''This is isn't a request Sitara, its my will and I am going to act on it.'' Ranvijay declared his eyes piercing that of Sitara.

''I would still stick to my decision.'' Sitara replied

Veer looked from her to his brother, he was shocked to see someone standing against Ranvijay Rathore. He could see his brother's jaw ticking and knew it was time for the unexpected.

Ranvijay smirked, ''then you are cordially invited to my son's wedding next month. From this very moment , Chitra will be shifted to a room in Palace with no access to you.''

''I am her mother.''

''And I fear you might harm your own daughter.'' That came within a second. ''I am not use to a no, and you have no authority to refuse.'' Veer rubbed his forehead, the Ranvijay Rathore was back. ''You are dismissed.'' Sitara walked out after a bow.

''Bhai, you were harsh.''

''She asked for it. Just because of difference in social status and the so called class, she is refusing, Ananya wasn't a royal either. Yet she proved to be the best one for me. Chitra is Vansh's life, Now, let's pack-up. Our Princess will be back today, I hope she hasn't forgotten me.'' Veer nodded. Laddoo and Sona were returning after a month and a half vacation at Sona's maternal home. The Rathores had been missing their little Princess every moment. Since they got the news of her arrival, none wanted to miss the chance of getting their hold onto her.

***

Laddoo stared at everyone in amazement, she had turned four months and could manage a little twisting turning on her own. Her eyes moved one to other as they pleaded her to chose them. After few moments of deep brainstorming she decided to choose her great-grandfather. The moment Giriraj took her in his arms, he gave rest of the family, you are a waste look.

''Now he will walk on clouds for next few years.'' His wife taunted. ''Ranvijay, have you spoken to Sitara?''

''Wedding will be on the decided date.'' His eyes then moved to Sona. ''Sona, Chitra will stay in Palace hereon. I want you to make sure she is taken care of and the love birds don't see each other till married.''

Vansh heard all but chose not to react. Instead, he pretended busy talking to his little niece. Sona grinned wide. ''Don't you worry, I will keep an eye on them.'' Laddoo gave a loud squeal getting all attention. ''Vansh, stop touching her cheeks. She hates it.'' Ananya warned

''Doesn't matter, she will love it after few days.'' And she squealed louder next time.

''Why do you get so angry?'' Giriraj asked. She replied in her own words grabbing on to his clothes giving him her best smiles. ''She has grown more adorable. Hope she didn't cry much.''

Sona smiled. ''People of my estate gave her a nick name of chili, she gets angry at snap of fingers.''

Before anyone could open their mouth Shivangi Rathore said. ''Rathore anger is nothing to be proud about so don't boast.'' That bought immediate silence.

Later when alone, Ananya asked her husband. ''Aren't we tough on Sitara? Chitra is her only child.''

''She needs to miss her own child to realize what matters more, her baseless beliefs or Chitra's happiness. She was planning to take Chitra out and get her married. I mean who does that''

''Ranvijay, you and I both know that somewhere she isn't wrong completely. That how it has been for years and generations and it is still happening. She considers you her god.''

''I am no god, I am just her employer. Moreover, I treated her and others like family and expect the same from them.'' When he received no response, he turned towards her. Ananya stood frozen at her spot lost in her own world. ''Hey, she will come around.''

''I can feel her pain, she is feeling the same my parents did all those years back.'' She replied. ''Promise me something.'' He smiled, he knew what she was going to ask. ''I promise, Sitara will be attending the wedding all in smiles.'' Ananya smiled wide hugging him. ''Do you think Laddoo will have anger issues?''

Ranvijay rolled his eyes. ''Dipika needs to stop associating all anger with her family.''

''How do you know she asked?''

''I know all of you and leave my Laddoo out of it. She is a respectful Princess, Vansh needs to learn some manners.''

''Aww..say it again, it sounds so cute from your mouth.'' He stared at her but she wasn't going to let it go till she heard the name again. It was like a winning a trophy making Ranvijay say the name he wasn't so fond off. ''We should sleep.''

''Not until you call her Laddoo again.'' He gave up.

***

Dev gave a belly rub to his pets as they whimpered to gain his attention. He cuddled the huge hound who demanded a hug. ''Now, all of you stay here and let the people around work in peace..''

''Hukum, Ranawat Princess is here.''

Before Dev could ask, Raina stood behind the staff smiling wide at him. ''You may leave.'' The staff bowed once walking away. He returned the smiled, his eyes locked with hers. There was something off about her and he knew it she was here to share with him. He was more of friend then her sister's husband. The possessiveness of her family at time made it difficult for her to share anything with them. Dev moved closer to his sister in law, ''Why is your smile not reaching your eyes?''

''You think a lot brother in law.'' She replied with a smile

Dev's palm went to her head. ''Its fine, we are family you can share.'' His kind words bought big tears into her eyes. Dev enveloped her in a hug. ''How long has it been?''

''Three months. I couldn't say a word, or my family will do a blood bath.'' She sobbed. Dev wiped her cheeks as if she was 3. ''Let's cheer you up and then we will talk, but make sure not to cry in front of my wife. She is looking for a chance to murder someone.'' Raina smiled nodding her head. Dev was right, her sister enjoyed inviting and then crushing the trouble. Whatever Siddhant had done in the past, Raina could never think of harming him. She took a deep breath as Dev led her in. Ani carefully stepped down the couch running to his aunt. ''Did you miss sweet Ani?''

''Oh I did, so much.'' Raina replied pulling him up into his arms.

''Ani, take your masi to your room and teach her how we clean before food.'' Ani nodded like a good boy blabbering the etiquettes to his aunt. Dev was aware something related to Siddhant has been bothering her and he decided to give her his best advice.

***

Vikram rolled his eyes staring at the bed. ''What are you doing here?''

''Sona adopted me.'' Vansh replied curling back to squealing Vrushali.  ''Daddy is so jealous.'' Vikram stared at his younger brother for a minute before calling out his wife. ''Why is he here?''

''I adopted him''

''Really?''

''No dummy, I am kidding. He is here to bribe me so that he gets to see his future wife.''

''That's wrong vansh.'' Vikram sounded serious

''Says the one who sneaked around and later got behavioral lessons at Sona's maternal home.'' Sona giggled earning a stare from Vikram. ''look my dear bro, either you guys let me see Chitra, or I sleep between you.'' While Vikram looked shocked, Sona smirked. ''You really want me to implement A's methods.'' That bought smile on to Vikram's face. Smiling at his wife he quickly got on Vansh's side while Sona took the other one. She looked at her daughter. ''Its time for you to sleep.'' Laddoo refused throwing her arms and legs vigorously. Vansh cuddled her and next moment, he was being cuddled by Vikram. ''Bhai, move. You are making me uncomfortable.'' 

''Who cares! I am absolutely comfortable. You are so mushy like Laddoo's soft toy.'' Vikram's gripped tighten around Vansh as he tried wrigle out but Vikram locked his leg around Vansh's body. ''You can't behave this way, Laddoo will learn bad things.'' Sona picked Laddoo up sitting upright as her husband molested his younger brother, her daughter seemed to excited to be a part of  all the cuddle.  ''She is trying to save me.'' Vansh extended in arms.

''I think she is enjoying it, she has taken this sadistic thing from her dad.'' VIkram froze for a moment before going back to his brother again. ''Bhai, you are acting like a monster.''

''I am a monster daddy.'' And hus daughter seemed to agree

''Sleep Laddoo!'' That came as a warning and earned her mother a squeal. ''Listen up girl, you will learn to behave.'' Laddoo ignored Sona ready to jump on the cuddling boys. Sona decided to move to the other room. While Vikram continued with his cuddle. Vansh managed to wriggle out. ''You are a pervert.'' Vikram laughed aloud pretending to grab him but he took a flight. 

***

Dev sat next to Raina reading the messages Siddhant had sent her few months back. ''Did you respond?''

''No''

''Why?''

''Its hard to trust. WHat if he is playing me and then breaks my heart!''

''What if he isn't?'' She stayed quite. Dev wrapped and arm around her. ''I know, once broken its hard to trust again. But not trusting at all will lead you nowhere.'' She didn't look convinced. ''Fine, let's just delete them and find you an amazing guy. I guarantee he would be best for you.'' Dev selected all the messages but Raina held his hand refraining him from deleting them. ''Raina, you need to chose a side. You cannot go like this.''

''I am so confused.''

''Talk to him, clear it out. Raina, you need to set yourself free. He needs to accept you the way you are. Trust, but make it clear that you are Raina and he will have to accept you the way you are today and with the changes you are not even aware off. ''

''You know I am fool and I trust easily.'' Raina replied

Dev smiled. ''You have us. Trust me, even if you marry this guy and he tries something stupid, he is a dead meat. Trust, but not blindly.''

''You are talking like Rolli.''

''I am talking a family member would talk about other. I care for you.'' Raina smiled wide. ''It was a good decision to come here.''

''Any day. Now let me know when you are ready.'' She nodded watching him walking away. Suryagrah lands were beautiful. She always found peace here. Dev, was more like an elder sibling and he never seemed bored or irritated with her. She moved towards the railing staring at the evening sky. The birds were flying back to their nests as night creatures had started their melody. She thought about what Dev said and picked up her phone.

'I don't know you mean this or not. I don't know if this really you Siddhant, but I want to believe that this is you. I am not Rolli, I am never going to be her. I am Raina and I will remain that for life, even if it means choosing someone else over you. I have changed over the years and I am no more the same young Raina who tailed and craved your attention. I am changing and growing with every moment, this is going to continue irrespective you chose to stay or leave.'

 Sending the message, she took in a deep breath opening her arms wide. The dusk seemed beautiful than before. From the distance she could see the thick tall trees of the orchards, the way they waved with the wind made her smile. SHe loved the wind and decided to be like it. Hereon, no one was going to bind her, she will set herself free.'' 

''Masi!'' 

''How did you climbed the stairs.'' Raina asked shocked. The palace was more than 100 year old and stairs to terrace were pretty steep. 

''He is with me. '' Rolli filled in. Raina lifted her nephew up. ''Mommy, am I beautiful like Masi?'' Ani asked after studying his aunt's beautiful face.

''No, you look like monkey.'' Ani's lips drooped

''No, you are the best.'' Raina consoled glaring at her sister. ''He is a kid.''

''And he should know that physical beauty is not everything.'' Raina pecked her small nephew as his moved watching the formations birds made in the sky. ''He will come around.''

''I don't care.'' Raina replied

''This is why he will.'' The sisters shared a smile deciding to spend some more time on the terrace with little Ani.

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