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Shivansh's POV
I leaned back in the car, closing my eyes for a second before dialing her number.
She picked up after two rings.
"Busy man finally remembered to call?" Isha's voice had a teasing lilt, but I could hear the hidden complaint.
I smirked. "I was always going to call."
"Sure. And I was always going to believe that."
I let out a soft chuckle. "I just reached office. Have a meeting in a few minutes."
There was a pause before she said, "So you're calling just to inform me that you won't call?"
I exhaled. "No. I just..." I ran a hand through my hair. "I don't know. I just wanted to hear your voice."
Silence.
Then, softly, "Okay."
It was just one word, but it made me want to cancel everything and drive back to Delhi.
"I'll be busy for a few days." I finally said. "Meetings, paperwork… I probably won't check my phone much."
"Hmm." She wasn't saying much, but I could picture her sitting on her bed, holding her phone with both hands, her lips pursed.
"You'll be okay?" I asked.
"It's just three days, Shivansh. I'm not a child."
I smirked. "You act like one sometimes."
"Shut up."
I chuckled, glancing at the time. "I have to go. I'll call when I can."
She didn't reply immediately. Then, almost reluctantly, she said, "Okay. Bye."
I didn't want to end the call, but the driver pulled up at the office. I sighed.
"Bye, Isha."
I hung up, stuffing my phone into my pocket before heading inside.
I didn't know then that I wouldn't check my phone for the next three days.
From the moment I walked into that first meeting, work consumed me.
Back-to-back discussions. Business reports. Emails. Calls.
Days blurred into nights, and before I knew it, three days had passed.
I didn't return to the palace, choosing to stay at my office suite instead.
There was no time for anything except work.
No time to check messages.
No time to think about her.
At least, that's what I told myself.
But at night, when the exhaustion settled, I found myself staring at my phone, resisting the urge to unlock it.
I knew if I checked, I'd see her messages.
And if I saw them, I'd want to reply.
And if I replied, I'd want to hear her voice.
And if I heard her voice… I wouldn't be able to stop myself.
So, I didn't check.
Not until the third night.
That's when I finally gave in.
And what I saw?
Unread messages from her.
Missed calls.
And one last message, sent just a few hours ago.
Isha: If you're too busy to even reply, just let me know. I won't disturb you anymore.
I clenched my jaw, gripping the phone tightly.
Damn it.
I needed to call her. Right now.
I didn't waste another second.
Dialing her number, I pressed the phone to my ear, my heartbeat louder than the dial tone.
She picked up. But she didn't say anything.
The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.
"Isha?" I finally said.
Still, nothing.
I exhaled sharply, rubbing my forehead. "You saw my call and still picked up, so at least say something."
Her voice, when it finally came, was calm. Too calm.
"Why? You finally have time for me now?"
I flinched. "Isha—"
"No, seriously, Shivansh." She let out a bitter laugh. "Why are you calling me now? Didn't you say you'd be busy for a few days? Three days, right? Oh, wait—" she scoffed, "it's the fourth day now."
Guilt pressed hard against my chest. "I didn't mean to ignore you."
"But you did," she shot back. "You didn't even check your messages. Not once."
I ran a hand through my hair. "I was drowning in work, Isha. I told you I'd be busy."
"Busy doesn't mean disappearing, Shivansh!" she snapped. "Do you even realize how it felt? Every time my phone buzzed, I thought it was you. Every time I called, I thought you'd pick up. But no, nothing. Just silence."
Her voice cracked at the end, and something inside me twisted painfully.
"Isha…" I softened my tone. "I messed up. I know I did."
Silence again.
Then, quietly, she asked, "Why are you calling now?"
I closed my eyes. "Because I missed you."
Another silence.
Then she let out a shaky breath, "It took you four days to realize that?"
I sighed. "No. It took me four days to admit it."
I heard her exhale, like she was trying to control her emotions. "You're an idiot."
I smiled slightly. "I know."
"And you're annoying."
"That too."
She was silent for a beat before she muttered, "You better make this up to me."
My smirk deepened. "Oh? And how do I do that?"
"Figure it out, Your Highness."
And then she hung up.
I stared at my phone, shaking my head with a chuckle.
She wasn't angry anymore.
But she wasn't going to forgive me easily either.
And honestly?
I wouldn't have it any other way.
After Isha hung up on me, I leaned back in my seat, staring at my phone.
I screwed up.
And fixing this wouldn't be easy.
So, I called for reinforcements.
"Let me get this straight," Dhruv said, leaning back on the couch. "You ignored her for four days, didn't check her messages, didn't pick up her calls, and now you want to 'make it up' to her?"
I exhaled. "Yes."
Veer sitting beside him, snorted. "Man, you're already dead."
Avi smirked. "I'd say start praying for bhai sa. "
"You guys are so helpful," I muttered sarcastically.
Avi grinned. "Alright, let's focus. What's the plan?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I have no idea."
"Perfect." Veer clapped his hands together. "Step one: Shivansh accepts his failure. Step two: We figure out how to fix it."
"We could go classic—flowers and gifts," Veer suggested.
Dhruv shook his head. "Too basic. This is Isha. She's not the type to forgive over some roses and chocolates."
I groaned. "I know that."
Avi smirked. "Why don't we do something she can't resist?"
Dhruv grinned. "Ooh, I like where this is going."
"Like what?" I asked suspiciously.
"You're going to publicly win her back." Dhruv smirked. "And we're going to help."
I was sitting with my cousins and friends, planning exactly how to get Isha to talk to me again. It had been four days since I last spoke to her, and now she wasn't answering my calls in anger.
It wasn't that I wanted to ignore her—I had been drowning in work, stuck in back-to-back meetings, barely getting time to eat, let alone check my phone. But that didn't excuse the fact that I hadn't reached out.
And now, here we were, plotting how to win her back.
Dhruv leaned forward. "We need to do something grand, something she can't ignore."
Veer smirked. "Like a full royal-style apology?"
Avi nodded. "Flowers, music, maybe a public apology?"
I exhaled, rubbing my temples. "No public scenes. Isha will kill me for that."
Before we could go any further, Veer's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, frowned, and then answered.
"Hello, Maa sa?"
The conversation was short. Too short.
And then he put the phone down, staring at me.
"What?" I asked.
Veer hesitated. "Nothing. We should go home."
Avi raised an eyebrow. "Why? We were just—"
"Let's just go," Veer insisted, standing up.
That's when I knew something was up.
The moment we stepped inside, I heard it—her voice.
Soft, sweet, unmistakable.
I froze in place.
Isha.
She was here.
After ignoring my calls, after four days of silence—she was here, at the palace, laughing and chatting with my mother.
Something inside me shifted.
I walked towards the living area, my heart pounding. And then I saw her.
She was sitting there, smiling, talking like she belonged.
And for the first time in days, I felt something other than exhaustion.
I felt like time stopped.
She looked up.
Our eyes met.
And in that moment, everything around us faded.
I forgot about the teasing murmurs, the amused glances from my cousins, the sound of conversation in the background.
It was just her.
For the first time in days, I could breathe.
But before either of us could say anything, someone cleared their throat loudly.
Dhruv.
The teasing started immediately.
"Well, well, look who finally showed up."
"Four days apart, and you both are just staring?"
"At least say hi!"
Isha blinked, breaking our silent staring contest. She turned away, pretending to be unbothered, while I ignored their remarks and simply walked forward—towards her.
I usually sat on my chair—the one meant for me, the king's chair.
But today?
I didn't care about the chair.
I sat next to her.
Close enough to feel her presence, close enough to let myself believe—for a second—that everything was fine again.
She didn't say a word to me. Not even a glance.
But she didn't move away either.
And that was enough.
For now.
Everyone else? Enjoying the show.
Fine. If she wanted to act like nothing happened, I'd let her.
For now.
But she came to me.
And that meant—sooner or later—she would have to face me.
And when she did?
She wouldn't be ignoring me anymore.
I sat at the long dining table, my usual seat right at the head, but today, I wasn't sitting there. Instead, I was next to her.
Isha.
She had come to Jaipur without a single warning. Without picking up my calls, without replying to my messages. And now, she was acting normal—talking with my family, smiling with the elders, laughing with my cousins, as if she hadn't just ignored me since morning.
And I?
I was watching her, struggling between wanting to grab her hand and demand an explanation or simply sit here and let her come to me.
She hadn't acknowledged me properly—not even a glance my way.
That was until Dadi sa spoke up.
"Isha beta, it's so nice to have you here." My grandmother smiled, passing her a bowl of dal. "Jaipur suits you. You should visit more often."
Isha smiled politely. "Thank you, Dadi sa, I'll try to come more often."
Before I could say anything, Dhruv smirked. "Oh? You came on your own this time. What's the special occasion?"
Isha's grip on her spoon tightened for a second before she answered smoothly, "Nothing special, just thought I'd visit."
"Oh? Just thought?" Avi raised an eyebrow. "No reason at all?"
Isha knew they were teasing her. I could tell by the way her lips pressed together, by the way she kept her attention strictly on her plate.
She wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of reacting.
But my family? They weren't going to stop.
My mother, who had been watching this entire interaction with quiet amusement, finally spoke. "You didn't even tell us you were coming, beta. If I had known, I would have prepared something special."
Isha shook her head quickly. "No, no, Maa sa. It was a sudden plan. I didn't want to trouble anyone."
That's when Dada sa decided to step in.
"Sudden plan? You came all the way from Delhi on a 'sudden plan'?" His deep voice rumbled across the table. "Hmmm. Sounds like a very interesting reason."
Isha shifted in her seat, finally glancing at me for a split second.
Caught.
I raised an eyebrow at her, waiting.
She looked away just as fast.
And that was enough for my brothers to lose it.
Dhruv leaned back, laughing. "Guys, I think Isha is hiding something."
Veer nodded dramatically. "Something very important."
Avi gasped, feigning shock. "Could it be…" he turned to Dhruv, "a certain someone?"
"Who?!" Choti maa, my aunt, jumped in, pretending to be innocent.
Avi pointed directly at me.
"Our very own Shivansh Raghuvanshi."
Isha nearly choked on her food.
I saw it.
She covered it well, taking a sip of water, but I saw the way her eyes widened for a split second before she forced herself to remain calm.
She was nervous.
Good.
Now she knows how it feels.
I leaned forward, finally speaking for the first time since lunch had started.
"So? Is that true, Isha?" My voice was calm, steady, but there was a challenge underneath. "Did you really come here just because?"
She refused to look at me.
"Haan," she said, her voice even. "Just because."
Liar.
She was mad at me. She had ignored me. She had come here because of me.
And yet, she wouldn't say it.
Fine.
I pushed my chair back and stood up. "Then it's good to know you're enjoying your trip."
Her eyes flickered towards me, confused. "Where are you going?"
I smirked. "Just stepping out. Since my presence doesn't seem to matter, I'll let you continue enjoying your meal."
Checkmate.
She stiffened, caught between calling me back and maintaining her pride.
But before she could say anything, Dadi sa interrupted.
"Sit down, Shivansh," she scolded lightly. "Lunch isn't over yet."
I sighed dramatically, but obeyed.
I wasn't done playing this game yet.
And neither was she.
After lunch, everyone moved to the living area, enjoying dessert and conversation.
Isha was still avoiding me, still pretending I didn't exist.
But I wasn't worried.
Because I knew one thing for certain—she came here for me.
And she could ignore me all she wanted.
But sooner or later?
She would have to face me.
And when she did?
She wouldn't be able to keep pretending anymore.
Isha thought she could ignore me.
Fine.
She could act as if I wasn't sitting right next to her, she could talk to my family and laugh with them, but she wouldn't be able to avoid me forever.
I was patient.
I let her play her little game, let her chat with my mother, let her get comfortable.
But the moment she put her cup of tea down and tried to stand up—I made my move.
"Isha." My voice was low, controlled.
She stopped mid-motion.
Got you.
She turned her head slightly, looking at me from the corner of her eyes. "Yes?" Her voice was too polite, too calm.
She was trying too hard.
Before I could respond, Veer, Avi, and Dhruv—the troublemakers—decided to make things more interesting.
Veer leaned forward with a smirk. "Oh, so now she's answering when Shiv calls her?"
Dhruv grinned. "Yeah, I thought she was too busy 'just visiting'."
Avi shook his head dramatically. "Tch, tch. Isha, you broke our poor king's heart. From four days he was busy and now you are ignoring him. The man was suffering in silence."
"Suffering?" Isha scoffed, finally looking at them. "Was he really?"
I watched her carefully, but before I could answer, Dadi sa spoke.
"Of course, he was, beta!" she said with full confidence. "Poor Shivansh was so lost without you. He didn't even check his phone properly."
I sighed internally—Dadi sa was the biggest supporter of this teasing.
Isha raised an eyebrow at me. "You didn't check your phone?"
I exhaled. "I was busy."
Avi coughed. "Too busy to pick up her calls, but not busy enough to sulk when she ignored him."
I shot him a warning look, but he wasn't wrong.
Isha folded her arms. "You ignored my calls first, Shivansh."
Her voice was softer now, but there was an edge to it.
Finally.
We were getting somewhere.
The family wasn't going to let this go, and I wasn't about to fix this in front of everyone.
So, I made a decision.
I stood up. "Come with me."
Isha frowned. "Why?"
"Because I said so."
The family oohed at that, but I ignored them, taking her wrist gently and guiding her away from the living area.
She didn't resist.
Good.
I led her to the private courtyard near my study—a quiet, open space with marble flooring and a beautiful view of the palace gardens.
Once we were alone, I turned to face her.
"Talk to me."
Isha exhaled. "You didn't call, Shivansh. Not once. Not even when you landed in Jaipur."
Her voice wasn't angry, but it was filled with something worse—disappointment.
And she calls me shivansh not ansh her ansh.
I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. "I know. I should have."
She didn't say anything.
I stepped closer. "I was caught up in work, Isha. The moment I came back, there were meetings piled up. I thought I'd call after sorting things out, but… it just kept going. And i tell you that i will be busy. "
"Three days, Shivansh," she muttered. "You said you will be busy but that busy that you don't have time to check your phone."
I sighed. "I'm not used to this, Isha."
She frowned. "Used to what?"
I met her gaze. "Having someone to call. Having someone waiting for me."
Her expression softened.
I continued, voice quieter now. "You think I ignored you because I didn't care? It's the opposite. I've never had to… balance this before. And I messed up."
She looked away for a moment, then let out a small sigh. "You really don't know how to handle this, do you?"
I smirked slightly. "Not at all."
She finally smiled—a small, reluctant smile, but it was there.
Victory.
I reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You came all the way to Jaipur just to fight with me?" I teased.
She rolled her eyes. "No. I came here because I missed you."
That one sentence? It changed everything.
I exhaled, stepping closer until there was barely any space between us. "You missed me?"
She looked up at me, eyes soft. "Of course, idiot."
I let out a quiet chuckle. "Good. Because I missed you too."
Her breath hitched slightly, and for a second, we just stood there—close, warm, and finally, on the same page again.
Then, she took a step back, composing herself. "Okay, fine. Apology accepted."
I grinned. "That easy?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't push your luck."
I laughed. "Noted."
When we walked back to the living area, everyone was staring.
Veer smirked. "And? Is our King out of the doghouse?"
Isha sat down, calmly picking up her glass of juice. "For now."
The entire family burst into laughter, while I just shook my head, sitting down next to her again.
She might have 'forgiven' me.
But I had a feeling this wasn't over yet.
And honestly?
I didn't mind one bit.
Isha had come to Jaipur for two reasons—me and her friend's wedding reception.
That meant I had one full day to make things right with her before she got caught up in the function. And I wasn't about to waste it.
I made sure everything was perfect.
The palace gardens were lit up beautifully, a private dinner set up just for us. The rest of the family had planned a small get-together for later, but this moment was just for the two of us.
When Isha walked into the garden, she froze.
"Ansh…?" she whispered, looking around at the fairy lights, the small candle-lit table, and the soft cushions laid out near the fountain.
I leaned against the table, watching her reaction. "You came all the way to Jaipur, so I figured I'd make it worth your while."
She blinked, eyes softening.
She wasn't expecting this.
Good.
I reached out my hand. "Come here."
She hesitated for a second before stepping forward. I pulled her into me, arms wrapping around her waist, her body fitting against mine.
She let out a small sigh, relaxing against my chest. "This is… really sweet."
I smirked. "I know."
She tilted her head up, eyes locking onto mine. "So, you're trying to bribe me into forgiving you properly?"
I brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Is it working?"
She bit her lip, pretending to think. "Hmm… I don't know."
I chuckled, tightening my hold on her. "I can be more convincing."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how exactly do you plan to—"
Before she could finish, I leaned down, brushing my lips against hers.
It started as a simple kiss. Soft, slow, easy.
But then she sighed into me, and that was all the encouragement I needed.
I deepened the kiss, one hand sliding to the back of her neck, the other gripping her waist, pulling her closer.
She responded instantly, fingers clutching my shirt, her body melting into mine.
For a few moments, there was nothing but us.
Then, she pulled away, slightly breathless. "Shivansh…"
I pressed my forehead against hers, smirking. "See? Convincing."
She rolled her eyes but didn't let go. "You're impossible."
"And you love it."
She sighed. "Unfortunately, I do."
I laughed, pulling her into a tight hug.
Later that evening, we joined the rest of the family in the indoor lounge area.
Dadi sa was beaming. "Since Isha is here, we should do something special!"
Dhruv grinned. "Like a fun night in! Games, stories, teasing Shivansh—"
Veer smirked. "I second that."
I groaned. "You all have too much free time."
Isha giggled, nudging me. "I like the idea."
I sighed. "Fine. But no more teasing me."
Veer and Dhruv exchanged a look before nodding in fake agreement.
I didn't trust them one bit.
We all gathered in the lounge—cushions and blankets spread out, drinks and snacks ready.
At one point, Isha was sitting beside me, leaning against my shoulder.
I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. "Comfy?"
She hummed. "Very."
Then, someone suggested a game of 'Truth or Dare.'
Veer smirked. "Shivansh, truth or dare?"
I sighed. "Truth."
Dhruv grinned. "How much do you love Isha?"
Isha gasped, nudging me playfully. "Yeah, answer that, Your Highness."
I leaned closer, whispering just for her. "More than you can imagine."
She froze for a second, cheeks turning pink.
I chuckled, pulling her onto my lap as the others whistled and laughed.
"Shivansh!" she squeaked. "What are you—"
I smirked. "You look better here."
She huffed but didn't move, her arms crossing over her chest.
She was adorable.
Later, when everyone was distracted, Isha tried to sneak away.
I caught her wrist. "Where do you think you're going?"
She grinned. "Away from you."
I narrowed my eyes. "Try me."
She ran.
I was after her in seconds.
She laughed as she ran down the hallway, dodging behind a pillar. "You can't catch me!"
I smirked. "You sure about that?"
I changed direction quickly, cutting her off.
She gasped as I grabbed her waist, spinning her around.
"Got you."
She laughed breathlessly, arms wrapping around my neck. "Fine, fine! You win!"
I kissed her quickly, catching her off guard.
"Now, I win."
She stared at me for a moment before bursting into laughter, resting her head against my chest. "You're ridiculous."
I smirked. "And you love it."
She didn't argue.
Because we both knew it was true.
I glanced at Isha, who was sitting beside me, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the end of her dupatta. She was here. Finally, she was here, and for the first time in days, I felt at peace. But there was something I wanted her to see—someone I wanted her to meet.
I leaned in slightly, my voice low and calm. "I want to introduce you to someone."
Isha's eyes flickered with curiosity as she turned to me. "Someone?"
I nodded, watching the way her brows furrowed in confusion. "You'll see. Just trust me."
She gave me a look, a mix of suspicion and amusement, but nodded. "Okay."
Without another word, I took her hand and led her outside the palace, through the garden, and towards a secluded area at the back. The farther we went, the quieter it became—just the sound of our footsteps crunching against the ground, the soft rustling of leaves, and the distant call of birds.
The silence between us wasn't awkward. It was the kind of silence that held meaning, as if the moment itself didn't need words.
As we reached an enclosed space, Isha stopped, her eyes scanning the area. "Shivansh… where exactly are we going?"
I smirked but didn't answer. Instead, I stepped forward and opened the heavy iron gate.
And there they were.
A majestic white lion and a sleek black panther.
They stood a few feet away, their golden and piercing amber eyes locking onto us.
Isha stiffened beside me, her grip on my arm tightening immediately.
Before she could react further, the white lion let out a low growl and suddenly ran towards me.
I heard Isha's sharp intake of breath, her fingers clutching my sleeve as if she were ready to pull me back. But before she could, the lion slammed its massive head against my chest, rubbing against me affectionately.
Right behind it, the panther followed, weaving between my legs, its tail flicking lazily as it nuzzled against my hand.
I chuckled, running a hand through the lion's thick mane before scratching behind the panther's ears. "Missed me, didn't you?"
Isha, however, was still frozen in place.
I turned to look at her, biting back a smile. Her eyes were wide, her lips slightly parted, her body completely stiff.
"Shivansh…" she whispered, "what… what is this? Are you keeping wild animals as pets?"
I shrugged, still running my hand through the lion's fur. "Not pets. They're family."
The lion let out a low, satisfied rumble at my touch, while the panther sat beside me, its tail curling around my boot.
I stepped aside and gestured towards her. "Come, meet them."
Isha immediately took a step back. "Nope. Nope, I'm good right here."
The lion tilted its head at her movement, while the panther stared at her unblinkingly.
Then, without warning, they both took slow steps towards her.
Isha stiffened even more. "Shivansh…" she said warningly, gripping my sleeve tighter.
The lion sniffed at her before letting out a soft but deep growl, its golden eyes locked onto hers.
The panther, on the other hand, let out a low huff, staring at her as if she were some strange new creature.
I could practically hear her heartbeat.
I fought back a chuckle and held out a hand. "Relax. They're just getting used to you."
Isha gulped, still eyeing them like they could swallow her whole at any moment. "Used to me? Shivansh, they look like they're about to eat me!"
I finally placed a hand on the lion's mane and whispered, "Hushhhh."
The lion immediately calmed down, stepping back. The panther, seeing the lion relax, also settled down, blinking at Isha as if suddenly losing interest.
I turned back to her. "See? They're harmless… as long as you don't show fear."
Isha shot me an incredulous look. "How am I supposed to NOT show fear when a giant lion is breathing right in front of me?!"
I let out a laugh, reaching for her hand. She hesitated but eventually let me pull her forward.
"Try touching him," I encouraged, guiding her hand towards the lion's mane.
She shook her head rapidly. "Nope. I like my hand attached to my body, thank you."
I rolled my eyes. "Isha, trust me."
She glared at me but finally, hesitantly, stretched out her hand.
The lion remained perfectly still as her fingers barely grazed its mane. She let out a sharp breath, and when the lion didn't move or react violently, she looked up at me in surprise. "It's… soft."
I smirked. "Of course, it is."
The panther, feeling left out, suddenly rubbed its head against her side, making her yelp and jump back into my arms. I caught her easily, laughing.
She twisted to glare at me. "I swear to God, if you're enjoying this—"
I grinned, holding her closer. "A little bit, yeah."
She huffed but relaxed slightly in my hold. Her fingers stayed in the lion's fur a little longer, this time with a little more confidence.
I watched her carefully—the way her expression softened, the way her fear melted away into wonder.
She looked up at me, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence between us.
A silent understanding.
A silent trust.
Then she sighed and leaned into me slightly. "Okay, fine. They're… kind of amazing."
I smirked, brushing my lips against her hair. "Told you so."
The lion let out a satisfied huff.
The panther, curling its tail around her ankle, finally purred.
And I knew—they had accepted her, just as I had.
I watched as Isha hesitantly ran her fingers through the lion's mane, her fear slowly giving way to fascination. She was still stiff, but she was trying.
The panther, sensing the shift in her emotions, rubbed against her again, its deep purr vibrating through the air.
A small smile played on my lips. Good.
Now, it was time to make the real introduction.
I turned to the lion, placing a firm yet gentle hand on its head, then looked down at the panther. Both were watching me closely, waiting.
"She is your Rani Sa."
Isha's breath hitched beside me, but she didn't say anything.
The lion let out a soft huff, tilting its head as if processing my words.
The panther blinked, then—as if something clicked—relaxed completely.
A moment later, the lion stepped forward and bowed its massive head slightly. The action was subtle but unmistakable—a sign of acceptance.
Isha's fingers curled into my sleeve. "Shivansh… did he just… bow?"
I smirked. "Yes, because he acknowledges you now."
She turned to me, wide-eyed. "Just like that?"
I nodded, brushing my thumb against her knuckles. "They recognize who you are to me."
Isha swallowed hard, staring at the lion, who now looked at her with calm golden eyes. The panther, now completely at ease, curled its tail around her ankle again, this time as if in affection rather than intimidation.
She let out a shaky laugh. "Wow… okay. So, I passed the test?"
I chuckled. "You did more than that, Isha."
She met my gaze then, something unreadable in her expression. I could see it—the realization settling in, the depth of what this meant.
I gently pulled her closer, my arms wrapping around her waist. "Now, you are truly part of my world."
She exhaled softly, resting her hands against my chest. "And you're part of mine."
A moment of silence stretched between us before I leaned in, brushing my lips softly against hers. It was light, just a whisper of a kiss, but it held every emotion I couldn't put into words.
She sighed against me, tilting her head slightly, allowing me to deepen it for a brief moment before we broke apart.
The lion let out an approving rumble.
The panther merely flicked its tail, as if unimpressed.
Isha let out a small laugh at that. "Looks like someone isn't a fan of PDA."
I smirked. "Well, they better get used to it."
She rolled her eyes but didn't pull away from my hold. Instead, she rested her forehead against my chest, finally, completely at ease.
And in that moment, with my wild companions standing guard, with Isha finally, truly standing beside me as my Rani Sa, I knew—this was where she belonged.
Author's POV
Later that night, after the fun and laughter had settled, the younger members of the family had dispersed—some to their rooms, other like isha and shivansh are in there own world. But the elders gathered in the private sitting area of the palace.
It was a tradition of sorts—late-night discussions over tea, reminiscing, and talking about the family.
Tonight, the topic was clear.
Isha and Shivansh.
Shivansh's Dadi Sa (grandmother) leaned back on the plush sofa, a knowing smile on her face. "I never thought I'd see the day when Shivansh would be so… lost in love."
Dada Sa (grandfather) chuckled, setting down his teacup. "Hah! If someone had told me a year ago that our Shivansh would willingly chase after a girl, let alone apologize to her, I would have laughed at them!"
Shivansh's father, Maharaj Abhimanyu smiled, his usual serious expression softening. "Isha has changed him… in ways we never thought possible."
His mother, Maharani Meera, nodded. "More than just changed. She has brought out a side of him we had almost forgotten existed."
Chhote Maharaj (Shivansh's uncle) smiled. "Do you remember how stubborn he used to be? 'I don't believe in love,' 'Marriage is just a formality,' 'I will never settle down', ' and that important one you will regret this'—that's all we used to hear from him."
Chhoti Maa (Shivansh's aunt) laughed. "And now look at him! Running after Isha, making grand romantic gestures, sitting beside her instead of his royal chair! Can you imagine?"
Dadi Sa sighed contentedly. "Isha didn't just become a part of his life… she became his life. And I can see how much she loves him, too."
Maharani Meera smiled warmly. "It's not just about love. It's about understanding. She understands him in ways even we don't. She knows when to push him, when to leave him alone, and when to remind him that she's always there."
Dada Sa stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That's what makes a strong marriage. A wife who knows her husband better than he knows himself."
Maharaj Vikram sighed. "Shivansh has always been responsible, but he was… detached. He lived for duty, for the throne, for business. But now… he lives for something more."
Dadi Sa's eyes twinkled. "He lives for her."
Chhoti Maa smiled. "Do you remember how he used to react whenever we brought up marriage?"
Maharani Meera laughed, shaking her head. "Of course! 'I have no time for such distractions,' he used to say. And now? He has all the time in the world for Isha!"
Chhote Maharaj smirked. "Remember that time when we tried to set up meetings with potential brides for him? He made an excuse every single time!"
Dada Sa chuckled. "And now, he's the one waiting for Isha's calls, planning surprises, sitting beside her as if she's the only person in the world."
Dadi Sa nodded. "She tamed the lion of this palace."
Maharani Meera's voice turned softer. "And the best part is, he doesn't even realize how much he's changed. It's natural, effortless. Because it's real."
Chhoti Maa sighed, placing a hand over her heart. "I just want them to be happy. They are perfect for each other."
Maharaj Vikram nodded firmly. "They will be. Isha is strong. She is not intimidated by Shivansh's cold exterior. And Shivansh, despite his arrogance, would do anything for her."
Dada Sa smiled. "Their bond is something rare. They may fight, they may argue, but in the end, they will always find their way back to each other."
Dadi Sa's eyes gleamed with affection. "And that, my dear family, is what makes a marriage last forever."
As the elders sipped their tea, the warmth of their words lingered in the air—a silent blessing for the love story unfolding within their palace walls.
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