After what felt like an eternity of riding through endless forests, rivers, and dusty roads, we finally reached our destination.

Not that I disliked the journey—I enjoyed the fresh air, the open landscapes, and, well, being close to Rudraksha. But after days of seeing the same trees, same rivers, and same sky, I was getting restless.

At least now, we were here.

Rudraksha had sent most of his guards ahead in secret to ensure our safety, but for now, we were traveling as common citizens. No royal titles, no soldiers hovering over us, no grand processions. Just two people who had come to settle in a new kingdom.

And damn, this kingdom was beautiful.

The streets were lively, bustling with merchants, travelers, and performers. The air was thick with the scent of fresh flowers, spices, and roasted nuts from the market stalls. Vibrant fabrics hung from storefronts, women with bright-colored bangles walked gracefully, and children ran past, laughing.

It felt… like a fairy tale.

Unlike Vyantara, which was grand and structured, this place felt more free-spirited, filled with life and color. Every corner had something blooming—roses, marigolds, jasmine. Even the buildings were decorated with garlands, adding to the magical atmosphere.

I inhaled deeply, stretching my arms. “Finally! I can breathe without being surrounded by royal duty and armored guards.”

Rudraksha chuckled beside me, his golden eyes scanning the streets cautiously. Even in disguise, he couldn’t turn off the ‘protective ruler’ mode.

“Stay close,” he murmured, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his hidden dagger.

I rolled my eyes but obeyed.

Just as I was beginning to enjoy myself, a sudden chaos erupted in the middle of the street.

A bull had broken loose from a cart, sending people scattering in all directions. The merchants screamed, their stalls getting knocked over, and a few children stood frozen in fear.

Before I could think, I was already moving.

I ran toward the nearest child, grabbing him before the bull could reach him. Another woman, struggling to move, was in its direct path. Without hesitation, I picked up a wooden crate and threw it at the bull’s side, startling it just enough to make it veer off course.

The crowd gasped. Some looked at me in awe, others murmured in confusion.

I let out a relieved sigh, handing the child back to his mother. “Be more careful next time, okay?” I said with a small smile.

But as I turned, I noticed someone watching me intently.

A man.

He stood a few feet away, his dark eyes locked onto me, his expression frozen in shock. He was undeniably handsome—sharp features, smooth skin, and dressed in fine clothing that hinted at nobility. But more than his looks, it was his expression that caught my attention.

Why is he looking at me like that?

I narrowed my eyes, confused. He took a step forward, his lips parting slightly as if he wanted to say something.

And then he did.

“Lavanya.”

My breath hitched.

What?

I stared at him, completely lost. “I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

His brows furrowed as if he couldn’t believe what I had just said. “No… it’s you. Lavanya—”

Before he could say anything else, I quickly turned and walked away, heading toward Rudraksha, who had been watching the whole scene with a look I couldn’t quite decipher.

“Who was that?” I asked as I reached him.

Rudraksha’s gaze lingered on the man for a second before turning to me. His grip on my wrist tightened ever so slightly as he pulled me a little closer.

“He is Prince Prithish Kumar of this malvastra ,” he said, his voice unreadable. “We were friends once… before the loop.”

I frowned. “Then why didn’t you—”

“Let’s go,” he interrupted, his tone final.

I sighed but nodded, letting him lead me away.

After walking through winding streets, we arrived at a well-built house located in a quieter part of the town. It wasn’t overly extravagant, but it was still large, with stone walls, carved wooden windows, and a beautiful courtyard filled with plants.

The entrance had a large wooden door, decorated with brass knockers shaped like lotus flowers. The front porch had a few swings, and the inside was warmly lit with lanterns, giving it a homely feel.

I turned to Rudraksha, raising an eyebrow. “And whose house is this?”

He gave me a completely casual look. “Ours.”

I blinked. “What?”

He folded his arms. “I bought it.”

I narrowed my eyes. “When?”

“This morning.”

I let out a disbelieving laugh. “You bought an entire house in one morning?!”

“I needed a place for us to stay,” he said nonchalantly.

I rubbed my temples. “Okay, fine. And what’s our story?”

He smirked slightly. “I told them we are a newlywed couple looking for a place to settle.”

I froze.

“…Excuse me?”

He started walking forward. “We needed a believable reason to live here.”

I quickly followed him, still processing. “So, let me get this straight. You went around telling people that we are married?”

He laughed, a bit nervously this time, and kept walking.

“Oh my god,” I muttered, shaking my head. “And who exactly am I married to, Maharaja?”

He turned back slightly, his golden eyes glinting with mischief. “Who else?”

I groaned. “You’re unbelievable.”

He just chuckled.

We stepped inside, and I had to admit—the house was beautiful. It had large windows that let in plenty of natural light, wooden furniture that looked both elegant and cozy, and a kitchen area with brass utensils neatly arranged on shelves.

A small staircase led to the second floor, where the bedrooms were. Everything smelled like fresh sandalwood and jasmine, making it feel warm and inviting.

I walked around, taking it all in. “Well… I have to admit, it’s nice.”

He leaned against the doorframe. “So, you don’t mind the whole ‘newlywed’ thing?”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, I mind. But since I can’t change it, I’ll deal with it.”

He smirked. “Good wife.”

I threw a cushion at him. “Shut up.”

His laughter echoed through the house, and for a brief moment, I forgot about Prithish, about the mirror, about everything else.

Because, somehow, this felt… right.

And that terrified me.