Summoned to the Palace

The Road to Rajgarh Palace

Meera stared out of the car window, watching the world shift around her.

Mumbai had been chaos—horns blaring, people shouting, towering glass buildings swallowing up the sky. But Rajgarh? It was something else entirely.

The city was older, its streets lined with centuries-old havelis, bustling markets, and temples where bells chimed in the wind. The air smelled of sandalwood and freshly baked bread, of earth and history.

It was beautiful.

But Meera wasn’t here to admire the scenery.

She was here because her life had just been turned upside down.

Because a king she had never met had left her a throne.

And because sitting next to her, brooding like a storm about to break, was Prince Aryan Singh.

He hadn’t said a word since they left the airport. Not one.

Not that Meera minded. If anything, she preferred it.

But his silence wasn’t passive. It was dangerous.

She could feel the weight of his anger in the air, the way his jaw clenched every few seconds, the way his fingers tapped impatiently against the car’s leather seat.

He was watching her. Studying her. Waiting for her to make a mistake.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore.

"If you have something to say, Your Highness," she said, not bothering to hide her irritation, "just say it."

Aryan didn’t turn to look at her. "I don’t waste words on liars."

Meera’s eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"

Aryan finally met her gaze, his dark eyes burning. "You’re lying. You expect me to believe that my father, a man who never made irrational decisions, suddenly decided to hand his kingdom over to a complete stranger?"

Meera exhaled, forcing herself to stay calm. "For the hundredth time—I don’t know why your father did what he did. But I do know that I’m not lying."

Aryan let out a low, humorless laugh. "Right."

Meera’s patience snapped.

"You know what? You keep acting like this is some grand conspiracy, but guess what? I don’t even want your stupid throne!"

Aryan’s gaze darkened. "Then leave."

"I would love to!" Meera shot back. "But your damn royal lawyers dragged me here, remember?"

Aryan was quiet for a moment. Then, he turned back toward the window.

"You’re hiding something," he muttered. "And I’ll find out what it is."

Meera sighed, leaning back in her seat.

This was going to be a long ride.

Rajgarh Palace – The Arrival

The palace was even grander than Meera had imagined.

The main gates alone were massive, guarded by men in traditional Rajput attire, rifles slung across their shoulders. Beyond them, the palace stretched endlessly—domes, courtyards, marble pillars rising against the sky like something out of a history book.

It was breathtaking.

And absolutely terrifying.

The SUV rolled to a stop in front of the grand entrance. The moment the door opened, Meera was met with an overwhelming sea of eyes.

Dozens of palace staff stood in perfect formation, their expressions carefully neutral. Ministers, advisors, and royal relatives lingered on the steps, whispering behind jeweled hands.

But the person who stood at the very top of the staircase made Meera’s stomach tighten.

Rajmata Devyani Singh.

The woman was regal—draped in a pristine white saree, her silver hair woven into a neat bun, her dark eyes sharp enough to cut through steel. She didn’t move as Meera stepped out of the car.

She didn’t blink.

And Meera knew, instantly, that this woman was the most dangerous person in the entire palace.

"Ms. Sharma," Devyani said, her voice smooth, controlled. "Welcome to Rajgarh."

Meera swallowed. "Uh… thanks?"

A flicker of something—disapproval? Amusement?—crossed the Rajmata’s face before disappearing.

"Come inside," Devyani said. "We have much to discuss."

Meera hesitated.

For a split second, she considered running.

But there was no way out. Not anymore.

So she lifted her chin, took a deep breath, and followed the Queen Mother into the lion’s den.

Inside the Palace – A Royal Confrontation

The palace was overwhelming.

Gold accents on every surface. Handwoven carpets. Walls lined with portraits of rulers from centuries past.

It wasn’t just luxury. It was legacy.

And now, for some insane reason, that legacy had been tied to her.

Meera barely had time to process any of it before they reached a massive room—ornate wooden doors swinging open to reveal a grand sitting hall.

Inside, a group of powerful-looking men were waiting.

Government officials. Advisors. Legal representatives. All of them staring at her.

And at the center of it all, seated with unshakable authority, was Devyani.

Meera had never been nervous walking into a room before. But this?

This was different.

The Rajmata gestured for Meera to sit. "Please."

Meera hesitated, then lowered herself into the plush armchair across from her. Aryan remained standing, his arms crossed, his gaze still filled with suspicion.

Devayani leaned forward slightly. "You must understand, Ms. Sharma… this situation is unprecedented."

Meera exhaled. "Yeah. Trust me, I get that."

Devayani’s lips curled into something resembling a smile. "Then perhaps you can explain why my son—the Maharaja of Rajgarh—chose you as his heir."

Meera swallowed. "I… don’t know."

Silence.

Then—

"Lies."

Aryan’s voice was sharp.

Meera turned to glare at him. "Oh, for god’s sake. Why would I lie? What do I possibly gain from this?"

Aryan took a slow step forward. "That’s exactly what I intend to find out."

Devayani lifted a hand, silencing him. Then, she studied Meera carefully.

"You claim you don’t know my son," she said. "But tell me, Ms. Sharma… did your mother ever mention him?"

Meera stilled.

Her mother.

A flicker of something—**a memory, a whisper of the past—**brushed against her thoughts.

Her mother had never spoken about Rajgarh. Not once. But there had always been… something. A hesitation when asked about her past. A sadness in her eyes when old black-and-white photos were mentioned.

Meera shook her head. "No. Never."

Devayani’s expression didn’t change, but Meera swore she saw something shift.

Something calculated.

"Very well," Devayani said. "Then I suppose we will have to uncover the truth ourselves."

Aryan stepped closer, his voice deadly soft.

"And trust me, Sharma," he murmured. "We will."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***