CHAPTER 35
By evening, Jogra Palace looked completely transformed.
Lanterns glowed along the stone pathways while rows of brass torches illuminated the courtyard. The mountain air carried the scent of saffron and fresh flowers. Musicians played softly near the entrance, their music blending with the steady hum of conversation from arriving guests.
Yamini stood just inside one of the upper galleries overlooking the courtyard.
Guests continued arriving every few minutes.
Luxury cars rolled through the palace gates. Helicopters landed on the distant pad. Security personnel escorted politicians, businessmen, and members of royal families into the palace.
Looking down at the crowd, Yamini had the distinct impression that every influential person in the country had somehow gathered at Jogra Palace.
The valley announcement had already made everything feel real.
Tonight, somehow felt even bigger.
Because tomorrow, the public would know she was the new Jogra maharani.
A familiar nervousness fluttered in her stomach.
She smoothed her palms against her silk lehenga and exhaled slowly.
The deep emerald lehenga had been chosen by Rani Suchitra. Diamonds sparkled at her ears and wrists. The emerald fish pendant rested against the base of her throat, standing out among the Jogra jewels.
Her mother had nearly cried when she saw her dressed for the evening.
The memory made Yamini smile.
Across the courtyard, she spotted her parents speaking with several guests who included royal families they had known for decades. Her father looked quite pleased. Her brother stood nearby, looking considerably more comfortable than he had during their last meeting.
She knew her father now felt that his social standing had increased considerably in royal and business circles due to his newly formed family connection with the Jogra royal house.
Her gaze drifted toward the rest of the family.
Ram Devara stood beside Sanjana, who looked beautiful in a traditional pink silk saree. Samar Keshwa and Viraj Sahom were engaged in conversation with several ministers and business leaders.
Her eyes moved instinctively toward Rani Suchitra.
The queen mother stood near the center of the courtyard, speaking with a group of guests. Deep ruby silk caught the lantern light as she moved through conversations with effortless composure.
Has she forgiven me?
Yamini still didn’t know if Rani Suchitra had forgiven her for the past. But the fact that Rani Ma had invited her mother to the palace early and spent time together for most of the day gave her hope.
Suddenly, she felt a shift in the air.
Yamini didn’t have to turn to know who was behind her. But she turned anyway, only for her breath to catch.
Bharat Jogra stood a few feet away, looking every inch a maharaja.
He wore a high-collared, black traditional Jogra attire with a heritage brooch. The design was understated compared to many of the elaborate outfits worn by the royal guests. Somehow it suited him perfectly and made him even more commanding.
His golden-brown gaze moved slowly over her, his attention lingering briefly on the emerald fish pendant before returning to her face.
“You look beautiful.”
The compliment caught her completely off guard.
For a second, she simply stared.
Bharat Jogra rarely offered compliments. Most conversations with him involved schedules, instructions, security arrangements, or one-sided arguments.
Heat rose into her cheeks.
“Thank you,” she muttered. “You look beautiful too. I mean, you look handsome. Men look handsome, not beautiful… although some men can look beautiful too.”
Her face heated as she realized she was blabbering.
His gaze remained on her.
“You are nervous.”
She inhaled a deep breath. “Yes,” she murmured.
There seemed little point pretending otherwise.
His expression remained calm.
“Don’t be.”
The low command made her laugh, dissipating some of her nervousness.
“You can’t just command me not to be nervous, Your Highness,” she said.
“Of course, I will be nervous. Once the formal announcement is made, there is no turning back. I’m going to be written into history as your wife, the Jogra maharani, however brief our marriage lasts.
Aren’t you nervous or annoyed about that fact? ”
He looked at her. “No.”
The answer came without hesitation.
His answer shocked her, because he sounded sure. Too sure.
Before she could say something more, his hand settled lightly against the small of her back.
Yamini almost forgot how to breathe.
He had never touched her publicly before.
Not during their wedding. Or the valley announcement.
It was a light touch. Anyone watching would read it as courtesy or affection.
She felt it like a current.
“Come,” he said.
She didn’t argue. Her feet moved automatically to his soft command.
Together, they walked toward the grand staircase leading into the courtyard.
Conversations gradually quieted as guests noticed them.
Yamini felt hundreds of eyes turn in their direction. Ordinarily, that much attention would have made her nervous. But she found herself focusing on the steady warmth of Bharat's hand at her back.
The crowd parted as they approached the center of the courtyard.
Rani Suchitra stepped forward.
The conversations ceased almost immediately. Even the musicians fell silent.
And then, Rani Suchitra spoke. Her voice carried naturally through the courtyard.
“Distinguished guests,” she began. “Thank you for joining us this evening.”
Her gaze moved across the assembled crowd.
“For generations, the House of Jogra has carried the responsibility of serving its people, protecting its legacy, and preserving its traditions.”
The guests listened attentively.
“In recent weeks, our family celebrated an important occasion.”
Her eyes moved briefly toward Bharat.
Then toward Yamini.
“My son Maharaja Bharat Singh Jogra entered into marriage.”
A murmur moved through the crowd.
Many must have already heard the rumors or speculated. But hearing it publicly confirmed was something different.
Rani Suchitra continued. “Tonight, it is my honor to formally present his wife.”
Her gaze settled on Yamini.
“Princess Yamini Gaur.”
A brief pause followed. Then came the words that still made Yamini's pulse jump.
“Maharani Yamini Singh Jogra.”
Applause erupted across the courtyard.
Yamini felt her breath catch.
For weeks, a part of her still believed that the marriage wasn’t real. But now, hearing those words spoken aloud somehow made everything feel real.
Yamini pressed her palms together and bowed respectfully as the applause continued.
Beside her, Bharat remained composed.
But she felt his thumb shift slightly against her waist.
The smallest movement. The gesture made her pulse jump, but steadied her in a strange way.
The receiving line formed almost immediately afterward.
One guest after another stepped forward—politicians, business leaders, royal families.
Bharat acknowledged each person with the same regal nod. And she followed his lead as best she could with a smile pasted on her lips.
Thankfully, years of attending royal functions during childhood made the process familiar.
At one point, Pooja appeared, her face brimming with excitement.
Yamini smiled. This time, her smile was genuine.
“Congratulations,” Pooja said.
Bharat acknowledged with a brief nod.
Pooja then looked at her. “You look incredible, maharani,” she said.
Yamini knew her friend was happy and excited for her.
“Thank you, Pooja,” Yamini replied and then hugged her friend.
She knew it might be against the royal protocol to hug in a formal setting, but she was willing to risk it for the moment.
When Pooja pulled away, her eyes shone. “Wishing you a long, happy married life,” she said, squeezing her hand before stepping away.
The line continued moving.
Yamini kept her smile in place. And then, she saw someone familiar.
Tina Mehta.
The chief minister's daughter stood beside her father. Despite being fired from the Jogra Steel environmental project, she had come. Yamini knew it was because the chief minister or his daughter couldn’t afford to hold grudges against a powerful maharaja.
Draped in designer silk, with diamonds flashing under torchlight, Tina’s face no longer held the composed confidence she usually did in public. Her expression held utter disbelief.
Tina’s lips were parted slightly as though her mind was still rearranging the image before her.
Bharat Jogra’s wife. A princess. Now, a maharani.
The chief minister greeted Bharat smoothly and offered his congratulations.
“Congratulations, maharaja and maharani,” Tina gritted.
Although Yamini could have just nodded in acknowledgment like Bharat, she chose to speak. “Thank you, Miss Mehta,” Yamini replied.
Tina's jaw tightened.
And then, the color drained suddenly from Tina’s face. Tina didn’t move or even blink.
Yamini knew why.
Tina was looking at the emerald fish pendant. It was small, but clearly visible to someone standing right in the front.
The same pendant Tina had intended to win. The pendant Tina had said someone like Yamini could never afford it.
When Tina’s gaze lifted, there was visible anger, humiliation, and disbelief.
Yamini’s gaze didn’t waver.
With a noisy exhale, Tina moved on.
The line continued.
Yamini continued to paste a polite smile and greet the rest of the guests.
Through it all, Bharat's hand remained lightly against her back.
The gesture never changed.
She still couldn't decide whether he was reassuring her, making a statement to the guests, or simply following royal protocol.
Whatever the reason was, she drew comfort and liked his touch far more than she should.