fit him to the line of his shoulders and frame. The collar lay open at the throat. A single diamond stud caught the light near his right ear.
Amar Singh followed. Two attendants carried a carved chest between them.
Rajveer crossed toward the stage. People made space for him without instructions.
He reached Abhinav. Their handshake lasted a second before Rajveer drew him into a brief embrace.
“About time.”
Abhinav smiled softly. “Thank you for coming.”
Rajveer turned to Sarita and folded his hands. “Thakurain Sa. Congratulations.”
Sarita smiled warmly. “You honour us with your presence, Your Highness.”
“The honour is mine.”
His attention moved to Meera. “Ms. Chauhan… Mrs. Anand now. Congratulations.”
Meera greeted him with folded hands.
Before she could speak, Abhinav leaned closer. “The contract you overheard that day was for purchasing a heritage property from Rajveer in Jaipur. The new Anand Group headquarters.”
Meera blinked. “What?”
Rajveer caught her reaction.
“Abhinav rejected three commercial sites before agreeing to this one. Your love for heritage architecture guided that decision.”
Emotions rose again. She was overwhelmed.
“You are fortunate, Meera ji,” Rajveer continued. “Your husband loves you very much.”
Abhinav pressed a kiss to her temple. Meera looked at him in disbelief, as if she had not yet understood how she had become this lucky.
Across the courtyard, Naina stood with Ishani and Divya. Abhinav caught her attention and signalled her to come.
Naina crossed to him casually at first.
Then she looked up. Everything inside her stopped.
Not metaphorically. Actually stopped.
Her steps slowed.
‘Oh…’
That was the first thought. Followed immediately by, ‘... no, oh no… this is unreasonable.’
His photos on magazine covers had not prepared her for this.
Nothing could have.
Up close, Rajveer Singh Sisodia felt unreal.
Too composed, too precise, too… overwhelming. The suit sat perfectly against broad shoulders. Bronze skin. Calm eyes that carried the weight of inherited power.
‘God that stupid diamond stud. Who gave royalty permission to accessorise this well?’
Naina almost missed the last step. Recovered instantly.
Rajveer watched her approach. He paused before his gaze lifted fully to her face.
That somehow made it worse.
Naina folded her hands before her brain failed publicly. “Your Highness.”
He returned the gesture. “Ms. Anand.”
‘That voice should not be allowed in public gatherings.’
Her smile survived somehow.
Up close, he felt dangerously commanding. He did nothing except stand there, and somehow the entire space adjusted around him.
‘Why does he feel taller this close?’
Her eyes dropped for a moment to the watch at his wrist.
‘That watch… dear God… He wears bespoke watches.’
A faint trace of oud and sandalwood reached her.
‘Fantastic. He even smells expensive.’
Then her eyes betrayed her again. Jawline. Mouth. Eyelashes.
‘No man should legally have eyelashes this perfect.’
The hint of amusement touched his lips before disappearing. His attention moved to the edge of her dupatta. “Mewar latticework.”
Naina blinked. Her mind took a few seconds to catch up.
‘He noticed the border.’
“Yes,” she managed. “I adapted it.”
“It is beautiful work.”
‘No. Absolutely not. I cannot survive praise from a prince while looking directly at his face.’
She held her composure through sheer force
His eyes dropped once more to the embroidery. His thumb brushed his watch strap before his attention returned to her. “I have followed your work for some time.”
‘Please stop speaking before I embarrass my ancestors.’
“My sister wore one of your designs during a state dinner in Udaipur. Half the guests asked for the designer’s name.”
Naina stared at him.
‘Remain calm. Remain elegant. Do not accidentally agree to produce royal heirs during the first conversation.’
Rajveer’s eyes darkened for the briefest moment. Gone before anyone else could catch it.
“I’m honoured, Your Highness.” Her voice came out completely, absolutely composed.
“You should visit the royal textile archives sometime.”
‘The what.’
“There are collections there you may appreciate.”
Naina’s pulse lost all organisational structure.
‘The royal archives. He is inviting me into the royal archives. I need divine supervision immediately.’
“That would be incredible.”
He drew a slow breath, control intact, though his attention remained on her face longer than required. “You may call me Rajveer.”
Naina’s eyes widened a little.
‘How about Raj?’
Rajveer’s ear turned faintly pink. He cleared his throat once.
“I think Your Highness suits you better,” she replied before common sense could kick in. “That way I remember I’m speaking to an actual prince.”
Abhinav looked between them. Then very wisely looked away before he embarrassed himself by laughing publicly at his sister’s expression.
Rajveer turned toward the refreshments area, composure restored. “Would you join me for some snacks while we leave the stage for the newlyweds?”
‘Would I join the Crown Prince of Mewar for snacks? No. I will simply pass away where I stand.’
“Yes, Your Highness.”
They stepped down together.
Her expression remained calm. Inside her head, absolute catastrophe unfolded.
‘Why are his shoulders this broad? Why is he matching my walking pace? Why does he smell this good? Focus on textiles, Naina. Fabrics. Embroidery. Economic growth. Stop noticing the prince.’
Beside her, Rajveer walked in silence.
Only once did his attention shift toward her. Only once did something dangerous pass through his expression before he looked ahead again.
Amar Singh followed behind, fully aware of how complicated the future had just become.