The first rays of dawn filtered through the grand windows of Rajgarh palace, casting a golden glow on the intricate carvings and silk-draped furniture. Myra stirred as the soft chime of anklets echoed in the hallway, signaling the palace coming to life.
The morning in Rajgarh palace was calm, yet Myra's thoughts were anything but. Sleep had eluded her, and the conversation with Shiv about Ranvijay kept replaying in her mind.
She found herself wandering through the palace gardens, the dewdrops on the roses glistening under the early sunlight. The silence was comforting—until she heard footsteps behind her.
"Bhabhisa, lost in thought again?"
Myra turned to see Shiv standing there, his usual playful grin in place. Unlike Ranvijay, whose presence always felt overwhelming, Shiv's company was light and easy.
She forced a small smile. "I didn't expect anyone to be awake so early."
Shiv leaned against a pillar. "Rajgarh never truly sleeps. And you… seem to have a lot on your mind."
Myra hesitated. She wasn't used to talking openly, especially about Ranvijay, but something about Shiv made her feel that he already knew what she was thinking.
"What kind of person is Ranvijay to you?" she asked, surprising even herself with the directness of her question.
Shiv raised an eyebrow before smiling. "To me? He's more than a prince or a leader. He's my brother. My savior, in a way."
Myra frowned. "Savior?"
Shiv's expression turned nostalgic. "I was just a reckless boy when he found me. No family, no future. Ranvijay didn't have to take me in, but he did. Gave me a place, a purpose. But most importantly…" He looked at Myra. "He protected me, the way he protects everything he claims as his own."
Something about those words unsettled her. "Protects… or controls?"
Shiv chuckled. "Depends on how you see it. He doesn't let go of what's his, Bhabhisa. No matter what."
Myra looked away, gripping the locket around her neck. Her mind whispered warnings, but a part of her couldn't shake the warmth in Shiv's words.
Ranvijay—who was he, really? A ruthless prince or a man who carried unseen burdens?
And more importantly…
What did it mean for her to be his?
The palace had come alive with the morning bustle, servants moving about with trays of tea and breakfast preparations. Myra, still lost in thought after her conversation with Shiv, found herself drawn toward the courtyard where a heated argument was unfolding.
"I said I don't need your help, Shiv!" Anika's sharp voice rang out.
Shiv, standing with his arms crossed, looked entirely unaffected. "And I wasn't offering. Rajeshwari Maa asked me to check if everything was prepared properly. It's not my fault you're slow."
Anika turned to glare at him, her dark eyes flashing with irritation. "I am managing perfectly fine without you hovering over me like some unwanted shadow."
Shiv smirked. "Unwanted? That's funny because, as far as I remember, you were the one who asked me to help you last time."
Anika clenched her fists. "That was different! I was in a hurry."
Shiv took a step closer, his voice lowering just enough to challenge her. "And today? You're just looking for an excuse to fight with me, aren't you?"
Anika scoffed, turning away, but Shiv wasn't done. "You know, it's interesting how much effort you put into hating me. Almost as if—" he paused deliberately, his smirk deepening, "—you actually enjoy it."
Anika spun around, her breath catching for just a second before she forced a scowl onto her face. "You're insufferable."
Shiv chuckled. "And yet, here we are, having this conversation again. If I didn't know better, I'd say you just love my attention."
Myra watched from a distance, fascinated by the fire between them. Unlike the intense, possessive nature of her relationship with Ranvijay, this was different—a battle of sharp words, unspoken challenges, and something that neither Shiv nor Anika was willing to admit.
Anika huffed, brushing past Shiv, but not before muttering, "Don't test me, Shiv."
Shiv grinned. "Too late, Princess. I love a good challenge."
And just like that, the air between them crackled—filled with something dangerous and electric.
Myra remained seated, pretending to be absorbed in her tea, but her mind was elsewhere. She had seen enough stories unfold between people to recognize when something was brewing.
Shiv and Anika.
There was something between them—something neither of them acknowledged, perhaps something they weren't even aware of themselves. But it was there, lurking beneath their sharp words and dismissive glances.
Just as Myra was quietly observing the sparks between Shiv and Anika, a sharp voice cut through the air, breaking the tension.
"So, this is where you've been hiding, Myra."
Myra stiffened, the familiar arrogance in that voice making her skin crawl. She turned slowly, her fingers clenching around the edge of her dupatta. Eyes widened.