The morning sun had only just begun to pour its golden light across the grand chambers of the palace, slipping through sheer silk curtains and painting golden streaks upon polished marble. Princess Ruhanika stood before the tall, ornate mirror of her bedchamber, adjusting the delicate folds of her intricately embroidered dupatta. Her reflection shimmered—an ethereal vision adorned in a rich wine-red lehenga, heavily embellished, paired with a matching backless blouse. The blouse clung to her like a second skin, its only support being a few fine doris tied delicately across her upper and mid-back. Her hair was swept to one side, revealing the elegant curve of her neck and her intricate kundan earrings swaying with each breath.

As she adjusted the pleats of her lehenga, Rudra entered silently, his gaze dark and reverent, drawn to the soft sway of her waistchain, the glint of her anklets, and the way the golden morning light kissed her bare back. She sensed him before she saw him—his presence sent a delicious shiver up her spine. Their eyes met in the mirror.