Page 79 of Trapped By the Maharaja

Frustration burned hot in Sanjana’s chest, but she could do nothing.

With no choice, she followed Suchitra Devi to join the event that would announce Sanjana as Ram’s wife. But right at the grand staircase, she slowed down.

“I forgot something important in my bedroom,” Sanjana murmured, her voice low but hurried.

Suchitra Devi’s eyes narrowed slightly, the faintest crease forming between her brows. “Do not keep the guests waiting,” she said, her tone cool and final.

Sanjana nodded quickly, forcing a polite smile before slipping away down the corridor. Her steps quickened the farther she got, her heart pounding in her ears. She had to find Ram and speak to him before the announcement, before this entire evening became irreversible.

But when she pushed open the door to the master bedroom, the suite was empty. No sign of him.

She hurried towards the home office. As soon as she reached, she pushed the door open.

Her stomach sank when she found it empty.

If he wasn’t here, he must already be at the event.

With no other choice, she drew in a steadying breath and left, letting the distant hum of voices and classical music guide her outside.

The event was held in the palace gardens that seemed to stretch endlessly under the glow of ornate golden lanterns. The air was fragrant with roses, jasmine, and night-blooming flowers. Rows of tables draped in silk and crystal gleamed under the light, and strings of lights draped across towering palms, creating a dreamlike glow.

Everywhere she looked, there was glittering opulence. There were royals from across the country. Women wore shimmering, heavy embroidered lehengas and finest silk sarees with glittering jewelry. Men wore tailored sherwanis and suits. Their curious gazes slid toward her as she walked, each of them wondering which royal family she belonged to.

She curled her fingers into her half-saree, subtly hiding the Devara ring etched with its insignia.

As she moved through the crowd, snippets of conversation drifted to her.

“My daughter has just completed her law degree in London,” one man boasted smoothly.

“Ananya has trained in classical dance since childhood,” another woman declared with pride.

“Rhea oversees charitable projects in three states,” added a tall, regal man. “Qualities I’m sure Suchitra Devi would value.”

Sanjana’s chest tightened. They were presenting their daughters like jewels at auction.

She looked around, but Ram was nowhere to be seen. In a crowd this size, his height should have made him easy to spot.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The music softened, replaced by a ripple of excited murmurs. Heads began to turn toward the grand staircase at the far end of the garden.

Sanjana followed their gazes.

At the top of the marble steps, Ram stood with his three brothers, all of them tall, broad-shouldered, and commanding as kings surveying their court.

Her eyes found Ram and she couldn’t look away.

He wore a deep maroon sherwani, its diamond-studded buttons gleaming, a cream stole pinned with the Devara insignia at his shoulder. Lantern light caught in the emerald layers across his chest. The cut emphasized every inch of his height and breadth, his presence magnetic.

And then his eyes found hers.

Her breath caught. That single look rooted her in place, the world falling away.

He began to descend the steps.

Panic shot through her. She knew she needed to get away to delay and escape the inevitability of what was about to happen.

Hoping she could escape unnoticed, she turned towards the edge of the garden where the lantern light faded into shadows. But before she could disappear, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against solid muscle.

Her breath hitched as she looked up in shock.