“Thank you, Pooja,” Yamini replied and then hugged her friend.
She knew it might be against the royal protocol to hug in a formal setting, but she was willing to risk it for the moment.
When Pooja pulled away, her eyes shone. “Wishing you a long, happy married life,” she said, squeezing her hand before stepping away.
The line continued moving.
Yamini kept her smile in place. And then, she saw someone familiar.
Tina Mehta.
The chief minister's daughter stood beside her father. Despite being fired from the Jogra Steel environmental project, she had come. Yamini knew it was because the chief minister or his daughter couldn’t afford to hold grudges against a powerful maharaja.
Draped in designer silk, with diamonds flashing under torchlight, Tina’s face no longer held the composed confidence she usually did in public. Her expression held utter disbelief.
Tina’s lips were parted slightly as though her mind was still rearranging the image before her.
Bharat Jogra’s wife. A princess. Now, a maharani.
The chief minister greeted Bharat smoothly and offered his congratulations.
“Congratulations, maharaja and maharani,” Tina gritted.
Although Yamini could have just nodded in acknowledgment like Bharat, she chose to speak. “Thank you, Miss Mehta,” Yamini replied.
Tina's jaw tightened.
And then, the color drained suddenly from Tina’s face. Tina didn’t move or even blink.
Yamini knew why.
Tina was looking at the emerald fish pendant. It was small, but clearly visible to someone standing right in the front.
The same pendant Tina had intended to win. The pendant Tina had said someone like Yamini could never afford it.
When Tina’s gaze lifted, there was visible anger, humiliation, and disbelief.
Yamini’s gaze didn’t waver.
With a noisy exhale, Tina moved on.
The line continued.
Yamini continued to paste a polite smile and greet the rest of the guests.
Through it all, Bharat's hand remained lightly against her back.
The gesture never changed.
She still couldn't decide whether he was reassuring her, making a statement to the guests, or simply following royal protocol.
Whatever the reason was, she drew comfort and liked his touch far more than she should.
???
The announcement event finally ended close to midnight.
One by one, the guests departed. Helicopters lifted into the mountain sky. Luxury cars disappeared through the palace gates. The musicians packed away their instruments. The palace staff finished clearing the last trays and decorations.
