One hour later…
Lilith (Mhaira) emerged from her room wearing a graceful orange saree that shimmered beneath the morning sunlight. Around her neck rested the small necklace Mila had lovingly given her, while a delicate golden nose ring completed her appearance. Her long hair flowed neatly over one shoulder, and despite the bruises that still lingered beneath the fabric, she looked breathtaking.
Everyone paused to admire her.
Nikolai couldn't take his eyes off her.
She smiled shyly.
"What?" she asked.
"You look beautiful," he replied honestly.
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
The family soon departed together and arrived at the sacred Chamundeshwari Temple.
Towering before them stretched the famous staircase leading toward the temple.
Varijana looked at Nikolai before pointing toward the endless flight of stone steps.
"Now, Nikolai…"
"You will carry Mhaira up all these steps."
"There are about 1,008 steps leading to the temple."
"If you truly wish to prove yourself worthy…"
"You will carry her all the way."
"No stopping."
"No putting her down."
"Just keep moving until you reach the top."
Lilith's eyes widened.
"What? No! He can't—"
Before she could finish…
Nikolai bent down and effortlessly lifted her into his arms.
She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
Nihal hurried over with a bottle of water.
"Here."
"You'll need this."
Nikolai smiled.
"Nope."
"I'm good."
Varijana folded her arms.
"Your time starts now."
Nikolai grinned.
"Bye."
Holding Lilith securely against his chest, he adjusted his grip, making sure she was comfortable before placing one foot onto the first step.
Then another.
Then another.
The long climb began.
Lilith looked up at him.
"Nikki…"
"Why are you doing this?"
He smiled warmly.
"To make myself worthy."
"To earn your family's trust again."
"To show them they can safely entrust their daughter to me."
"I am never letting her go again."
Her heart softened.
She rested her forehead lightly against his shoulder.
He kissed her forehead.
Together…
They faced the endless staircase awaiting them.
Meanwhile…
Little Mila stood beside Enzo.
He carefully counted every chocolate inside the basket.
"Three hundred chocolates," Enzo announced proudly.
"Yws!"
Mila cheered happily.
She picked up the small basket with both hands and waddled away.
"Here!"
She handed one chocolate to an elderly woman.
"Here!"
Another went to one of the palace maids.
"Here!"
A temple guard smiled as she offered him one.
She continued walking from person to person.
Children.
Old people.
Temple workers.
Visitors.
Palace guards.
Maids.
Everyone received a chocolate from the tiny girl.
Meanwhile…
Rohan instructed servants to send the remaining chocolates throughout the kingdom so children everywhere could enjoy them.
Mila eventually reached Oyiva.
"Here, Via!"
She held out another chocolate.
Oyiva smiled brightly.
"Thank you, Baby."
Mila giggled before continuing until the basket became completely empty.
She waddled back inside.
Jaxon knelt beside her.
"All done?"
"Uh huh."
She nodded proudly.
Oyiva gently picked up a soft brush.
She carefully brushed Mila's tiny hair before gathering it into a little ponytail.
A cute ribbon bow finished the hairstyle.
Mila happily munched on another chocolate.
"Ronny."
Princess Bhakti entered excitedly.
"Mom's hosting a party this afternoon."
"Cool."
Rohan barely looked up.
"And…"
"She invited the princess we wanted you to meet."
"Not coming."
Princess Bhakti groaned dramatically.
"Oh, come on."
"Or…"
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Do you already have someone you're hiding?"
Princess Medha entered at that exact moment.
Nolan smirked.
"Oh…"
"He likes someone."
Everyone gasped.
"Oh my goodness!"
"Who?!"
Princess Bhakti shouted.
"Yeah."
"Who?"
Rohan slowly turned toward Nolan.
His deadly stare warned him not to answer.
Nolan only smiled.
"It—"
Before he could finish…
They heard a cheerful clap.
"All done, my love!"
Oyiva smiled.
"Wawwwwwwww!!!!!!"
Mila squealed happily.
Everyone turned.
The tiny ponytail bounced behind her little head.
"Aww…"
"That's so adorable."
Princess Medha smiled.
Princess Bhakti immediately grabbed Nolan's sleeve.
"Who?"
She whispered.
Jaxon discreetly pointed toward Rohan.
Rohan's eyes hadn't moved.
He was watching Oyiva.
Completely.
Princess Bhakti's eyes widened.
"He likes her?"
David leaned closer.
"Yes."
"He has for quite a while now."
Princess Bhakti covered her mouth.
"Oh my goodness."
"I need to tell Mom."
"Go!"
"Go, go, go!"
Adrian laughed.
She sprinted away.
"Mom!"
"Mom!"
"Mom!"
Queen Ishwari turned around.
"What is it?"
"Rohan likes the girl who took the bullet for Mila!"
"Really?!"
"Yes!"
"His friends told me."
"You need to see the way he's looking at her."
"Just look!"
The royal family walked toward the window.
Outside…
Oyiva laughed while playing with Mila.
Rohan quietly watched her.
His eyes never left her face.
A gentle smile rested upon his lips.
King Mahadji chuckled.
"I told you."
"He was in love."
Queen Ishwari smiled knowingly.
"And indeed…"
"You were right."
She folded her hands together.
"Let's test both her…"
"And the princess."
Mahadji nodded.
"Of course."
Several hours later…
Luxury cars rolled through the palace gates.
A young royal lady stepped out gracefully.
Moments later…
Everyone gathered inside the Royal Hall.
The young woman bowed respectfully.
"Praṇām Mahārāṇī."
(Greetings, Your Majesty.)
A royal attendant announced,
"Her name is Princess Apeksha Salunkhe…"
"From the Satara Kingdom."
Queen Ishwari smiled warmly.
"Welcome."
"Please sit."
Princess Apeksha sat elegantly.
Crossing her legs gracefully, she smiled.
"It is good to finally meet you."
"I've heard a lot about you."
"Your mother speaks very highly of you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"You arrived just in time for today's celebration."
"Please make yourself comfortable."
Tea was served.
As everyone chatted…
Rohan casually entered.
"Mumma…"
"Have you seen my laptop?"
The servants immediately bowed.
Without even looking…
He lazily waved his hand.
They rose.
Queen Ishwari pointed toward a nearby table.
"It's charging."
"Oh."
"Thank you."
Just then…
Mila waddled inside.
Rohan smiled.
"Come."
"Let's go, baby."
He gently took her tiny hand.
"Wait."
Queen Ishwari called.
"Mila."
"Here are some sweets."
"Tank oo, Granny!"
"You're welcome, baby."
"Let's go, love."
Rohan led Mila away.
Princess Apeksha quietly watched them.
"Is she his daughter?"
Queen Ishwari smiled.
"No."
"She's his boss's daughter from Russia."
"Her parents are busy."
"So she's staying with him."
Princess Apeksha nodded thoughtfully.
"Is he still going to become king?"
"Or has he stepped down?"
Queen Ishwari sighed.
"Ronny is stubborn."
"He doesn't want the throne."
"He's now a multi-billionaire in Russia working with a powerful organization."
Princess Apeksha remained thoughtful.
She watched Rohan carefully wipe chocolate from Mila's cheeks while the little girl pouted adorably at him.
Later that afternoon…
Princess Apeksha spoke with her older sister over a video call.
"Mom…"
"I don't understand."
"He's the eldest son."
"He's supposed to become king."
"Not someone else."
"He's royalty."
"I want him to become king."
Her sister laughed.
"Stop talking."
"Go research him online first, you silly girl."
Princess Apeksha opened her phone.
She searched for Rohan.
Within seconds…
Countless articles…
Business magazines…
Interviews…
Luxury estates…
Private aircraft…
International awards…
And photographs appeared.
Her jaw slowly dropped.
"Oh my Lord…"
"He's unbelievably rich."
Unfortunately…
The royal family overheard her next words.
"And…"
"His boss is hot."
She giggled.
"Who knows…"
"If I marry him…"
"I might have my ways with him."
"Maybe…"
"I could change his mind."
"I want to become queen."
The hall became silent.
Queen Ishwari looked visibly disgusted.
King Mahadji frowned.
Even the servants exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Back at Chamundeshwari Temple…
Nikolai had climbed approximately 380 steps.
Sweat poured down his face.
His breathing had become heavier.
His arms burned.
His legs trembled.
Still…
He never slowed down.
Lilith gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with the edge of her saree.
"Nikki…"
"Please."
"Stop."
"Rest."
He shook his head.
"I promised…"
"Not to stop."
"Not to put you down."
"And to keep moving."
She tightened her arms around him.
Looking into his exhausted eyes, she smiled lovingly.
"I promise…"
"To love you…"
"Until the afterlife."
Nikolai smiled despite the exhaustion.
"My love for you…"
"Is eternal."
She leaned forward and kissed his jaw.
Without another word…
They continued climbing together.
Elsewhere…
Oyiva sat peacefully inside the palace garden.
A white rabbit rested comfortably in her lap.
Her eyes sparkled as she gently stroked its soft fur.
"Kishore called out,
"Come on, Via!"
"Let's go!"
"I'm coming!"
She carefully placed the rabbit back onto the grass before following him toward the fair.
Nearby…
Mila waddled excitedly toward a toy stall.
She pointed enthusiastically at a colorful toy.
At another stall…
Oyiva entered a saree shop.
Rohan quietly noticed her browsing through beautiful fabrics.
She selected several sarees.
One elegant design especially caught his attention.
"I'll take these."
She smiled as the shopkeeper folded them.
A little farther along…
She stopped before another display.
Rows of delicate glass bangles shimmered beside elegant gold bangles.
She carefully picked them up.
"How much?"
The shopkeeper smiled.
"Madam…"
"It's eight hundred."
Oyiva opened her purse.
She quietly counted the money inside.
She didn't have enough.
A disappointed smile crossed her face.
"It's fine."
She gently placed the bangles back.
Then turned and walked away.
Rohan silently approached the stall.
He picked up the very same bangles.
"Pack everything here."
The shopkeeper blinked.
Rohan calmly placed a thick bundle of cash onto the counter.
The man's eyes widened.
Without another word…
He carefully packed every item for him.