''All set.'' Rolli whispered 

''Aye Aye Captain.'' Chitra replied in a whisper. The two had decided  to make Vikram' night memorable. The two girls giggled before going in different direction. It was the night of reception and Palace had been buzzing with activity.

Rolli ran towards her room as she has already been late and she didn't want her mother pissed. She smiled thinking of her mother. Her Highness Ananya Ranvijay Rathore, the woman who taught her to fight the odds and now she was fighting her for Dev

The Princess smiled at her reflection. ''I am going to fight mom, for what I believe in''

***

Dipika helped Sona in getting ready for the reception. She smiled watching her nervous daughter in law. ''A penny for your thoughts.''

''I am scared mom.''

''Of Vikram?''

Sona rolled her eyes. ''He isn't something to be scared off with all of you around me.'' Dipika chuckled fixing the armlet. After a moment Sona whispered her eyes on her lap. ''I am no where close to you and A. I don't think I can ever come close to any one of you.''

Dipika lifted her chin up with a finger. ''You don't have to be like any of us, just be yourself. All you have to remember is that you belong to us as we belong to you. We can fight with each other but not against each other. This family gave me everything I missed my growing years. All I expect you is to  stand by your own. Will you?''

Sona was filled with a different emotion. She closed her fingers around Dipika's extenuated hand, ''I promise  mom, I will never let me family down.'' Dipika smiled, pecking Sona's forehead she wrapped the heavy ornate stole around her. ''Let's move.''

***

The grand hall was filled with applause as the new bride descended the stairs with Dipika and Rolli. Shivangi Rathore took a breather, ''I thought dress would crush her.'' As Sona stepped on to the last step, Vansh extended his hand. Sona took it, he walked her to some distance before Advay took the charge.

SOna looked a little confused when Advay handed her hand to Ananya, who lead her ahead giving her hand to Veer and last one was Ranvijay , who walked her down to the main aisle. ''I leave you here Princess, with your Prince.''

Sona watched Ranvijay with awe. Out of all he was the only one who had greeted her with smile from the time she had stepped into Jaigarh. Even after the fateful incident it was him who had first smiled at her and took the decision to bring her back. She hugged him, not caring of all the guests. Ranvijay caressed her head, ''We all walked you till here to let you know, we will always be there for you my child.'' She nodded, her complete self filled with a new confidence. Lifting the folds of her skirt she stepped up the dais as Sonakshi Rathore.

''Finally, everything is in place.'' Ananya said smiling at the new couple .

''No! but it will be, with time it will be.'' Ananya frowned but ignored with a shake of her head. She watched as the new couple greeted and accepted the blessing, wishes from the guests.

 ***

The glitz and galore ended few hours after midnight and family was ready to call of the night. Rolli winked at Chitra as two girls quickly jumped to escort Sona to her room. Sona looked at two. ''Are you two upto something?''

''Yes, and your husband deserves it.'' Rolli whispered

Vikram stepped out of the elevator, his lips stretched into a big smile. Finally, they were together without any more secrets or misunderstandings. He had pledged to start a beautiful life with Sona. A life where he would prove his love and support to his wife.

Vikram took a deep breath as he stood at the doors of his room. Exhaling once he lifted his palms to push open the doors but lost his balance falling forwards as Chitra pulled them open from the other side.  ''What are you doing her?''

''She isn't alone, I am here too.'' Rolli stepped out covering his bedroom door.

''Now what.''

''You are suppose to give us some gift as a part of welcome ritual but you have been dodging us for a while. Now, either you give our gift or die bachelor.''

Vikram looked from one to other. Chitra quickly made her way to Rolli making her stance clear. Vikram shook his head and then smiled. ''I was just teasing both of you.'' He vanished in his study and walked out with two beautifully wrapped boxes. ''For my sisters.'' The girls quickly snatched it unwrapping it like kids. ''Had we not warned him about ruining his wedding night, he wouldn't have given us a penny.'' Rolli concluded

Satisfied with the gifts they moved away, ''All yours.'' He ruffled their hair before stepping in as two girls fled the place. After a moment came a scream and then few voices waking the whole house.

Dipika stepped into the room and started laughing at the sight. She was followed by Ananya and their mother in law as males decided to stay out. ''Who did this?''

''Who else can, Rolli off course.'' Vikram replie. Ananya tried controlling but couldn't. Vansh sat in the middle of the wedding bed dressed as Sona. His mouth and limbs tied. Vikram untied his hands. ''Bhai almost raped me.''

They heard another mellowing sound. Ananya looked around and pulled open the cupboard as Advay fell on his face.

The two culprits stepped into the hall of Vikram's suite followed by the Rathore men. ''Rolli, what is all this.'' Ranvijay asked, not being able to control the laughter that bubbled in his chest.

The naughty Princess just shrugged her shoulders. ''We just wanted little fun but this little brat decided to spoil our plan. So, I tied him up and put him in Sona's place.

''Why Advay?''

''I don't believe in leaving witness and proofs.''  Rolli replied  uncaring. 

''Where is Sona?'' Ananya asked. Sona stepped out of her hiding place laughing her heart out.  

''Mom, won't you say a word?'' Vansh asked

Ananya rolled her eyes. ''Who asked you to poke your nose in between. It was between a brother and sister. You deserved it.'' Turning to her family, she added. ''Show over. Let the couple have their time.'' Grabbing Vansh's wrist she dragged him away. Rolli cupped Sona's face. ''We are going to be amazing friends. Let's go Chitra.'' The two girls walked out all happy and content with the little stunt they pulled.

Sona bolted the door, trying to control her laughter. Walking to her room, she sat next to Vikram. ''So''

He gave her a flat stare. ''You definitely enjoyed my plight.''

''It was fun. Must say, she is better than anyone I have seen.'' With that Sona broke into another fits of laughter. Vikram waited for her to stop but then he joined too. He tickled her and she pushed him on the bed and next moment they  jumped off it hearing a strange sound. ''I knew she wouldn't leave it that easily.'' The couple carefully searched the complete bed and found multiple sound making toys.

''This girl... Okay, I think its better we search the whole room before we hit the bed. I don't trust my sister.'' 

***

Rolli stood at the window staring at the moon. She had hoped to see Dev in reception but he didn't show up. She had confronted but his reply made her feel proud of him.

''I don't want to be a reason of pain for your mother. She is right in her own way, its not easy to forgive me.''

Rolli smiled. She knew he was repenting but it wasn't enough for her mother. She smiled at his picture. Her mind had given up on ideas how to convince her mother. Convincing Queen Ananya was easy but convincing Ananya Ranvijya Rathod was impossible. She wanted her mother to see the real Dev but didn't know how.

***

Chitra switched off the lights of main kitchen after supervising the cleaning. Satisfied with her jobbed she made her way to her quarter to be pulled in a corner. Vansh covered her mouth with his palm, refraining her from making any sound. She blinked her big round eyes at him in shock and then anger. He smiled and slowly removed  his palm. ''You don't look like you missed me.''

''Because I didn't''

''Oh..k! Someone is acting pricey.'' He teased. She just lowered her eyes . Pushing his arm off, she walked away. Vansh followed and pulled her back. ''Why are you behaving this way?''

''What way? I am normal Hukum.''

''Chitra, it me Vansh. Your Vansh.''

''I know who you are. Its just that you keep forgetting about yourself.''

''Did my dad or your mother do something? Did they threaten you?'' He asked worried. Vansh tried reading her face but she stood stoic , her face blank.

''WHat changed Chitra?''

''Me! I realised I made a wrong choice. I chose a guy who has no respect for his father. I don't want to be with a man who doesn't take a moment before hurting his sister. If you can't respect your own, you will never be able to respect me.'' She replied pushing his hands away from her body. 

''I am fighting my own for you, and you are rejecting me.'' He taunted

She smirked. ''let me re frame it, you fail to understand your own.'' Shaking her head she walked off. Vansh watched her walking away but he couldn't see the tears that came down her eyes. She quickly wiped them off. She had promised Ranvijay that she would stay away from Vansh and that mattered to her the most.

''I am not giving up so soon. I won't let you walk away. This way or that, you will be mine.'' Vansh declared walking off. 

***

Ananya found her husband lost watching the night sky. ''All good.''

''Yes, just thinking about setting the lives of our kids.'' He replied. She huffed. ''I hope it ins't about Rolli and Dev.''

''Its about all three of them.'' He replied and then stood facing her . ''She won't lose, she is fighting for love.''

Ananya narrowed her eyes on Ranvijay. ''If its her love against mine, then its hard to win.''

Ranvijay pulled her in an embrace. ''Ananya, I know nothing can match your love for me but think of Rolli. Dev is a good man. Anybody would react in the way he did. He believed me to be his father's murderer. I would have done the same'' She stepped away. ''Goodnight Ranvijay.'' He watched her walk away. He knew his daughter will fight, she his daughter and had a lot of Ananya in her. He huffed, his kids have to be taught the meaning of the many things. His eyes moved to the horizon, the darkness had started diminishing as a small ray of light started piercing it. He smiled, he needed just a ray of light.

***

 Dev thanked the nurse who cleaned and bath his mother. Netra's emotional eyes met his but his held no emotion. He couldn't let go the fact that she lied and made him a criminal. Above all, he couldn't forgive that she risked his sister Sona. Turning his eyes away, he stepped out of the room to be shocked.

Dev shook his head. ''This isn't you, I am dreaming.'' Shutting his eyes he shook his head vigorously. A lingering kiss on his cheek made him open his eyes. ''You are really here.''

''yes, and here you are are behaving like a kid.'' Rolli replied. Dev threw his arms around her waist. Pulling her up the floor her twirled her around. ''I like the surprise. Wait, is your mother aware.''

''My dad is, I thing mom knows too but restricting someone isn't her thing. She never does anything simple.''

''You shouldn't have come.''

''Dev, I came here rebelling against my mother. The Ananya Rathod, now show some respect and courage. Aren't you going to show me my new home.'' She smiled sweetly at him. He nodded, but caught distracted when a staff called after him for something urgent. Promising to be back he walked off. 

Rolli took in the Palace she had so much heard about. Her body went alert when she heard footsteps. Turning around, she came face to face with Vikram's Grandmother. Rolli gave her a disgusted look turning away.

''If I were you, I wouldn't dare to step in here. I haven't forgiven  your family yet.'' Vasudha warned. Rolli looked around for Dev. Relaxing she took a step forward. ''I would dare because I am not you and a friendly reminder. I will be cordial till you are or it would take me few minutes to silence an old woman.'' The Rathore Princess warned

''I won't let him marry you.''

Rolli leaned, ''Stop me if you can.'' 

''Any problem?'' Dev's voice broke the little conversation. Vasudha walked off when Rolli refused to bow down. ''All good.'' Dev asked worried

''Yes, rest will be once I step in.'' She replied smiling. She looked over her shoulders, narrowing her eyes at Vasudha. Rolli knew, her life was not going to be easy in Suryagarh. But then she wouldn't let Suryagarh breathe easy. She was going to grow old with her Dev and will finish everything that comes in her way.

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''If you don't stand, your love will lose. He trusted you, now its time for you to prove it.'' Giriraj Singh paused, his eyes watering recalling his mother . The late Queen Rudrani Rathore. 

Next will show a little glimpse of Rudrani's young life and her similarities with Rolli.