The car pulled up to the grand white marble mansion, its towering columns and intricate carvings gleaming under the morning sun. As Ambika stepped out, her breath caught in her throat at the sheer beauty of it. It was like stepping into another world, a place where elegance and history intertwined seamlessly.
At the entrance, Tara and Bhagirati stood waiting, their faces beaming with joy. Tara's eyes sparkled as she approached Ambika, wrapping her in a warm embrace. "Ambika, I’m so happy you’re here. I've always dreamed of having a daughter-in-law like you," she said, her voice filled with genuine affection.
Bhagirati, standing slightly behind, nodded in agreement, his eyes twinkling with pride. "Welcome, dear Ambika. You are truly a blessing to our family."
As they made their way inside, the grandeur of the mansion unfolded before Ambika's eyes. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, and chandeliers sparkled like a thousand tiny stars. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, mingling with the rich aroma of incense.
Malini, Ishaan’s wife, greeted them next. She was a quiet, observant woman with an air of calm about her. Her eyes seemed to take in everything at once, though she spoke little. She offered Ambika a soft smile and a gentle nod, a silent but warm welcome that spoke volumes.
Ishaan, the gentle and mature older brother, stepped forward, his demeanor exuding warmth and kindness. "Ambika, welcome to our home. You were always like a sister to me so I don't think I need to talk more about my love towards you." he said, his voice steady and reassuring. He took her hand in a firm yet gentle grip, making her feel instantly at ease.
Ambika smiled widely,"Obviously you don't have to!"
And then there was Chandika, the strict queen of Shivaay Kul. Her presence was formidable, her posture regal and commanding respect. She approached Ambika with a critical eye, her gaze piercing yet not unkind. "Ambika," she began, her voice carrying the weight of authority, "Swagatam. This household runs on discipline and tradition. I trust you will honor our ways."
(Welcome)
Ambika swallowed nervously but nodded, her heart pounding. "Yes, Rani Maa, I will do my best," she replied, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.
Rudraksha stood by her side, his hand reassuringly on her back. He exchanged a look with Chandika, a silent understanding passing between them.
As they moved further into the mansion, the atmosphere gradually shifted from formal to warm. The family gathered around, each member eager to welcome Ambika. Tara couldn't stop beaming, her happiness infectious. "You see, Ambika, we've been waiting for this day. When Rudraksha will find a wife for himself, and when he finally did... It was you, the most precious daughter of my best friend, I can't explain how lucky I feel right now," she said, patting Ambika's hand lovingly.
Ambika felt a mixture of emotions—nervousness, excitement, and a deep sense of belonging. She glanced at Rudraksha, who smiled at her with such warmth and pride that her heart swelled. This was her new family, her new home. And as she looked around at the faces surrounding her, she knew that she was truly welcomed and loved.
•••
As Ambika and Rudraksha entered their bedroom, the grandeur of the room took her breath away. The space was nothing short of majestic—a palace suite fit for royalty. The room was adorned with rich tapestries of deep blue and gold, which draped elegantly over the walls, reflecting the warm glow of the chandelier hanging from the ornate ceiling. The floor was a polished marble, cool and smooth underfoot.
The pièce de résistance was the enormous glass window that stretched from floor to ceiling, offering an uninterrupted view of the majestic mountains in the distance. The peaks, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, stood like silent sentinels, their grandeur complementing the opulence of the room. Ambika’s eyes widened with wonder as she approached the window, her breath fogging up the glass momentarily as she gazed out at the sprawling landscape.
The maid, arriving with a flurry of polite apologies, interrupted her reverie. “I am sorry we couldn’t change the bed before your arrival. If you give us some time, we will arrange a new one.”
Ambika and Rudraksha turned to the bed, which, while grand and elegant, was quite standard in size. It was a spacious affair, easily accommodating three people. Ambika chuckled softly and said, “It’s absolutely fine for us, though?”
The maid, however, seemed insistent. “Okay, but Rani Maa insists that a bigger bed should be allotted for your comfort.”
Rudraksha, with a mischievous glint in his eye, interjected with a straight face, “Look, if we find the bed to be really small, then my wife will sleep on top of me.”
The maid’s cheeks flushed a bright crimson, and she glanced down, stammering as she asked for permission to leave. With a hurried exit, she left them alone in the room.
As the door closed behind the maid, Rudraksha crossed the room to Ambika, his gaze filled with tenderness. Ambika turned from the window, her eyes catching his in a shared moment of intimacy. She smiled, the warmth of the room now feeling like an embrace around them.
Rudraksha reached for her, his hands gently cupping her face as he pulled her closer. Their lips met in a kiss that was soft at first but quickly deepened into something more passionate. The kiss spoke of their love, their longing, and the new life they were beginning together.
Ambika’s fingers roamed over Rudraksha’s back, feeling the strength and warmth of him. She sighed against his lips, her heart racing with the intensity of the moment. Rudraksha’s hands slipped down to her waist, pulling her closer as if to bridge any remaining distance between them. His touch was electrifying, sending shivers down her spine.
With a playful nudge, he guided her towards the bed. They fell onto the silk sheets, their laughter mingling with soft whispers. The bed, now a mere formality, seemed to expand as they settled in, their bodies pressed together in a perfect fit. Rudraksha’s fingers traced gentle patterns on her skin, and Ambika responded with tender caresses of her own.
As Ambika lay beside Rudraksha, a sudden shift in her demeanor caught his attention. Her eyes, once filled with warmth and joy, now appeared distant and clouded. Rudraksha, sensing the change, gently asked, “What’s wrong?”
Ambika shook her head, as if trying to shake off the unease that had settled over her. “It’s nothing,” she murmured, though her tone betrayed her.
“Tell me,” Rudraksha insisted softly, his concern evident in his eyes.
Ambika met his gaze, her eyes wide and vulnerable. “At first... why did you approach me romantically? If you never truly loved me, then why did you pursue me like that?”
Rudraksha sighed deeply, his hands moving to gently hold her shoulders as he pulled her closer. “I had my reasons,” he began, his voice tinged with regret. He explained everything about his fear for her well being with those people and scandal.
Ambika’s eyes glistened with hurt. “Why do you think I wouldn’t have listened to you?”
Rudraksha’s brow furrowed in confusion. “You would have listened to me?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
She nodded, her eyes still doe-like and earnest. “Yes, I would have.”
A tender smile spread across Rudraksha’s face, and he leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Then forget about Rudra,” he whispered softly. “Forget that he ever existed. Start embracing Rudraksha—this new beginning with me.”
As his words hung in the air, a sense of peace began to settle over Ambika. She nodded, her heart swelling with the reassurance of his sincerity. In the quiet of the room, with the mountains standing guard outside, their love found new footing, ready to embark on the next chapter together.
(End of the main story. Will continue with Epilogue chapters)
YOU ARE READING
Rakshash Aur Rajkumari (The Devil And The Princess)
Romance"I am so sorry, Ambika," Rudraksha choked out, his voice thick with emotion. With trembling hands, he withdrew, his eyes downcast as if he could not bear to meet her gaze. "I... You don't deserve this," he continued, his words laced with anguish. "Y...
