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Jaipur - the city of royals, was abuzz with the who's who of business tycoons. The air was electric with anticipation as the host took the stage before the gathering of the famous businessman from different areas of Rajasthan.

The crystal chandeliers glittered like a thousand stars inside the grand banquet hall of the Taj Palace Jaipur, Cameras clicked.

"And now," the host declared, voice echoing through the marble-pillared hall, "the most anticipated moment of the evening. The Businessman of the Year award..."

He took a Dramatic pause. Breath held.

"...goes to Mr. Aryaveer singh rathore, the young heir of Jaipur, the storm behind Rathore Industries, and-dare I say-the most charming man in Rajasthan"

The hall erupted in applause.

And then-he entered with his calm, confident demeanor.

Clad in a black tailored suit, with the top two buttons teasingly undone and a cufflink glinting with the Rathore crest, Aryaveer Singh Rathore walked in like he owned the air itself.

Not the red carpet-but the kingdom.

His gait--Smooth. Dangerous. Calm like a panther, sharp like a dagger.

His expression--A playful smirk tugging at one side of his lips, as if the award was just a formality, as if he already knew. And why wouldn't he--The man was a storm in silk.

Every woman in the room subtly straightened up.

Every man checking their cuffs. The ones who consider themselves his competitors, cleanched their jaw.

Aryaveer accepted the award with polite and effortless grace. "Thank you" he said in the mic, giving a charming smile, voice smooth as old wine, "..for confirming what my mother told me every day-'Beta, tu toh chhupa hua sheher ka shehzada hai"

Laughter erupted throughout the hall.

As he walked offstage, two familiar voices called out from the side.

"Was that an acceptance speech or a flex reel?"

"Did you just quote your mom at a national business award function?"

Rudra and Param, his partners in crime.

Rudra tossed him a bottle of water like a cricketer finishing a winning run.

"Businessman of the Year, huh? You didn't even show up for the last two board meetings, Veer. I had to present on your behalf-and I barely know what a spreadsheet looks like"

Param grinned, raising his eyebrows. "And you were late today too. We thought you were ditching your own award night. Kya kar rahe the, mirror mein khud ko taare ja rahe the?"

"Obviously..." Veer replied with mock pride. "This face is the reason you get half of our investment deals" he said pointing at his own face.

Before they could say anything else, Jay, Veer's younger brother, slid in dramatically, holding up his phone.

"I was timing it, bhai. Four minutes. Exactly four minutes of walking like a royal slow-mo trailer. Stop watching your own fan edits"

Rudra snorted. "Seriously, you walked in like a Mogambo-Vikramaditya hybrid. All that's missing is thunder and a falcon."

Veer just smirked wider. "Thunder is inside me. I save the falcon for enemy boardrooms"

They all burst out laughing.

Jay slung an arm around Veer's shoulder. "By the way, bhai, Rajasthan Times just called you 'The Most Eligible Bachelor of the Year'-again."

Rudra chimed in, "You know what that means?"

Param grinned. "Your inbox is about to get a flood of rishtas, LinkedIn collabs, and DMs starting with 'Hi Veer sir, big fan.'"

Veer rolled his eyes. "Great. Can one of you marry me, then? Just to end the suspense?"

Jay shook his head dramatically. "We're not your type, bhai. You like danger."

"Yeah, and if he got that, he'll be the first to give that dramatic pout" rudra teased.

"Shut up if you love your unfrectured body and organs" veer glared.

The other two brust out laughing.

As veer and his friends walked out of the venue, they were swarmed by the media personnel and adoring fans, cameras clicked and questions flew thick and fast.

veer with a gracious smile, answering each question with poise and politeness, his positive attitude md charmness only added to his appeal.

As the crowd seemed to be getting more frenzied, the bodyguards stepped in, forming a protective ring around tham, and expertly navigate them through the

sea of people. They settled in the car and drove away.

.

.

.

The Rathore palace, a majestic blend of heritage and grandeur, stood as a testament to the family's rich history and legacy.

As Aryaveer and his friends entered into the living room, they were greeted by a warm smile of the family members.

veer's mother padma ji, elegant in subtle silk saree, rushed to her son, her eyes shining with pride. She cupped his face in her hands, her touch gentle as she placed a kiss on his forehead.

veer smiled, feeling a sense of comfort and love wash over him.

The other family members gathered around, congratulating him.

Veer smiled politely but didn't respond. Because someone was missing.

And in the next breath-

"Oye champ!"

A warm, teasing voice called from inside.

Karanveer singh Rathore.

The eldest son. The diplomat of the Rathore brothers. Polished, calm, well-mannered-Veer's favourite headache__or atleast he acts like karanveer is a headache.

Veer turned as his brother walked toward him, clapping slowly.

"Businessman of the Year for the 5th time, Look at you"

Karan pulled him into a hug, one arm tight around his shoulder.

Seconds later he pulled back, just enough to look at him "I am proud of you as always"

Veer rolled his eyes, showing fake annoyance, but everyone knows the truth, what was he feeling after hearing these words from his brother. "Oh really? You're proud of me now?"

He raise a brow, voice dripping with mock sarcasm. "Or are you just done being proud of him?"

The emphasis didn't go unnoticed.

Karan laughed, shaking his head. "Yes, I might admire his work, but I'm proud of you the most"

A flicker crossed Veer's face-just a second of softness, hidden behind annoyance and raised brows.

"You better be" he muttered with a pout.

Jay came next, dramatic as always, flinging himself in for a hug. "The Rathore legends are alive tonight!"

Padma ji and vesali ji watched them with affection and pride, while sumitra ji ever the strict one, rolled her eyes at the usual drama.

But just as things started to feel warm-

A cold weight entered the room.

Indrajit Singh Rathore.

The king Aryaveer never bowed to.

"Veer beta..." he said, walking forward, arms open. "....Well done. You've made Jaipur proud again"

The moment Veer saw him, something shifted in his eyes.

Gone was the teasing storm.

Gone was the charming smile.

Now-stone.

He allowed the hug out of formality, standing still, jaw clenched. But the moment his father's arm touched his back..

He stepped away.

No words. No anger. Just a heavy silence.

His gaze dropped, distant, then sharp again. "Maa, I'll get freshen up.." he said turning and walking past them, straight up the wide staircase.

A crack of silence followed.

Padma ji and Karanveer sighed softly, eyes following her son and his brother.

Indrajit ji's shoulders slumped, regret flickering across his aging face. Padma ji senseing her husband's distress, placed a reassuring hand on her husband's shoulder, her touch speaking volumes.

He glanced at padma ji and gave her a slow, guilty nod of understanding.

"Veer...." Karanveer's mother sumitra ji said with her usual sting "....this boy doesn't have manners to behave this way with his father" her tone laced with taunt.

The air thickened.

And then-Karan, calm as a still lake, said to his mother.

"Mom... please. Not now."

His tone was respectful, polite yet Firm. Not asking--Stating.

Sumitra's lips pressed together, and jaw clenched, already aware that her son will be the first to defend his dear brother, got silenced by her son's rare interruption.

Karan looked to Jay, gave the tiniest tilt of his head.

Jay nodded instantly.

The two followed Veer without a word, their footsteps echoing softly up the marble staircase.

Because between the brothers, there were many truths left unsaid.

But loyalty was never in doubt.

.

.

.

One the other side–far away from the Chaos of Rathore palace, the chauhan palace stood tall, calm, royal.

In a dimly lit room, a woman stood, the dark room seemed to shroud her in an aura of mystry and mance. The faint rays of dim lights that filtered in, only served to highlight the sharpness of her features and the deadly precision of her movements as she practiced with the sword.

Her deep dark eyes, burned with an intensity, as if fueled by a fierce passion or a burning rage.

As she wielded the sword, her face was a mask of blankness. Devoid of warmth and emotions, yet her gaze was sharp and focused.

The sword sliced through the air with a sharp whoosh. her movements were fluid yet deadly, like a predator stalking it's prey. Her practice was not just a physical exercise, but a manifestation of her inner turmoil, a release of the pent-up emotions that threaten to consume her.

There was no one in front of her.

But she saw someone. She always did--the person who murdered her mother--with blurry face.

And the void that grew louder with every quiet breath.

Just than her friend chitra, entered the room, she fliped on the light switch, illuminating the lights and banishing the dimness.

She sat of the sofa with a huff. However, her carefree demeanor Changed instantly as she felt, the cold air of the sword's proximity near her throat. She hadn't even seen her friend's move, but there the sword was, hovering perilously close.

Chitra froze, arms up in surrender, eyes wide. "I swear I value my life, don't murder me! It's me. Your only tolerable friend."

Korvaki sighed and stepped back, lowering the blade with chilling elegance. "And still somehow the most intolerable."

Chitra grinned, hopping inside like a sugar-rushed squirrel. "Uff, dramatic lighting, fencing, wind blowing mysteriously even indoors-you really live like a Netflix limited series."

Korvaki said nothing. She tossed the sword aside and picking up the water bottle, she walked to the window, her empty gaze drifting outside.

But Chitra was not done.

She strolled to the rack of polished swords, lifting one with exaggerated caution. "Soooo, I was thinking-what if you trained me? I mean, who wouldn't want to learn fencing from The Korvaki Chauhan, fashion designer by day, warrior queen by night?"

Korvaki didn't turned, already aware of her friend. After a brief pause, she said, unblinking. "Pick up the sword"

Chitra blinked. "What?"

"I said pick it up," Korvaki repeated, turning, voice like silk pulled over steel. "and show me what you learned yesterday"

Chitra glanced at the sword in her hand like it had grown fangs. "Umm... I meant... tomorrow. Or like... day after. After I mentally prepare and buy knee pads... and-"

Korvaki raised a single brow.

Chitra grinned sheepishly. "Let me at least recall it koru, i forgot h--"

Korvaki shot her a glare "now get out.."

without wasting even a second, chitra vanished at the speed of light.

Korvaki Excelled and turned back to the window, eyes darting out in the light, but in her heart--their was only dark--so fierce that even the light wouldn't dare to enter.

_____________________________

✨*FAMILY INTRODUCTION*✨

"RATHORE FAMILY"

[ Three heirs of the family - Karanveer, Aryaveer, Jayveer ]

Aryaveer and karanveer's father - Indrajit singh Rathore (Current rana saa of Jaipur, but ready to give the throne to one of his deserving son)

Aryaveer's mother- padma ji ( indrajit ji's first wife )

karanveer's mother - sumitra ji ( indrajit ji's second wife )

Jayveer's father- late paramjit ji.

jayveer's mother - vesali ji.

Youngest daughter of the family- Aanandi ( vesali ji and paramjit ji's daughter )

Best Friends of veer - Rudra ( bussiness assistant) and param ( detective and head of security).

~~~~~

*KORVAKI'S FAMILY*

Father - chandrasekhar chauhan.

Mother - Durgawati chandrasekhar chauhan. ( Got murdered when korvaki was three years old )

Uncle - late madhav chauhan.

Aunt - charumati Madhav Chauhan. ( She is korvaki's mother's younger sister)

Younger brother - vansh chauhan ( charumati and madhav ji's twelve years old son )

Best Friends - chitra, kritika kasyap.

Thank you

Hope you enjoyed 🌷