Ishika's phone buzzed nonstop as she walked into the small art studio where Aayat sat cross-legged on the floor, smudges of cobalt blue staining her fingertips. The canvas before her was alive with strokes of color, but her attention snapped away the moment she saw her best friend's expression — equal parts excitement and exhaustion .
"You look like you've just signed a deal with the devil," Aayat teased, setting her brush aside.
Ishika dropped onto the couch with a dramatic sigh. "Not the devil. Royalty. Which is almost the same thing."
Aayat raised a brow. "Royalty?"
"Yes," Ishika said, scrolling through her messages. "Our company has just been hired to plan the wedding of Rajveer Singh Rathore — the younger prince of Rajasthan. The Rathore family is…" She paused, choosing her words carefully. "They're powerful, Aayat. Old money, old bloodlines, the kind of people who don't know what the word 'no' means .
"Aayat chuckled softly. "Sounds glamorous. You'll be surrounded by silk and jewels. Maybe I should sneak in as your assistant."
Ishika smiled, but then her tone softened, almost hesitant. "It's not all glamour. There's someone you should know about — Anirudh Singh Rathore. The elder prince. He's the one overseeing everything."
"Anirudh?" Aayat repeated, tasting the name .
"Mm-hmm." Ishika leaned forward. "He's… intimidating. People say he has a presence that makes rooms go silent. He's powerful, wealthy, and very, very strict. I've only heard stories, but none of them make him sound easy to deal with. Some say he's dangerous — a man who always gets what he wants".
Aayat tilted her head, intrigued. "Sounds like a villain from one of those palace dramas ."
"Exactly," Ishika said, exhaling. "Which is why I'll have to be twice as careful with this project. His family expects perfection, and he…" Her eyes flickered with unease. "He doesn't tolerate mistakes ."
Aayat reached over, squeezing her friend's hand. "Don't worry. If anyone can handle royalty, it's you. Just promise you won't let them push you too hard.