After the kitchen rasam, the palace was filled with laughter and warmth. Myra had never experienced such a lively family atmosphere before. It felt foreign yet comforting.
As the night deepened, Myra found herself alone on the palace terrace. The cool breeze carried the scent of jasmine, and the sky stretched endlessly above her, studded with stars. She clutched the delicate chain around her neck, her fingers brushing against the locket that held her mother's picture.
"Ma…" she whispered softly, gazing at the worn-out photograph inside.
Tears welled up in her eyes as memories resurfaced—memories she had buried deep within her heart.
Flashback – The Letter That Never Reached
It had been just a few days before her wedding when she had mustered the courage to send a letter to her stepmother.
She knew her stepmother would never allow her to meet in person. But she needed answers. She needed to know what truly happened to her mother, to the property, to all the things that never made sense.
So, she had written a letter—plain and simple. Asking for the truth.
She had sent it through a trusted servant, instructing him to ensure it reached her stepmother's hands directly.
Days passed.
No reply came.
Instead, the very next morning, she received a call—not from her stepmother, but from one of her father's old business partners.
The conversation was brief but chilling.
"Stay out of things you don't understand, Myra. Some secrets are better left buried."
The warning had sent a shiver down her spine.
Had her stepmother even received the letter? Or had someone intercepted it?
She never found out.
---
Present – Rajgarh Palace
Myra wiped her tears quickly, exhaling a shaky breath. The past refused to stay buried.
Now, in Rajgarh, surrounded by Ranvijay's family, she was safe. But the unanswered questions still haunted her.
Somewhere out there, someone knew the truth. And she would find it—no matter what it took.
Myra sat on the balcony, the silver moonlight casting a soft glow on her skin. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the locket hanging from her neck, her thoughts tangled in memories she couldn't escape.
A quiet shuffle of footsteps broke her trance. She turned slightly to see Shiv standing near the doorway, his usual playful energy subdued.
"You're still awake, bhabhi?" he asked, stepping forward hesitantly.
Myra offered a small nod. "Couldn't sleep."
Shiv leaned against the railing, tilting his head toward the sky. "Thinking about something? Or someone?"
She exhaled. "Do you always talk in riddles?"
Shiv chuckled. "Only when I know the answer."
Myra frowned but didn't respond. The silence stretched between them, comfortable yet loaded with unspoken words.
After a moment, Shiv spoke again, his voice softer. "Ranvijay bhaiya isn't easy to understand, is he?"
Myra turned to him, brows furrowed. "Why are you saying that?"
Shiv shrugged. "You always seem… confused around him. Like you don't know what to make of him."
She hesitated before admitting, "I don't."
She hated how easily Ranvijay got under her skin, how his presence alone could leave her second-guessing everything. One moment, he was ruthless. The next, he was… something else. Something she didn't have the words for.
Shiv smiled slightly. "He's not what he seems."
Myra gave him a sharp look. "And what does he seem like to you?"
Shiv thought for a moment before answering. "To the world? A powerful prince. To his enemies? A nightmare. To his family? A protector." He glanced at her meaningfully. "And to you…?"
Myra didn't reply. She wasn't sure she had an answer.
Shiv sighed. "Bhabhi, Ranvijay bhaiya isn't the type to say things he doesn't mean. He's harsh, stubborn, and yes, completely overbearing—"
Myra let out a dry laugh. "You can say that again."
Shiv grinned but continued. "But he's also the kind of person who would burn the world down for the people he loves. He doesn't show it the way others do, but it's there. You just have to see it."
His words settled heavily in Myra's chest. Did she see it? Or was she too blinded by her own assumptions?
Shiv's voice turned teasing again. "Besides, bhaiya is obsessed with you. Do you think he'd even look at another woman?"
Myra looked away, her heart pounding at the implication.
Shiv smirked. "You don't have to admit it now, bhabhi. But one day, you'll know exactly what you mean to him."
With that, he patted her shoulder and left, leaving Myra alone with thoughts she wasn't ready to face.