AUTHOR'S POV

Jaipur, India

The day after Dusshera,  a grand celebration unfolds at the sacred grounds of the newly constructed Shiva Temple, an architectural marvel that stands as a tribute to the Lord of Destruction and Renewal.  The temple is created as a symbol of welcoming the new king, according to the royal tradition each time someone took over the throne the new ruler had to worship the lord Shiva, But this time the tradition was revised as a new temple was constructed by the biggest devotee of Lord Shiva, the ruler of Rajasthan, Rana Riddhaan Veer Shekhawat. The temple's entrance is a magnificent gateway adorned with intricately carved stone, depicting scenes from Lord Shiva's mythology. A pair of massive, antique doors slowly swing open, revealing the sanctum within. The threshold is lined with fragrant marigold garlands and fragrant sandalwood paste, imparting a heavenly fragrance to the air.

A wide, flower-strewn path leads to the temple's main entrance, where priests and dignitaries stand, waiting to welcome their prince who had recently taken the throne of King.

The temple itself is a marvel of sacred architecture, constructed from marble with the finishing of gold and many gems that gleam brilliantly in the sunlight. Adorned with carvings of serpents, gods, and celestial beings, reach toward the heavens.

The whole temple was glistening with golden light. In the center a magnificent lingam, an embodiment of Lord Shiva was present, bathed in fragrant oils, milk, and honey. All the priests, clad in pristine yellow and red attire, offer prayers and perform rituals. The aroma of sandalwood, datura, and bel patra,  mixed with the sweet fragrance of freshly plucked jasmine and roses, created an intoxicating scent that scattered in each and every corner of the temple enhancing its beauty.

Every person from the royal family was there, starting with the head Vardhan Veer Shekhawat, the grandfather of Riddhaan and his wife, his father Jaiveer Shekhawat and his wife, his uncle Shaurya Shekhwat and his family.

''The auspicious time is about to start Where is Rana sa'' the priest asked the woman in front of him, clad in a red Banarsi Saree, pleated with gold wires. Her aura is powerful so is her status because she is none other than, the mother of the King, Mrs. Ragini Shekhwat. She twitched her brows and gestured for someone to come forward.

          Profession - Secretary of Riddhhan for the corporate world / Assassin for the Mafia world
Nationality - French
Age -  47
Skills-  Expert in hand-to-hand combat, have mastery of a wide range of weapons, including daggers, throwing knives, and using the latest guns.
She has an art of disguise and can blend easily in any environment to make her mission accomplished
Relationship status -  Divorced 15 years ago 

''Avira, where is Ridhaan'' she asked Riddhaan's assistant who was dressed in a yellow Saree looking at the river continuously as if keeping an eye on it.  

''He was inside'' She was about to complete the sentence but the sudden hustle and bustle made her stop, ''There he is'' she said with a pleasant smirk lying on her face.

Riddhaan Veer Shekhawat

 A tall figure emerged from the water, droplets cascading from his glistening toned physique. His muscles, sculpted and defined, and tanned skin shimmer under the sunlight. Wearing a white silk dhoti, emboryed with a gold pleated border he collected some holy water in his hand and offered it to lord Surya (Sun).  He took a deep breath and started chanting the mantras while offering his prayers which made his chest rise and fall in rhythm with the river's waves, his neck was adorned by a Rudrakash necklace, and a bracelet wrapped around his wrist and bicep, as soon as he raised his hands to join to devote the lord Surya his thick veins popped out taking every breathe away.

 As soon as he was done offering his prayers he slicked his hair back, the tiny droplet of water was cascading down his hair strands to his face and was disappearing in his neck. He took huge steps and came out of the river and straight away went to the vanity, changing into a fresh pair of Dhoti, he came back, and with powerful steps, he entered the temple. Everyone present there chanted only one name which was Rana Riddhaan Veer Shekhawat, the king himself.

As soon as he sat the priest started worshipping the lingam, instructing Riddhaan to worship the god of the entire universe with the utmost concentration. The priest asked him to chant the Maha Mritunjya Mantra while doing the maha abhishek. He obliged and started chanting the mantras, his powerful and deep voice echoed in the temple mixed with the ringing bells which created a blissful environment, and the devotees kept showering the god with flowers.

At the end, he kneels before Mahadev, demeanor a mix of reverence and devotion.  His eyes are closed, and his head is bowed in deep contemplation. His hands which are always covered with blood from countless battles and hardships, are folded in prayer, and his still grey eyes which are always cold are filled with devotion. He is a big devotee of lord Shiva, when everyone kneels before him but his head only bows down to his mentor, his strength and his only inspiration.

''Har har Mahadev'' his voice thundered in their entire premises and devotees kept chanting it again and again.

After the pooja was done, Riddhaan left and the royal family distributed the gifts among the people. The people of Rajasthan were very happy they continued worshipping Mahadev.

Night

As the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving nothing but darkness everywhere. A club that was in a quiet corner of the city came to life with an air of mystery and danger. It was anything but a normal club, with a façade concealing a VVIP room, where a secretive mafia meeting was going on.

Inside the room, the tension in the air was palpable, it was dimly lit and adorned with dark aesthetics. Riddhaan was leaning on the polo aiming for his shot clad in a white shirt and black pants, other than his aim he was not concentrating on anything. His whole team which includes Avira, his assistant, and Ekansh Sehgal, his right hand. There is more member in his team but everyone is on their individual mission, so they will be introduced when their time comes. 

Profession - Right hand of Riddhaan, Manages some of his companies as a Co - Ceo
Nationality - Indian
Age - 28
Skills- Master strategist, capable of making split-second decisions in high-stakes situations. He's skilled in negotiation, often brokering deals that benefit Riddhaan, and has a sharp intuition for detecting betrayal and deceit.
Relationship status - In love with someone but scared to reveal because of his profession.

''Karl, we are thinking of expanding the business in South America'' Ekansh said keeping the file infront of him whereas Riddhaan's concentration was fully on the game. 

''But isn't  Asia enough for you, you are already one of the biggest weapon suppliers'' Karl said confusingly as he was already aware of the power of RVS. He is one of the biggest illegal suppliers of weapons across the world, there are a total of 43 countries in which he is the lord of weapon supplier.

''Conquering everything is my goal Karl, why would I settle for less'' Riddhaan spoke while aiming for his shot with he utmost concentration. 

''But when you own everything, what will the other underboss do'' Karl asked in frustration, first he knew very well that he was incapable of killing Riddhaan and now he was hell behind of taking control over every single country. In the weapon trafficking industry, RVS is a big name and if he controls South America then he will be unbeatable.

''It doesn't sound like my problem'' Riddhaan mentioned passing the pool stick to him for his shot, Karl gritted his teeth and aimed for the shot, which he clearly hit. It boosted his ego and he smirked at Riddhaan who was casually sipping on his Brandy. As the game progressed, the pool balls clicked and clacked and an unspoken rivalry fueled the match, with each shot. 

''You have to kill me to rule South America'' Karl said confidently, as he knew Riddhaan could not kill him, if he did it it would be considered as breaking the protocol of a friendly match. 

But in another shot, Riddhaan lost the game, and Karl won it fueling his pride. He smirked and taunted Riddhaan ''You can't win a mare game against me and think of taking my territory'' 

''Today is the lucky day for you, I offered my devotion to my lord so I won't be tainting my hands with your blood'' Riddhaan mentioned tracing the Rudraskh bracelet in his hand.

''Weak Indians, you seriously believe in those stone statues'' Karl said, a tint of disgust laced his voice, every Indian present there threw a glare at him which didn't affect it, but one look from RVS was enough to make him shiver. He is a person who never takes disrespect, and disrespecting his ideal infront of him is something you should scared of doing.

''Your life or your territory, your choice Karl, and choose wisely'' He warned Karl, to which he responded ''My territory over my body''. 

Hearing him Riddhaan shook his head and gently removed the Rudraksha bracelet from his hand, Ekansh came forward to take the bracelet as he knew what was coming next. 

''Lord Shiva mentioned in the Bhagwat Gita that You are free to make any decision you desire, but you aren't free from the consequences of those decisions'' handing over the bracelet to Ekansh he said while forwarding his hand for the handshake, Karl smiled as he defeated RVS and proudly shaken his hand with. After that RVS left the place leaving everyone was confused at how he didn't react. They all saw him leaving but failed to notice the devilish smirk on his face and the needle in his hand but when they saw Karl vomiting blood and struggling to breathe they understood what happened.

Karl held the pool table for his support but due to the sudden interruption the table shooked and at last, the ball which left the corner, which was the reason for the defeat of Riddhaan a few minutes back struck again with the moment in the table, and perfectly went for its shot, declaring the Riddhaan as the winner of the game.  

'I am the conqueror, Karl No one can defeat me'' he chanted with a devilish smirk on his face looking at the needle in his hand.

He is addicted to winning, being a ruler runs in his veins, and being a conqueror is all that runs through his mind.

Same day Australia

A grand ballroom was a shimmering sea of elegance, bathed in the soft glow of countless crystal chandeliers suspended from the high ceiling. It was an award ceremony to reward the best people in their respective fields.  Supermodels, business personalities, actors, directors many names from the big fashion and entertainment industry were present there. A red carpet, stretching like a river, led the way to the entrance of the ballroom. The paparazzi were ready to capture the very essence of the show. Along its length, barricades were lined with throngs of enthusiastic fans, all vying for a glimpse of their favorite celebrities. Flashbulbs popped incessantly, creating a dazzling display of lights and capturing the moments of stardom.

Guests, adorned in their most glamorous attire, ascended the grand staircase that led to the ballroom entrance. Designer gowns and tailored tuxedos swept through the space like a living fashion exhibit. Jewel-encrusted accessories sparkled in the ambient light, adding a touch of extravagance to the event. Celebrities posed for the cameras and had a chit-chat with paparazzi before entering into the main event.

''Who is going to have the award of leading entrepreneur of this year'' This question was revolving in every mind. They all are confident about the Supermodel 2023 but were skeptical about the entrepreneur of the year.

Greyson, a well-renowned director and the head of SAS entertainment was confident that he would win like every time, correcting his blazer he stepped outside his car waving hands at the people, and stood on the center of the carpet to pose for the paparazzi. Soon the paps bombarded him with questions which didn't affect him but one question grabbed his attention.

''The competition is very high this time Greyson, Do you think you will be able to win today'' the reporter asked doing his duty, Greyson too smiled at his question correctly knowing where this was going. 

''There's no one I see as my competition'' Greyson answered with a proud smile on his face, from the last four years he has been the constant winner but maybe this time history is all set to change.

''But this year, a new name was added to the list and I think you might have trouble in your paradise'' the interviewer said knowing correctly who he was implying to. Greyson is well aware that he isn't going to win tonight but it doesn't matter to him, he is a fun-loving person and isn't interested in any business rivalry but surely he loves to be in controversies to keep himself famous. That is the reason he answered this question adding his little twist.

''And who is that'' he asked smugly, Before the interviewer could answer him, the sudden chaos made everyone turn their back. The chanting of a particular name became louder and louder.

  The diva herself, Nitya Roy

Stepping onto the red carpet, a woman emerged dressed in a Versace dress with stained glass window-inspired detail in accordance with the night's Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination theme exquisite just like her style. The gown's subtle shimmer caught the light, casting a celestial aura around her.

Her dark hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders, held in place by an elegant yet understated hairpin. A butterfly earing of delicate diamonds graced her beauty more, and the subtle makeup took the best of her without overshadowing her natural poise. Her makeup was impeccable, highlighting her features with a touch of elegance that effortlessly blended with her overall aura.

The crowd was cheering heavily as soon as she started walking, heads turning to watch her progress. The camera captured glimpses of admiration and curiosity, murmurs of recognition and admiration from her fans, everyone was eager to just get one glimpse of her and why they should not because she was none other than Nitya Roy, a supermodel, ruling the fashion industry with her charm, Miss World 2023, and a businesswoman taking charge with her sharp mind, she is all praiseworthy. 

She stepped up in the centre grabbing every single eye on her, her hands curled up to her waist as she posed for the cameras gracefully. She posed for every single click with a constant smile on her face. The interviewers circled her asking tons of questions to which she started answering them sharply.

''Nitya, don't you think this year is yours, you are already a supermodel, you opened the show for many brands, won Miss World and now you are all set to take the award of best entrepreneur of the year with the new company you started, do you think you will be able to take it up as there is a lot of competition'' she smiled at the question, feeling proud of her achievements.

''First of all, Years don't belong to anyone they are just numbers, and how to them yours totally depends on you, and it's not just a company it's my dream ARINA and the last thing is if I want something in my life then it is only mine there are no ifs and buts in between'' she stated confidently with a blazing smile on her face. 

ARINA was the start-up she started two years ago and it blew up on the market with its different concept. ARINA is a brand now and has a lot of business under it, it is a well-established name in the Fashion& Beauty and Entertainment industry. Nitya isn't a fashion designer or something, although it was her dream to pursue it and now she is ruling the Fashion world not just as a designer or a model but as a businesswoman. 

Her smile mesmerized everyone, it kept them captive and a thunder of cheer roared as she was responding to each and every question. The camera flashed and she posed with elegance before entering the main hall.

As expected she won two awards which are the Best Entrepreneur of the Year in Fashion and Entertainment and second one is of Supermodel 2023.  She delivered her speech confidently earning a hug round of claps and appreciation from everyone. With a dance performance by some actors, the show came to an end and everyone retired to their homes but not Nitya. She went somewhere where her presence was required.

Same Night

In a dark room, on the street of an abandoned road, a pale figure was tied all bruised and unconscious.  

She is Lana Capta, a failed model, she always believed that her career failed because of the sudden entry of Nitya not because of her incompetence which always created hatred in her mind. She wanted to tarnish Nitya's image infront of the whole world, so she made a plan, that when the award a clip of her achievements was shown, she would replace it with some morphed videos of Nitya in which she was seen to be sleeping with the judges of the pageant and this will diminished her image infront of everyone. The world who literally thinks of her as a goddess of divine beauty will tag her as her whore but her plans failed, as Nitya already kept her eye on her. Not only this, Lana had tried to destroy her image by planning a wardrobe malfunction in the last two fashion events and today was the nail in the coffin.

The door opened and a tall figure of height 5'10 appeared in her shimmering bodycon gown with a bottle of champagne in her hand. She steeped her heels graciously coming close to Lana which made her eyes squish as she gained a little consciousness. The new entry surprised her but not shocked as she knew that the person who had her hostage was none other than her rival, Nitya Roy.

''Hey babygirl, Missed me'' Nitya said with a cheeky grin on her face. Lana turned her face in disgust, Nitya chucked at her childish behavior and sat on the chair infront of her. Pouring the champagne into two glasses, she took the glass close to Lana's lips to which she gritted her teeth glaring at her. Her whole face was red due to crying continuously, her liner washed away dropping to the cheeks.

''Hey, that's rude I am here to celebrate my victory with you and you are showing me tantrums'' Nitya said nonchalantly which confused Lana, as to why Nitya wasn't killing her. Why she is wasting time talking to her? She was scared by seeing this side of Nitya for the first time in her life, she had done enough shit to her but she never outraged her or not said even a word. But seeing her on this side terrifies her more, she is looking like a devil. 

A hauntingly beautiful Devil.

''Aww, look what happened to your precious face'' She held her jaw making her look directly into her eyes. Her face was pale, with lots of cuts, and her lips had so many bruises, that her cheek was swollen. She chuckled took out the gun from her waistband and traced the dripping blood on her face with a psychotic smile playing on her lips. 

''Please leave me, I promise I won't do it again'' Lana said whimpering and stammering, as passing each minute she was getting scared for her life, Nitya being this close holding the gun against her cheek was not helping either.

''Fine, I will leave you just for once, because I won today' Nitya said and a joy of freedom was glistening on Lana's face, her men freed her. Exiting the door Lana ran away, '' Get back to work boys'' she said taking her car keys.

Sitting on her Porsche, she started driving while having a sip of the whisky. In the middle of the road she saw Lana running for her life, she chuckled at her failed attempts to ask for help from the strangers who were none other than, her men. Did she really think I would let her go this easily? Fool she thought in her mind and accelerated the car, and the engine roared making Lana aware, she turned back and waved her hand in the air to ask for help. Asking for help from the predator isnt this the funniest thing.  The car moved at a fast pace, Nitya's eyes were red due to rage, and her porshe was casting a predatory shadow over the ground. Lana's eyes widened when she noticed the person sitting in the car was none other than her death.

Before she could understand anything the car raced at her speed and collided with her body, making her gasp in pain. Her death flashed infront of her eyes as she was taking her last few breaths. Stepping up her heels outside Nitya stood infront of her dying figure.

''Sweet of you to think that you will get another chance'' she said kneeling in front of the whimpering figure of Lana. Her face was completely void of any guilt or remorse for killing someone, and why not it's not her first time.

''I don't give mercy to anyone love, and you are no exception'' she said with a sadistic smile on her face, sipping her whisky she drove back to her house, confidently knowing that her team would handle this matter. It's true people wear a lot of masks on their faces and if you think she has only these two sides, then how wrong you are.

Reaching her penthouse, she changed her clothes and took a relief breath while checking her Macbook. She kept scrolling through the news feed only to find news about her being the star of the night but it didn't give her satisfaction so she switched to International news, One piece of news caught her attention which made her smirk grow wider.

BREAKING NEWS
A Tale of Love and Royalty

The only princess of the Chauhans, Miss Vani Chauhan, and the most respected name of the legal world, Advik Roy to tie the knot this weekend.

This was the only piece of news that could give her the satisfaction she wanted. She opened a new file on her Mac and its screen displayed a digital web of connections and information. With a tap of her finger, she accessed files and data, weaving a trap of deceit and manipulation. As she scrolled through the information, her smile deepened, the reflection of the tablet casting a light on her face. 

Just then she received a message from her assistant about her upcoming fashion show in INDIA. Her eyes gleamed with a kind of perverse satisfaction, the realization that the pieces were falling into place just as she had visioned the destruction. She is returning back to the place where she had lost everything once but the difference is years ago she was powerless and a scapegoat for her culprits but today she is fire, that will burn their souls to the ashes.

She roamed in her room smiling at the consequences of her next move, while she bumped into her own reflection in the mirror.

''And the destruction begins'' she said smirking looking at herself in the mirror, the girl who used to love and care was long gone, now the woman who only wanted revenge was the only reflection she could picturise. 

She is obsessed with her victories being a fierce lioness with perfectly shaped claws is all that imprinted in her soul

Hey, my baby girls... Tada chapter one is out... Wrap yourself in a blanket, grab your popcorn, and read it leisurely..And let me know... do you like the introduction of our leads? I haven't thought of a ship name for them so I am leaving it on you all to think about it. 

Also, please don't forget to shower your vote and comments  I will be waiting for it. 

There can be some grammatical errors as I haven't edited the chapter, or posted it raw.. so be patient with that error too. Healthy criticism is allowed but don't bash anyone or any character fouly. 

Lastly, I am informing you all that I can't update regularly the update will be once a week or it can be delayed depending on my schedule.