It had been a year now—an entire year since Tanvi, Mira, and Rahul had found themselves in this strange kingdom, far removed from their former lives. In that time, everything had changed. Tanvi had gone from a humble sweet-seller to a well-known noblewoman and a successful business magnate. Yet, despite all the success, something was missing. Rahul was gone—no one knew where he had disappeared to, and Tanvi felt his absence more keenly with each passing day.
Sitting by the window in her lavish chamber, Tanvi absentmindedly twisted the hem of her royal gown, her eyes distant as she gazed out at the bustling city below. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the rooftops, but it did little to lift her spirits. A soft knock on the door broke her reverie.
"Tanvi!" Mira's excited voice called from the doorway as she burst into the room, her eyes gleaming with a mix of wonder and disbelief. In her hand, she clutched an ornate scroll—its paper gleaming with golden lettering and intricate designs. "You have to see this!"
Tanvi blinked and stood, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?" she asked, walking over to her friend.
Mira waved the scroll in front of her, her grin growing wider. "An invitation! A grand royal event—and not just any event. Look, Tanvi, this is for the *elite*. Only royals and the highest of nobles are invited to this!"
Tanvi took the scroll from Mira's hands and examined it closely. The craftsmanship of the invitation was exquisite—every detail was flawless, from the gold leafing on the edges to the elaborate seal that held it closed. As her eyes scanned the text, something caught her attention.
"Wait…" Tanvi frowned, holding the scroll closer. "It says I'm invited… but not by name. It says, 'In the name of…' and then nothing. Just this symbol." She pointed to the odd marking at the bottom of the invitation—a symbol shaped like a mask, but with no name attached.
"A mask?" Mira said, leaning in to look. "That's odd. Why wouldn't they put the name of whoever's inviting you?"
Tanvi shrugged, her mind already racing. "I don't know. But whoever sent this went through great lengths to make it look official. And this mask… it feels like I've seen it before. But I can't place it."
Mira's excitement didn't falter. "Does it matter? You're invited to a royal event! This is huge, Tanvi. You *have* to go!"
Tanvi's fingers traced the symbol on the scroll thoughtfully. "Yes, but why was I invited? I'm not part of the royal family. Sure, I'm a noble now, but…" Her voice trailed off as a wave of suspicion crept into her thoughts. "There's something more to this, Mira. It's too strange."
"Maybe it's someone who's noticed how successful you've become and wants to meet you in person," Mira suggested with a playful nudge. "You've been rubbing elbows with the elite for months now."
"Maybe." Tanvi didn't sound convinced. She paced around the room, the invitation still in her hand. "But why the secrecy? And why now, after Rahul's disappearance? The timing feels off."
Mira folded her arms and gave Tanvi a stern look. "Are you seriously overthinking this? If it were dangerous, why send a grand invitation instead of just… I don't know, attacking in the middle of the night?"
Tanvi let out a sigh, unable to shake her wariness. "You're right," she admitted. "But I can't help it. Something feels *off*. Still, it's an opportunity I can't pass up."
Mira's grin returned. "Exactly! Besides, you'll be in a palace filled with royals and guards. What could go wrong?"
Tanvi couldn't help but laugh at her friend's unshakable optimism. "Alright, alright. I'll go. But I'll be careful. Something tells me this isn't just a regular party."
"Good." Mira's eyes sparkled with excitement as she clapped her hands together. "Now, let's get you ready for the event of the year!"
That night, as Tanvi prepared herself in front of the mirror, she couldn't shake the feeling that this party would be a turning point—whether for better or worse, she didn't know. She wore an elegant gown of deep sapphire blue, intricately embroidered with silver threads that shimmered like starlight. Her hair was swept up in a graceful bun, and the royal jewels she had been gifted glinted softly under the candlelight.
Mira entered the room again, her eyes widening in approval as she looked at Tanvi. "You look like you belong there, Tanvi. Like you've always been a part of that world."
Tanvi smiled softly but said nothing, still thinking about the masked symbol on the invitation.
As they prepared to leave, Tanvi paused at the doorway, her hand resting on the frame. "Mira," she said quietly, "I wonder if Rahul would have come to this party, too, had he not disappeared. Would he have received an invitation?"
Mira's smile faltered slightly as she looked at Tanvi. "We'll find him, Tanvi. Don't worry. He's out there somewhere. But tonight, you need to focus. Whoever sent that invitation wants to meet *you*. And you're going to show them why Tanvi is a name that echoes across the kingdom."
Tanvi nodded, her resolve hardening. "You're right. Let's go."
As the carriage made its way toward the grand palace, Tanvi's thoughts were consumed with possibilities. Who had sent the invitation? And what did they want from her? She glanced down at the mask symbol again, its mysterious presence weighing heavily on her mind.
The grand mansion loomed before them as the carriage approached its final destination. It was an architectural marvel, bathed in the glow of dozens of golden lanterns that adorned its exterior. The entire building seemed to shimmer, its towering spires and polished marble walls reflecting the light like a rising sun. Tanvi and Mira exchanged awestruck glances, taking in the grandeur.
"Well," Mira said, stepping out of the carriage and adjusting her gown. "If they went through all this trouble, this party must be something extraordinary."
Tanvi nodded, but her thoughts were elsewhere. The masked symbol on the invitation still weighed heavily on her mind. As they walked through the massive archway and into the mansion, they were greeted by servants dressed in elaborate uniforms, their bows precise and well-rehearsed.
The room they entered was vast, filled with nobles and high-ranking individuals, all dressed in their finest attire. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, casting a warm glow over the gathering. The air buzzed with polite conversation, laughter, and the occasional clink of glasses as servants passed by, offering drinks. Tanvi and Mira moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with those who approached them. Despite the opulence, Tanvi felt a growing sense of unease.
"Let's ask around," she whispered to Mira, her eyes scanning the crowd. "Maybe someone here knows what that masked symbol means."
They began mingling, Tanvi politely inquiring about the invitation whenever the opportunity arose. But each time, the answer was the same—no one recognized the symbol, and no one could offer her any clues.
As she was about to give up, a man approached her. He was tall and composed, dressed in formal attire that seemed a bit too elegant for the occasion, his eyes sharp and calculating. "You're looking for something, aren't you?" he asked, his voice smooth and controlled.
Tanvi turned to him, her eyebrows knitting together in suspicion. "Do you know something about the symbol on my invitation?"
The man smiled, his lips curling at the edges. "Yes, I do. If you'll follow me, I can explain everything."
Mira glanced at Tanvi, but Tanvi gave a small nod, deciding to see where this would lead. She followed the man down a long hallway, away from the bustling crowd. The farther they went, the quieter it became, until they reached a small, dimly lit room at the end of the hall. The man opened the door and gestured for her to enter. Once inside, he closed the door behind them, the sound of the latch clicking shut sending a shiver down Tanvi's spine.
"Why are we here?" Tanvi asked, her voice tense. The room was eerily dark, the only light coming from a single candle flickering on the far side. Her hand instinctively went to her waist, where she always kept a small knife hidden in case of emergencies.
Before the man could answer, a shadowy figure stepped out from the far corner of the room, moving toward her with deliberate slowness. Tanvi's heart raced as she backed up a step, her hand gripping the hilt of her hidden knife.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
The figure came into the light, revealing himself—a tall, imposing man with sharp features and a regal bearing. He had a presence that was commanding, his dark eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her uneasy.
"Do not be alarmed," the man said softly. "I am Prince Ajay, crown prince of Vayuraj. You are not in danger, Tanvi."
Tanvi's heart was still pounding. She raised an eyebrow, her grip on her knife tightening. "Prince Ajay? The crown prince of Vayuraj?" she repeated, clearly skeptical.
"Yes," he said calmly, stepping closer. "I am the one who sent you the invitation. And you, Tanvi, are the woman I have been searching for."
Before Tanvi could respond, the prince gestured toward the wall, where a large, intricately detailed painting hung. Tanvi turned to look at it and gasped. The woman in the painting looked exactly like her—down to the smallest detail.
"Who—who is that?" Tanvi asked, her voice wavering slightly.
Prince Ajay's eyes lingered on the painting before meeting hers. "I dreamed of this woman," he said quietly. "Before I even knew of your existence. In my dreams, she spoke to me, told me she was my soulmate. When I saw you, Tanvi, I knew immediately—you are her."
Tanvi felt a wave of unease wash over her. "I'm sorry, but you must be mistaken. I'm not the woman in your dream," she said, taking a step back.
Ajay shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers. "No. I know it's you. That's why I invited you here—to ask for your hand in marriage. You are destined to be my wife."
Tanvi's mind raced. This was not what she had expected, and she had no intention of marrying a prince—especially one she had just met under such bizarre circumstances. She forced a smile, trying to remain calm. "Your Highness, I'm flattered, but I can't marry you."
Ajay's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why not? I am willing to give you anything you desire. Wealth, power, influence—you name it, and it will be yours."
Tanvi swallowed, trying to think of a way out of this. "I… I have a lover," she blurted out. "He's traveling the world right now, but we're promised to each other."
Ajay studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "A lover?" he said softly. "Then why isn't he here with you?"
Tanvi's heart raced as she scrambled for an answer. "He's… away on important business. He'll be back soon."
The prince's gaze darkened, and for a moment, Tanvi feared he wouldn't believe her. But then, to her surprise, he nodded.
"Very well," he said slowly. "But know this, Tanvi—if your lover does not return, I will come for you. You belong to me, whether you realize it or not."
Tanvi's blood ran cold. "I… I understand," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But for now, I need to go."
She moved toward the door, but Prince Ajay stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "You cannot leave yet," he said firmly. "Not until I have your word that you will consider my proposal."
Tanvi's mind raced. She needed to get out of here, and fast. "I… I'll consider it," she lied. "But I need time."
Ajay studied her for another long moment, then finally stepped aside, allowing her to pass. "Very well. But remember, Tanvi—I always get what I want."
Tanvi didn't waste another second. She bolted for the door, her heart pounding as she threw it open and ran down the hallway. She barely noticed the startled glances from the partygoers as she rushed back to the main hall, her mind spinning.
Finding Mira, she grabbed her by the arm. "We need to leave. Now."
Mira looked at her, confused. "What happened? Why are you in such a rush?"
"I'll explain later," Tanvi said breathlessly. "But we have to get out of here."
The two women hurried out of the mansion and into their waiting carriage. As they sped away from the grand party, Tanvi finally allowed herself to breathe. She turned to Mira, her voice trembling slightly. "That was… not what I expected."
Mira stared at her in disbelief. "What *happened* in there?"
Tanvi shook her head, still trying to make sense of it all. "The prince of Vayuraj… he asked me to marry him. He thinks I'm the woman from his dreams."
Mira's eyes widened. "What? That's insane!"
"I know," Tanvi said, her voice shaky. "And it gets worse—he accepted all of my fake demands. He's obsessed, Mira. We need to figure out what to do… because I don't think he's going to let this go."