Dev drove with Rolli on the passenger seat. He briefed her on the work Dipika had done and what he ha been doing. She nodded , taking in every nook and corner keenly.

''This the boundary. After this, the forest reserve starts.'' Rolli got down and stood watching the woods. ''This makes things dangerous for you.''

''How?''

''Thiswhat your grandfather used in his advantage, and this is what people who worked for him will use against you.''

''Its under government.''

''I know, but this area is huge.'' Turning to Dev she asked. ''Vicky had rampaged the area of your grandfather's supporters. Can I see that place?'' He nodded driving her to the near by village. The area looked haunted, lifeless.

''Are they neglected or reclusive.''

''Reclusive. Moreover, I don't care if they don't . I am glad they are keeping out of my work.'' He replied pulling her back but halted when she didn't move. His eyes moved in the direction which took her attention.

The Rathore Princess had her eyes locked with a man who stood at a distance watching them intently. The passer-by's would whisper something in his ear and walk away giving the couple a glare.

''Let's move. I don't want to take chance with you.'' Dev wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. She didn't move and waited for the man to give up and he did. She smiled at Dev. ''Take an advice which my grate grandmother once gave us, look into the eyes of the danger and it will retreat realizing you are dangerous.'' With one last look she walked away.

When they entered the Palace, they were greeted by few visitors. "Who are they?'' Dev asked

''They have come with business proposal. They are paying us a good price for our land and will build a glass factory which we will have a share.''

''But you don't have the right to sell even inch of this land.'' Rolli intervened

''Shut up! No one asked your opinion.'' Vasudha replied, venom ripping her voice.

''I am not interested in selling even an inch of this land. You may leave.'' Dev concluded.

''We can make you a millionaire mr Dev.''

''He asked you to leave.''

''And who might you be?'' one of the men asked

Rather than answering, Rolli dialled Dipika briefing her on the situation.'' Something for all of you to hear.'' Rolli replied turning her phone speaker on

''To all present there. I am Dipika Rathore, other than me, no one holds the legal rights to sell any piece of this land. It would be better if I never hear of such unpleasant proposal.'' Rolli disconnected and gave the men and Vasudha a tight smile. ''Now about me. I am Aahana Ranvijay Rathore. Do you need more details.''

The men quickly walked away, the name was enough for them to retreat. Dev gave his grandmother a disgusted look before escorting the men out. Rolli took a step closer. ''The name I mentioned was to remind you who am I.''

''You are inviting your end girl.''

''Or on the contrary I could be planning yours. My aunt sacrificed a lot, she even had put her unborn child at stake. I won't let any of you play with her hard work.

''This is Suryagarh, my lands and I will do what I want to.''

''exactly, this is Suryagarh and I am the would be queen. Now you know what I meant.''

''If you want to live, you would step away.''

Rolli stepped forward making Vasudha step back, Rolli kept moving till Vashudha had no option but to lower herself on the chair. Rolli locked her to the chair. ''Netra will not be able to walk all her life. I don't think you would want the same. Don't trouble Dev using your relation, I won't spare anyone of you if you hurt him.'' Straightening her back, she smiled, ''I am going to come back soon and forever. Mend you ways before I chose something else.

She was back to her cute self when Dev came back. After spending sometime, she left for Jaigarh.

***

SOna took the tour of her new house. She had never stepped out when she first came but now, she had accepted everything with her heart. She caressed the walls, paintings and decorative pieces. Her eyes froze on a wall size picture in the hall.

''That's my great grandmother.'' Vikram answered her curiosity 

''She was beautiful.'' ''

''And Brave. Above all she was my uncle's favourite lady. She made him and A what they are.''

''I wish she was here.''

''And would have shot me for marrying without telling the family'' He joked. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder , he walked her to the main dinning hall but Sona seemed mesmerised by the light eyes that stared back at her with pride. Though, she had never met her, she too wanted to make this deceased lady proud.''

On the dinner table, she looked at every one a little hesitant, her mind full of curiosity. ''Sona, out with it or you will end up having a bad stomach.'' Sona blushed at Veer's words.

She kept her spoon down. ''I want to know about Your grandmother.'' Her question directed to Ranvijay. For some reason she felt she could ask him any thing.''

''And what do you want to know?''

''Everything , specially why she is your favourite and not A.''

Ranvijay smiled, ''You are going get me thrashed, but I think dad would be the better one to tell the story.'' Sona was all the way more excited when Giriraj Singh promised to detail things after the dinner.

Later in the night, the family sat together in the main hall for their usual together time and Sona took the opportunity to remind her grandfather in law about his promise. Giriraj Singh nodded, his eyes moved to an old portrait of his parents as he fondly remembered them

''My parents married very young. She was 16 and he was 18. She hated from the day they were married. She had even planned to push him of the high building and then go back to her parents, but my dad turned out to be more stubborn then her.

He understood she was young and gave her the freedom she needed. She enjoyed outdoor activities. Horse riding , fencing gave her thrill and that made my dad the then Prince Jai Singh Rathore gave her all that.

They started on as friends and then fell in love deeply, but life had other plans. I was born when my mom was 19 and my sister came after 3 years. We were happy as a family and celebrated when my grandfather handed his title to my dad.'' Giriraj Singh paused , his eyes turning emotional. Shivangi squeezed his hand offering her support.

''I still remember the fateful night. There had been continuous disturbance in few areas. Actually, it was dispute over the land between the cousins. Mom pace around worried when there was no news from dad, an when it came, we had lost everything. My dad was killed by my uncles, they wanted what was his and this broke my mother.

They took over our Palace, our home and we were being pushed to a room. My grandparents had lost all their wish to live, they were not in a condition to fight and mom feared for our lives. She took a decision to leave everything and move abroad with help of her father.''

''Then what happened? How did she escape and how did she win all this back.'' Sona asked curious, Ananya caressed her head.

''She never left. In those times, when a Princess got married, she bought her staff along. A with my mother cane her trusted guard and friend, Himmat Singh. The day my mom decided to leave, he confronted her.

''I can't believe, I trained you. A coward.'' Himmat Singh taunted the young Queen

''It isn't about me , its about my kids. Jai's parents. I don't care what you think.'' Replied Rudrani

''Wow! Jai hukum would be so proud with you leaving his people and his work in his killer's hands.''

''You aren't in my place and you won't understand Hukum Singh.''

''I don't want to, but think of the staff who treats you like their God. How can god leave his people. They will be killed because they are loyal to Rathores. And Why should you go? Why should Giri lose his right? It should be them. You are not some weak woman Hukum! You can't just leave everything. Jai Hukum deserves justice. If you loved him, avenge him.''

Rudrani crashed on the couch holding her head. ''I don't know what to do!''

''Hunt them down. They changed your world in a moment, rob them of life in a night.''

''I am alone.''

''You have me Hukum and many like me. They just need their leader.''

***

Giriraj Singh took a sip of water recalling the little dialogue he overheard that night. ''We were taken away by my mother's trusted staff to the dungeons as no one knew of them.''

''what happened then?'' Vikram asked

Giriraj Singh smiled. ''That night gave birth to her Highness Queen Rudrani Devi. Himmant Singh was a brutal man when it came to enemies and then they were others who wanted the death of their favourite king avenged.

While the guards took care of things out side the Palace, my mother fought the man who killer her love. He offered to marry her, taunting that her husband wasn't as good as he was. His partners laughed on her state. Those words triggered the hate and anger.''

''What next?'' This time it was Vansh.

''My mother taught me something she later passed on to all Rathore kids. Look into the eyes of danger till it realises you are more dangerous.'' He smiled.

''I was just 10 and worried about my mom. So I decided to be a hero. I took the advantage of sleeping guard and slipped out. What I saw that day, made me fear my own mother.

She stood in this very hall, warning those men to leave before she dose anything she shouldn't. They mocked her, my dad and how they killed my dad. Next, I heard a boom and the man falling dead in my mother's feet. Her gun moved to other as her voice came as a threat. ''The time of truce is over.''

''Did they attack her.''

''No, they never got a chance. She made sure every murderer of her husband died that night, but with it something in my mother died to. She changed, she took the charge and people started fearing her.''

''She secured her people but lost herself. All her nights, my mother cried for my dad. I know they would have met in heaven but till they couldn't , he would have felt so proud of her. I could never defy my mother and at times that made me a bad husband and a father.'' Giriraj Singh wiped his tears. So did others.

Ananya recalled how she would always find Rudrani Devi reading at odd hours and now it made it clear why. ''She moulded Ananya into Queen Ananya. She was brave and beautiful.''

''Rolli has her eyes.'' Sona pointed out to Rolli.

''I have something else of hers too. She gave me this on my 9th birthday.'' Rolli pulled out a beautiful pendant pecking it with love.

''That was the first gift my dad gave to her. And she believed, you were just like her. A fighter.'' Giriraj Singh added, smiling at his grand-daughter.

''And do you feel so.'' She asked trying to lighten the grim mood.

''Yes! My mom fought for what she loved, she turned her whole being into someone else and so are you. You smile and hide your pain, but I know you fight a battle.''

Ananya stiffened, Rolli just grinned. She didn't want her mother upset. ''Okay, I am tired. Can we have some ice-cream before crashing.''

Rolli easily diverted the family but Sona was lost. Her eyes frozen on Rudrani's picture. The family had amazing couples. Ananya-Ranvijay, she had witnessed the love. Veer-Dipika, she had heard of them from Vikram and now hearing about Rudrani Devi made her think if she could touch any of them.

''Where are you lost?'' Ananya asked

''I feel small. I can never be like any one of you.''

Ananya caressed her head. ''I wasn't like this too and what am I here for.''

''Do you promise to make us proud.'' Ranvijay intervened

''Yes. I will all to make you proud.'' Sona replied sure. Ranvijay patted her cheek. ''Its late, go to sleep. I might have something for tomorrow.'' Sona smiled before taking her leave.

''Vikram is dropping hints about his honeymoon. I will gift him a good package tomorrow.'' Ananya informed.

''Will see that in the morning?''

''Don't spoil it.'' Ranvijay just smiled walking off.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

this was written in a hurry. forgive my mistakes.

Happy reading.