It's been one month since Jivika has come to the palace and living here with everyone. In this small time, she has become an integral part of the family. Everyone in the palace adore her for her kind and innocent nature. Even the helpers also feel like they have known her for a long time.

Jivika too feels like she belongs here, as if this is her real family from the start. None in the family treat her as an outsider. They make her feel like she can conquer anything in life because they're always going to be there for her. The love, care, affection she should have received from her Dadi and Bua, she is receiving from this family which basically don't have any relation with her to begin with. Yet, they have accepted her with open arms.

In this one month, she has learnt a lot about the family. Like how Dadaji means Raghuvendra is the one who takes all the decisions in the palace but after discussing with everyone. Tauji and Chachaji means Pratap and Abhinav looks after the family business. Taiji and Chachi means Aaradhya and Radhika looks after the family's needs but they run their own NGO's for women's welfare.

The young generation do their part as well. Like Shivansh being the King, looks after the needs of his people who thinks of him as their God because of his presence whenever anyone need him. Not only that, he is the head of the family business as well. Ritika isn't involved in their family business but she has her own law firm to run which she has built from the scratch. Now lastly about Eklavya who likes to be inside his room most of the time to focus on his studies. But now he comes out of his more because of Jivika with whom he likes to talk about what he's learnt in college. Although Jivika doesn't understand more than half of the things he says, she still listens to his every word very sincerely.

There are two people in the family whom she has heard about but still hasn't got the chance to meet yet. One is Kavyansh Singh Rathore who is the elder grandchild of the family and Geetanjali Singh Rathore who is the only daughter of Raghuvendra Singh Rathore. Both are out of town for their own work purposes but they will return soon.

"Jivika beta, humein aapse kuch baat karni he." Aaradhya says walking inside the room where Jivika stays now.

(Jivika, I need to talk to you.)

"Ji, Taiji kahiye na." Jivika replies looking at the woman who has become more than a mother to her in this one month.

(Yes, Taiji tell me.)

"Beta, hum jo bhi kahenge pure dhyan se suniyega aur uske baad hi koyi faisla lena he aapko, thik hain?" Aaradhya says making Jivika nervous because she doesn't know what decision she needs to take.

(Whatever I will tell you listen to them well and then take any decision, alright?")

"Aap aisa kya kehne wali hain jise sunke mujhe koi faisla lena pade?" Jivika asks biting her lips out of nervousness.

(What are you going to say that after hearing I have to take a decision?)

"Beta not only in words but I truly think of you as my daughter and a mother will always wish the best for her daughter. You are still very young and your whole life you can't leave alone. So, I am thinking about getting you married again. But if you are ready only then I will proceed with this matter." Jivika can't believe if she is hearing correct or not. She looks at Aaradhya with teary eyes not having any idea why the sudden discussion about marriage.

"Shhh, don't cry beta. I know it's not a simple thing to decide, especially for you to begin with. But I want you to be happy, happy with someone who will genuinely care about you and love you." Aaradhya remarks taking the crying girl in her arms. She doesn't want to shove the decision on Jivika, she just wants to know what Jivika thinks about this matter and only then she will proceed further.

"Taiji, how can I get married again? I am a widow and widows don't have the right to marry again." Jivika utters the same words which she has heard from her Bua.

"Look at me." Aaradhya says and make Jivika face her.

"Widow or not, every girl has the rights to be happy in her life. No one can judge her if she wants to move on from a phase of her life. I know you have grown up in an environment where you have been taught to follow old-age customs. But beta, everything has changed in the society and we have to change along with it. I know it won't be easy for you to forget whatever you have learnt from childhood but I want you to try and see the world differently. Also, think about what I told you." Aaradhya says and then kisses Jivika on the forehead before leaving the room.

Jivika looks at the retreating figure before she collapse on the floor. She leans her back on the bed while pulliing her knees close to her chest. She recalls the words of Aaradhya but still her mind is not ready to believe that anyone will agree to marry a widow. Especially her who doesn't have much educational qualifications, who doesn't wear modern clothes, who doesn't know much about modern society.

She is grateful for this family who has accepted her with her flaws but not everyone is like them. So, she doesn't have any hope to get married again because call her selfish but she doesn't want to leave this family who has become her everything.

👑

"Dadaji, are you out of your mind?" Shivansh shouts angrily.

"Mind your tone, Shivansh. I am still superior than you." Raghuvendra reminds his grandson who's ready to break everything in the room.

"Right now I can't mind my tone because you're not making any sense. Have you think before telling me your decision?" Shivansh asks still very much angry.

"Yes, I have thought about it a lot and after that I have come to this conclusion that she is the perfect person for you." Raghuvendra replies firmly.

"But what about her? You can't force your decision on her." Shivansh retorts.

"No one is going to force her. In the end she is the one who will take the final decision about this marriage." Pratap says walking inside the room.

"Your mother has gone to Jivika's room to know about her thoughts regarding her second marriage. That girl has suffered a lot already so we don't want to throw our decision on her. First we are going to know if she wants to get married again and only then the wedding will happen." Shivansh hears his father's words and take deep breaths because he needs to be calm for this situation.

"But what about me? What about what I want?" Shivansh asks but this time sounding less angry.

"You promised me as my birthday gift that you will get married to the girl I select for you." Raghuvendra reminds him with a smirk.

"Do I have any other option?" Shivansh asks feeling defeated.

"Nope."

"Not at all."

His father and grandfather reply together making him scowl at them before he walks out of the room. He directly goes to the gym and starts punching the sand bag mercilessly. He can't believe that everyone in the family have planned everything behind his back.

He stops punching the bag when he hears his phone ringing. He takes out his phone out of his pants pocket and when he looks at the caller ID, a small smile blooms on his face.

"Bhai, how are you?" Shivansh asks answering the call.

"I am good, you tell me how are you?" Kavyansh, his elder brother replies from the other side.

"I wasn't in a good mood but now hearing your voice, I am feeling better." Shivansh replies honestly.

"Why? Did someone trouble you?" Kavyansh asks making Shivansh chuckles because his big brother has this habit to forget that he isn't a small child anymore, he is a king himself.

"Bhai, no one troubled me. But yes there's something going on which I am not sure about how to feel." Shivansh replies sitting down on the floor.

"Dadaji has selected a girl for you, correct?" Kavyansh asks already knowing why his brother is sounding so unsure.

"So he told you about it." Shivansh replies.

"Hmm and I think you should agree with him." Kavyansh says gently.

"But Bhai, the girl is too innocent to be get jeopardize in my messed up life and you know I am not talking about being a Royal." Shivansh lets out the inner fear he has for his future life partner.

"Shivansh, you are a king for a reason not only of Rajasthan but as well as the mafia and that's because you're capable of keeping everyone safe especially your loved ones. You may think that your messed up life will affect the girl, but I have my full faith in you that if anyone try to harm even a single strand of her hair you'll rip them apart. Although I haven't met the girl yet, but I have heard enough to know that no one will be better for you as your life partner. She is the calmness you need to fight with your anger issues and you are the safe heaven she needs to fight the insecurities she has built around her. Think thoroughly before taking any decision." The call gets cut from the other side but every words spoken by his big brother lingers in Shivansh's mind.

👑

The next day, everyone can feel the tension in the palace. Because one, Jivika hasn't come out of her room since last night and two, Shivansh has decided to talk privately with Jivika before taking the final decision. Although Jivika doesn't know that Raghuvendra has suggested her marriage with Shivansh.

Shivansh knocks on the door of Jivika's room who opens the door a few seconds later. But get confused seeing the person standing outside of her room.

"Get ready, we need to go out." Shivansh orders not beating around the bush.

"But where are we going?" Jivika asks softly.

"You will know. I am waiting outside so come quickly." That's all she gets in reply before Shivansh walks away from there.

Exactly 15 minutes later, both of them are in the car going to somewhere unknown to Jivika. But she isn't scared because somehow being with Shivansh, she feels protected. In the one month that she's being staying in the palace, he has never mistreated her so there is no reason for her to feel awkward to be with him.

The car stops in front of a small bakery where there are space to sit and enjoy the sweet goodness. Both of them gets out of the car and walk inside while the bodyguards who have accompanied them stay outside protecting their King and hopefully their soon-to-be Queen.

"What are we doing here?" Jivika asks looking at the cozy place.

"To have a much needed talk before taking any decision." Shivansh replies gesturing her to sit on the chair he is holding out.

"What decision?" Jivika asks looking confused.

"I will tell you everything but first let eat something. You can order whatever you want." Shivansh replies and hands her the menu.

"I don't know what I should order." Jivika mumbles looking down but Shivansh has heard her properly.

"Then can I order something for you?" Shivansh asks getting an eager nod in response from Jivika while she hands him the menu back.

After looking through the menu, Shivansh orders Red Velvet Cupcakes with fresh cream cheese frosting for Jivika and one Latte for himself. Till their orders arrive, Shivansh decides to start the talk.

"Jivika, had Maa told you something yesterday?" Shivansh asks although his knows already what his mother has told Jivika.

"Yes." Jivika replies softly.

"What have you decided?" Shivansh asks.

"I don't know." Jivika replies not making eye contact.

"Jivika, I need a proper answer." Shivansh says sternly but regrets immediately seeing the fear in her eyes.

"I really don't know what to decide because I can't let go of the things I have heard numerous times growing up. In our village, people never get their daughter's married for the second time if she becomes a widow. It doesn't matter if the girl is too young or have kids from her first marriage. She has to live her whole life inside the walls of the house. So, you tell me how can I suddenly take the decision to marry again and moreover who will marry a widow like me?" Jivika exclaims looking completely defeated.

His big brother's words run through Shivansh's mind and he realises that indeed Jivika is indeed surrounded by a lot of insecurities.

"What will you do if I tell you that I want to marry you?" Shivansh asks looking at the hazel orbs which somehow have become his favourite colour.

"I don't understand what are you trying to say?" Jivika asks with trembling voice. She can feel her palms getting sweaty which she tries to get rid of by wiping them on her salwar.

"Jivika, Dadaji wants me to marry you and I have decided to agree with his decision." Shivansh answers although this decision is taken right now at this moment.

"Why have you agreed to marry me? I am a widow who doesn't deserve to be a queen." Jivika questions in a trembling tone.

"Before being a widow you are a human being and you have every right to be my queen." Shivansh replies in a firm tone.