The Calm Before the Storm
The Rathore Palace was unusually quiet after the grand Teej festival. Ishika had spent the day distributing food and clothes to villagers, something she insisted on doing despite Abhimaan’s protests.
At night, she sat in the garden, the cool breeze brushing her cheeks. Her anklets chimed softly as she looked up at the stars, whispering a prayer for her family.
From the shadows, Abhimaan watched her. He was struck again by her simplicity — how someone who had been treated so cruelly by her own blood still carried love for everyone.
“Tum kabhi apne liye bhi socho, Ishika,” he said, walking forward.
She smiled faintly. “Maan, jab se aap sab meri zindagi mein aaye ho, mujhe lagta hai main apne liye hi jee rahi hoon.”
His eyes softened, but before he could reply, a sudden explosion echoed through the palace.
🔥 The Attack
The ground shook. Servants screamed, rushing out of the east wing as flames engulfed one section of the palace. Guards ran in all directions.
Abhimaan pulled Ishika into his arms protectively. “Stay behind me!”
But Ishika pushed at his chest. “No, Maan! The servants, the children—”
Before he could stop her, she ran toward the flames.
Abhimaan cursed under his breath and followed. Yuvraj and Ekansh, alerted by the noise, appeared with Aditya, weapons in hand.
The brothers coordinated quickly — Yuvraj guiding the panicked staff out, Ekansh and Aditya securing the corridors, and Abhimaan searching desperately for Ishika.
He finally found her inside the burning wing, trying to carry a fainted maid out.
“Ishika!” His voice thundered.
She looked back, coughing, but didn’t let go of the maid. Abhimaan rushed forward, lifting both of them effortlessly and carrying them out.
Outside, when the maid was handed over to helpers, he grabbed Ishika by her shoulders, his eyes blazing.
“Are you out of your mind? Tumhari jaan ka kya?!”
Her lips trembled, but she whispered, “Aapki praja meri zimmedari hai, Maan. Agar maine unhe chhod diya hota… toh main aapki rani kehne layak nahi hoti.”
His anger melted into raw emotion. He pulled her into a crushing embrace.
🩸 The Enemy Revealed
As the fire was controlled, the palace guards dragged in two injured attackers. Their faces were covered, but one dropped a phone during the scuffle.
Aditya picked it up, brows furrowing. On the screen was a threatening message:
“If Ishika stays in Rathore Palace, Rathores will burn.”
Abhimaan’s grip tightened around Ishika’s hand. His voice was low, dangerous. “Unhe chhod do… main khud poochta hoon.”
The attackers trembled under his glare. “Humein ek naam se orders milte hain… Malhotra.”
Gasps spread among the staff. Ishika froze, her heart sinking. Tarun. Amit. Palak.
Abhimaan’s jaw clenched so hard his teeth almost cracked. “Woh log ab khud mere saamne girege.”
🌙 Aftermath in Ishika’s Chamber
Later that night, Ishika sat silently in her chamber, her dupatta stained with ash. Abhimaan entered, his sherwani scorched from the fire, his expression unreadable.
He knelt in front of her, taking her hands. “Ishika… main tumhe khud se door bhi rakhta hoon aur paas bhi. Lekin tumhari jaan ko koi chhue, yeh main bardasht nahi kar sakta.”
Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Maan, unki nafrat kabhi khatam nahi hogi. Main hi unke liye nishana hoon.”
He cupped her face, his voice fierce yet tender. “Tum meri rani ho. Aur jo bhi tumhe chhune ki koshish karega, main usse mitti mein mila dunga.”
Her heart ached with the weight of his love. For the first time, she whispered softly, “Maan… main aapke bina adhuri hoon.”
His eyes widened — the first time she had called him that. He pressed his forehead to hers, his voice breaking. “Aur main tumhare bina kuch bhi nahi.”
⚔️ Abhimaan’s Vow
The next morning, Abhimaan assembled his brothers and guards in the royal court. Ishika, Anchal, and Aditya stood nearby.
His voice thundered across the hall:
“Kal raat ka hamla sirf shuruaat tha. Ab se Rathore Palace ke har darwaze par, har raaste par, har kone mein humari nigraani hogi. Aur sun lo — jisne bhi meri rani par ungli uthayi, uska naam-o-nishaan mit jayega.”
The staff bowed, chanting, “Hukum sa zindabad! Rani sa zindabad!”
Ishika’s heart raced. She had never seen such fire in him — not for the palace, not for power, but for her.
🌹 Tenderness Amidst Chaos
Later, when the hall emptied, Ishika approached Abhimaan cautiously.
“Aapko gussa aaya jab maine khud ko khatra mein daala, par… aap bhi toh apni jaan jokhim mein daal dete ho.”
He smirked faintly, pulling her closer. “Tum meri jaan ho, Ishika. Tumhe bachana matlab khud ko bachana.”
She looked away shyly, whispering, “Aur agar main aapko kho baithi toh?”
He tilted her chin, his voice low, husky. “Tum mujhe kabhi nahi khogi. Kyunki ab se, hum ek hi rooh hain.”
Her cheeks turned crimson as he kissed her forehead, sealing his vow.
🌑 The Cliffhanger
That night, as Ishika finally fell asleep in his arms, a servant secretly slipped a letter under their chamber door.
When Abhimaan opened it, his eyes narrowed. The words were written in blood-red ink:
“Abhimaan Rathore, tumhari rani tumhari taqat bhi hai… aur tumhari sabse badi kamzori bhi. Jaldi hi, tum dekhoge usse todte hue.”
He crushed the paper in his fist, his voice a whisper of storm: “Ab khel khatam.”
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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.
