Ch35 The Captive Lioness #3
"Please, let's not allow one unfortunate incident to ruin our mood. Come, the puja is fully complete, and it is time for me to distribute the sacred bridal offerings."
At her invitation, the married women happily formed a neat line.
Rivanya personally handed each of them a large, beautifully arranged brass platter overflowing with traditional bridal finery vibrant crimson sarees, matching glass bangles, sanctified sindoor, bottles of alta, fragrant strings of fresh gajra, cone mehendi, and sweet offerings.
Overwhelmed by such an affectionate and luxurious gesture, the women radiated pure happiness.
Rivanya then presented the final two platters to Dadimaa and Gurumaa, bowing deeply to seek their blessings.
But the moment that truly left the entire hall spellbound was when Rivanya gracefully bent down to touch the feet of every single domestic worker who was older than her.
Despite their frantic, respectful protests, she insisted, firmly establishing that under her gaze, age and respect superseded social hierarchy.
Gurumaa's eyes shone with deep spiritual contentment as she observed the scene.
"Blessed is the very soil of Vardhanpur, which is destined to receive the unconditional, maternal love of such a Queen," she proclaimed solemnly.
"A mother's love knows no boundaries or discrimination. Today, you have truly proven to the universe, Rivanya, that the name I bestowed upon you is flawless. You are indeed Rudrani."
As Rivanya lowered her gaze with a modest, beautiful smile, Rudraksh's chest swelled with an undeniable, fierce sense of pride.
Holding a small silver bowl containing the blessed *prasad*, Rivanya walked over to where Rudraksh was standing.
The moment she approached, he instinctively stood up, his towering frame casting a protective shadow over her.
Keeping her eyes shyly downward, she extended the offering.
Without breaking his unyielding, intense gaze for even a fraction of a second, Rudraksh reached out and took the prasad from her hands.
Feeling the sheer, burning weight of his undivided attention, Rivanya murmured softly under her breath, "Rudra... why on earth are you staring at me like that?"
Rudraksh's smirk widened. He leaned down slightly, his deep voice dropping to a teasing whisper meant only for her ears. "I am just marveling at how the fierce lioness who was roaring at everyone a moment ago has suddenly turned into a bright red tomato under my gaze."
Rivanya's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of crimson, but she refused to back down.
Looking up at him defiantly, she countered in a hushed, playful tone, "Oh, please! Look who's talking. You pretend to be an unshakeable fortress of stone in front of the whole world, but the moment you're in front of me, you turn into a complete softie. Do I ever tease you about it, Mr.
Old Hippopotamus?"
Rudraksh's smirk transformed into a genuine, amused smile. Watching the beautiful, private banter between the two, the entire Vardhan family beamed with quiet joy.
Their moment was gently interrupted by the family priest, who was scanning the altar with a perplexed expression.
"Aree, Rudraksh beta, you haven't received the sacred vermilion mark from the puja yet. This entire ritual was performed for your longevity and protection; you must wear the auspicious tilak."
The priest began rummaging through the brass platters, searching frantically for the misplaced tilak bowl. "Where did the vermilion plate go? It was right here..."
Seeing the priest and the family grow restless, Rudraksh spoke up calmly, "Give it a rest, Pandit ji. It's just a simple tilak, right? Watch this..."
Before anyone could comprehend his intentions, Rudraksh stepped closer to Rivanya.
Without a shred of hesitation, he raised his hand and gently wiped a trace of the sacred, vibrant sindoor directly from the parting of her hair onto his thumb.
With a smooth, deliberate motion, he pressed his thumb against his own forehead, applying the rich red vermilion as a majestic tilak.
A collective gasp echoed through the grand hall.
Every single witness stood frozen in absolute, jaw-dropping astonishment.
The fiercely stubborn, short-tempered Rudraksh Vardhan who despised colors and usually walked away from religious ceremonies was casually performing an intensely intimate ritual in front of a crowded room.
Vyom's mouth hung wide open in comical disbelief, while Dadimaa couldn't help but let out a joyful, victorious laugh.
As for Rivanya, she felt her entire universe spin.
The sheer, overwhelming possessiveness of his actions completely shattered her remaining composure.
Unable to bear the burning intensity of his gaze or the knowing smiles of the family any longer, she let out a breathless gasp and fled upstairs, a beautiful, radiant smile lighting up her flushed face.
A rare, incredibly soft smile lingered on Rudraksh's lips as he watched her retreating figure.
This single, spontaneous act was far more than a mere ritualistic tilak.
By placing the sacred vermilion of her matrimony upon his own forehead, Rudraksh hadn't just accepted a blessing he had publicly crowned his mind with her devotion.
It was an unwritten, powerful declaration of respect, a silent vow that finally granted Rivanya the undeniable, supreme right to be the absolute Lakshmi of his home.
As Rivanya practically bolted from the hall in a flurry of shyness, a wave of lighthearted laughter echoed through the room. Breaking the playful spell, Dadimaa warmly guided the remaining guests and staff toward the grand dining area for dinner.
Left alone on the sofa, a lingering smile remained etched on Rudraksh's lips. Noting his rare, relaxed mood, Vyom, Dev, and Raaj immediately seized the opportunity, swooping in and cornering him on the couch.
Vyom nudged him with a smirk. "Come on, man, why don't you just look reality in the eye and admit it?"
Without even looking up, Rudraksh replied in a flat, defensive tone, "Admit what?"
"That you are genuinely starting to fall for Rivanya," Vyom pressed, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
Rudraksh snapped his head around, fixing Vyom with a fierce, icy glare.
"Have you completely lost your mind? Rudraksh Vardhan has never allowed himself to be distracted by a woman, and that is never going to change. You know better than anyone that whatever is going to happen between Rivanya and me is just a temporary arrangement. Once this phase passes,
she goes her separate way, and I go mine."
With that sharp, definitive declaration, Rudraksh stood up abruptly and strode away from the hall, leaving his brothers behind.
Watching his retreating figure, Vyom shook his head in exasperation, turning to Dev and Raaj.
"The man is completely deaf to his own heart. What an absolute idiot. Mark my words today he refuses to accept this bond, but a time will come when he will wage war against the entire world just to protect his relationship with her. I can't wait to see him eat his words then."
Raaj, usually the quietest of the three, spoke up with a look of serious concern. "But Vyom Bhaiya, why is Rudraksh Bhai-sa fighting it so hard? Why can't he just accept that Bhabhisa is changing him?"
Vyom's teasing demeanor vanished, replaced by a heavy gravity.
"Because, Raaj, before Rivanya can reach his heart, she has to dismantle the monumental fortress he has built around himself. That wall is forged from years of deeply rooted resentment, profound trauma, and absolute isolation. It is incredibly thick.
Rivanya will have to melt it down piece by piece with the sheer warmth of her love... and only God knows how much pain and time that is going to take."
Vyom's words held an undeniable, heavy truth.
The monumental fortress around Rudraksh's heart was not going to dissolve overnight.
After all, if love were obtained so effortlessly, it would lose its sacred value.
The bond between Rudraksh and Rivanya was destined to test the fiercest of storms before they truly forged their identities together as one unbreakable entity:Rudravanya.
After a short while, Rivanya completely composed herself and returned to the grand hall, where the family was waiting. Dadimaa smiled warmly, informing her that the guests had completed their dinner and now the immediate family would dine together.
At Dadimaa's direction, a beautiful traditional dining arrangement was set up right on the floor of the hall.
Intricate metal brass platters were placed in a neat row.
Following Pratap's explicit instructions, the staff had arranged the two principal seats traditionally reserved for the head of the family and the reigning King for Rudraksh and Rivanya.
Noticing the distinctive placement, Rudraksh stopped in his tracks, his brow furrowing. "Why are our seats arranged here, Dadimaa? This spot rightfully belongs to your Ranasa to Mr. Vardhan, doesn't it?"
Pratap stepped forward, his expression grave and unyielding.
"Kaki-sa, please remind your grandson that he is the one destined to look after this legacy. We may not be within the royal walls of Vardhanpur right now, but Rudraksh and Rivanya must sit at the head of this family.
It is time they truly realize the immense weight of the responsibilities shifting onto their shoulders."
Flaring up at his father's tone, Rudraksh opened his mouth to deliver a sharp, bitter retort.
However, before a scene could unfold, Rivanya quietly stepped closer and gently wrapped her fingers around his hand, squeezing it reassuringly.