⚕️Chapter 1

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。⁠.゚✧✧。⁠.゚

_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠__⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠__⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_

"How many days, Father?"

"One month. The elections start in three months, and we can't afford to waste a single day. I need you by my side in a month. Can you do it?"

"Yes, I will. For you, for Mom."

There was a moment of silence. She knew how much weight her next words carried.

"I'm ready, Father. I'm ready to become Mrs. Agnihotri and destroy every last one of them."

。⁠.゚✧✧。⁠.゚

_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠__⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠__⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_

"ॐ गं गणपतये नमः"
(Om Gan Ganapataye Namah)

The mantra symbolized the start of the marriage ceremony as the bride and groom sat in front of the fire. Family members surrounded them, the chants continuing in the background as the priest recited the mantras and instructed the couple to perform the rituals.

Agni.

The hot, burning fire. The same fire that provides comfort and warmth on a cold winter night is also the inferno capable of reducing anything to ashes.

And today, I sat before that fire, taking marriage oaths with my soon-to-be husband.

Yuvaan Ranvijay Agnihotri.

It was an arranged marriage, meant to transform the friendship between the Malhotras and the Agnihotris into a lifelong bond.

"I request the var and vadhu to stand up for the pheras," the priest announced, drawing everyone's attention.

A hand extended in front of me, offering support to help me stand. It was Yuvaan's.

I had almost no firsthand experience with who Yuvaan really was as a person, aside from knowing he was just a pawn in my game. Beyond that, I didn't care much.

Still, I offered a small smile, acknowledging his gesture, and placed my hand in his. I couldn't afford to appear rude or arrogant by ignoring him. He smiled back, his boyish charm evident in the way his chocolate-brown eyes lit up.

As we stood and began circling the fire, the family rose to bless us, showering us with flower petals.

I'm marrying someone.

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