👑 Twenty One~

"I have contacted a personal trainer for you. She'll teach you royal etiquettes. Her mother was my trainer when I was a kid,"Durdhara said to Snehanvi, while exploring the palace with her.

"But what's the point of that? I mean, nobody's going to accept me anyways, especially the person whom I am married to. Not that I want to force myself upon him. Unka haq banta hain naraaz rehena ka. Meri wajah se phas gaye hain voh. All these happened because of me."

"Meri nahi, humari wajah se kahiye. You have to learn to speak the royal way, and yes, it's not your fault to deny marrying a man whom you don't wish to marry. The circumstances landed you and Dadabhai into this marriage of convenience. It's alright. But that doesn't means that you'll not learn things. You're a Shekhawat now. So behave like one."

"Okay. But...my studies?"

"You'll do that as well. Don't worry,"Durdhara said.

A maid came to them and said,"Rani Sa, Rajmaata ne aapko aur Yuvrani Sa ko bulaya hain."(The Royal Mother has called you both)

"Voh apne kamrein mein hain?"Durdhara asked.(Is she in her room?)

The maid nodded and bowed before following them up, as they came up to Kadambari Devi's room.

"Aap ne humein bulaya Daadi Sa?"Durdhara asked.(Did you call us grandmom?)

"Oh yes! Aayiye, baithiye humare paas,"Kadambari said and Durdhara went ahead and sat near her, after passing a smile to Devangini, who had just completed the physiotherapy session of Kadambari Devi.

"You too, have a seat,"Kadambari Devi said to Snehanvi, who obliged and sat on the seat which the queen mother had pointed at.

Devangini excused herself and walked out of the room quickly, after taking her accessories, while the old lady started saying,"The marriage hadn't taken place in a normal way, but it has taken place. Our people also know about Veer's second wedding. Hence, at least a reception party should be there. Durdhara, I'll like you to get her ready for the purpose, and you, Snehanvi, people from media might be there. Tell them whatever you'll be taught to convey."

"But...Yuvraj..."

"Suryavardhan will talk to Veer. You don't have to think about him. You do as much you're asked to do. And Durdhara, I am glad that you're taking care of her, but don't forget that you're a newly married bride as well and you have your part of duties towards your husband first. Harry should be your first priority. Okay?"

Durdhara gave a nod before Kadambari added looking at Snehanvi,"As for you, try to win your husband's heart. When you're here, adapt as soon as possible. Got it?"

Snehanvi gave a nod, looking down, while Meenakshi overheard their conversation, standing outside, near the door.

After the new brides left, Meenakshi walked in, asking,"Maa Sa, why are you including the other girl in the family? She's a commoner. Shouldn't we hide her as much as possible? We have to get her and Veer divorced eventually."

"Meenakshi! There hasn't been any divorce in our family so far. So never say that. Marrying Snehanvi is a great move. It will shine Veer's image in front of the people more than it already is. Suryavardhan has already asked the PR team to work on it. People will adore him more for considering a common girl as his life partner. Mahal ke andar ki baat andar hi rahegi. Baahar humein aisa dikhana hain ki everything is well and fine. So, don't spoil the matter,"Kadambari Devi said strictly.

Rishabh had returned home and was running up the stairway while Devangini was walking down.

"Arey Mittirani ji! Kaha chali aap?"he teased, blocking her way.

"Clinic jaa rahi hoon. My work here is done,"she replied and tried to leave but he blocked her path again, moving according to the direction she was trying to go through.

He repeated the act a few more times and she frowned and asked,"What's wrong with you? Move aside please, let me go."

"Who's stopping you from going? Not me. You're blocking my way,"Rishabh accused her.

"What? I am blocking your way? You're the one who's blocking mine."

"Nobody will believe you,"he said and chuckled seeing her irritated expression. "Finally I got to see that expression of yours."

"Baujiraj you're twenty seven I believe?"

"Yes! Very young and..."

"Yah whatever! Then behave like a twenty seven years old man, please. You behave like a seven years old kid all the time."

"Oh really? And you behave like a fifty seven years old aunty."

"Did you just call me an aunty?"

"Yes I did. What will you do?"he asked, crossing his arms.

"Arrrr! Nothing!"Devangini said and started walking away, pushing him aside, but he held her scarf from behind and she turned around with widened eyes.

"Yeh kya kar rahe hain aap?"(What are you doing?)

"Tumhey rok rahe hain. Aur kya karenge?"(Stopping you, what else will I do?)

"But why? Leave it. Leave my scarf,"Devangini said while pulling her scarf, but he held it tighter, nodding a no.

"Why are you behaving like a stubborn kid? Kya chahiye aapko?"she asked, defeated.

"Tumhara wakt chahiye humein."

Devangini looked away as he walked down the two steps, bridging the gap between them and stood near her.

"Mera wakt? Why?"

"We are friends now, right? We can spend time like other friends do."

"Your family members and people will say that the prince is spending time with a common doctor,"Devangini said, fidgeting with her scarf.

Rishabh laughed and said,"I give a damn to what people say. As for the family members, they're fond of you, more than Badi Bhabi Sa at least. Tumhey toh apna hi lenge."

"Ka...kya matlab?"Devangini asked.

"Itni bhi bholi nahi ho tum ki humari baat ka matlab naa samajh pao,"Rishabh said, leaving the loose end of her scarf, which he was holding onto.

Devangini stared at him and he added,"Say something."

"What am I supposed to say? I don't know..."she said, and her phone rang suddenly. "Clinic se call hain. Main chali,"she added and ran away from there quickly, making him chuckle.

Shubman returned to the green room after his performance's shoot was over. The shooting for the National Music Talent Hunt show had started and it was being shot in Delhi initially, and the final episodes were supposed to be shot in Mumbai.

"I really like how authentic the show is being. Generally, reality shows are 90% scripted nowadays,"Ishan said while taking a seat beside him, and the make-up artists helped them in removing the make-up.

"This one is being more authentic because it's the first season, and this is linked to the International Music Talent Hunt. You can't send anyone and everyone to represent India there,"Chandrika said, arriving there.

"Yah! Seems like you'll be among the first group of contestants who'll be eliminated early,"Ishan teased her.

"It can be any of you. The judges weren't too impressed with you guys either,"Chandrika argued back.

"Speaking of which, Maan, why were you so laid back today? Want to get eliminated or what? Thank God those three contestants performed poorly, or else you would have been in bottom three in the very first week,"Ishan scolded Shubman.

"I don't know Ishu, it's just...firstly, music is emotions, I have done stage shows for my fans and audience, here it's more about shoots and being conscious about your appearance and all. Kitna kuch bakwaas bhi toh sunna para aur karna para on stage for trp and all,"Shubman said and stood up. "Anyways, I am heading back home. Don't want to miss my flight. See you guys."

"See you next day,"Ishan said while Chandrika followed him up.

Shubman stopped and turned around. "What? Why are you following me?"

"It wasn't the trp work and all, you simply couldn't give your best today. Isn't it?"she asked with a smirk.

"Even if I didn't, why are you concerned?"

"Oh not at all! I am not concerned or anything. It's just, I wanted to give you a reminder that I am ahead of you in today's scorecard. Prince of Music, come on, everyone expected more from you. Aisa mediocre performance dete rahoge toh tumhey finals mein kaisey haraungi main? You'll get eliminated way before,"Chandrika taunted.

Shubman sighed and said,"Moon, be very thankful that I am not giving my usual level best. Because, the day I do that, none of you will be able to stand anywhere near my scores in the scorecard. Hmm?"

"Oh really? Then prove it! The music industry doesn't run on words, it runs on melody."

"I don't think I know that any less than you."

"Cool! See you in the next shoot then. Hopefully you'll do better next week."

"I won't disappoint you, baby,"he said with a smirk, before turning away, and dashed into another contestant who had done pretty well too.

"Hey watch out!"Shubman said, holding her, preventing her from falling.

"Oh! Thanks for the save. Hi! Sharon Raheja. We didn't have an official introduction yet, Prince of Music,"she said, extending her hand and Shubman shook hands with her while Chandrika looked on.

"Nice meeting you Sharon, Shubman Singh Shekhawat,"he said with a smile.

"Oh! Come on. Who doesn't know you? You're already famous. Anyways, are you leaving?"

"Oh yes! I have a flight to catch. See you next day."

"See you,"she said with a smile and he left while she said to herself,"see you again, Maan."

"Only people close to him calls him Maan. Others call him Shubh or Shubman, or simply Prince,"Chandrika corrected her.

"And who are you to tell me what I should call him and what I shouldn't? Mind your own job. You need proper classical training or forget about competing with us. Huh!"Sharon snapped at her before walking away.

"How rude! Sharon ki bacchi! Wait! I'll show you! Tujhe teri aukaad dikhaungi main. Ruk tu!"Chandrika said angrily.

************************************Snehanvi sat in her room, staring at the beautiful evening outside. Had she been at home, she would have to do evening chores, but here, she doesn't need to work. Kadambari had conducted a simple mooh dikhai rasam for her, introducing her to the close relatives living in nearby places, who praised Virat for his generosity while criticised her.

Snehanvi sighed, it was her life now. That's what she was supposed to deal with for the rest of her living years.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of heavy footsteps outside the door and stood up getting shocked to find Virat stepping in.

He came in and threw a few pamphlets at her and those flew around in the air while she managed to hold one in her hand and stared at it.

She looked at him again and he looked away while standing in his usual royal pose, and spoke in a deadly serious tone, which she hadn't heard before.

"Check out the pamphlets and inform me where do you want to study. You'll be sent there as soon as possible,"were his words.

"I...I can study here...you don't have to..."

"You're nobody to decide that, now. You wanted to study, you agreed to marry me because of that reason, now you're getting whatever you wanted. Select the university of your choice and let me know. I'll send you off. And yes, I'll send the divorce papers too,"he said, without looking at her even for once.

"But...but Daadi Sa was telling that I should try to fit in and..."

"And what? Take Anushka's place? You really think you're capable enough to do that?"he asked, looking at her finally, rather, glaring at her.

Snehanvi took a step back, getting scared, but managed to reply,"I just want to tell you that...I don't have any problem in staying here and giving a chance to our relationship. I...I'll never demand anything from you. Please don't send me away to such a far place. I won't be able to live there alone. Please."

"You want to stay here. But I don't want to keep you here. The more I'll see you, more will be my guilt of betraying my beloved."

"You haven't betrayed her. You just..."

"Oh please! I don't want to listen to you anymore. You have done enough damage. Now speak no more. You're going abroad and that's final. Go there, study, get a degree, study further if you want. Get a job and settle down there. Never come back."

Snehanvi cried and fell on his feet, and begged, while tears flowed down her eyes. "Please! Please don't do this to me. I won't survive there alone. Please let me stay here. You want divorce, I'll sign the papers. But please don't send me away. I'll stay here like a maid. Please let me stay here and serve you and your family. You're helping me in getting my education, that's more than enough. I don't need anything else."

Virat ran his hand over his face, in frustration, and looked at her when Rishabh came there, and stood shocked near the door, seeing Snehanvi begging like that.

"Dadabhai! Badi Bhabi Sa! What's wrong?"he asked while entering the room.

"Nothing! Why are you here, Rishi?"Virat asked and he replied,"Voh...Dad is calling you."

"Where's he?"

"In his room. Daadi Sa is also there."

Virat gave a nod and went away while Rishabh held Snehanvi's arms and made her stand up, carefully.

"Why are you crying? Did he scold you?"

"No! Bhai Sa! I don't want to go away. Please do something. Mujhe...Humein yahi rehena hain,"Snehanvi pleaded and Rishabh furrowed his brows while noticing the pamphlets scattered on the floor.

He picked up one of those while Snehanvi said,"Your Dadabhai wants to send me to abroad for studies and he wants me to never come back."

"What? No way!"

"I told him that I'll divorce him and stay here as a maid. Please convince him to allow this. Please."

"What are you saying? Why will you stay here like a maid? And why will you divorce him? Itna asaan hain kya shaadi todhna? Bhabi Sa, you'll not divorce Dadabhai. Got it? Chaliye, Maan has returned home. Sit with us. You'll feel better. You aren't going anywhere. We won't let that happen. Hum khud Dhara Bhabi Sa se baat karenge. Sab thik ho jayega. Come with me. Come on,"Rishabh said, taking her away.

Please give a read to my new story. Add the book to your reading lists to get notifications on time. ************************************Here goes the update. Keep Reading and Keep Vommenting Guys.😘❤️