Author's pov

Power had a different smell in the corridors of the Rajasthan Secretariat. It smelled like silence. Like fear. Like authority that didn’t need to raise its voice.

And today that silence belonged to Rudransh Singh Rajvansh — the Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

People said power changed men.

But Rudransh had been power long before he held the chair.

At thirty-one, he was a storm wrapped in a tailored suit — dominant, calculating, ruthless when needed. His presence alone could silence a room full of ministers twice his age.

Right now the cabinet hall was suffocating under that presence.

A minister standing near the table kept wiping sweat from his forehead. His voice trembled as he tried to explain the corruption scandal connected to his department.

Rudransh sat at the head of the table, leaning back slightly in his chair. One arm rested on the armrest, fingers slowly tapping. His dark eyes didn’t blink even once.

The room felt colder.

“Sir… woh actually misunderstanding hai…” the minister stammered.

Rudransh tilted his head slightly. His gaze sharpened like a blade.

Then he spoke.

Calm. Low. Dangerous.

“Misunderstanding?” he repeated slowly.

The minister nodded nervously.

Rudransh leaned forward now, placing both elbows on the table. His eyes locked on the man like a predator watching weak prey.

“Tumhe lagta hai main bewakoof hoon?”

(Do you think I’m a fool?)

No one moved.

No one breathed.

The minister shook his head quickly.

“N-No sir…”

Rudransh’s jaw tightened.

“Phir jhoot bolne ki himmat kaise hui?”

(Then how did you dare to lie to me?)

The room fell into complete silence.

His voice wasn’t loud.

But it carried something worse than anger — control.

Rudransh stood up slowly. The sound of his chair moving echoed through the hall.

Everyone stiffened.

He walked toward the minister, every step calm and measured. His height and broad shoulders made him look even more intimidating as he stopped right in front of him.

The man looked like he might faint.

Rudransh leaned slightly closer and whispered, his voice ice-cold.

“Politics mere liye game nahi hai…”

(Politics is not a game for me…)

His eyes darkened.

“Yeh power hai… aur power galat logon ko bardasht nahi karti.”

(This is power… and power doesn’t tolerate the wrong people.)

Then he straightened.

“Resignation table par rakh do.”

(Put your resignation on the table.)

The minister froze.

Rudransh’s eyes turned deadly calm.

“Ya phir main rakhwa doon?”

(Or should I make you do it?)

The paper was on the table within seconds.

No one dared to speak.

Because everyone in that room knew one thing about Rudransh Singh Rajvansh—

He did not forgive betrayal.

And he did not repeat orders.

Rajvansh Mansion – Evening

The Rajvansh mansion looked like royalty itself lived there.

Huge marble pillars, golden lights glowing across the courtyard, and laughter echoing through the halls.

This house was the only place where the storm called Rudransh became… quieter.

Not softer.

Just controlled.

Inside the study room sat Yashvardhan Singh Rajvansh, the retired Chief Minister of Rajasthan and the man who had built both the political empire and the business empire of the Rajvansh family.

His sharp eyes still held authority even with age.

Rudransh entered the room without knocking.

Because only two people in the world allowed that.

His Dada Sa.

And his mother.

Yashvardhan didn’t look up from his newspaper.

“Late ho gaye aaj.”

(You’re late today.)

Rudransh poured himself a glass of water and leaned against the table.

“Cabinet meeting thi.”

(There was a cabinet meeting.)

Yashvardhan hummed knowingly.

After a few seconds he finally looked up.

“Kitno ko nikala?”

(How many did you remove?)

Rudransh’s lips curved slightly.

“One.”

His grandfather smirked proudly.

“Accha hai.”

(Good.)

There was silence again.

Then Yashvardhan folded the newspaper and placed it aside.

His eyes became serious.

“Rudra.”

Rudransh looked up.

And something in his grandfather’s tone made his instincts alert.

“Shadi kar lo.”

(Get married.)

Rudransh blinked once.

Then he laughed softly.

A humorless laugh.

“Not happening.”

He turned away, picking up his phone.

But Yashvardhan wasn’t done.

“Rajvansh naam aage badhana hai.”

(The Rajvansh name has to move forward.)

Rudransh’s jaw tightened.

“Abhiraj hai.”

(Abhiraj is there.)

His grandfather shook his head.

“Tum bade pote ho.”

Silence again.

Rudransh hated this topic.

Marriage meant distraction.

Weakness.

Noise.

And he hated noise.

He turned toward his grandfather, eyes hard.

“Mujhe shadi nahi karni.”

(I don’t want to marry.)

Yashvardhan leaned back in his chair calmly.

“Family ke liye bhi nahi?”

That question hit differently.

Rudransh didn’t answer.

Because he loved only one thing more than control—

His family.

His grandfather watched his silence carefully.

Then he spoke slowly.

“Main ladki dekh chuka hoon.”

(I have already chosen the girl.)

Rudransh’s head snapped up.

“What?”

But Yashvardhan’s expression remained calm.

“Bas tumhara haan chahiye.”

(I only need your yes.)

Rudransh stared at him for a long moment.

Anger slowly rising in his chest.

Manipulation.

His grandfather was manipulating him.

And the worst part—

It was working.

After a long silence he spoke through clenched teeth.

“Fine.”

Yashvardhan raised an eyebrow.

“Fine?”

Rudransh’s voice became cold.

“Family khush hogi na?”

(The family will be happy right?)

His eyes darkened slightly.

“Then fine.”

But inside—

Rudransh was furious.

Next Morning – Breakfast Table

The morning inside Rajvansh Mansion was never silent.

Sunlight slipped through the tall carved windows and spread across the huge dining hall, reflecting on the marble floors and the long royal dining table where the entire Rajvansh family gathered every morning. Unlike the tense silence of political halls where Rudransh Singh Rajvansh, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, ruled with cold authority, this house lived with warmth, teasing, and comfortable chaos.

Vinita moved around the table serving breakfast, her soft voice filling the air as she placed fresh parathas on plates. The smell of butter and chai made the hall feel even more alive.

Shourya had already taken two parathas before anyone else could react.

Vinita narrowed her eyes at him.

“Shourya, sabke liye bhi rehne do.”

(Shourya, leave some for everyone.)

Shourya grinned without shame and leaned back in his chair.

“Chachi sa, main toh family ki taraf se hi kha raha hoon.”

(Chachi sa, I’m eating on behalf of the whole family.)

Anisha burst into laughter immediately.

“Jhooth bol raha hai! Yeh sirf apne liye khata hai.”

(He’s lying! He only eats for himself.)

Sanjay chuckled softly while Varsha simply shook her head, used to their daily drama. Abhiraj sat calmly beside them, checking something on his tablet related to Rajvansh Industries, the powerful business empire managed by the Rajvansh men.

At the head of the table sat Yashvardhan Singh Rajvansh, the retired Chief Minister whose presence still commanded silent respect. Age had slowed his body slightly, but not his sharp eyes.

Beside him sat his wife Vanshudhra, smiling lovingly as she watched her grandchildren.

Near the center of the table, Shivam leaned slightly toward his wife Vinita with a playful expression in his eyes.

“Aaj tum bahut sundar lag rahi ho.”

(You look very beautiful today.)

Vinita rolled her eyes but a small smile escaped her lips.

“Subah subah shuru mat ho jaiye.”

(Don’t start this in the morning.)

Shivam smirked.

“Kya karun… meri biwi hi itni khoobsurat hai.”

(What can I do… my wife is just too beautiful.)

Shourya groaned loudly.

“Papa please! Breakfast table par romance band karo.”

(Dad please! Stop the romance at the breakfast table.)

The whole table laughed.

The atmosphere was warm, alive, and full of family comfort.

Then the dining hall doors opened.

And the laughter slowly faded.

Because Rudransh Singh Rajvansh had entered.

He didn’t demand silence.

His presence simply created it.

Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a black shirt with the sleeves slightly folded, he walked toward the table with controlled steps. His dark eyes briefly scanned the room before he sat down.

There was something about him that always changed the air around him.

Dominance.

Control.

A quiet intimidation that no one could ignore.

Vinita immediately placed a fresh plate before him.

“Rudra beta, garam paratha lo.”

(Rudra beta, have a hot paratha.)

He nodded once.

The family slowly continued eating, though the energy had calmed slightly now that the eldest Rajvansh grandson was present.

For a moment everything seemed normal.

Until—

Yashvardhan cleared his throat.

The sound alone was enough for everyone to look toward him.

Even Rudransh paused.

The old man’s voice was calm but firm.

“Mujhe ek important baat kehni hai.”

(I have something important to say.)

Shourya leaned forward instantly, excitement flashing in his eyes.

“Dadu sa suspense mat banaiye.”

(Dadu sa don’t create suspense.)

Yashvardhan ignored him completely.

His gaze slowly moved toward Rudransh before returning to the family.

Then he spoke the sentence that changed the entire atmosphere.

“Maine Rudransh ki shaadi fix kar di hai.”

(I have fixed Rudransh’s marriage.)

For a moment—

The entire table froze.

Then chaos erupted.

“WHAT?!” Shourya almost choked on his food.

Anisha’s eyes widened so much they looked like they might fall out.

“Rudra bhai ki shaadi?!”

(Rudra brother’s marriage?!)

Abhiraj slowly looked at his elder brother in disbelief.

Even Shivam leaned back slightly in surprise.

But the happiest reaction came from Vinita.

Her eyes filled with emotion as she looked at her son.

“Sach mein?”

(Really?)

Yashvardhan nodded calmly.

Then everyone slowly turned toward the only person who hadn’t reacted yet.

Rudransh.

He was still eating his breakfast calmly.

As if the conversation wasn’t even about him.

Shourya couldn’t stop himself.

He leaned toward his brother mischievously.

“Bhai… miracle ho gaya kya? Aap shaadi ke liye maan gaye?”

(Brother… did a miracle happen? You agreed to marry?)

Anisha giggled beside him.

“Kaun hai woh lucky girl?”

(Who is that lucky girl?)

Rudransh slowly lifted his eyes.

Just one sharp glare.

And instantly both of them froze.

Shourya raised his hands.

“Okay okay… chup ho gaya.”

(Okay okay… I’m quiet.)

The table tried to hide their smiles.

But Yashvardhan spoke again before the teasing could continue.

His voice steady and authoritative.

“Ladki ka naam hai Meera Rajput.”

(The girl’s name is Meera Rajput.)

Everyone listened carefully now.

“Rajiv Rajput ki badi beti.”

(She is Rajiv Rajput’s elder daughter.)

Sanjay nodded thoughtfully.

“Haan… Rajiv Rajput imaandaar aadmi hai.”

(Yes… Rajiv Rajput is an honest man.)

But Yashvardhan still wasn’t finished.

He delivered the final piece of news calmly.

“Ek hafte mein shaadi hai.”

(The wedding is in one week.)

This time the entire table reacted together.

“ONE WEEK?!” Shourya shouted.

Anisha gasped.

“Dadu sa yeh toh lightning speed shaadi hai!”

(Dadu sa this is lightning-speed marriage!)

Even Abhiraj looked shocked.

“Dadu sa… itni jaldi?”

(Dadu sa… so soon?)

But Yashvardhan remained perfectly calm.

“Sab tayari ho jayegi.”

(Everything will be prepared.)

Then his sharp eyes moved toward Rudransh.

The entire table followed his gaze.

Because the most important reaction still hadn’t come.

Rudransh slowly placed his spoon on the plate.

His expression remained cold and unreadable.

Inside however—

His mind was burning.

One week.

Marriage.

A stranger.

Control being taken from him.

His jaw tightened slightly.

Then his eyes moved toward his mother.

Vinita was looking at him with so much happiness… so much hope… that something inside him softened.

Rudransh was not a gentle man.

He could destroy enemies without hesitation.

He could silence rooms with a single look.

But there was one weakness he never allowed anyone to see.

His family.

Especially his mother.

He could never tolerate tears in her eyes.

So after a long moment he spoke calmly.

“Haan.”

(Yes.)

The word was simple.

But it felt like thunder across the table.

Anisha clapped excitedly.

“Finally mujhe bhabhi milne wali hai!”

(Finally I’m getting a sister-in-law!)

Shourya grinned widely.

“History ban gayi! Rudra bhai shaadi kar rahe hain.”

(History has been made! Rudra brother is getting married.)

Abhiraj smiled quietly, proud and happy for his elder brother.

Vinita looked like she might cry from happiness.

But in the middle of all the excitement—

Rudransh sat silent.

Because inside him—

A darker storm was rising.

He had agreed for his family.

Not for love.

Not for himself.

And the woman named Meera Rajput—

Was about to walk into the life of a man who ruled everything around him.

A man who didn’t bend.

Didn’t compromise.

And didn’t know how to love gently.

Rudransh Singh Rajvansh was a storm.

And in one week—

Someone’s life would be tied to it forever.