Writer's POV:-
The dining hall of the Shekhawat Haveli was a sanctuary of carved stone and ancient echoes. Tonight, the long mahogany table was full.
At the head sat Rana Pratap Shekhawat, the patriarch. Even in his old age, he remained the greatest king of his time, his presence still commanding the very air. Beside him sat Urmila Shekhawat, a woman whose once-perfect queenly figure had softened into the beautiful map of a life well-lived, her skin etched with stretch marks and the loose, graceful folds of age.
Quick catch up:-
Rajendar Pratap Shekhawat: The perfect portrait of a loyal, iron-willed king. His features were a mirror of Rudra's—sharp, cold, and flawless. He was a man raised by royalty to be a "perfect doll" of tradition, his posture as unyielding as the stone walls.
Mohini Shekhawat: Standing beside him was the definition of Indian beauty. With a deep, sun-kissed brown complexion and "siren eyes" lined heavily with dark kohl, she carried the strength of a big sister and the elegance of a queen. She was as strong-headed as she was stunning.
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The family was rounded out by Mahinder Pratap, a physical copy of his brother Rajendar, following every royal footstep with military precision, and his wife, Rohini. Unlike the others, Rohini aged like fine wine; she was a sweet, lovely lady with warm brown eyes that she had passed down to her son, Rajveer. She was the only soul in the house without a drop of ego.
The meal began with a rare warmth. Rajveer's parents had returned from work and finally embraced Rudra. Rohini was beyond happy to have Her baby back, while Mahinder silently hoped the years of therapy had finally "tamed" the boy—making him forget exactly what he was capable of.
As the gold cutlery clinked, the grandparents drifted into their own world, eyes locked in a gaze so full of love it made the room feel small. Even after all these years, they looked at each other with so much love that it made some people smile with adoration and others roll their eyes.. Mohini cleared her throat frantically a teasing smile breaking her royal mask.
"You don't have romance in your own life, so don't be jealous of ours," Grandma Urmila remarked playfully, not breaking eye contact with her husband.
Mohini's jaw dropped. Before she could regain her royal composure, her daughter Kirti gently pushed her mother's chin up. "A fly might enter your mouth, Maa," she whispered, suppressing a giggle.
Mahinder took Rohini's hand in his showing their intervened hand to everyone there "We have romance, Maa Saa, but not like yours. At your age, people usually take God's name, not their husband's. If you two don't calm down, Rajendar and I won't look good as elder brothers to a new sibling at our age!"
The table went silent for a heartbeat before the kids burst into laughter. Unbothered, Grandpa Rana leaned over and kissed Grandma's forehead.
"They're just jealous, baby. If you want, we can have another baby just to see who dares say a word. I'd disown them all—though," he softened, his voice turning private, "I wouldn't risk your health for any intimacy."
"Kids, finish your dinner and go to your rooms," Rajendar's voice cut through the laughter. The atmosphere is back to its void and strict form. It was the exact tone Rudra uses—strict, cold, and final.
Rudra sat quietly, a genuine smile on his face. He had missed this. For ten years, he had been starved of this family chaos.
"Baba Saa,what kind of talk is this?" Rajendar addressed his father, his face stoic. "Please respect your age. And Mom, you don't even stop him. These things are only graceful when one is young."
Grandpa countered immediately. "Does love decrease with age, Rajendar? Or should I stop showing affection to my wife just because the calendar turned? True love doesn't look at age before it stays."
"He's right," Grandma added, looking pointedly at Rajendar. "Mahinder at least takes Rohini shopping. When was the last time you took my Mohini out? Speak up."
Rajendar didn't flinch. He looked at his plate, emotionless. "I am considering both my age and my responsibility."
The air turned frigid. Rohini and Urmila glanced at Mohini, expecting a crack in her mask, but she remained calm, her perfect smile never wavering. The only sound left was the scrape of forks on porcelain. The grandparents soon left to take their medicine, escaping the atmosphere where their love was expected to be silent.
Mohini finally turned her focus to her son. "Rudra, have you decided on your internship? It's best to gain experience before the coronation ceremony. You must be prepared for the pressure of the crown."
Rudra met her gaze with a soft, chilling smile. "Yes, Maa. I'll start tomorrow. Papa made sure of it... to make me the next 'Him.' A perfect royal doll. Perfect in every way."
The mockery in his voice was crystal clear—sharper than a blade after rain. Rajendar didn't react to the taunt. He just stared into Rudra's eyes, silent and unmoving. He simply blinked, his void-like face showing no anger, no explanation no hint of correction. He just stared back at his son, two predators measuring one another.
"Didi," Rohini interrupted, sensing the suffocation in the room. As air knocked out "Tomorrow we have the NGO board meeting and the village function. We can't miss it."
Mohini took a deep breath, looking at Rudra. "Okay. I will ask Arav to escort you tomorrow and handle the formalities of your return."
At the mention of that name, Rudra's dark mood vanished instantly. A visible, genuine smile broke across his face—the kind of smile only one person in the world could evoke. Every adult at the table noticed it.
Rajendar stood up, his hand flat on the table, looking straight at Rudra. "I hope you are back for good, Rudra. Past must not be repeated, or you will be gone for the rest of your life. Never stepping a foot back here. And this time... "
He leaned forward, his voice turning dangerous. "This time, no promises will be made. No bargains. No steps will be back. A price will be paid, and punishment will be given—not just to you, but to the person for whom the mistake is made. No life will be spared. No protection will be granted." The voice turned dark and heavy after every word.
The message was a physical weight. Rudra sat perfectly still, his inner self absorbing the threat directed at Arav. He didn't blink. He didn't argue.He simply gave a single, slow nod.
Everyone's breath finally returned to their lungs. The tension broke like a snapped wire. Mahinder and Rajendar left the room, followed by the children.
Later, on the couch, Rohini rested her head on Mohini's shoulder. "Didi Maa, I wish our husbands were a little romantic, like Baba Saa."
Mohini patted her head gently. "They are who they are. I just pray the children don't become like them—especially Rudra. I want a loving partner for him."
Rohini lowered her voice. "Didi... do you think he truly forgot what he did?"
Mohini's face clouded with a tension she only showed her sister. "I hope so. He didn't get angry tonight even after the clear warning and after that he was smiling. I pray he never remembers the path he once chose for himself."
Upstairs, Rudra pulled the silk blanket over him, his eyes locked directly on the wall in front of him
"Let's meet tomorrow... my angel," Rudra whispered into the void of the dark room. His smile broadened, the cold moonlight catching the obsidian glint in his eyes.
He closed his eyes, his voice dropping into a dark, hollow tone that could send shivers down anyone's spine. "My Milky man... did you see? They are already plotting against me again. Always plotting."
A low, dangerous chuckle escaped his throat. "But this time, I won't let anyone step in front of me. If they try, they will pay with their life... just like He did. This time, I'm not leaving. I will burn anyone who dares to go against me, even if I have to destroy this whole kingdom or build a new one from the ashes."
He shifted under the silk sheets, the smirk never leaving his face. "I will unleash the one who is sleeping... or maybe the one who has just been patiently waiting for his return." A chuckle left his throat.
"Let's make you mine... this time whole.
Ten years of waiting in the dark... ten years of hunger. Now, my angel, the board is set By ME And They think they can keep you from me with their rules and their warnings. Poor fools. They don't know I've already started. Smile for me, Love... the game has officially begun or I should say continued because I've worn this mask long enough. It's time to show them why I was sent away. That was just my 10 percent love for you and this time I ain't holding back my rest infinity. Let the world burn, and let the play begin. And the lead role... is always yours."
His expression softened, but the obsession remained. "I would dedicate my whole life to you, Love. And no one will dare to question it."