The morning sun filtered through the majestic jharokhas of Rawal Haveli, casting golden patterns across the marble floors that had witnessed centuries of legacy, pride... and secrets.

Down the grand staircase came Neel Rawal tall, cold, unreadable. His black velvet bandhgala with subtle gold embroidery reflected both power and distance. His silence, as always, spoke louder than words.

Everyone in the hall stood up, except for Vikrant Rawal, the patriarch his presence immovable, much like his decisions.

Neel's gaze swept the room like a quiet storm. Then, without a word, he took his seat across from his Dadaji and locked eyes with him.

"Aap logon ke liye meri zindagi ek game ban gayi hai kya?"

("Has my life become a game to you all?")

His voice wasn't loud - but it hit like a whip.

Minakshi Rawal, his dadiji, tried to calm the waters."Beta, baith jao. Baat karte hain."("Sit down, son. Let's talk.")

But Neel wasn't ready to calm down."Baatein tab hoti hain jab sunne wale imaandaar ho. Aapne toh jhoothi bimari se bulaya."("Talking makes sense when the people are honest. You lied about an illness to bring me here.")

A heavy silence swept the room. Even Apurv, usually the peacemaker, looked away.

"Neel," Vikrant spoke, voice steady, "yeh sirf ghar nahi... ek rajya hai. Raja farz se kabhi peeth nahi modta."("This isn't just a home, it's a kingdom. A king doesn't turn his back on duty.")

Neel scoffed, sharp and bitter."Farz yeh hota hai ke kisi ki marzi bhi poochi jaaye. Na ke zabardasti rishte thope jaayein."("Duty means respecting someone's will. Not forcing relationships like commands.")

Gita Mahesh Rawal, his mother, looked away in guilt."Beta... hum sirf tumhari khushi chahte hain..."("Son, we only want your happiness...")

Neel chuckled, no warmth in it."Khushi? Meri ya Rawal khandaan ki?"("Happiness? Mine or the Rawal family's?")

Savitri Vinit Rawal, always the traditionalist, jumped in."Ladki achi hai. Achi family se hai. Tum dono ki jodi Bhagwaan ne banayi hai."("The girl is good. From a decent family. Your pair is made by God.")

And that pushed Neel over the edge."Main Bhagwaan ka matchmaking client nahi hoon. Agar jodi banayi gayi hai... toh main usse tod bhi sakta hoon."("I'm not a client of God's matchmaking. If a pair is made, I can break it too.")

With that, he stood to leave."Neel,Kaam se hi bulaya tha tumhe." Vikrant's voice echoed like a gavel.

Neel stopped mid-step. His voice dropped low, dangerous."Toh pehle sach bolte. Nautanki nahi."("Then you should've spoken the truth. Not played a farce.")

A beat of silence.

"Tumhare pita ne bhi bina sawaal kiye farz nibhaaya tha," Vikrant snapped.Neel turned slowly. There was pain in his eyes, buried under layers of rage.

"Aur zindagi jeeni chhod di thi us farz ke neeche dab kar."("And he stopped living under the weight of that duty.")

His words shattered something in the air.

Minakshi, voice trembling:"Neel, sirf ek baar... us ladki se mil lo. Hum kuch force nahi karenge."("Just meet the girl once. We won't force anything.")

Neel didn't reply immediately. When he did, his voice was calm - but razor-sharp."Milunga. Lekin yaad rakhiye... main woh Neel nahi hoon jo aap sab samajhte hain."("I'll meet her. But remember - I'm not the Neel you all think I am.")

He walked away.And no one dared to stop him.

2:04 AM Rawal Haveli Terrace

The palace slept. But Vedant Rawal stood awake - eyes lost in the distance, cigarette glowing like a dying ember in his fingers.

He didn't belong here anymore. Or maybe he never had.

The Jaipur wind whispered things he didn't want to hear gunshots in his head, a girl's scream still haunting him, and the soft crinkle of a confidential envelope hidden in his luggage.

Someone approached. Soft footsteps. Familiar rhythm.

It was Apurv, two mugs of black coffee in hand."Jaipur ki hawa kuch alag lagti hai, na?"("The air in Jaipur feels different, doesn't it?")

Vedant took a sip. His hand trembled slightly."Hawa nahi badli... hum badal gaye hain."("It's not the wind that changed. We did.")

There was silence before Apurv said it the question that had been circling between them since the airport."aapke bag mein khoon tha, Vedant. Kis ka tha?"

Vedant didn't look at him. He just said one name."V."

Apurv stiffened."V?"

"Haan... woh banda jiske paas half India ke secrets hain. Usne kaha Neel Bhai ki hone waali dulhan... seedhi nahi hai."("Yes. The man who holds half of India's secrets. He said Neel Bhai's bride... isn't what she seems.")

Apurv's eyes narrowed."Matlab?"

Vedant pulled out an envelope from his jacket and handed it over. Apurv read it.

"She's not who you think she is. Watch closely. - V"

And when I went to meet him , he was talking bullshit so in anger i killed him

Apurv looked at Vedant, alarmed.

"Yeh koi warning hai?"

("Is this a warning?")

"Yeh ek shatranj hai," Vedant said flatly. "Aur woh ladki... pehla mohra."

("This is a chessboard. And that girl... is the first pawn.")

Another roll of thunder cracked in the sky. It was going to rain. And this time, not just water secrets would pour too.

"Neel Bhai ko abhi kuch nahi batana," Vedant added firmly. "Not until we know the full truth."

Apurv nodded. The two brothers stood there - united not just by blood, but by the war that had silently entered their home.

And somewhere, far from the Rawal Haveli, a girl named Nami Raidas unknowingly became the centre of a storm she hadn't even seen coming.

Time: 7:00 AM

The morning at the Raidas household didn't begin with royal servants or antique clocks, but with the sizzle of a tava, the jingle of bangles, and the aroma of fresh coriander being sprinkled on poha.

Nami Raidas, clad in a soft pink kurti with a messy braid, stood near the dining table, scrolling through her phone, eyes still half-sleepy. A piece of toast dangled between her lips as she replied to her best friend's message.

" royal rishta? Don't tell me it's for real!! 😳💀"

She didn't reply. Instead, she sighed.

Because it had.

Three days ago, a visit had changed everything.

A Rawal. A proposal. A rishta for their middle-class daughter from one of Rajasthan's most powerful royal families.

Unbelievable? Definitely.

But it was real. Too real.

3 days back

Two luxury cars had pulled into their modest lane earlier, turning every neighbor into a window spy. Nami had frozen when she saw the Rawal crest on the car doors. Her mother had dropped the steel bowl she was carrying.

And now, inside their humble home, Minakshi ji sat with her signature elegance a pale beige chiffon saree, heavy emerald ring, and a grace that came only from being born royal. Beside her, Gita Mahesh Rawal her eyes are soft, but observing everything, like a hawk dressed in silk.

Madhavi offered tea with trembling hands. Nami brought a tray of mathris.

The air felt heavy not hostile, just... unreal.

Minakshi took a slow sip of her tea, then looked at Nami with a warmth that surprised her.

"Tumhare papa... Dinesh Raidas... woh sirf hamare accountant nahi the."("Your father... Dinesh Raidas... he wasn't just our accountant.")

Nirmala looked up sharply. Nami froze.

Gita smiled faintly.

"Woh mere pati Mahesh ke school friend the. Aur Vikrant Rawal unhe apne bete ke barabar maante the."("He was Mahesh's childhood friend. And Vikrant Rawal Neel's grandfather treated him like a son.")

Minakshi spoke next, her voice low, emotional."Jab Mahesh hospital mein the, aur sab log door ho gaye the... Dinesh bhai hi the jo roz aate the."("When Mahesh was in the hospital and everyone disappeared... it was Dinesh bhai who showed up every single day.")

Nirmala eyes welled up.

Minakshi leaned forward slightly."Hum aaj yahan sirf ek ye sab batane nhi nahi aaye. Hum ek zimmedari nibhaane aaye hain."("We aren't just here to talk about this. We're here to fulfill a responsibility.")

Gita gently added" we want nami to be our daughter in law, we want her to marry our son neel."

Nami looked at her mother, stunned.

Menakshi added"This is not a random proposal this is already planned by your father and my husband along with neel's father"

So this wasn't a random royal arrangement.This was because of her father a man who never spoke about favors, who wore the same watch for years, who taught her to earn respect, not borrow it.

"Aap log... mujhe kyun chahte ho?" she finally asked, voice trembling."Main kisi bade khaandan se nahi hoon. Na royal blood, na power...or ab to baba bhi nahi h aap chahte to ye decision badal sakte the"(Why do you want me, I'm not from a royal family neither I have royal blood or power and also as my father is no more you all could have chosen someone else's)

Minakshi looked at her directly."we are royals, ham apne waado is piche nhi hat te"

Minakshi and Gita getup and nami and nirmala also get up from their place and fold their hands but gita hug nirmala that made both nirmala and nami shock but they both understand that whatever is going on is real ,nami bent to touch minakshi and Gita feet but minakshi stopped her and patted her head with a smile

"Ham chalte h ,jaldi mulakat hogi"By saying this minakshi and Gita went outside

Flashback end***

And today, the palace had called. They wanted Nami to come over. Not for a formal meeting but a "casual breakfast." That's what the family had said, as if this wasn't the biggest moment of her life.

***********************************Will neel ever accept nami?? What's the truth behind V message, to reveal the truth keep reading and show your love for more updates