The air inside the private gym of the Rathore mansion was cold, smelling faintly of polished oak, brass, and ozone from the air filtration units. It was 5:00 AM. Outside, Lake Pichola was still asleep beneath a blanket of mist, but my routine never waited for the sun.

I set the weight stack to seventy kilograms and began my cable rows, the smooth rhythm of tension and release serving as my daily grounding mechanism. One, two, three. Precision. Control.

"You know, normally people exercise to release stress, not to murder the machine," a smooth voice called out from the doorway.

Kabir leaned against the doorframe, wearing a Marvel hoodie with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. He tossed an athletic towel over his shoulder, holding a protein shaker in one hand.

"Form is everything," I replied without breaking rhythm, letting the weights click smoothly back into place. I stood up, wiping my forehead with a small hand towel. "You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep," Kabir said, walking over to the bench press and adjusting the bar. "I kept having nightmares that my older brother was going to manage my personal life with a spreadsheet."

I rolled my eyes, walking toward the dumbbell rack. "I don't use spreadsheets for my family, Kabir."

"Right. You save those for the women you're about to marry," Kabir teased, a slow grin spreading across his face. He sat on the bench, leaning back on his elbows. "Speaking of which... You were surprisingly quiet during lunch yesterday, Rey Bhaiya. Usually, when someone challenges your authority, you lay out three legal counter-proposals and a non-disclosure agreement. Yesterday? You just sat there staring at her like she was a security breach you couldn't patch."

" Wild-Miss Malhotra is... direct," I said evenly, picking up a pair of twenty-kilogram dumbbells. "She knows what she wants."

"Miss Malhotra?" Kabir snorted, shaking his head. "Bro, you're engaged to her in all but formal print. You can call her Ishaani. Or does saying her name aloud make your cold heart beat a little too fast?"

I paused mid-rep, giving him a flat, unamused look. "Do you want to complete your workout, or do you want to keep giving commentary?"

Kabir laughed, standing up to adjust his own weights. For the next forty-five minutes, the gym was filled with the rhythmic clang of iron and the low hum of the sound system. As we finished our cool-down stretches around 6:15 AM, I grabbed my water bottle and looked over at Kabir, who was catching his breath against the mirror wall.

"Hey," I said, my voice dropping its usual rigid structure.

Kabir looked up, pushing his hair back. "Yeah?"

"Are you free today?" I asked, looking down at my watch before meeting his eyes. "I was thinking... We haven't just taken a drive out of the city and explored in a long time. Like we used to."

Kabir blinked, genuine surprise softening his sharp features. A slow, warm smile replaced his usual mischievous smirk. Without saying a word, he stepped forward and threw his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into a firm, sudden hug.

"Look at you, getting all sentimental," Kabir laughed, patting my back heavily.

"Don't push it, Kabir," I grunted, though I didn't pull away immediately. I wrapped an arm around his shoulders, returning the firm grip for a second before pushing him off with a faint smile. "Go get changed. We leave after breakfast."

"Yes, Boss!" Kabir called out, jogging out of the gym with a grin.

I went up to my suite, the silence of the marble hallways welcoming me back. The shower washed away the morning's fatigue, the steam clearing my head. Instead of reaching for my usual charcoal suit or dark tailored blazer, I opened the casual section of my wardrobe. I picked out a pair of crisp white trousers and a soft, ocean-blue linen shirt, rolling the sleeves up past my wrists.

As I was buttoning my shirt, my phone on the nightstand vibrated with an incoming encrypted call. The caller ID read Vivaan.

I picked it up, sliding it to speakerphone. "Vivaan."

"Rey," Vivaan’s deep, measured voice came through the speaker. "Just checking in. The security details for the Udaipur estate are locked. I'm finishing up the quarterly audit in Mumbai today. My flight lands in Udaipur tonight at 12:30 AM."

"I'll send the car to the tarmac," I said, walking to the mirror to fix my collar.

"Don't bother with a convoy," Vivaan replied smoothly. "I’ve already arranged a private escort from the airport. I don't need a parade at midnight." A brief pause followed, and I could practically hear the subtle smirk on his face. "Besides... I heard from Kabir that the Malhotra meeting went... really well yesterday."

I sighed quietly. "Kabir talks too much."

"Kabir says you looked like you met your match," Vivaan corrected. "Make sure I get to meet my future bhabhi soon, Rey. I want to see the woman who managed to make you look human for an afternoon."

"Focus on your flight, Vivaan," I said flatly, though the corner of my lip twitched up. "We'll talk tomorrow morning."

"See you tonight, Rey."

I hung up, grabbed my keys and wallet, and headed down the grand staircase to the family dining pavilion.

The morning sun filtered through the arched stained-glass windows, casting vibrant hues across the white marble table. Dad and Dadaji were reading the morning financial papers, while Maa and Dadi were seated near the head of the table, talking quietly to the house staff.

"Good morning, Maa. Dad. Dadi. Dadaji," I said, taking my seat next to Dad.

"Good morning, beta," Maa said warmly, signalling the server to bring out the food.

A traditional Rajasthani breakfast was laid out—crispy pyaaz kachoris, steaming gatte ki sabzi, fresh parathas, and an assortment of chutneys. A server placed a fresh cup of dark black coffee in front of me, while Kabir, who walked in moments later wearing a casual polo shirt, received his coffee as well. The rest of the family stuck to their cardamom chai.

"You look different today, Reyansh," Dadi noted with an approving smile, eyeing my blue shirt. "No tie. No suit jacket. Are you actually taking a day off?"

"Actually, Dad," I said, wiping my mouth with a napkin after a few bites. "Kabir and I are going out for the day. We're taking the car out toward the hills and lake points. We'll be back after dinner."

Maa’s face lit up instantly. "Oh, that is wonderful news! You two haven't spent a proper day together without a laptop in sight for months. Go, enjoy yourselves. Make your bond even stronger."

Kabir looked at me across the table, nodding with a grin. "Don't worry, Maa. I'll make sure he doesn't answer a single work call."

After finishing our breakfast, we excused ourselves to get our sunglasses and car keys, ready to leave the estate grounds.

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The morning air in the courtyard of the Malhotra ancestral home was crisp and carried the faint scent of wet mud and blooming jasmine. By 5:00 AM, my yoga mat was already laid out on the marble patio facing the manicured gardens.

I moved through my Surya Namaskars with fluid, practised precision. Yoga wasn't just physical exercise for me; it was the only thirty minutes of my day where my mind didn't run three seasons ahead in fashion production schedules or corporate strategy.

After thirty minutes of deep breathing and stretching, I folded my mat and headed to the indoor fitness room for a cardio session. The treadmill was humming at a steady pace when the glass door opened, and Bhaiya walked in, wearing his workout tank top and sweatpants, carrying a jump rope.

"Look who's up before the sun," Bhaiya said, stepping onto the stationary bike next to my treadmill. "Still processing yesterday's royal meeting?"

I reduced the treadmill speed to a brisk walk, wiping my neck with a towel. "I don't need to process anything, Bhaiya. Yesterday was just a preliminary meeting."

"Right. A preliminary meeting where you looked like you were ready to launch a hostile takeover, and he looked like he was calculating your net worth in real-time," Bhaiya laughed. He paused, his expression softening into something more genuine. "Seriously though, Ishaani... are you really okay with this whole alliance thing? With Reyansh? If you don't like him, just tell me."

I stopped the treadmill completely and turned to face him, leaning against the handrails. "Bhaiya, our families have wanted this for three generations. But more than that... Reyansh Rathore isn't a pushover. He doesn't expect me to dim my light or step back from my work. If I have to enter an arrangement, I'd rather do it with someone who treats me like an equal, even if he is painfully arrogant."

Bhaiya studied my face for a second, then smiled warmly. "Fair enough. Just checking on my stubborn baby sister."

"I'm not stubborn," I said, stepping off the machine. "Now, do you want to come out with me today? The whole day. Just the two of us, exploring the city like we used to?"

"Count me in," Bhaiya said instantly. "Let's finish up here first."

An hour later, I was back in my room, freshly showered. I walked over to my closet and selected a light, effortless ensemble for the warm Udaipur afternoon—a soft pastel blue cotton Chikankari kurti with intricate white threadwork, paired with comfortable white palazzo pants. It was soft, light, and airy, perfect for walking around the city.

I picked up my phone from the vanity table for the first time that morning. The screen lit up with four missed calls and a barrage of messages from Tara.

I instantly dialled her back, putting the phone on speaker while I put on my dainty silver earrings.

"Finally!" Tara’s voice burst through the speaker before the second ring even finished. "Ishaani, I am so, so sorry!"

"Tara? What happened? Is everything okay?" I asked, setting down my lip balm.

"Work disaster," Tara groaned dramatically. “I won't be able to fly down to Udaipur today as we planned. I'm so sorry, yaar!"

"Hey, don't apologise," I said gently. "Work comes first. We'll handle the studio stuff together once I'm back in Mumbai."

"Okay, good," Tara breathed a sigh of relief. Then, her tone shifted instantly from stressed manager to devious best friend. "Now... spill. I saw the news updates, but I want the real tea. How was the big meeting yesterday? How is Reyansh Rathore in person?"

I felt a subtle warmth creep up my neck, but I kept my tone steady. "He's... sharp. Clinical. Speaks like every word costs a million dollars."

"And?" Tara pushed teasingly. "Is he hotter in real life?"

"Tara!" I laughed, shaking my head. "He's fine. He's very composed."

"Sure, 'fine,'" Tara giggled. "Just wait. When you're both back in Mumbai, I am going to make sure you introduce me to my future jiju. I need to see this unstoppable force meet an immovable object in person!"

"Goodbye, Tara," I said with an amused smile, hanging up before she could tease me further.

I headed down to the dining hall, where my parents and grandparents were already gathered. The aroma of fresh steamed dhoklas, puri bhaji, and hot beverages filled the room. I took my seat, poured myself a cup of black coffee, and greeted everyone.

"Maa, Dad, Dadu, Dadi", I said, buttering a piece of toast. "Bhaiya and I are going out for the day. We'll be exploring some local spots and having dinner out."

"That sounds wonderful, beta," my mother said kindly. "Take a break. You've been working too hard lately."

After finishing our breakfast, Bhaiya and I went back to our rooms to grab our essentials before meeting at the driveway.

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The sun was high in the sky over Udaipur, casting a brilliant golden light over the Aravali hills and shimmering lakes.

Miles away from the Malhotra estate, a sleek black BMW convertible wound its way up the elevated mountain roads surrounding Lake Badi. Reyansh was at the wheel, his dark sunglasses on, the wind pulling at his linen shirt. Beside him, Kabir had his phone out, capturing the panoramic views of the valley below.

"Pull over near that cliff overhang, Rey Bhaiya!" Kabir shouted over the sound of the engine.

Reyansh smoothly pulled the sports car into a scenic overlook spot. The two brothers stepped out, leaning against the stone guardrail overlooking the vast, peaceful waters. For two hours, there were no corporate calls, no legal briefs, and no executive decisions. Kabir took candid photos of Reyansh—capturing rare, relaxed smiles that few outside the family ever saw—while Reyansh indulged his younger brother's endless jokes.

Simultaneously, across the opposite side of the city, a sleek silver Mercedes pulled up near the historic ghats of Lake Pichola. Ishaani stepped out, the cool blue fabric of her Chikankari kurti fluttering softly in the lake breeze. Ishaan walked beside her, carrying his camera. They spent the late morning walking through the artisan lanes, buying small handcrafted souvenirs, and taking vibrant photographs against the backdrop of ancient archways and marble palaces.

By 1:30 PM, the heat of the afternoon sun began to peak, prompting both pairs to seek out a quiet, high-end fine dining spot for lunch.

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The restaurant was a restored 18th-century haveli converted into an open-air luxury dining space, sitting right on the edge of the water. The courtyard was shaded by massive bougainvillaea trees, with classical sitar music softly playing in the background.

Kabir and I were guided to a private table near the central fountain. As we sat down and looked through the wooden leather-bound menus, Kabir suddenly froze, his eyes locking onto the entrance of the restaurant.

"Well, well, well," Kabir murmured, a slow, mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Look who just walked in."

I glanced over my shoulder.

Wildflower, Shit. Shit. Shit. Why am I calling her that? She’s simply just Miss Malhotra or Ishaani, nothing else. was standing near the host stand, talking to her older brother Ishaan. The soft pastel blue of her kurti caught the sunlight, making her look effortlessly elegant. Her hair was half-pinned back, flowing softly over her shoulders.

Before I could say anything, Kabir stood up, stepped out from under the shade, and waved energetically. "Ishaani Bhabhi! Over here!"

Miss Malhotra turned at the sound of her name, her dark eyes finding Kabir, then shifting directly to me. A flicker of surprise passed over her features before she smoothed it over with her signature poise. She and Ishaan walked over to our section.

"Hey, Kabir. Reyansh," Ishaan greeted, smiling as he shook Kabir's hand and gave me a nod with his normal expressions- no smile, no friendliness; he really is protective of his sister. I bet he supported Ishaani when her family talked to her about the alliance.

"What a coincidence," Ishaani said softly, her eyes lingering on mine for a brief second before looking at Kabir. "Are you two having lunch here?"

"We just sat down," Kabir said brightly. "You guys should join us!"

"Oh, no, that's okay, Kabir," Ishaani replied politely, gesturing toward the front desk. "We don't want to intrude on your brotherly time. We'll just get a table inside."

Right on cue, the restaurant floor manager rushed over, looking flustered as he held his reservation tablet. "Mr Malhotra, Miss Malhotra, I am so terribly sorry. We are completely booked for the next two hours due to a private heritage tour group. There are no vacant tables available right now."

Kabir clapped his hands together once. "See? It’s fate! Please, future bhabhi, come sit with us. There’s plenty of room, and there isn't a single table free in the entire place."

Ishaani hesitated, looking at Ishaan, who gave her a look which said it's up to you and what you want.

"Alright," Ishaani accepted, stepping toward the four-seater booth. "Thank you, Kabir."

She moved to sit on the left side of the table next to her brother, but before she could slide into the booth, Kabir deliberately brushed past her and sat right next to Ishaan on the inner side.

"I'll sit next to Ishaan bhai! I want to talk to him," Kabir said innocently, sliding all the way in.

That left only one seat available—the side directly next to me.

Ishaani looked at Kabir, her eyes narrowing slightly as she caught on to his quiet game, but she didn't throw a fit. She smoothly gathered the hem of her kurti and sat down right next to me.

The proximity was immediate. The soft scent of her rose-and-vanilla perfume drifted over, replacing the crisp lake air. My arm brushed against the soft cotton fabric of her sleeve, sending a sudden, subtle pulse of electricity down my arm.

"So," Kabir began, picking up the menu. "Let's order family style. What are we feeling?"

After a quick discussion, we placed a shared order with the waiter: Paneer Tikka for starters, followed by Paneer Butter Masala, Dal Makhani, Jeera Rice, and a basket of Tandoori Rotis.

The meal was surprisingly relaxed. Kabir kept the conversation flowing, trading stories about his college days, while Ishaani, Ishaan and I exchanged quiet, deliberate comments about the restaurant's architecture and the city's heritage preservation laws. Every time she reached for the water glass or adjusted her plate, our shoulders brushed, a quiet, unacknowledged tension building between us.

Halfway through the main course, Ishaan’s phone began to ring. He looked at the caller ID, his eyebrows knitting together.

"Sorry, I have to take this," Ishaan excused himself, stepping away from the table to answer the call near the quiet corridor.

A few minutes later, Ishaan returned, looking apologetic as he tucked his phone into his pocket. "Ishaani, I am so sorry. That was the head architect from our Mumbai site. There’s a critical zoning emergency with the new retail launch, and they need me on a video conference call at the local office right now."

"Is everything okay?" Ishaani asked, standing up slightly out of concern.

"Yeah, it’s manageable, but I have to head over immediately," Ishaan said. "I’ll take your keys from the valet—do you mind if I take the car? I will send a car and bodyguards to pick you up after you’re done."

"No, take the car," Ishaani said instantly. "Work comes first. Go handle it."

"Thanks, baby sis," Ishaan said, hugging Ishaani and kissing her on the forehead, nodding to Kabir and me. "Reyansh, Kabir."

After Ishaan left, the server brought the bill to the table. I automatically reached for my wallet, but Ishaani pulled out her corporate black card before I could even open mine.

"We can split it half and half," Ishaani said firmly, looking at the waiter.

"Miss Malhotra, please," I said, my voice low. 

"I am an independent adult who pays for her own meals, Mr Rathore," she countered softly, her dark eyes locking onto mine with an unyielding glare. "Half and half."

I stared at her for a second, feeling that familiar, intoxicating surge of respect for her sheer stubbornness. I inclined my head slightly toward the waiter. "Split it."

Once the bill was settled, we all stood up to walk out of the restaurant courtyard.

"Well, future Bhabhi," Kabir said, walking beside her. "Since Ishaan bhai took your car, you're officially stranded. Why don't you join Rey bhaiya and me for the rest of the afternoon?"

"Oh, thank you, Kabir, but I wouldn't want to interrupt your plans," Ishaani replied politely as we stepped into the bright sunlight of the reception area. "I can just call my home driver to pick me up."

"I insist," I said, stepping up beside her.

Ishaani paused, turning her head to look at me in surprise. It was the first time I had explicitly asked her to stay.

Just because I didn’t want to marry her and didn't want this alliance doesn’t mean I would leave her completely stranded, even though she can go home with her driver and her guards.

"We're heading toward the monsoon palace viewpoint," I continued, keeping my expression neutral, though my gaze was steady. "It would be inefficient for you to wait thirty minutes for a driver when we are going the same way."

Before she could answer, Kabir suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, pointing a finger at both of us, his mouth hanging open in dramatic shock.

"OH, MY GOD!" Kabir yelled.

Both Ishaani and I turned to him simultaneously, our eyebrows raised in identical worry.

"What happened?" we asked in unison.

"Oh my God, Bhai... Bhabhi to be..." Kabir gasped, clutching his chest. "Look at you two! You're literally matching!"

I looked down at my ocean-blue linen shirt and white trousers. Then I looked at Ishaani’s pastel blue Chikankari kurti and crisp white palazzos. The colour palette was almost identical.

Ishaani’s cheeks flushed a soft, lovely shade of pink as she glanced down at her outfit, then back at mine. For a long, silent second, our eyes met, trapped in a moment of pure, shared self-consciousness.

"Wait, don't move!" Kabir pulled out his phone, backing up a few paces. "This is going in the family group chat."

"Kabir, don't—" I started, but before I could finish, the camera shutter clicked twice.

"Perfect!" Kabir grinned, tapping his screen before sliding the phone into his pocket. "Now, off to the parking lot."

We walked down the steps to the valet station. Ishaani checked her phone as a notification chimed.

I caught a glimpse of her screen—a text from Ishaan: Took your car to get to the office. Be careful with that Reyansh guy ;) Text me when you're home.

She quickly typed back: Got it. Stay safe at work. I'll be fine.

When the valet brought my BMW around, Kabir walked over to the driver's side passenger door, opening it wide. Ishaani instinctively moved toward the back seat door, but Kabir immediately stepped in front of it, shaking his head.

"Nope," Kabir said, tapping the roof of the front passenger side. "Back seats are for luggage and younger brothers. Future bhabhi, you sit in the front."

Ishaani gave Kabir a look that promised retribution, but she smoothly stepped into the front passenger seat. I climbed into the driver's seat, while Kabir hopped into the back, stretching his legs out lazily across the leather.

As I started the engine, the low purr of the V8 filled the cabin. The drive up the winding hill roads toward the hilltop sanctuary was filled with easy conversation. Kabir kept pointing out local landmarks, asking Ishaani about her upcoming collection, while Ishaani answered with sharp intelligence and effortless charm. Every time I adjusted the gear shift, my hand was mere inches from hers, the quiet air between us humming with an intense, unsaid awareness.

Twenty minutes later, the BMW pulled up to the stone gates of the Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, perched high above the city on the Bansdara Peak.

The view from the stone terrace was breathtaking. The entire city of Udaipur lay stretched out below us like a golden carpet—the white marble palaces floating on the shimmering blue waters of the lakes, surrounded by the rugged, ancient Aravali hills standing tall against the horizon.

I turned off the engine and stepped out into the cool mountain air. Ishaani opened her door, stepping onto the stone overlook. The mountain wind immediately caught the soft blue fabric of her kurti and her long dark hair, blowing a few stray strands across her face.

She walked slowly to the edge of the carved stone balustrade, taking a deep breath of the fresh air, her eyes wide as she took in the panoramic expanse of the kingdom below.

I walked over, stopping right beside her, resting my hands against the cool stone wall.

"It's incredible from up here," she whispered softly, not taking her eyes off the horizon.

"It is," I said quietly. But I wasn't looking at the city. My eyes were fixed entirely on her profile—the sharp curve of her jaw, the wind pulling at her hair, and the quiet, fierce grace that seemed to belong to her alone.

Beside us, the world stretched on for miles, but in that quiet, wind-swept moment high above Udaipur, the lines of our battlefield suddenly felt much closer, and far more dangerous.

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Thank you for reading.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Do like the chapter and comment your thoughts.

I am extremely sorry for the late update. I will try to update faster.

Any favourite parts from the chapter?

-SR
💗