𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐝 (Royals Trilogy #1)

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

☽ 𝐀 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ☾

20 Years Ago

JODHPUR

A storm is coming.

Devyani Rathore stands on the balcony, staring at the full moon as dark clouds slowly swallow it whole. A weight sits heavy on her chest, growing tighter with every passing second, each thump of her heart coiling around her ribs like a vice.

Oh God, please let my child be safe.

A small, cold hand slips into hers, snapping her from the spiraling dread. She looks down to find her eldest son gazing up at her, concern shadowing his young face.

"He won't stop crying, Maa," Hardik murmurs, shifting anxiously. "I tried rocking him, but nothing's working."

Devyani exhales sharply, forcing a tight smile as she reaches for her youngest. Even at eleven, Hardik already shoulders the weight of responsibility, but no matter how much he tries, there are some things only a mother can provide. She takes Rudransh from his arms, pressing the wailing toddler to her chest. Almost instantly, the cries fade into soft hiccups, and then—silence.

Hardik stares, baffled. His little brother had screamed for what felt like ages, but the moment he is in their mother's arms, he quiets like he was never crying at all. A realization dawns, and he scowls. Attention seeker. That's what Rudransh is. He just wanted their mother all to himself.

"Maa, when will Papa get here?" Hardik asks, eyes darting toward the locked front doors. "Isn't it really late?"

She tenses, though she tries to hide it. He's just a child, but he isn't oblivious. He senses her fear, the unspoken tension thick in the air.

"Soon, my son," she reassures, forcing warmth into her voice. "He'll be here soon. And with him, there will come your little si—"

A loud, sharp cry shatters the night.

Devyani freezes. Her heart lurches, her fingers tightening around her children. The air shifts, the house suddenly too quiet, too still.

She quickly wraps her shawl tighter around her shoulders, schooling her expression as she kneels in front of Hardik. Her hand cups his cheek, but there's urgency in her touch.

"Listen to me carefully," she says, keeping her voice steady despite the hammering in her chest. "Go into the closet. Behind the coats, there's a small room in the back. You remember the password, don't you? Your birthdate."

Hardik nods slowly, his lips parting as if to protest, but she doesn't give him the chance.

"Stay there until I come back. No matter what happens, do not open the door unless you hear my voice. Do you understand?"

Her breath is heavy with panic, but her gaze remains firm. Hardik hesitates for only a moment before nodding.

"Take your brother with you. Maa will come back soon," Devyani whispers, carefully placing Rudransh into Hardik's small arms.

His breath hitches. The weight of the situation crashes over him like a tidal wave. His mother's panicked breaths, the distant crack of gunfire, the terrified screams ringing through the night.

A shiver runs down his spine.

"Maa... are the bad men back?" he asks, voice trembling. "Have they come again?"

Devyani's heart clenches. Her gaze softens with pity, but there's no time for explanations. No time to soothe away his fears.

Hardik doesn't understand why those men keep returning, why they always bring chaos and grief. He hates them. Hates the way his mother's face falls whenever they come, hates how the house fills with whispered prayers and quiet sobs. Their presence is never fleeting, never a rare occurrence. And he despises the game of hide-and-seek they force him to play.