BEYOND UNFINISHED✔️

Chapter 31. Shadows Beneath Royal Silk

Song:- Rabba khair kari.( Bebaakee)

Maybe I cannot stop the downpour...
But I will always join you to walk in the rain.....

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Third POV.

When you're in an unknown place, all your soul craves is a familiar face.

Anaya was clinging to Vedika as if her very breath depended on her. In this sea of extravagant jewelry, intimidating smiles, and unfamiliar rituals, Vedika was her only anchor.

Chitra stood near the center, her eyes glinting with cold satisfaction as she whispered sharply to her mother-in-law, Pavitra Rajvansh. Pavitra sat still, her face carved from stone—blank, unreadable—but the tension in her eyes was unmistakable.

"So, Choti Bahu," Pavitra finally broke the silence, her voice composed yet edged with ice, "you're saying our new Yuvrani... is not fit for this title? That she is... indisciplined?"

The women around straightened in attention. All eyes now turned to the trembling figure beside Vedika.

Pavitra's gaze shifted to Anaya. "Tell me, child. Do you agree with Chitra? Did you really disrespect Vedika and ignore the pooja?"

Vedika opened her mouth to intervene, but a single look from Pavitra silenced her. Authority did not need volume—it needed presence.

Anaya's heart thundered in her chest.

"Ma'am... I–" she began, stammering, but Pavitra gently raised a palm.

"Dadi sa, child. You will call me Dadi sa. Now breathe. I want the truth, nothing more."

Her tone was calm—almost too calm. But it was a voice that demanded honesty.

"I-I didn't mean to... Dadi maa... it was unintentional. I just... I got late... I'll be careful next time, I promise..." Her voice cracked as her eyes brimmed with tears.

Sampoorna immediately came forward, cupping Anaya's tear-streaked face and gently tilting it upward.

"Shhh, bacha... It's okay," she whispered lovingly. "You're new here. This place, these people, these traditions—it will take time. Don't mind Chitra, she speaks out of concern for the family, but we all know you're a good girl."

Sampoorna wiped Anaya's tears and kissed her forehead gently. "But yes, child—remember, calling elders by their names is not our way. And time... time is sacred here. We Rajvanshis run on discipline. You're not just a bahu now, you're the Yuvrani—our people look up to you. Be mindful."

Anaya could only nod and collapse into Sampoorna's arms, whispering "Sorry... I'm sorry..." again and again.

Pavitra placed a heavy yet affectionate hand on Anaya's head. The weight of responsibility had been placed, but so was a silent promise of support.

Behind them, Chitra rolled her eyes in frustration, her dramatic sigh going unnoticed. Shruti scoffed openly and walked away with her group of overly made-up followers toward the garden.

Later, under Sampoorna's direction, Vedika guided Anaya through the palace corridors, introducing her to the maids and head servants. Whispers had already traveled—everyone had heard of the Yuvrani's humility, her kind eyes, her London degrees, and her simple salutes. She was not just beautiful, she was soft-spoken, respectful, and polite—exactly what they had hoped for.

"She's a blessing... Yuvraj is lucky," whispered an elderly maid.

After the round, Vedika explained the rules of the household, the rituals, the decorum. Anaya listened keenly. She couldn't afford another mistake. She wouldn't give Chitra the satisfaction.