After the Attack
The moon still lingered when the palace grounds roared with chaos. Guards rushed in, lanterns blazed, and servants whispered in horror. The captured assassin was dragged to the courtyard, his arms tied behind his back, his face swollen from Ekansh's merciless grip.
Abhimaan stormed in, his sherwani untied, his eyes burning like wildfire. "Kaun bheja tujhe?"
The assassin spat blood on the ground and laughed. "Unhi ne... jinse tumne dushmani li hai. Malhotra. Tarun. Tumhara takht, tumhari aurat... sab cheen lenge."
Abhimaan's jaw clenched, but before he could strike, Ekansh pulled his dagger out and pressed it to the man's throat.
"Ek pal mein tere hont sil dunga." His voice was cold, dangerous, possessive.
Anchal stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Let him speak. Threats don't scare me, but silence does."
The assassin sneered. "Tum toh wahi ho... jo marne layak hai. Malhotra sahab ne kaha tha-sabse pehle is ladki ko khatam karna."
The courtyard froze. Ishika gasped softly, covering her mouth. Abhimaan's fists curled, but his eyes shifted immediately to Anchal.
They're after her... not Ishika this time.
🌹 Ishika's Fear
Ishika rushed forward, grabbing Anchal's hands. "Anchal! Mujhe laga woh mere liye aaye the... par tumhe? Kyun?"
Anchal's face remained calm, but her eyes betrayed her fear. She squeezed Ishika's hands. "Don't worry, Ishi di. Mujhe girane ke liye bohot bade tufaan ki zarurat hogi. Ek chhuri se main nahi bikharne wali."
But Ishika saw the tremble in her little sister's fingers.
Yuvraj stepped close, his voice trembling. "Didi sa... if they can come inside our palace once, they can again. Hum aap sab ko kaise bachaenge?"
Abhimaan placed a protective hand on his shoulder. "No one dares step inside Rathore Palace again. Main deewar bhi ban jaaunga aur talwar bhi."
But his gaze returned to Anchal-softening, seeing her mask of strength.
⚔️ Ekansh's Rage
Ekansh hadn't spoken again. His dagger still rested on the assassin's throat, his chest heaving with rage. He looked nothing like the calm, charming prince. He looked like a storm ready to destroy.
Abhimaan called sharply, "Ekansh, bas."
But Ekansh didn't move. His voice was low, guttural. "He tried to touch her. To harm her. Bhai sa, main ise zinda nahi chhodunga."
Everyone stared-Abhimaan, Ishika, even Anchal. His words had no hesitation, no control. It wasn't about family honor, not even about Rathore pride. It was about her.
Anchal's lips parted slightly. Her heart thudded painfully.
"Ekansh..." she whispered, almost pleading.
His eyes snapped to hers. For a moment, the fire dimmed. Slowly, he lowered the dagger, but his hand still shook with rage.
Abhimaan ordered the guards, "Lock him in the underground cell. I want answers by tomorrow."
The assassin was dragged away, cursing, but no one heard. All eyes were on Ekansh and Anchal-on the storm that was no longer hidden.
🌙 The Private Confrontation
Later that night, when the palace calmed, Anchal found herself pacing in the guest chamber. Her mind replayed Ekansh's words. He tried to touch her. To harm her. The way his voice had cracked with fury-it wasn't just duty. It was possession.
She was still lost in thought when the door opened without a knock.
Ekansh entered. His eyes were darker than usual, his jaw tight.
"You should have left," he said flatly.
Anchal frowned. "Excuse me?"
"You shouldn't have come to this palace. Tumhe samajh nahi aata? Tumhari wajah se khatra aur bada ho raha hai."
Her chest tightened, but her voice turned sharp. "Aur tumhe kya lagta hai, main dar ke bhaag jaaungi? Mujhe bhi ladna aata hai."
He stepped closer, his voice low and furious. "Nahi, tum nahi ladogi. Agar tumhe kharonch bhi aayi, toh main sab ko maar daalunga."
Anchal froze. Her breath hitched. She wanted to push him away, but his words seeped too deep.
"Why, Ekansh? Tum itna kyun parwaah karte ho?"
Silence.
Then his eyes softened for the first time, vulnerable, almost broken.
"Because I can't stand the thought of losing you."
Her heart skipped. She turned away, whispering, "Don't... don't say things you don't mean. Mujhe pyaar ki aadat nahi hai. Mujhe uska haq nahi hai."
Ekansh's hand gently caught her chin, making her look at him. "Toh main tumhe aadat dalwaunga."
The air thickened between them. For the first time, Anchal's walls trembled dangerously.
🌺 Ishika's Comfort
Meanwhile, Ishika sat in her chamber with Abhimaan. Her face was pale, eyes glistening.
"Maan... sab mujhe lagta hai meri wajah se ho raha hai. Pehle tum, phir ye mahal, aur ab Anchal... sabko khatra hai."
Abhimaan pulled her close, his voice firm. "Ishika, suno. Tum meri zindagi ho. Tumhe kuch bhi ho jaata toh main saans bhi nahi le paata. Tumhe aur Anchal ko humare dushman bas kamzori samajhte hain. Lekin tum dono Rathore khandaan ki taqat ho."
Ishika's lips trembled. For the first time, she softly whispered, "Maan..."
A soft smile touched his lips, and he kissed her forehead. "Mere naam ki sabse khoobsurat aawaaz tumhari zubaan se aayi hai."
Her cheeks flushed, her insecurity fading for a moment in his embrace.
🌹 Aditya's Suspicion
In another wing, Aditya sat with papers spread before him. His sharp eyes scanned details of the Malhotras' recent financial dealings. But what gnawed at him was something else-the threatening messages Anchal had been receiving for weeks.
He tapped his pen. "Yeh sab sirf Malhotra ki harkat nahi lagti. Koi aur bhi hai. Koi jo Anchal ko seedha nishana bana raha hai."
When Anchal walked in, he looked up. "Tumhe kuch bataana hoga, Anchal. Those messages... aur tumhari chhupi hui kahani. Ab tak sabko sach pata hai ki tum KNIAM ho, but yeh threats kaun bhej raha hai?"
Anchal stiffened. "I can handle it."
Aditya's eyes narrowed. "This isn't about handling. This is about trust. Tum humein apna parivaar maanta bhi ho, ya sabse door bhaagna hi tumhari aadat hai?"
Anchal swallowed hard, her mask slipping. For the first time, she whispered, "Mujhe darr hai... agar tum sabko sach pata chal gaya toh tum bhi mujhe reject kar doge. Jaise mere apne maa-baap ne kiya."
Silence fell.
Aditya's expression softened, but before he could reply, Ekansh entered, his gaze flickering between them, and his jaw tightened again.
🌑 Brothers' Discussion
Later that night, the four Rathore brothers gathered in Abhimaan's study. The fire crackled, tension heavy.
Abhimaan spoke first. "The Malhotras are desperate. Tarun aur unki jaati hui izzat ko bachaane ke liye, woh ab aurat par war kar rahe hain. Pehle Ishika, ab Anchal."
Yuvraj frowned. "Bhai sa, hum unhe directly kyun nahi rokte? Police, media-sab expose kar dete."
Aditya shook his head. "No. This needs to be played smarter. Malhotra ke peeche koi aur bhi hai. Mujhe uska pata lagana hoga."
Ekansh finally spoke, his voice like steel. "Chahe jo bhi ho, Anchal ko kuch nahi hone dunga. Main apni jaan de dunga agar zaroorat padi toh."
The room fell silent. Abhimaan studied his brother, recognizing the intensity in his eyes. Slowly, he placed a hand on Ekansh's shoulder.
"Dil ke jazbaat ko jung ke gusse se alag rakhna seekho, Ekansh. Pyaar ek taqat hai, kamzori nahi."
Ekansh didn't reply, but his silence was answer enough.
🌙 The Cliffhanger
The palace slept again, unaware of the storm still brewing.
In a dark corner of the city, Tarun sat with Malhotra, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
"Rathore sochte hain unhone mujhe rok diya? Abhi toh khel shuru hua hai. Agli baar, na Ishika bachegi... na Anchal."
He slammed his fist on the table. "Unki taaqat ko main unki sabse badi kamzori bana dunga."
Back in the palace, Anchal stood on her balcony, staring at the stars. Her heart still raced with Ekansh's words. She hugged herself, whispering, "Kya main sach mein pyaar deserve karti hoon?"
And just below, unseen in the shadows, Ekansh watched her. His eyes glowed with dangerous resolve.
"No one touches you, Anchal. Not while I breathe."