Siya's life in Chandipur was marked by resilience and solitude, her days consumed by nurturing the vibrant blooms of her flower shop. Abandoned at birth and haunted by the mystery of her parents' disappearance, she had grown accustomed to the whispe...
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The grandeur of Raipur Palace never failed to impress, its towering spires and majestic halls a testament to centuries of Rathore rule. As I stepped into the main foyer, memories of my childhood flooded back...the echoes of laughter, the scent of incense from the family shrine, and the reassuring presence of my father, Shikhar Singh Rathore, who had vanished without a trace when I was just twenty.
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I was greeted by the familiar hustle and bustle of the palace staff, each face a reminder of the responsibility that rested on my shoulders. My mother, Amrita, had kept the palace running smoothly in my father's absence, her grace and strength a pillar of support for our family. Yet, beneath her serene exterior, I knew the pain she carried...the pain of a wife living like a widow, uncertain of her husband's fate.
"Adhiraj bhaiya!"
The voice of my youngest brother, Rithvik, broke through my reverie. At twenty- five, Rithvik was the epitome of mischief, his grin infectious as he bounded down the grand staircase to greet me.
"You're back! Did you bring us any surprises?" I ruffled his hair affectionately, smiling despite myself.
"Not this time, Rithvik, but who knows what I might find for you next time?" I replied, tousling his hair playfully. In a while Rithvik's laughter echoed through the halls as he teased our younger sister, Priya, who was known for her outspoken nature and quick wit. At twenty-one, Priya possessed a fiery spirit that often clashed with our grandmother, Amanpreet, whose mischievous antics never failed to entertain....or exasperate-us all.
"Bhai-sa," Priya called out, her voice carrying a hint of mischief as she joined us in the foyer, hugging me tightly.
"You're looking tired. Did you bring any news from the outside world?" I chuckled, shaking my head at her perceptiveness.
"Not much, Priya," I replied, grateful for her ability to cut through the seriousness that often weighed on me.
"But I did hear some interesting rumours," Priya's eyes gleamed with curiosity as she leaned in closer. She always read the rumours about me and rithvik on social media out of curiosity to know what people think about us.
