The morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over the grand palace, illuminating every archway and courtyard. The entire estate had been transformed for the upcoming royal wedding, draped in rich silks, vibrant marigolds, and glowing lanterns.

A quiet gasp escaped Noor’s lips as her gaze drifted across the towering pillars and intricately carved walls. Everywhere she looked, there was something magnificent to admire. Her heart fluttered with childlike wonder as she tried to take in the sheer grandeur of the palace.

She was so absorbed in her surroundings that she startled when a gentle hand rested on her shoulder. Spinning around instantly, she found Nirvaan standing behind her, his eyes warm and a familiar, comforting smile on his face.

"You were just a tiny child the last time you came here," Nirvaan said, looking down at her fondly. "I doubt you remember any of it."

Noor offered a soft, shy smile and nodded, agreeing with him. Beside Nirvaan stood Devaki, her eyes scanning the busy courtyard. Servants, courtiers, and royal staff were rushing in every direction, carrying silver trays, decorative drapes, and heavy trunks, completely consumed by the wedding preparations.

"Come, we should head inside now," Nirvaan said, lifting the heavy travel bag containing their belongings.

Devaki nodded, and they began to walk toward the main entrance. But as Nirvaan took a few steps, he noticed Noor had lagged behind. She was standing still, her attention completely captured by something off to the side.

"Noor, beta... come along!" he called out gently.

Noor pulled her gaze away from the side courtyard and looked back at her father. "Baba... you go ahead. I’ll be right behind you."

Nirvaan exchanged a brief, hesitant look with Devaki. Though he hesitated for a second, he eventually gave a soft nod and led the way deeper into the palace estate.

Once her parents were out of sight, Noor’s eyes drifted back toward the side garden. Nestled among the lush green leaves was a vibrant cluster of deep purple orchids. A small, delighted smile touched her lips as she stepped onto the soft stone path leading into the garden.

How breathtakingly beautiful, she thought.

She reached out, her fingertips lightly brushing against the velvety petals. For a moment, the bustling activity of the palace completely faded away. All her focus was consumed by the delicate flower before her.

Should I take one? she wondered.

Her fingers curled slightly around the stem as the mischievous thought crossed her mind. She bit her lower lip, a tiny wave of guilt mixing with her excitement.

Taking just one flower won't hurt anyone... I'll just take one.

With a quick, delicate pull, she plucked the flower from the branch. Holding it carefully in her palm, her face lit up with a triumphant smile. But before she could fully enjoy her little prize, a deep, clear cough echoed from right beside her.

"I didn't know there were little thieves wandering around my garden."

The deep male voice startled Noor so much that her breath hitched in her throat. Her heart plummeted she had been caught red-handed. Panic surging through her, she cleared her throat nervously and slowly turned around to face the intruder.

As she turned, her eyes traveled upward. Standing close to her was a tall, striking man with his hands resting calmly behind his back. Because of his towering height, he was leaning down slightly to meet her gaze.

Noor let out a quiet, involuntary gasp. He was breathtakingly handsome, with sharp, regal features and intense yet gentle eyes.

When he caught her staring, a soft, quiet chuckle escaped his lips. He straightened his posture slightly, looking down at her with an amused expression.

"So, little thief..." he began, his tone carrying a playful, exaggerated sternness as he tried and failed to sound angry. "You come into our garden and steal our precious flowers just like that?"

Noor’s eyes widened in panic, and she shook her head so fast her hair swayed around her shoulders.

"No, no! I swear... I was just looking at it closely! I wasn't stealing, really!" she stammered out, her heart hammering against her ribs. She was inside a royal palace, and her very first act was getting caught committing a crime.

Yashwant bit his lip, struggling to hold back the smile that threatened to break across his face. He gestured lightly toward the vibrant orchid resting in her trembling palm.

"I see..." he said, his voice laced with amusement. "And have you looked at it closely enough now?"

Noor looked down at the flower in her hand, then peeked back up at him through her eyelashes. "Yes," she mumbled softly, looking down at the ground again.

Another gentle chuckle escaped Yashwant. He found her dramatic shift from curiosity to innocence completely charming, especially the adorable way she was pouting in distress.

Looking up at him again, Noor clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture, her eyes round and wide like a tiny puppy begging for mercy.

"Please don't tell Rana Sa!" she pleaded softly. "I promise, I swear I will never touch another flower again!"

Yashwant blinked, caught off guard for a fraction of a second. A deep, teasing smile slowly spread across his lips as the realization settled in: She has no idea who I am.

He nodded at her with mock seriousness. "Alright, deal. I will not say a word to Rana Sa. But tell me... is this your favorite flower?"

Noor blinked, glancing back down at the purple orchid nestled in her palm. A soft, genuine smile returned to her face. "Not really. It's actually the first time I've ever seen one, so... I was just curious."

Yashwant watched her, his expression softening as he nodded slowly. Before he could speak again, the faint sound of a man calling Noor's name drifted through the quiet garden air.

Yashwant instantly recognized the voice it was a familiar, respected presence in his life. A warm, gentle smile touched his lips as he looked back at the girl in front of him.

"I believe someone is looking for you," he said softly.

Noor nodded, glancing back toward the main pathway. "Yes... that’s my father. We just arrived today for Rana Sa's wedding."

As she spoke the word wedding, Yashwant fell silent for a brief second. The weight of his upcoming responsibilities crashed back into his mind, and a quiet, heavy sigh slipped from his lips.

A noticeable shift in his mood brought a sudden wave of curiosity to Noor. She looked at him closely, taking in his fine clothing, his posture, and the undeniable aura of authority he carried.

"By the way..." Noor asked, tilting her head slightly, "who are you?"

Yashwant blinked, caught completely unprepared by the direct question. He stammered slightly, a nervous laugh escaping his chest as he quickly tried to come up with an answer.

"Me? Oh, I am... the gardener! Yes, I manage the garden here," he blurted out, offering her a quick, reassuring smile.

Noor narrowed her eyes slightly, studying his flawless clothes and calm demeanor with a faint frown. He certainly didn't look like any gardener she had ever imagined, but she decided not to question it.

"I should go now," she said, taking a small step back. "My father must be waiting for me."

Yashwant offered her a warm, genuine smile and gave a single nod. "Go ahead."

With one last lingering glance at the handsome "gardener," Noor turned and hurried back toward the grand hallway, holding the stolen purple orchid tightly in her hand, her heart still fluttering from the unexpected encounter.

Yashwant stood still, watching her figure slowly disappear into the distance. A soft, tender smile played on his lips as his mind lingered on her quiet presence. For a few stolen moments, the world around him seemed to slow down, entirely consumed by the thought of her.

"Rana saa!! You here?"

The sudden voice shattered his deep train of thought. Yashwant blinked, pulling himself back to reality, and turned around to find Ramendra, the royal estate's head gardener, walking briskly toward him.

Yashwant quickly composed himself, shaking his head with a light chuckle.

"Nothing, Kaka..." he lied gently, his voice smooth and calm. "I just saw a beautiful little bird fly over here, so I thought I’d take a closer look."

As the words left his mouth, his eyes drifted back toward the path she had taken just moments ago. The smile returned to his face, warm and subtle, before he looked back at the old gardener. An idea was already forming in his mind.

"Kaka..." Yashwant said, pointing toward a specific section of the garden. "Plant more of these flowers over on that side,the area directly visible from my balcony."

He turned on his heel, ready to walk away, but Ramendra’s hesitant voice stopped him in his tracks.

"But Rana saa," the old gardener said, a look of genuine concern on his weathered face, "these flowers are very expensive. How about I plant something else instead? There's really no need to waste money on flowers like these."

Ramendra, always looking out for the estate's practical needs, didn't want to see good money spent unnecessarily.

Yashwant turned back around. Instead of annoying him, the old man's frugal nature only brought a small, reassuring smile to his face. He stepped forward and placed a warm, steady hand on Ramendra’s shoulder.

"No, Kaka," Yashwant insisted gently, his tone leaving no room for argument, yet entirely soft. "I want *these* exact flowers. And don't worry about the money at all. Just tell me how much you need, and I will take care of it."

Realizing how much it meant to the young royal, the gardener's strict expression softened. He smiled, nodding his head in understanding. "As you wish, Rana saa."

Satisfied, Yashwant gave his shoulder a quick pat, turned around, and walked away his mind still filled with thoughts of his "beautiful little bird.”

Inside the grand palace, Noor walked slowly toward her parents. They were standing quietly in the middle of the spacious foyer, looking somewhat out of place as dozens of palace workers rushed past them, fully absorbed in their bustling chores.

Noor stopped beside her father, her brows furrowing slightly. "Baba..." she asked softly, "why are you both just standing here?"

At the sound of her voice, her father turned around. A faint, tired smile touched his lips, but his eyes carried a heavy trace of awkwardness.

"Well... no one has come to receive us yet," he admitted, lowering his voice so the passing servants wouldn't hear. "I don't even know if anyone in the palace knows we've arrived."

He shifted uncomfortably on his feet. The sting of embarrassment was clear in his voice standing ignored in the center of a lavish estate made him feel painfully small.

Devaki opened her mouth to comfort her husband, but before she could utter a word, a sharp, high-pitched voice shattered the calm of the room.

"YOU MIDDLE-CLASS PEOPLE! HOW DARE YOU RUIN MY BRANDED DRESS?!"

The shrill shout echoed off the high marble walls, forcing Noor and her parents to instantly snap their attention toward the noise.

"DO YOU EVEN HAVE THE SLIGHTEST IDEA HOW EXPENSIVE THIS IS?!"

Noor’s forehead creased in deep disgust as the harsh words rang out. Her eyes quickly locked onto a glamorous woman descending the grand staircase. The woman was forcefully dragging a young girl by the wrist. Looking at the girl's simple uniform and tear-stained face, Noor could instantly tell she was one of the palace maids.

"You've probably never even seen the amount of money this dress costs in your entire life!" the woman spat, her face twisted in rage as she reached the bottom of the stairs. "Bloody idiot! Now who is going to pay for this, huh? Your family? Or are you just going to stand there, cry, and try to gain sympathy?!"

With a harsh tug, the woman yanked the young maid closer. The poor girl winced in pain, sobbing quietly as the woman's fingers dug painfully tight into her wrist.

"M-Ma'am, please... I'm so sorry! I didn't do it on purpose! Please forgive me!" the maid sobbed, her eyes brimming with tears as she begged for mercy.

Instead of softening, Maya’s rage only flared. Shoving the girl’s hand away with brutal force, she sneered down at her.

"Get lost!" Maya screamed, her voice echoing off the high ceilings. "I don't want to see your pathetic face again! I swear, if you ever come near me, it will be your absolute last day working here. Do you hear me? NOW LEAVE!"

The terrified girl flinched violently at the roar, wiped her tears, and hurriedly scattered away before Maya could lash out further.

Standing a few feet away, Noor’s brow creased in deep disgust as she watched the entire exchange. The utter arrogance and cruel disrespect left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Maya took a heavy breath and pinched the bridge of her nose, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Ugh, I seriously need to tell Yash that I need a dedicated personal maid!"

She turned on her heel, ready to walk off, when her gaze suddenly landed on the three figures standing in the hallway Noor and her parents. Maya stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes narrowing as she sized them up with thick suspicion.

"Hey!" Maya snapped, pointing a finger at them. "Why are you three just standing around? Don't you have work to do? If you're so free, go up to my room and wash my clothes. And don't touch them with your filthy hands! Put on gloves and a mask before you even breathe near them."

Nirvaan blinked in utter disbelief, but instead of losing his temper, he let out a quiet, patient smile. He took a few steps toward her and shook his head gently.

"No, beta..." he said softly. "We aren't servants here. We are guests."

Maya’s eyes widened slightly as she scanned him from head to toe, taking in his simple attire. A harsh, mocking laugh burst from her throat.

"Guests? Hahaha! *You* people?!" She scoffed, shaking her head. "Do you even have any idea whose wedding this is? Wait a second was there no security guard at the gate? How are they letting just anyone wander in here?!"

She rolled her eyes in sheer frustration, muttering to herself, "What the hell is wrong with the staff? Nobody does their job around here. I need to bring this up to Yashwant right now!"

Without waiting, Maya turned toward the hallway and yelled at the top of her lungs, "GUARDS! Where are you?! Come look at who just wandered inside! There are millions of rupees worth of antiques in this palace..what if someone steals something?!"

A sharp gasp escaped Devaki's lips at the terrible accusation. Noor’s eyes hardened, fixing Maya with a long, icy glare.

When no guards immediately rushed to her aid, Maya groaned loudly. "Unbelievable. It seems like everyone in this house has gone completely deaf." She turned back to Nirvaan with a sharp glare. "And as for you three…get lost right now. This is not a place for people like you!"

"How dare you speak to our guests like that, Maya?!"

A deep, commanding voice boomed from the top of the grand staircase, cutting her off instantly.

Maya froze. Everyone turned to look up as Yuvraj descended the steps, his expression dark and terrifyingly calm. The temperature in the room seemed to drop with every step he took toward her.

Stopping directly in front of Maya, Yuvraj towered over her, his eyes cold as ice. "Who gave you the right to talk like this to Bhai's guests?"

Maya swallowed hard, a sudden lump forming in her throat as a wave of nervous panic washed over her.

"Do you even have any idea who he is?" Yuvraj continued, his voice dangerously low. "He is an elder. Did your parents completely forget to teach you basic manners and respect?"

Unable to defend herself, Maya merely rolled her eyes and looked away, hiding her embarrassment behind a shield of attitude.

Yuvraj let out a tired sigh, ignoring her entirely as he turned his attention toward Nirvaan. The coldness in his face vanished instantly, replaced by a warm, apologetic smile.

"Please forgive me, Nirvaan Kaka," Yuvraj said respectfully. "I was a bit delayed in coming down to welcome you."

Without a second thought, the high-ranking young man bent down and touched the older man's feet in traditional respect. Nirvaan’s face lit up with a gentle smile as he placed a blessing hand on Yuvraj’s head.

"It's okay, Yuvraj," Nirvaan said with a warm, reassuring smile. "By the way... where is Yashwant?"

His eyes scanned the upper floor and the grand corridors surrounding them, hoping to catch even a brief glimpse of him.

Yuvraj straightened up after receiving the elder's blessing, a calm smile on his face. "He had to step out for some work, Kaka. I expect him to return by the evening. Please, let me show you to your rooms."

He extended a polite hand to guide them forward. As he did, his gaze naturally drifted past Nirvaan’s shoulder toward the two women standing behind him,Devaki and Noor.

The moment his eyes brushed past Noor, he swiftly looked back down, a faint, subtle smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"This way, please," Yuvraj added smoothly.

Nirvaan and his family nodded in gratitude. Before leading them away, Yuvraj cast one last ice-cold, warning glance toward Maya, leaving her standing alone in her humiliation. Without another word, the four of them turned and walked down the hallway together.

Noor stood near the balcony, resting her hands on the cold marble railing as she took in the view. The guest room was massive truthfully, it was larger than her family’s entire house back home. From where she stood, she had a clear, sweeping view of the vibrant garden below and the lush orchards stretching out into the distance.

Her parents had just left a few minutes earlier to greet some of the other family members, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Suddenly, a soft knock on the door broke the quiet, making her turn around.

"May I come in?"

Standing at the threshold was a young girl carrying a broad tray covered neatly with a fresh cloth. Looking at her face, Noor guessed she was roughly her own age, perhaps even a year or two younger. Her expression was bright and welcoming.

"Ah... yes, please come in," Noor said, stepping away from the balcony.

The girl smiled warmly, walked into the spacious room, and set the heavy tray down on the nearby wooden table.

Noor walked over, her eyes darting from the covered dish up to the girl's friendly face. "What is this?" she asked in a soft, curious voice.

The girl stepped closer, her smile widening slightly. "It’s for you and your family. Yashwant Bhaiya sent it for you all!"

Noor blinked, the name echoing in her mind. Yashwant...She quickly realized who he was the Rana Sa everyone had been referring to.

Nodding her head slowly as the information settled in, Noor looked at the girl once more, curiosity taking over. "And who are you?"

The girl looked back at her with gentle eyes. "I'm Mira," she introduced herself softly. "My father was the late Raj Purohit, the royal priest. After he passed away, Yashwant Bhaiya treated me like family and insisted I stay here at the estate."

Her voice trailed off a bit toward the end, her eyes drifting down as the memory of her father passed through her mind.

Noor blinked, a sudden tightness gripping her throat. She swallowed hard, trying to process the warmth and kindness of the young prince who seemed to look after everyone around him.

"I should go now... everyone is busy preparing for the mehendi ceremony," Mira said with a gentle smile. "Don't forget to wear this later! I'll come back to take you downstairs."

Noor gave a small, slow nod. "Thank you, Mira." With a warm parting smile, Mira turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Left alone once more, Noor let out a deep sigh. Her curiosity finally got the better of her, and her gaze drifted back toward the covered tray on the table. She walked over, sat down on the edge of the plush couch, and slowly pulled the cloth away.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips.

Resting neatly on the tray were three exquisite outfits a gorgeous saree, an elegant kurta, and a stunningly detailed sharara. The fabric practically shimmered under the room's warm lights. Noor blinked in disbelief, reaching out a hesitant hand to gently touch the rich material. It felt impossibly soft beneath her fingertips.

Before she could process the generous gift, her father’s voice rang out from the doorway.

"Noor... look who came to meet us!"

Noor snapped her head up. Her parents were walking into the room, but her attention immediately drifted past them to the tall, striking figure stepping in right behind them.

The moment her eyes landed on his face, another gasp caught in her throat, and she instantly stood up from the couch. It was the man from earlier!

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, her father’s proud voice cut through her surprise.

"He is Yashwant... Udaipur's *Rana Sa*."

Noor's eyes widened in sheer astonishment. Her gaze locked directly with Yashwant's who was standing there quietly, watching her shocked expression with a slow, teasing smile playing on his lips.