Sona twirled around the mirror to check her dress. She had few new sets gifted by Shivangi and she loved all of them. She felt blessed with all the love being showered on her. 

She kept contemplating about the accessories she should pair her dress with,Sona wanted to look perfect, but not  Vikram but for the family. 

Vikram watched her from the the be with one eye, a frown on his face. ''How long are you going to dance like that?''

Sona rolled her eyes. ''Is that bothering you?''

"Yeah, as you are not  paying attention to me.'' He complained with a curled lip. Sona rolled her eyes turning back towards the mirror, she tied her hair in a bun and whispered to her reflection. ''I am Sonakshi Rathore, and I am going to make my family proud.''

Vikram shook his head, walking to her he wrapped his arms around her from behind. ''Think about making me proud and happy, rest would fall into place.'' Sona smiled to self, she pushed him back. ''you stink.''

''Wow! You never mentioned that last night. You seemed to be enjoying my scent a little too much. I can show you the marks you left on my back.'' Sona shut her eyes tight. ''You are cheap.''

''That I am. Let's just go back to bed again.'' He pulled her closer and  whispered against her skin. She shivered but managed to push him. ''Get ready Vikram, everyone must be waiting for us.'' 

''They will understand, we need time for ourselves.'' He now sounded annoyed

''Vikram, for me ourselves includes everyone. I will be down.'' She walked off an he kicked the bed hard. He wanted all her time but she seemed distracted.

***

''You look so beautiful.'' Shivangi Rathore hugged Sona complimenting her. Dipika frowned at an annoyed Vikram making the entrance. He nodded at his family and took his seat. He was trying hard to hide his annoyance but his family knew him more than he knew himself.

Ananya cleared her throat. ''So, the new couple where would you want to go for a honeymoon.'' Vikram was about to suggest but Ranvijay never gave him a chance. ''I have a request Sona. Will you keep it?''

''Try me?''

''In all the chaos which happened last time, you missed on your studies. I wish you would have completed your graduation.''

Sona realised Ranvijay was right. She ha neglected her studies , something she wasn't proud off. ''I should...I will complete my degree.'' She declared. Ananya glared at Ranvijay, she knew what he was doing, and she felt it wasn't necessary.

''She will start once they are back from honeymoon.'' Ananya tried pacifying the situation.

''No A, I will first finish my degree and I know Vikram will support me.'' He just gave  a tight smile slashing his food with fork. Ananya looked from Vikram to Sona, with a shake of her head she went back to her food.

***

''You did this on purpose.'' Ananya accused Ranvijay once it was just four of them.

''Bhai is doing the right thing.'' Dipika supported Ranvijay.

''Dipika, they just got married.''

''Yet they don't understand each other.  He could have supported her or she could have discussed with him before taking a decision. They need to learn.'' Veer sounded philosophical as three pairs of eyes watched him in silence.

''And speaks the man who refused to trust me all those years back. You know what, he just like you. Arrogant!'' Dipika threw blame at Veer making Ananya Ranvijay face-palm.

''All right, we have an event coming up. It would be first one  for Sona, she will meet all important people in our circle. Make sure she attends it.'' Ananya made a face copying Ranvijay, she knew he was coming up with something more.

***

Rolli ran on the treadmill her thoughts occupied with Dev. She had seen how passionate he was about bringing the change in Suryagarh but had no support. Moreover, he lacked the experience she had. 

Rolli knew Dev needed a good teacher, she smiled and then messaged Sona. The reply came instant and the Rathore Princess dialled the number. 

Neelambari answered the call, a little confused at the unknown number but the voice on the other side made her smile. ''What can I o for your Princess.''

''I would prefer Rolli, and I need you  to help Dev.'' Rolli quickly briefed on her idea. The old lady smiled. ''Why do you feel its a good idea?''

''Because I know you can, and once I am there we both will.'' Rolli's words made Neelambari smile. 

''Fine, I will.'' Rolli disconnected thanking Neelambari. Her eyes narrowed. 'I am going to protect you even in my absence.'

***

Dev's jaw dropped when his eyes met that of smiling visitor. ''Are you just going to stare at me or will you invite me in to your Palace.'' 

Dev took long steps before engulfing his grandmother into his arms. ''Patti!'' that was all he could say. Neelambari rubbed his back as he pecked her forehead repeatedly. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder he walked her to his room.

''You don't even have an extra room for me.'' She teased 

''I have many, but this one will keep you close to me.''  he replied, placing his head on her lap. Neelambari caressed his head, she realised that the child in Dev got sacrificed in revenge and never got his share of love. ''Tell me that you are here for long.''

She smile. ''I am here to help you.'' He frowned and she narrated her conversation with Rolli. He smiled, after so many years he felt loved an cared for. ''She loves you and she is the right one for you.''

''Its not easy, her mother won't agree.''

''You haven't understood Ananya Rathore at all. The lady is not angry but she doesn't trust you, you need to win her trust. Your demonstration of love won't win her heart, you need to prove your worth.'' Dev frowned and Neelambari explained. ''Ananya feels you are not worthy of her daughter.''

''Why?''

Neelambari caressed his head. "she bought her daughter up like a son. Have you forgotten how easily mother daughter tricked your mother? You thought she is your prisoner, instead you guys were hers. ''

''You mean she wants a male Rolli to marry her Rolli?''

''Yes, had I been the mother of such an amazing brave girl, I would want the same.'' He huffed disappointed. Neelambari pecked his forehead. ''Together, we will over come that.''

''Patti, I will show you around in tomorrow and I need you help.  I am scared that I would fail my aunt.''

''You will not because I won't let you fail.'' Her words made him emotional. ''When my own used me for their benefit, you and appa gave me the world.''

''Because you are our own, and I will show the Rathores why you are best choice for their precious Princess.''

''You are my home Patti.'' He closed his eyes taking in the warmth of her love. Neelambari smiled , her thoughts going back to Rolli's words. Someone was trying to sabotage Dev's efforts and she was not going let anyone do that. She had been a Queen once and it was time to take the same route. May be even god wanted her to be his support.

***

Chitra took a deep breath. It was the day of practical class and their professor had given them the task of chopping vegetables and her luck  landed with onions. They have been instructed to chop the vegetable fine and in same size. 

She had been chopping for past 1 hr it seemed never ending task. When professor asked to drop the knives, she let out a breath as the torture was finally over. ''What made me opt for this course.'' Whispered her classmate Sapna

''You don't like it.'' Chitra asked

''I never expected it to be so torturous.'' 

''But its a high paying job.''

Sapna laughed. ''Honey , you need a high paying job as you work as staff to some imaginary Royal. My dad can feed me all life.'' The words froze Chitra, it hurt but it was true. Whatever she did or however good the Rathores were, she would always be their staff. 

She shook her head blaming self for inflicting unnecessary pain upon her heart. Giving a tight smile to her friends she stepped out. Her mood completely soiled with Sapna's words. 

Lost in her thoughts, she stepped into the canteen to dash with a hard wall. ''Watch out.''

''Sorry! She mumbled.'' Without giving a glance she stepped aside but an arm pulled her back and she collided with a hard chest. 

She looked up at the culprit  to find him smirking at her. ''So you are the one who holds the heart of the Prince. Hmm....not bad. '' He commented moving his eyes from head to toe.

Chitra twisted her arm but he wouldn't just let go. ''Let go off me.''

''What if I don't? Will your Prince attack me with his army?'' He mocked as others laughed.

Chitra couldn't understand who the guy was and why was he behind her. This wan't the first time she had been taunted about being a staff but she didn't care. What annoyed her was people who thought they had all the right to be mean to her. She took a deep breath, ''I repeat, let go off me.''

''Or what.''

She took a deep breath and stomped his foot hard, he groaned in pain. losing his grip on her. She used her arm and elbowed his chest hard. The assaulter fell on his back letting out a painful groan . She huffed in anger. ''If you have heard so much about the Prince and his family, you should have enquired a little about the deadly staff. '' Leaning closer she whispered. ''If I were you, I wouldn't dare.'' With once last kick into his abdomen she walked off, as shocked eyes followed her. Her steps halted hearing a whistle.

''Looks like you didn't get the message.'' She turned around swiftly to punch the culprit but froze. Vansh stood shocked at her sudden outburst and ready to attack fist.

''Were you just about to punch me?''

''Why were you whistling at me?''

''I was just applauding your courage.''

''Next time, do it like a cultured man and not like a rowdy.'' She warned and he blinked. "what did you eat?'' he asked

''I guess everyone is forgetting about my parents. I can be like them if pushed.'' She replied poking his chest

He pretended being scared an then straightened up , grabbing her wrist he pulled her along. ''Where are you taking me?'' He didn't answer instead walked her back to the to the canteen. His eyes scanned the crowd.

CHitra realized the guy she just thrashed was Sapna's friend. She shook her head realizing  she had been trusting a fake person as a friend. 

Vansh cleared his throat. ''I am the Prince you have been taunting Chitra about. I just wanted to ask, do you have any problem with me having a crush on her? If yes, then come to me if you have a problem, not her.''

"you think, I cannot  protect myself.'' Before Vansh could understand, she was marching towards the enemy. ''No..don't go to him. Come to me'' 

"let go off me" she warned Vansh. Turning to the guy she added. ''and this time I will break all your bones.'' 

''Chitra , I am talking.'' Vansh pulled her back lifting her from behind.

''Who asked you to?'' She demanded. Vansh was taken aback at her anger. ''Chitra, what's wrong?''

''Everything! You think its really cool that you keep forcing your will on me and these maniacs think they can put me down by calling me a staff. Why can't you leave me alone.''

''I Love you. He confessed, with all the sincerity. She opened and closed her mouth like fish. Chitra walked away shaking her head. She now realised why Ranvijay asked her keep distance. Vansh had made her his priority. He had forgotten about his goals and dreams and that was wrong. As she walked towards the exit, her mind went back to her last meeting with Ranvijay.

''You must be angry at me? Your mind must be full of thoughts about me being a hypocrite. I always treated you as mine, yet I didn't approve of you as my son's partner.''

''I can never think bad about you Hukum, even  if you kill me.''

He smiled watching the young girl who considered him her god., ''this is why you are my favorite girl .'' Ranvijay wrapped an arm around Chitra. ''There was a time when out of the three, Vansh was the one who always made me proud. He would never use my name, he wanted to be just Vansh and not Vansh Rathore. He had dreams to do something different from what we all did but things changed. The boy I see now is one who picks fight with his sister, he blames his family of being bias , which we have never been.''

Chitra sat silent, her eyes on Ranvijay. He smiled. ''I know you love him and his love for you is true and I have no problem with that. The only problem I have is with his attitude towards his own and his dreams. He has started blaming us for being partial, his attitude towards his elder sister had turned into jealousy. He never misses a chance to insult her and our upbringing.''

''What do you want me to do hukum?''

''Give him the taste of his own medicine. I don't want tyou o go weak in his presence. If I will do something, he will blame me for being bias but that won't be the result in your case.''

''Hukum, is this the only reason?'' She asked and regretting it next moment.

He smiled understanding her fears. ''No, I have one more! You guys are to young and I fear the speed with which you are going, I might become a grandfather too soon.''

Her eyes went wide as she blushed. Ranvijay laughed. ''Chitra, I want you to make me proud. Will you?'' She nodded. 

Coming back to the present, she decided she bring Vansh on the right path in no time. 

***

''Why do you sound so angry Raksha?'' Ananya asked her dear friend who seemed to be on fire.

''What should I do then? Everyone has decided that my son should get engaged without his consent.''

''Raksha, Adi isn't this kind. There must be a reason, and what's the harm in meeting the girl.''

''I don't care. I have always been adjusting one but no one will force my son.'' Raksha replied angry.

''Raksha, we all will there for the party. We will tackle this calmly , don't do anything stupid.'' Ananya disconnected, her thoughts wandering to the Advay's fiance  who had been a secret. Her parents were famous but the girl seemed withdrawn. She shook her head, it was just a matter of one week and they all would know everything.

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

Next-''Couldn't you refused. You could have completed the degree next year.'' Vikram sounded angry.

''Why should I and why shouldn't you support me?'' Sona questioned

Advay's bride.