The night after the storm of revelations had passed, the Rathore Palace seemed calmer, yet the air carried an unspoken heaviness. The chandeliers glittered as always, the marble floors gleamed, but the family knew that shadows were lurking beyond the golden walls.
Still, inside the palace, something new was blooming.
🌸 Ishika’s Morning
The first rays of dawn streamed into Ishika’s chamber. She rose quietly, draping her dupatta over her head. Her mind was still replaying last night — the moment she had whispered Maan instead of Hukum sa.
Her cheeks warmed remembering the look in Abhimaan’s eyes. For the first time, she had seen not the ruthless mafia king or the feared ruler, but a man who wanted love.
As she walked toward the kitchen, her path was blocked by two staff members, bowing respectfully.
“Badi Baai sa… Hukum sa ne hukam diya hai,” one said softly.
Ishika frowned. “Kaisa hukam?”
The other answered, “Hukum sa ne kaha hai ki ab aap koi kaam nahi karegi. Na rasoi, na safai. Aap sirf mahilaon ki tarah rahegi — ek rani ke roop mein.”
Her breath hitched. Maan ne yeh kaha?
A soft sadness filled her heart. Cooking wasn’t just work for her; it was her love, her way of expressing care. And more than anything, she worried about Yuvraj.
Yuvraj… he won’t eat properly without my food.
🕊 Ishika’s Worry
At breakfast, Ishika sat quietly at the long table beside Abhimaan, Ekansh, and Yuvraj. The chefs had prepared a royal spread — golden parathas dripping with ghee, saffron milk, almond kheer, rich gravies, and sweets.
But Ishika noticed how Yuvraj just played with his spoon, barely touching the food. Ekansh, though calm, also ate less.
Abhimaan’s sharp eyes caught it instantly. “Why are you not eating, Yuvraj?”
Yuvraj sighed. “Bhai sa… this food has no soul. It’s only rich. I miss… Didi sa’s haath ka khana.”
Ishika’s chest tightened. She lowered her gaze, whispering softly, “Maan… let me cook for them, please. They won’t eat otherwise.”
But Abhimaan’s voice was firm. “No, Ishika. You are not a servant here. You are the queen of this palace. Staff is here to serve, not you.”
Her eyes stung with tears. She stayed quiet, but inside she knew the truth — her food wasn’t duty; it was love.
🌟 An Unexpected Arrival
Just when the mood was dipping, the grand gates of the palace opened. A sleek black car rolled in. Out stepped Anchal Malhotra — dressed in a simple pastel kurta, her hair tied in a loose braid.
Her entry, as always, was a mixture of grace and unshakable confidence.
“Namaste, sabko.” She smiled, walking toward them.
Ishika’s eyes lit up. “Anchu!”
The two hugged tightly, and Anchal immediately sensed Ishika’s subdued mood. “Kya hua, Ishi di? Why do you look so dull?”
Ishika whispered everything in her ear — Abhimaan forbidding her from cooking, Yuvraj’s sadness, her helplessness.
Anchal looked at Abhimaan sharply. “So this is the problem?”
Abhimaan raised an eyebrow, his aura of authority unwavering. “She is not supposed to work here.”
Anchal smirked. “Fine then. If Ishika di can’t cook… I will. After all, I too know how to cook. And trust me, my food is no less.”
Everyone turned toward her in surprise.
🍲 The Kitchen Turns Alive
Within minutes, the grand kitchen of Rathore Palace was alive with the aroma of fresh spices, roasting ghee, and sizzling vegetables.
Anchal, sleeves rolled up, moved with surprising expertise. She prepared light, healthy dishes — dal tempered with garlic, fresh vegetable curry, fluffy rotis, sweet kheer with just the right amount of jaggery.
Ishika stood beside her, watching with shining eyes. “Anchu, you’re amazing. I didn’t know you cooked this well.”
Anchal winked. “Ishi di, I grew up in a hostel, remember? Either learn to cook or starve. Besides, it became my therapy.”
🍴 The Royal Dinner
That night, the Rathore brothers and Ishika sat at the long dining table again. This time, the aroma itself was inviting.
Yuvraj took the first bite of the dal roti and his face instantly lit up. “Wah! This tastes just like Didi sa’s food! Actually… thoda alag, but equally tasty!”
Ekansh also nodded approvingly. “Balanced. Healthy. Not too oily. Perfect.”
Even Abhimaan — though he rarely complimented openly — allowed the corner of his lips to curve into a rare smile. “Good.”
Ishika beamed with pride at Anchal, who sat modestly, serving everyone.
Aditya, always the observer, leaned back with a satisfied expression. “Anchal… I must say, I didn’t expect this. You are full of surprises. A business tycoon, and yet you can cook like a master chef.”
Anchal chuckled lightly. “A businessman’s mind and a homemaker’s skills… best combination, isn’t it?”
🔥 The Jealous Glance
While everyone laughed and enjoyed the meal, Ekansh’s jaw tightened. His eyes lingered on Anchal — the way she smiled when Aditya complimented her, the slight blush on her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes.
He hated it.
For days, he had struggled with his growing emotions. Her ruthlessness drew him, but her hidden softness chained his heart completely. And now, watching her laugh with Aditya… it ignited something burning inside him.
Yuvraj, too innocent to notice the tension, happily declared, “From today, Didi sa and Anchal will cook together! That way, we will always have maa ke haath ka khana.”
The brothers chuckled, Ishika smiled warmly, and Anchal agreed with a nod.
But Ekansh stayed silent. His fists curled under the table. His protective, possessive, almost obsessive side was slowly surfacing — and no one noticed yet.
🌙 A Quiet Conversation
Later that night, Ishika and Abhimaan sat in the balcony. The moonlight fell gently on them.
“Maan,” Ishika whispered, hesitating, “please don’t be angry… but cooking is my happiness. It’s how I express love. And today, when Anchu cooked, did you see the joy on Yuvraj’s face? That’s the joy I want to bring too.”
Abhimaan looked at her silently for a long moment. His stern features softened. He pulled her close, resting her head on his chest.
“You are not here to serve us, Ishika. But… if it makes you happy, then fine. You may cook. But not as a duty. As our queen’s choice.”
Her eyes sparkled with gratitude. “Thank you, Maan.”
He kissed her forehead softly. “And don’t ever think you are less than royalty. To me… you are everything.”
Her heart melted in his embrace.
🌑 Closing Scene
In another wing of the palace, Anchal walked toward her room, humming softly. But as she turned the corner, she found Ekansh waiting in the corridor, leaning against the pillar, his intense eyes fixed on her.
She froze. “Ekansh…? Why are you standing here?”
His voice was low, rough, almost dangerous. “Don’t smile like that at anyone else. Especially not Aditya.”
Anchal’s heart skipped a beat. She wanted to retort, but her lips stayed frozen. For the first time, she saw the full force of Ekansh Singh Rathore’s possessiveness.
And it terrified her… but also warmed something deep inside she never admitted.
YOU ARE READING
The Royal love ( Rewriting)
FanfictionThis story is about a royal man named Abhimaan Singh Rathore and a sweet middle class girl whose parents died when she was a kid and her uncle's aunty and cousins abused her. let's see how they both meet and fall in love.
