Raksha sat rocking front and back lost in her thoughts. Since her daughter had expressed her desire to take back Siddhanth, Ranawat Palace had reached a boiling point with Raina being grounded. She had guards following her like a shadow with 2 being permanent outside her room. Raksha could feel her daughter's pain and wanted to help

He lips stretched recalling her days and then face a brave friend flashed behind her closed eyes. She picked up her phone and dialed Hansa. '' Yes, your highness.'' Raksha smiled and asked for a favor. Hansa agreed and at the stroke of midnight, the Princess was being transported to the place where she had the max emotional support, Suryagarh.

''I am sorry for dragging you two.'' Raksha said as she spoke to Dev. Raina had been very vocal about her fondness for the Suryagarh. Moreover, Dev's calmness had not just won Rathores but their allies as well.

''Its okay, we will handle.''

''Dev, Ranawats may go rude on you. They might try pushing their way through to get on Raina.''

Dev smiled. ''This is Suryagarh. This place has never been easy. Specially, for someone who doesn't belong here. Even in past, one of or own was needed to bring it down. '' Dev replied, his thoughts going back to Dipika.

''I trust you. Take care of Raina while I put sense in the heads of the Ranawats.'' Dev disconnected. His eyes moving back to Raina who sat lost in his son. He bowed to Hansa. ''I have heard a lot about you.''

''Not as much as I have about you Your Highness.''

He smiled. ''Please stay back till this is resolved. I don't want you in trouble.''

Hansa chuckled. ''You are a good guy, but I belong to Rathore clan. I would be safest there.'' Hansa greeted them once before making her way out. ''She is so brave.''

Rolli smiled. ''And a master of disguise. She was the there among your men when you abducted me. My great grandmother loved her.'' Dev was in awe. He was aware that Ananya had then trapped them but never realized Hansa's presence among them till now.

''Why can't she stay here?'' He asked out of the blue.

''Any why so?''

''Ani can learn so much.''

Rolli smiled. ''She will always be there when we need her, but she will never leave Jiagarh, her home.''

***

''This is my face and not your toy.'' Vikram lovingly reprimanded his daughter who tried getting on to his face. He had a long day and decided to take a nap before the dinner, but his daughter thought otherwise. Vrushalli stilled for a moment before jumping in action. Vikram held her against his chest trying to put her to sleep.

''She won't sleep as slept all day.'' Sona said watching her husband's struggle. He pouted trying to look tired, but Sona quickly stepped away. ''You are a dad, and you can't be tired when your girl wishes to play.''

''No, that's my nose.'' He pulled his nose out of her small mouth, but she seemed adamant. ''Is dad back?''

''No, dad will only be back after putting some sense in Ranawats.''

''If you ask me, I don't favor this relationship.''

''This is why no one is asking you.'' Sona replied tongue in cheek. Vikram opened and closed his mouth like a fish. Sona smiled. ''Raina never said she wanted to marry Siddhanth, she just confessed what was happening all these days. Instead of understanding her, the royals jumped their guns.''

''Any parent would react like that.''

Sona rolled her eyes. ''If I get permission to remarry you, Siddhant's case is nothing.'' Vikram wanted to say a million things but he decided to entertain his girl. It was good to end the discussion there as Sona was getting trained by 3 Rathore women, and he knew his wife will dig all graves. He smiled, that was the lesson his dad taught him, never to argue with a wife as there were minimal chances of winning.

''Okay, you can eat whole of me.'' Vikram said placing Laddoo over his face.''

Raksha sat calmly as her husband paced around mad. ''What were you thinking?''

''Best for my girl.''

''How can you be so calm after what you did?''

''That's genetic, Rathores can be at their best while others are ready to boil.'' She replied her voice sweet like nectar.

Adi stood opposite to her, his eyes burning with rage. ''This Rathore pride of yours has bought us trouble.

''Don't blame me for Ranawat pride. I won't let any of you interfere with their happiness.'' Raksha matched his tone.

''Will you two shut up?'' Veer was beyond agitated. Here, he has been trying to put sense in his friend . ''Adi, more than anyone it was your fault cursing Om Raghuvanshi for no reason. I guess you forgot what your mother did then with Raksha.'' Veer's words bought immediate silence

''I am going to get Raina back.'' Adi tried to leave but Veer pulled him back. ''Raina is the same daughter for whom you all were ready to go any limits. Now, when she wishes for you to just listen to her, you are crushing her. This is wrong Adi.''

''I am not okay with Siddhanth.''

''Then you should have checked her feelings early. There was a time you were ready to give her Siddhant even when he loved Rolli. What has changed now?'' Adi Stayed quite. Veer smirked. ''Raina will stay where she is now. Its Ranwats and Raghuvanshi who must sort things out.'' Adi looked from Veer to Raksha, ''Silly Rathores.''

Veer stopped his agitated sister who was ready to follow her husband out. ''Sort thing out for Advay, I will handle Raina's matter.''

Rolli looked up from her books when a staff informed about an uninvited guest and her husband's anger. She was surprised about Dev being angry. ''I will be there in a minute.''

Rolli's eyes went wide finding Siddhant at her house and Dev ready to kill him. ''Why are you here?''

''I want to see Raina.''

''Not now Siddhant! Its better you leave.'' Rolli warned

''I am not leaving without having a word with Raina.''

Dev clenched his fist. ''I haven't forgotten how you treated Raina in my reception. And I won't forget till you prove worthy of her. For now, leave.'' 

''You are no one to command me.'' SIddhant warned. 

''You could enter because I allowed , you are standing here because I allowed. This is Suryagarh, nothing enters without my permission.'' Rolli stared at her husband in awe. Her eyes going all googly on him. She stared at him like 16 year old staring her first crush.

''Leave.''

Siddhant smirked and next he called Raina out. ''Raina!'' Raina stood up hearing the voice. Her heart thudding in her chest. She took a moment to know if this was real of just a dream but then he called her out again. Raina ran towards the voice her feet halting at the edge of staircase. Her mind replaying Rolli's words. 

''Raina, no one forgets their first love but don't forget self love. You will have to make him respect you. Raina, he has feelings for you but he thinks he has an upper hand, you need to tell him that you are equivalent to him. Until you make him realize that, he will keep treating you hot and cold .''

Raina's eyes collided with that of Siddhant, her heart wanted to run to him but her mind demanded respect. Raina slowly dragged her feet back , turning away from him. ''You have your answer Siddhant. Prove you are worthy of my sister, and we won't stop you.'' This time it came from Rolli. 

Siddhant's eyes stayed frozen at the spot Raina walked away from. He wanted her to come back but she didn't. ''I love her Rolli.''

''Its isn't enough. Learn to respect her.'' The Suryagarh queen replied stern. That's what she was being taught, she gave and demanded respect. Siddhant stepped back walking away. Dev took a deep breath. ''Why are staring at me like that?''

''I want to eat you!'' Rolli replied leaning on him

Dev rolled his eyes. ''You almost made me laugh giving me that googly eye look.''

''You looked so handsome. My macho man.'' She said wriggling her brows at him. Dev just laughed. ''You need little lessons on behavior.''

''Shall we start now? Let's go to the room.''

Dev rubbed his face. ''I am the only husband who keeps blushing at his wife's words.'' 

***

Ananya sat leaning against her chair, her eyes closed. She felt at bliss that her kids were finally settled. While she was proud about Dev, she was thankful that life blessed her with Chitra. The girl was far more matured than her son who was now completely love stricken. But the biggest surprise came when Vansh decided to join his brother. 

''Where are you lost love?''

''Frankly, I am happy that all our kids are settled.'' Ranvijay just nodded. Ananya straightened up. ''It has been long since you painted.''

He smiled. ''Do you want me to pain you?''

''Who else? Even if I lose all my teeth , hair and skin wrinkled. You still can make me look beautiful. And, if not me, only Laddoo has the right to be on your canvas.'' Ranvijay chuckled. Ananya caressed the fine lines that had started appearing now. Yet, he looked breath taking. 

''We should retire. I need you all to myself Ranvijay. You have done enough. Now, lets just live.'' Ranvijay pulled her close. ''Yes, its time Jaigarh had the new king and a new crown Princess.'' Ananya pulled herself closer to the man she loved with her life. 

''I was wondering, if ever we were to be born again, would you chose me?'' Ranvijay asked. She pressed her chin over his shoulder lost in thoughts. ''Yes, but this time I will force you to marry me.'' Ananya replied. He pecked her forehead. ''Then I will gladly get abducted and stay  as your prisoner for life.''

''Ranvijay mad Rathore, don't forget to paint in any life. I want to be your muse for eternity.'' he smiled pulling her closer.

***

Veer watched Om like a hawk, he had decided to speak to both the families to fuse out the tension but the the stubborn Royal refused to budge. ''Siddhant is your only child. He has always been a good guy. You need to sit and find out what's wrong with him? Why was he this way with Raina.''

''Raghuveer, I respect you but what's the point when there is no future.''

''Om, we don't live in times when pride mattered more than lives. I agree, we are powerful but its time we change. ''

''Ranawats insulted me as if I am no one , and you come here expecting me to go there and beg for their daughter.''

Veer smiled. ''Ranawats will apologize for their wrong, but you need to promise that you will put some sense in Siddhant. I love my niece, and I know her happiness lies in Siddhant, but Siddhant will have to change himself to be suitable for her. Om, we had our share of happiness, let us just give our children theirs. Raina, means a lot to me and I am here for her. Take a step for your son.''

Veer walked out rubbing his forehead. His phone pinged and he chuckled reading the message. It was from Dipika. 'You are acting as a champion mediator, I am hearing all praises from everyone. Wish you those skills when you were young.'' Veer rolled his eyes. Dipika would always taunt him on how he treated her after her return from Suryagrah.

He quickly dialed her. ''How are you feeling after that message to me.''

''Do you have answer to my words.'' Dipika asked

''No!'' He replied

''Then amazing.'' She laughed. ''When are coming home Veer?''

''We have a bigger problem DIpika. Advay said he was leaving for a friends trip but is not reachable.''

''Don't worry, I will reach him before he does something stupid.'' Dipika shook her head, a smile on her lips. Ranawats must be having a gala time. She decided to use her resources and get on to Advay.

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

I wanted to write more but lack of time. Will try and update soon