The Royal Mansion of Rajasthan buzzed with energy, every corner alive with movement and anticipation. It was not just any wedding-it was the wedding of their future king, Adranksh Singh Rajput.

A man feared as much as he was respected. Known for his unmatched power and ruthless rule, Adranksh' s name sent shivers down the spines of his enemies. He was the most merciless ruler in the history of the Rajput's, a king who commanded absolute obedience.

Inside the palace, chaos reigned in a different way. Servants rushed through the halls, their footsteps hurried, their hands busy. Every flower, every drape, every candle had to be perfect. There was no room for error-not when it was the king's wedding.

At the heart of this whirlwind stood a woman draped in a heavy, intricately embroidered red saree, her voice firm as she directed the workers. She was Shrestha Utkarsh Singh Rajput-the former Rani Saa of Rajasthan, the mother of the feared king. Even in the midst of the frenzy, she carried herself with the grace and authority of a true queen.

"Didi, we have to leave now," came a soft but insistent voice.

Shrestha turned to see a woman stepping forward, dressed in an elegant wine-coloured saree, her presence dignified yet warm. It was Kausalya Rajendra Singh Rajput, the second daughter-in-law of the Rajput family.

Shrestha took one last sweeping glance around the palace, ensuring every detail was in place. Satisfied, she turned on her heels, walking out with Kausalya.

In the upcoming days, Rajasthan would witness a wedding unlike any other. And its future king-its ruthless, powerful king-was about to bind his fate to another.

A line of sleek black cars pulled up to the grand Royal Rajasthan Mahal, its towering arches glowing under the warm evening lights. For generations, this palace had witnessed the weddings of Rajasthani kings, and tonight, it was ready for yet another royal love story.

Today was the wedding of Adranksh Singh Rajput and Maya Kshatriya, the princess of Karnataka.

It was an arranged marriage-one set years ago by their grandfathers, Ajendra Singh Rajput and Vikram Kshatriya. A union of legacy, duty, and tradition.

The Rajput family had arrived early to oversee the preparations, making sure every detail was flawless. Servants rushed about, finalizing floral arrangements, adjusting the golden drapes, and ensuring that the scent of fresh marigolds and rose petals lingered in the air.

The celebrations would begin soon. The Mehendi ceremony-a ritual of laughter, music, and intricate henna patterns-was just hours away. Later that night, after the couple exchanged rings, the Sangeet would turn the palace into a stage of dance and celebration. Tomorrow, they would stand before the sacred fire and take their vows.

The wedding reception would come a month later, giving the world time to prepare for a spectacle unlike any other.

But for now, the night belonged to Adranksh and Maya-two souls bound by destiny, standing at the threshold of a lifetime together.

A few minutes later, the hum of engines filled the air as a line of luxury cars came to a halt outside the Royal Mansion. The doors opened, and the first to step out were men and women in their forties and fifties, their presence radiating authority and grace. They were greeted with warm embraces as the Kshatriya's, Desai's, and Bahadur's arrived to celebrate the grand union of our royal couple.

Then, amidst the murmurs of greetings and pleasantries, a car door shut softly, drawing all eyes in its direction.

A young woman stepped out.

She was in her early twenties, dressed in a light gold lehenga intricately adorned with heavy embroidery. Every thread on her lehenga shimmered under the sun light, complementing the gold jhumkas swaying with her every movement. A small red bindi sat perfectly between her brows, and her deeply lined kajal eyes held a quiet strength, exuding confidence with every step she took.

Maya Kshatriya had arrived.

She moved gracefully toward Ajendra Singh Rajput and Kaveri Ajendra Singh Rajput, her future in-laws. Lowering herself, she touched their feet in reverence, seeking their blessings.

Kaveri's eyes welled up as she cupped Maya's face, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. "You grew up so fast, Maya. It feels like just yesterday you were a little girl," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

Maya smiled gently, her gaze flickering toward her own parents, who stood nearby, watching her with quiet pride. They didn't say much, but their warm smiles spoke volumes.

She then turned toward Utkarsh Singh Rajput and Shrestha Utkarsh Singh Rajput, who blessed her with all the happiness in the world. Shrestha, the former Rani Saa, studied her future daughter-in-law for a moment before cupping her face tenderly in her hands.

"Haan Maa, she really has grown up," Shrestha said, a rare softness in her tone. "You look beautiful, Maya."

Maya bowed her head slightly, her heart steady yet racing. Tonight marked the beginning of a journey-one that would bind her to the one of most powerful man in the world.

And for better or worse, there was no turning back.

Maya smiled warmly, gratitude shining in her eyes as she thanked Shrestha for her kind words.

Finally, she stepped forward to seek the blessings of Rajendra Singh Rajput and Kausalya Rajendra Singh Rajput, bowing with quiet grace. They placed their hands on her head in blessing, welcoming her into their family with gentle smiles.

With the formalities complete, the Rajputs led the guests on an exclusive tour of the Royal Mahal. The palace, rich with centuries of history, stood grand and timeless, its intricate architecture whispering stories of kings and queens long past. Chandeliers cast golden glows over hand-carved pillars, and the scent of fresh jasmine lingered in the corridors.

Once the tour concluded, the families retired to their respective rooms, preparing for the upcoming Mehendi and Sangeet-the first of many grand celebrations to come.

Maya entered her room, a space curated with the soft elegance befitting a bride. Pastel-coloured walls lent a calming contrast to the grandeur outside, and at the heart of the room sat a large, luxurious bed draped in silk. The balcony doors stood open, allowing the cool mountain breeze to drift inside cooling the fire in heart. From here, she could see the mountains standing tall.

With a quiet sigh, Maya walked toward the bed, a laptop in hand. Lifting the heavy fabric of her lehenga, she carefully settled herself onto the mattress, the weight of the day's events momentarily fading as she lost herself in work.

She had barely begun typing when her phone buzzed beside her. A familiar name flashed across the screen.

Shreya (Assistant) Calling...

She answered swiftly. "Hello, Shreya?"

A professional yet eager voice came through. "Hello, ma'am. I've got the information you asked for."

Maya's grip tightened around the phone. Her jaw set in quiet determination.

"Go on."

"Alright. Email it now."
"Right away, ma'am."

Maya ended the call and leaned back against the headboard, waiting. Her fingers absentmindedly drummed against her laptop until a notification popped up on the screen. She clicked on it, opening the document her assistant had sent.

Her eyes scanned the page, her brows furrowing slightly. One page.

That was all.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips as she closed the document. Adranksh Singh Rajput.

The man she was about to marry. The man with a reputation that spoke louder than any title. Yet, even with all the resources at her disposal, she had nothing more than a few basic facts. No insights into the person beneath the name.

Shaking off the thought, Maya refocused her attention. There were more pressing things to worry about.

She turned back to her work, her fingers moving over the keys with practiced ease. Maya Kshatriya-the CEO of Maya Group of Industries.

She had built her company from the ground up, starting with just a dream and a laptop. At 18, she was already sketching out prototypes. At 20, she launched her first company. Now, at 26, she had built an empire worth billion. Every achievement was hers and hers alone.

It hadn't been easy. She had fought for her place in the world, and she had won.

An hour passed before Maya finally stretched, rolling her shoulders to ease the tension. The Mehendi Ceremony. She almost forgot.

A frustrated sigh left her lips as she shut her laptop and walked toward her luggage. She wasn't used to this. The rituals, the ceremonies, the expectations. Her life had always been about boardrooms and contracts, not wedding decor and traditions.

Still, there was no escaping it now.

Just as she reached for her outfit, a knock echoed through the room.

Maya paused, glancing toward the door. Who could it be?

When she opened it, she was met with two familiar faces-Vedha Bahadur and Ishani Desai.

Her best friends.

Vedha leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. "Look who finally decided to stop being a CEO and start being a bride."

Ishani stepped inside, eyes scanning the room before landing on Maya. "Are you seriously still in your lehenga? The ceremony is about to start."

Maya groaned, rubbing her temples. "I was working."

Vedha and Ishani exchanged knowing looks before Ishani sighed dramatically. "Of course, you were."

Vedha shook her head, stepping inside and grabbing Maya's hands. "Come on, woman. You can conquer the business world later. Right now, you have a wedding to get through."

Despite herself, Maya smiled. With them around, maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

As soon as they stepped in, Ishani's eyes roamed the room in admiration. "The interior is so beautiful." Her voice carried a hint of awe.

Vedha, however, was less interested in the décor. She plopped down onto the bed, rolling her eyes before turning to Maya. "Alright, madam, when exactly were you planning to get ready?"

Maya let out a small laugh. "Arrey, I was just about to! Then you two decided to show up."

Ishani walked up to her without another word and wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug.

Maya didn't even hesitate. She knew Ishani too well-knew exactly what she was feeling in that moment. Without needing to ask, she hugged her back, gently running a soothing hand over her back.

"Will you miss me that much?" Maya teased softly.

Ishani pulled away just enough to look at her, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.

Maya chuckled. She already knew the answer.

Before the moment could turn too emotional, Vedha walked up and threw her arms around them both, squeezing them into a warm embrace. "As much as I'd love to stay in this emotional bubble forever, our future 'Hukum Rani Saa' should really get ready." She kissed Maya's cheek playfully before letting go.

Maya rolled her eyes but smiled as she stepped toward the wardrobe.

Pulling out a comfortable outfit, she quickly changed into regular clothes before heading to the washroom to freshen up.

Tonight was going to be long, and she needed to be ready.

Fifteen minutes later, Maya stepped out of the walk-in closet, draped in a breathtaking multi-coloured lehenga, crafted in the traditional Rajasthani style. The circular mirrors gleamed along the hem of the skirt, reflecting the glow of the vanity lights. Glittering stones adorned the fabric, while the small mirrors were arranged in shapes of the grand balconies of Rajasthan's majestic forts.

Her sleeveless halter blouse was a masterpiece in itself-hand-beaded with precious stones, woven with grand thread work, each stitch telling a story of heritage and craftsmanship. The ensemble had been designed by one of the many companies under the Maya Group, a personal touch that made it even more special.

The moment Vedha and Ishani saw her, they gasped, utterly stunned.

"Maya, you look absolutely beautiful." Vedha breathed, grabbing her hand and leading her toward the vanity mirror.

Ishani, still awestruck, leaned in and pressed a kiss to the top of Maya's forehead. "Stunning. Just absolutely stunning." She exclaimed.

With practiced ease, Ishani began styling Maya's long, luscious hair while Vedha worked on her makeup. As their hands moved skilfully, their conversation drifted into nostalgia, recalling childhood memories, laughing at the silliest moments they had shared. Time slipped away effortlessly in their bubble of familiarity and love.

Just as they finished, a knock on the door announced the arrival of someone important. Maya turned to see her mother, Kamakshi Surya Kshatriya, stepping into the room.

For a moment, Kamakshi simply stood there, her eyes glistening as she took in the sight of her daughter, adorned in bridal lehenga. "My baby grew up so fast... and now, she's getting married." Her voice trembled with emotion as she gently patted Maya's head.

A lump formed in Maya's throat, and she instantly wrapped her arms around her mother. "I'll always be your baby, Amma. No matter how much I grow up."

Before Kamakshi could respond, another voice chimed in.

"She's right, princess. You will always be our little girl."

Maya turned to see her father, Surya Kshatriya, walking in with her brother, Samay.

The warmth in their eyes made her heart clench. They moved closer, surrounding her in a familiar embrace.

Tears threatened to spill, but before they could, Samay gently brushed them away. "If you ever need anything-at any time, any place-you know you can call me. I'll always be there for you, my princess."

Maya let out a small laugh between her sniffles, hugging her brother even tighter.

Her father, Surya, pulled Samay away and placed a reassuring hand on Maya's head. His voice was steady, yet filled with unspoken love. "Always be strong, Maya. No matter what life throws at you, stand tall. I won't give you a lecture on how to behave with your in-laws-I already know you'll carry yourself with grace. But remember this, my daughter... You are powerful enough to bring the world to its knees. So, bow to no one. Keep your head high, always. And above all, be happy."

Maya swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled up at him.

"Always, Appa."

With that, she took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and walked forward-her family beside her, ready to begin the first step toward her new life.
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