The mandap stood like a golden cage rich marigolds hung from crystal strings. Sacred fire burned in the center, its flames rising as if it knew this marriage was not blessed by love—but by power . Inside that beautifully decorated prison sat Y/N Kishore.

Her red lehenga shimmered under the lights. Heavy jewelry rested on her fragile frame. A long veil covered her face, hiding the storm behind it tears slid down silently one by one. Falling onto her trembling hands as she performed each ritual perfectly no one noticed or perhaps.....No one dared to beside her sat Tahir Raghuvanshi . Dressed in ivory suite , posture straight, expression carved from stone.

His presence alone controlled the entire atmosphere. Priests chanted. Guests whispered. Cameras flashed but Tahir did not look at the crowd he looked at the fire as if making a deal with it far away, at the edge of the mandap, stood Jatin Raghuvanshi.

Helpless , silent , destroyed his fists were clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. The girl who once promised to run away with him… now sat beside his elder brother his lover his Y/N. But in the Raghuvanshi family—The elder’s word was law and Jatin had never dared to break it not even for love Y/N’s parents sat among the guests, faces pale. Tahir’s parents maintained royal composure. To the world, this was a powerful alliance but inside—It was a funeral the priest’s voice rose louder “Vivah sampann hone ja raha hai…”

Tahir finally turned toward her. Slowly , deliberately his fingers reached forward and lifted the heavy veil Y/N’s eyes were lowered red swollen but she did not look at him not once for a brief second, something flickered in Tahir’s gaze. Possession , victory and something darker the mangalsutra rested in his hand without hesitation ,without emotion he tied it around her neck.the sacred black beads now binding her fate to his forever a sharp breath escaped her lips Jatin looked away he could not watch then came the final ritual Tahir dipped his fingers into the vermilion powder.

The entire mandap fell silent With cold precision, he filled the parting of her hair marking her Claiming her turning Y/N Kishore into—Mrs. Raghuvanshi The fire crackled loudly as if reacting to the sin disguised as a wedding for the first time, Y/N lifted her eyes not toward Tahir

But toward Jatin their gazes met Broken love unspoken apology Unfinished promises and Tahir noticed of course he did his jaw tightened almost invisibly he leaned slightly toward her and whispered, so only she could hear—“Don’t look at him like that again.” His voice was calm but deadly “From today… you breathe because I allow it. And you belong to me." Y/N’s fingers trembled in her lap hatred burned inside her chest but she said nothing because in the Raghuvanshi empire—Silence was survival and love…was a curse.

TIME SKIP

But for Y/N Kishore, it felt like she was walking toward a life sentence the priest announced the rituals complete. The fire slowly dimmed. Guests began murmuring blessings Tahir stood first then, without asking, he extended his hand toward her not gently , not lovingly but expectantly Tahir Raghuvanshi did not request obedience he assumed it Y/N placed her trembling hand in his they rose from the mandap together—bound not by love, but by fate twisted by power they walked toward the elders for blessings. Every eye in the hall followed them tahir’s hand slowly slid from her fingers… to her waist Firm ,possessive ,Claiming his grip tightened slightly as if reminding the world—She is mine Y/N tried not to react tried not to show how his touch felt like chains they bent before his parents first. Formal blessings. Controlled smiles then came the moment she had been dreading Her parents he only place she had ever felt safe she stepped forward and the moment she reached them, her control broke She hugged her father tightly her veil shifted slightly as tears soaked into his sherwani her father’s hands trembled as he held her “I’m sorry, beta…” his voice cracked. “Forgive us… we were helpless.” The word helpless echoed louder than the wedding chants ever did behind he Tahir watched his expression unreadable but his eyes never left her her mother pulled her into an embrace next “Stay strong,” she whispered softly. “Whatever happens… don’t break.” Y/N nodded silently because breaking was not allowed anymore Just as she tried to stay in her mother’s arms a little longer—A firm hand gripped her waist again and gently—but unmistakably—pulled her back Into him Tahir stepped slightly forward, positioning her at his side not beside her parents but beside him his arm wrapped fully around her waist this time, fingers pressing into her silk-clad skin as if reminding everyone of his authority then he spoke Calm , confident like a king reassuring commoners “Don’t worry, uncle… aunty.” His thumb slowly brushed against her waist “She will be treated like a queen.” His tone was polite but the way he held her—Was ownership not partnership Y/N felt her father stiffen slightly Her mother lowered her eyes They both knew what that sentence truly meant A queen…Inside a golden cage Tahir looked down at Y/N briefly his grip tightened just a little more. And in a voice only she could hear, he murmured—“You don’t belong there anymore.” His gaze shifted toward her parents “You belong here.” For a second her eyes flickered toward the side of the mandap and there stood Jatin Raghuvanshi watching silently burning Tahir noticed that too of course he did his jaw hardened without breaking his polite expression, he leaned close to her ear “Don’t test me on my wedding day.” The music grew louder the blessings continued but beneath the noise—A storm had already begun and this marriage…Was only the beginning of the curse.