"𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞"

6. The Royal Gala

Chapter 6

(Aarvi's POV)

The grand palace of the Chauhans glittered under the dazzling lights, towering above the city like a silent monument of power and legacy. Tonight, it was filled with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the hum of polite conversation as aristocrats and influential figures from every corner gathered for the gala. But beneath the polished surface, I could feel the undercurrents of expectation.

This wasn’t just a party. It was a show.

A show for the media, for the families, for the world. Vivaan and I were supposed to act like the perfect couple like this “alliance” was more than a political arrangement. The thought of it sent a shiver down my spine. I wasn’t here for love or affection. I was here to fulfill a duty.

As I stepped into the ballroom, the soft drapes of my royal blue saree swayed with each step. The silk felt smooth against my skin, the fabric hugging my body in a way that was both elegant and modest. I had chosen this saree carefully it wasn’t meant to show much skin, but it carried an undeniable grace, the deep blue contrasting with the gold detailing along the edges.

The heavy chandelier lights shimmered off the saree’s rich fabric, casting an almost ethereal glow. I knew I looked different tonight. Not the independent, fierce Aarvi Mehra that everyone expected, but someone who looked like she belonged in this royal setting, even if I didn’t feel it.

The instant I stepped into the room, I felt eyes on me. Not just from the guests or the press, but from Vivaan.

His gaze burned through the crowd, more intense than usual. As I stole a glance in his direction, I noticed him standing next to Aarav. His lips were moving as if he were speaking, but his eyes  were fixed on me.

I could feel his gaze trail over me like a slow, deliberate touch. His eyes darkened slightly when they landed on my bare waist, the small patch of skin that the saree couldn’t quite cover. It wasn’t much, just a glimpse, but the way his expression shifted made my breath catch. There was something in his look that unsettled me, something raw and unspoken.

But then I looked away, forcing myself to focus on the crowd. I wasn’t here for Vivaan’s stares or whatever thoughts were going through his mind. Tonight was for appearances. For duty.

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(Vivaan's POV)

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her.

Aarvi Mehra, draped in that royal blue saree, looked like she was born for this world regal, elegant, and entirely too beautiful. Her confidence usually matched mine, always sharp with a retort, but tonight… tonight there was something softer, something that made my chest tighten in a way I didn’t expect.

I’d never seen her in a saree before. She always dressed modern, bold, like she wanted to make a statement. But this… this was different. The fabric clung to her, accentuating her curves, her long hair cascading down her back like ink on silk.

And then there was that tiny sliver of skin her bare waist, barely visible but enough to send a spark through me. I hated how much I noticed it. How much I noticed her.

As I tried to focus on Aarav’s words, my gaze kept drifting back to her, unbidden. Damn it.

"Are you even listening, bhai?" Aarav’s teasing voice cut through my thoughts, and I turned sharply, frowning at him.

"What?" I snapped, irritation lacing my voice.

Aarav smirked, his eyes flicking toward Aarvi and then back to me. "I said you’re staring. It’s kind of obvious, you know."