The Royal Silence

50. The Wedding

Life takes the strangest turn when you stop fighting what your heart has been choosing all along.

If someone had told me a few months ago that I would end up standing here... dressed as a bride, becoming his. I would have laughed in their face. Or maybe slapped them for even saying it.

But look at me now standing behind this veil, dressed like something out of a dream... and still, my eyes refuse to leave him.

Yugant Raizaada -looking like ethereal beauty wrapped in quiet power, the kind that doesn't try and still leaves you breathless.

His off-white sherwani, laced with fine gold embroidery, caught the light with every slight movement, making him seem almost unreal.

God... my heart might actually fail if I keep looking at him like this.

Take every evil eye away from this man....my man.

"Stop admiring that fucker like that and act like a bride, will you?" Bhai muttered, giving my arm a sharp tug.

I winced. Can't even admire my own man now? Wow. Tragic.

We stood near the stairs of the stage. I stepped forward ready to go claim what was clearly mine but Bhai grabbed my hand.

"Dhwani... behave," he gritted out. "Do you want everyone to find out it's you and not Olivia?"

"Bhai," I whispered, trying to free my hand, "what now? You want me to stand here and do what... photosynthesis?"

"Yes," he muttered, controlling his voice.

I turned my head to look at him, but he turned it back towards Yugant. "You're unbelievable. Just look straight or else you'll expose yourself before you even reach the pavilion."

I rolled my eyes. "God forbid a bride walks to her own wedding."

"Exactly," he leaned closer, voice low and sharp, "a bride doesn't walk like she's about to tackle the groom."

Okay... rude.

"I just need to reach him," I muttered, glancing at Yugant again.

"And you will," he said, tightening his grip slightly, "but not like a desperate lover in a bad film."

Wow.

"Then what? I stand here and wait like some decoration piece?"

"Yes," he nodded. "Stand. Look pretty. Let him come to you."

I blinked. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Very," I'm sure, he smirked. "Now stop moving before you expose both of us."

I exhaled, completely annoyed.

"Fine. But if he takes too long-"

"He won't," he cut in, glancing towards the stage. "Trust me, he's already looking like he's about to lose whatever sanity he has left."

I followed his gaze.

And yeah...

Bhai wasn't wrong.

I straightened slightly, forcing myself to stay still.

God.

Being a bride is exhausting.

Especially when you actually want the groom.

As Bhai said, Yugant stood there for a second... just staring, like his brain had taken a break.

Then he moved straight towards me.

I smiled.

So this is what they call the law of attraction, huh?

Within seconds, he was standing right in front of me, holding his hand out.

My grin widened as I tilted my head up to look at him.

I mean, I was wearing heels, proper ones to match Olivia's height. This is real life, not some daily soap where the bride magically fits. Still...

He was tall.

Annoyingly tall.

I placed my hand in his, way too happily for someone who's supposed to be calm and shy.

He looked down at our joined hands, his brows pulling together slightly.

Oh?

Did he recognize my touch too? Interesting.

God, I hate this veil.

Blocking my view, ruining my moment, and honestly... doing a terrible job at hiding the most perfect view in front of my eyes.

As I took a step, my lehenga nearly betrayed me, too heavy, too dramatic for its own good.

Yugant glanced down once...and then bent to hold it.

God! This man.

At this rate, I might actually die of happiness before the wedding even starts.

I moved ahead, trying to act normal while he held both my hand and my lehenga like it was the most natural thing in the world.

We reached the stage.Stopped and faced each other.

And yeah... self-control? Completely Gone.

Before my brain could interfere, I stepped closer, rising on my toes, and cupped his face. Then pressed my lips against his forehead.

Everyone standing around hooted for us, making noise, but it didn't matter. What did was the expression of this man.

Damn this veil.

Ruining the moment, stealing the actual feel-but still...it was enough for my heart.

Yugant froze. Like the world had paused just for that second. His eyes shut instantly.

I'm doing wrong with him. I should tell him.

It's me. Not Olivia.

As I opened my mouth but someone grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

"D-Dadi said it's bad... bride and groom shouldn't... you know.... do all this before the rituals," Dhrithika rushed out, words tripping over each other.

God. These people and their rules.

"Alright, time for the garland ceremony," she added quickly, signaling ahead.

Two men stepped up with the varmala.

I turned back to Yugant-he was already looking at me.

Not normally, Suspicious.

Like he could see through this long veil... straight to me.

"Bhaiya... do it fast," Dhrithika muttered. "Pandit ji said this is the right muhurat. We don't want to delay the pheras."

He didn't respond, just stood there holding the garland and looking at me.

Seconds passed and he still didn't move.

God, why is he like this?

Fine. If he won't do it. I will.

I grabbed his hand and, before anyone could react, pulled the garland around my own neck.

Silence. Everyone just stared. Seriously?

Not one clap?

Arey, at least pretend you know what's happening.

I wanted to say that loud, but stayed silent because apparently, I've mastered the art of keeping my mouth shut... at the worst possible moments.

When no one reacted. I did.

Stepping closer, I threw the garland around his neck, made him wear it.

There. Done. It's so simple.

Dhrithika instantly pulled me back again. "Behave like a bride, please," she gritted near my ear, clapping along with guests.

I rolled my eyes under the veil.

Amazing.

Everyone suddenly remembers how a bride should behave.

Do any of them know how hard it is to stand under this suffocating veil... when the man you love is right in front of you looking like an absolute fool.

Not reacting.

Not moving.

Not even realizing it's me.

And I'm just supposed to stand here... quiet?

Mr. Kingsley walked onto the stage and pulled me straight into his arms.

Oh God. Sir... I am not your daughter. Please let go.

He didn't, so I gently pulled back myself.

He frowned, looking at me like something didn't sit right.

"Olivia, what happened to you?" he asked, concern laced in his voice. "Why are you behaving so strange?"

I stayed quiet. What was I even supposed to say?

Hi uncle, wrong bride?

"Uncle..." Dhrithika stepped in smoothly, placing herself between us like a human wall. "She's not feeling well. She has a fever, that's why she just wants to finish everything quickly."

"What? Fever?" His expression changed instantly. "Let me check my daughter-"

He tried to move past her. She didn't let him.

"Uncle, please," she insisted, still blocking him, "we're getting late. It's the right muhurat."

Before he could argue further, she grabbed my hand. "Come, Olivia bhabhi."

And just like that, I was dragged away.

I didn't even look back. Yugant...Walking right behind me.

I walked ahead like a blind woman.

This veil wasn't one of those fake net ones from TV where everything is visible and people still act dumb. No. This was thick. Proper bridal torture.

I could barely see where I was stepping.

And on top of that I kept yawning because I had not slept in the afternoon.

Great.

If I had known my life was about to turn into this level of chaos, I would've taken a proper nap in the afternoon. But no I spent the whole day crying like an idiot over this very groom...who is walking beside me. Clueless.

But fine, because the glow on my face right now? Worth every tear.

As we reached the mandap, the first person who pulled me into a hug was Dadi. She held me close for a few seconds... warm, tight..... before slowly pulling away.

"Ishaan... give me some money," she said.

Ishaan immediately took out cash and handed it to her.

I expected a normal amount. It wasn't.

Two thick stacks of five-hundred notes.

Even I blinked under the veil.

Dadi circled the money over my head... then Yugant's... warding off evil like we were some national treasure.

"Distribute this among the poor," she told Ishaan, handing it back. "And ask them to pray for my grandson and daughter-in-law."

Okay... I knew since starting dadi is good.

But this much?

We met Dadu next, his blessings softer but just as heavy.

And then we were seated in the mandap.

The priest started chanting. Mantras. Instructions.

Honestly? I had no idea what half of it meant.

I yawned again, quickly controlling it, trying to look like a decent bride and not someone who might fall asleep mid-wedding.

"Extend your hands," the priest instructed.

I did, copying Yugant. A cloth was placed between us, separating our faces.

Great.

Now I couldn't even see him properly.

Some ritual followed something about tying our hands.

The priest wrapped a sacred thread around our wrists, binding them together.

Oh.

"Now the bride's family will perform kanyadaan."

The moment those words fell, my whole body stilled.

It hit harder than I expected.

That careless version of me-just... disappeared. My eyes burned.

Kanyadaan. Parents do that... right?

Mine already did their part years agoleft me behind like I was something to be given away and forgotten.

So now what? Who does it for me?

I didn't even realise when a tear slipped down, falling somewhere near the sacred fire.

"What does that mean?" Mr. Kingsley asked, confused.

"It's called giving away the bride," someone from the crowd explained. "Usually done by her parents."

"Oh... I'm here," he said quickly, stepping forward.

No. Please no.

If not my parents... then I still have the one who stayed, the one who never left my brother. Not by blood, by heart.

"Excuse me, uncle... you don't know the rituals. I'll help you."

Samarth bhai stepped ahead. He didn't even wait, just sat beside Yugant like he belonged there.

My eyes brimmed with tears. I bit my lip to stop the sobs.

"Do you even know what you're doing?" Yugant snapped, his voice edged with irritation. "Or you just woke up today and decided yeah, let me perform kanyadaan too? Add it to your list of random achievements?"

Bhai exhaled sharply, adjusted his sleeve like this was all beneath him and leaned slightly closer.

"At least I showed up to do something," he replied coolly. "You're the groom and still look like you're attending someone else's wedding."

Yugant's jaw tightened.

"Oh really?" he let out a dry laugh, then turned his head slightly towards Mr. Kingsley. "By any chance... is he your long-lost son? Because he's suddenly being way too involved for Olivia."

"Yugant!" Dadi snapped instantly, shooting him a sharp look. "Mind your words."

"Dadi-"

"Samarth is just helping. Let him," Dadi said, firm enough to shut him up.

Love you, Dadi.

Bhai started the ritual like he'd been doing this all his life, calm, steady... like I actually belonged there.

Mr. Kingsley placed his hand lightly over mine too.

I didn't mind.

And Yugant? He just sat there glaring at Bhai like he was two seconds away from throwing him out of this wedding.

The priest cleared his throat, pulling everyone's attention back.

"Kanyadaan is complete," he announced. "Now, the gathbandhan."

A piece of cloth was taken one end tied to Yugant's stole, the other to my dupatta.

I looked down at the knot. So this is it? No running now.

"Stand for the pheras," the priest instructed.

Oh god.

Round two of walking like a blind, half-sleeping bride.

Yugant stood first, then held my hand again, steadying me as I got up. His grip was firm.

Like he wasn't letting go... even if he wanted to.

We started walking around the fire.

One round.

Then another.

The priest kept chanting, explaining vows......something about responsibility, trust, respect...

I caught maybe ten percent of it.

The rest?

Gone.

Between the veil, the heat, and my brain still trying to process what the hell is happening.

By the time the last phera ended, my legs were officially done with life.

"Sit," the priest instructed.

Gladly.

I dropped back onto the seat, adjusting my lehenga, trying not to yawn again like some sleep-deprived bride.

"Tie it around the bride's neck." Priest forward the black pearl kind chain with a small pendant.

Yugant took it and placed it around my neck, hooking it.

His hands touched my neck raising goosebumps.Ohh...his touch suddenly seemed completely new.

"Now, sindoor," the priest said.

A small box was placed in Yugant's hand.

Everything around me blurred a little.

This wasn't just a ritual anymore.

This meant something. I might not know the meaning completely, but I felt it.

For the first time since all this started...

I felt nervous.

"Pull the veil up," the priest said.

The air shifted. Everyone suddenly looked... tense. Good. At least I wasn't the only one about to collapse.

Dhrithika stepped closer, her fingers gripping my veil and then she lifted it.

I dropped my gaze and head instantly, eyes shutting on their own.

For a second...everything went quiet.

Then a faint, cold touch brushed against my hairline, right beneath my maangtika.

My breath hitched.

The moment it settled that red filled my partition.

Bright.

Unmissable.

Real.

A soft gasp echoed around.

Because just like that I was no longer pretending.

"Dhwani..." Yugant breathed, my name barely a whisper on his lips.

I looked up. Our eyes met and this time, there was no veil between us.

His gaze moved slowly... like he was trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

From my face...to my neck, where the nuptial chain rested...then to my hairline, to the sindoor.

Red.

Real.

"Holy fucking shit," he muttered, the words slipping out before he could stop them. His eyes stilled on the vermilion in my hair partition.

"Congratulations, jijasa..." Samarth purred right into Yugant's ear from behind, a devilish smirk playing on his lips.

"SALE TU-!" Yugant snapped, he grabbed Samarth by the collar and yanked him down.

Samarth lost balance and fell straight to the ground and Yugant was over him.

"Told you, I won't let you walk away easily!" Samarth yelled, blocking another hit-half laughing, half struggling under him.

"But you !" Yugant raised his hand again but this time, it didn't land because Dhwani stepped in between and caught his wrist mid-air.

"Please... don't hit my brother," she said, breathing unevenly. "It wasn't his fault."

Yugant froze.

His eyes shifted from Samarth...to her.

And just like that the storm inside him stilled like fire hitting water. Slowly dying down... leaving only heat behind.

He let go of Samarth's collar with a jerk and pulled his hand free from Dhwani's grip, standing straight, brushing the dust off his clothes like nothing just happened.

The chaos faded and reality walked in.

Mr. Kingsley. Standing there watching everything. His face was unreadable and dangerously calm.

He stepped forward straight towards Dhwani and grabbed her arm tightly, making her flinch.

"Did you just marry him... replacing my daughter?" he asked, his voice low, controlled.

Dhwani's eyes flickered to Yugant once then back to him.

She nodded once.

"I... I love him," she said, steady despite everything. "And he loves me too. Your daughter was just... in between."

"You bitch...!" His hand rose but it never reached her because yugant caught it mid-air. His grip was tight, unyielding, and his eyes darkened.

Slowly, he pulled Dhwani to his side, his arm wrapping around her waist-firm, protective as if shielding her from everyone.

"Don't," he warned. "Don't you dare touch her. She's my wife now." His hold tightened slightly. "Mrs. Dhwani Yugant Raizaada."

Dhwani's lashes lifted. Her eyes found his face and her heart completely lost control.

God...The way it sounded from him. She hadn't expected this.

She had prepared herself for anger, questions or an explosion.

But this... this calm, this claim? Never.

"Do you fucking have any idea what this girl just did?

" Mr. Kingsley snapped, pulling his hand back and pointing straight at Yugant.

"You were supposed to marry my daughter Olivia, and here she is standing as your wife?

She betrayed everyone. I'll file a legal case against her.

I'll make sure she rots behind bars. And you.

..." his finger shifted between them, "you all will pay for this. "

They all stood there as if watching some action movie, just the popcorn was missing.

Mr. Kingsley's gaze snapped back to Dhwani, jaw tight. "Where is my Olivia? What have you done with her?"

Dhwani swallowed. Where was Olivia? She didn't know. She hadn't even gotten the time to ask. Her eyes instinctively moved towards the family, silently asking the same question.

Following her gaze, Mr. Kingsley turned towards them and let out a slow, mocking clap. "Great. So all of you were in this together, right?" he asked, eyes locking on Dadi.

Dadi stood there, completely unfazed, like this was just another family discussion over tea.

"Oh... you figured it out?" she said mockingly. "It was supposed to be our little secret."

That works like Petrol straight on fire.

Yugant looked stunned, while the rest of them struggled not to react...biting the inside of their cheeks. Only Ishaan stood still, serious as ever, hands clasped behind his back like a soldier waiting for orders.

"I'll file a case against each one of you!" Mr. Kingsley shouted. "I'll bankrupt Yugant for this betrayal!"

"Oh wow," Samarth stepped forward, clapping once. "That's a brilliant plan. But before that... would you like to see what your daughter is doing right now?"

Mr. Kingsley frowned, confused.

Samarth didn't wait. He just glanced at Ishaan.

Ishaan moved towards the large screen set up for the wedding livestream, connected his phone, and within seconds images appeared.

Olivia was on a bed with Adhvait.

Gasps spread through the crowd, followed by whispers that grew louder with every passing second.

Even Dadi, Dadu, and Dhrithika froze.

They didn't expect this. No one did.

"Is that... Adhvait?" Dadi asked, disbelief clear in her voice.

"Yes," Ishaan replied, turning back. His gaze shifted to Mr. Kingsley. "You should go upstairs and see what your daughter is actually doing."

"No... no, this is planned!" Mr. Kingsley snapped, shaking his head. "This girl...she did this!" he pointed at Dhwani.

Dhwani's fingers curled into Yugant's biceps.

Not out of fear but because he was still holding her close. Too close. And right now, that was all she could feel.

His grip tightened around her waist.

Steady. Unmoving. Like he wasn't letting her go.

"Dhwani hasn't done anything," Samarth's voice cut through sharply.

"Your daughter did. She's been having an affair with Adhvait for two years and Adhvait used her to pull money from you for his business.

That's why he pushed you to invest in Yugant's company back then.

This marriage? It was never about your daughter or you.

It was about money. If Yugant refused, you would've pulled out, and Adhvait would've lost everything.

So he played along. He used your daughter, used you and destroyed his own family in the process. "

Mr. Kingsley suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Samarth by the collar. "You're all liars! If this was true, why didn't you stop the wedding earlier?!"

Yugant's jaw tightened. He let go of Dhwani and stepped forward, shoving Mr. Kingsley back.

"Because Adhvait kidnapped Pihu!" he shouted. "And I had no choice but to go through with this wedding to save her!"

Shock hit everyone at once.

Dadi staggered slightly, her hand gripping Dadu's arm.

"Adhvait... did that?" she whispered, disbelief written all over her face.

Mr. Kingsley stared at them, breathing hard. "Do you have proof?"

"Yes," Samarth stepped beside Yugant, his voice dropping into something darker. "We do. And we already hand everything over to the cops." He paused and smirked. " Look over there."

All eyes turned towards the exit. Vedika walked inside, Pihu was in her arms, clinging to her like she'd never let go, her tiny face buried into her chest. The child didn't even look up.

Behind them the police walked in.

"Pihu..." Yugant stepped forward, his voice soft as he reached out to touch her but the moment his fingers brushed her she flinched and pressed herself deeper into Vedika like she was scared of everything.

Vedika's eyes filled instantly. "She's... traumatised," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Yugant's hand stilled mid-air.

His jaw tightened. Slowly, he nodded... and stepped back. He knew Pihu didn't need him. She needed her mother.

"We are here to arrest Adhvait Raizaada," one of the officers said firmly. "Where is he?"

"I'll take you," Ishaan stepped forward without hesitation.

The officers nodded and followed him inside the banquet hall. Mr. Kingsley went after them too. Everyone else stood frozen, watching.

Because the live screen, meant for the wedding, now showed their favourite show.

The police barged into the room upstairs.

Adhvait lay there unconscious. Dragged up by the officers like dead weight.

It was Ishaan who had kept Adhvait here..

The moment Adhvait stepped out of stage talking onto the call, and knowing about Pihu being saved... he made sure Adhvait wouldn't come back to ruin anything and drugged him.

Guests murmured as they saw Olivia's face clearly. Mr. Kingsley rushed forward instantly, trying to cover her with a sheet, shielding her face from the camera, from the crowd, from the whispers already spreading like wildfire.

They weren't even in a compromising position. Fully dressed. Nothing inappropriate.

But still, same room, same bed, and a man.

For Indian wedding guests? That was more than enough.

The whispers turned into judgments. The judgments into conclusions. And just like that everything flipped.

The police dragged Adhvait down, gripping his collar like he was nothing more than a criminal-which, at this point, he was. He struggled to open his eyes, still half unconscious, stumbling with every step, but they didn't slow down.

No mercy. No respect. Nothing.

The moment they brought him out into the open Dadi stepped forward and without a second thought, she threw a full glass of water straight at his face. Adhvait jolted, eyes snapping open in shock. Before he could even process what was happening-Slap.

Dadu's hand landed across his face, sharp and unforgiving.

The sound echoed.

"We feel ashamed today," Dadi's voice rang out, trembling with anger, "and it's all because of you, Adhvait!" Her eyes burned into him.

"You are a stain on the Raizaada name."

She pushed him back with force, like even touching him disgusted her.

"Take him away," Dadu ordered, hisr voice cold, final. "And make sure... he rots in prison."

No one spoke because for the first time Adhvait Raizaada had nothing left to stand on.