Adranksh was in his office, finishing up a meeting when his phone buzzed. His mother.He sighed, already knowing what was coming. Reluctantly, he picked up.

"Where are you, Adranksh? Do you realize how late you are?"

His mother's voice, sharp yet laced with warmth, poured through the speaker. Before he could respond, she continued her usual scolding, ending with a threat that made him pinch the bridge of his nose.

"If you aren't here in an hour, I'll make sure you don't work for a full week after your wedding."

Adranksh chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. As if anyone could stop him from working.

As the CEO of The Rajput Companies & Co., he had built an empire, taking the company to unparalleled heights. The world respected him. Feared him. Yet here he was, being blackmailed by his own mother.

But this wasn't just about the wedding. His grandfather, Ajendra Singh Rajput, had made it clear-Adranksh would only be crowned King of Rajasthan once he was married. It was a pact, a condition set in stone, and one he couldn't break.

Before leaving the office, his gaze fell on a sealed envelope resting on his desk. Inside was a single-page document-information on his future wife. The woman he would share his life with.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the envelope and strode toward the elevator. As the lift descended, he opened it and scanned the contents.

One page. Just her name, family background, education, and business. No photograph. Nothing else.

Before he could voice his irritation, his assistant, Dhruv, spoke.

"Sir, this was all we could find. Everything else is either erased or extremely well-hidden. We couldn't dig up anything more."

Adranksh's grip on the paper tightened. His jaw clenched.

"If you can't even find such basic information, what am I keeping you around for?" His voice was cold, sending a shiver down Dhruv's spine.

The assistant bowed his head, knowing better than to argue.

"Get more. This isn't enough. Call him if you have to."

Dhruv stiffened. He knew exactly who him was.

The car rolled to a stop an hour later at the Royal Resort, now bathed in warm, golden lights as the evening set in. Without waiting for assistance, Adranksh stepped out and walked toward his suite.

A missed call from his mother flashed on his phone. He sighed.

Quickly, he changed into a dark green sherwani and stepped out, heading toward the grand hall where the Mehendi ceremony was underway.

The venue was breathtaking. Plush sofas were arranged in clusters, surrounded by drapes of purple and green flowers. A soft hum of music and chatter filled the space.

As he surveyed the decorations, a familiar voice called out.

"Adranksh bhaiya!"

He turned to see his younger sister, Lavanya, hurrying toward him, worry etched across her delicate features.

"Bhaiya, Maa is looking for you. She's very angry."

Unbothered, Adranksh simply nodded. His sharp gaze shifted to his cousin brothers, Aadrik and Avyaansh, standing a few steps behind.

A single look was all it took. They understood his silent command.

"Bhaiya, let's go fast before Badi Maa gets angrier." Vaishali, another cousin, urged.

Karishma nudged them forward. "Come on, move!"

They made their way toward the elders. As tradition dictated, Adranksh bent down, touching their feet for blessings.

His grandmother smiled as she placed a gentle hand on his head. "Your wife is cultured, disciplined, and knows how to respect her elders. And she is beautiful, beta. I think you'll like her."

He simply nodded, offering no reaction.

Turning, he faced his mother.

"I'm glad you arrived on time," Shrestha said, adjusting his sherwani slightly. "You look handsome today, beta."

Aadrik smirked. "Badi Maa, are you saying Bhaiya didn't look handsome before today?"

Shrestha laughed, swatting Aadrik's arm playfully. "Beta kis ka hai?"

Before leaving, she gave her final warning. "If I see you working today, you know the consequences."

Aadrik snickered while Adranksh shot him a sharp glare. His amusement instantly vanished.

In a low voice, Adranksh asked, "Update?"

Aadrik's expression turned serious. "We caught the mole. He's locked up in the basement. Our guards are working on it."

Avyaansh added, "We believe the Shekhawat's are behind this. We'll have proof soon."

Adranksh' s eyes darkened. "If he stays loyal, break him. But don't kill him."

"We know the drill, Bhaiya."

He nodded, unlocking his phone to check his emails, but before he could focus, something pulled his attention away.

A sound.

The soft, rhythmic sound of Jhumkas.

It was strange. It felt as though someone had turned down the music, muffling every other noise in the hall, leaving only the delicate tinkling that seemed to echo in his ears.

He turned.

A woman, clad in a mesmerizing multi-coloured lehenga, walked into the hall. The embroidery shimmered under the lights, reflecting the glow of the chandeliers. She was talking to a group of women, laughing at something they had said.

But it wasn't just her beauty that caught his attention.

It was the way she carried herself-graceful yet commanding, as if the room revolved around her. She moved with quiet confidence, completely unaware of the storm she had just caused inside him.

And then she looked up.

Her hazel eyes met his green ones.

For a moment, everything else faded.

Her gaze was unwavering, bold, as if she could see through him. She radiated a confidence that wasn't forced or rehearsed. It was simply who she was. And for the first time in a long time, Adranksh found himself unable to look away.

Neither of them blinked. Neither backed down. It was a silent battle, a clash of unspoken wills.

Then, someone stepped between them.

"Adranksh, this is Maya. Maya, this is Adranksh."

Shrestha's voice cut through the tension, but neither of them looked away, their silent duel still very much in play.

The game had begun.
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