Chapter 2: A King's Obsession

Author's POV

The sound of the anklet jingling softly in his hand was oddly soothing to Reyaansh Rathore as he leaned back in his leather chair. The grand chamber of his mansion, nestled on the outskirts of Udaipur, was a far cry from the chaos and danger that marked his life. Yet, for the first time in years, his thoughts were not on his empire, his enemies, or his next move. They were entirely consumed by her.

Her laugh, so carefree. Her gaze, filled with awe and innocence. The way her hair had caught the sunlight, creating a halo around her delicate features. She was nothing like the women he had encountered—those who sought him for his power, his wealth, or his name. No, she was untouched by his world, and that made her irresistible.

“Who is she?” Reyaansh’s deep voice echoed through the room as he turned the anklet over in his hands, examining the intricate patterns etched into the silver.

“It seems we’ve found a rare treasure, sir,” said Vikram, his most trusted confidant, standing at a respectful distance. Vikram had been with Reyaansh long enough to recognize the shift in his demeanor, but even he was caught off guard by this sudden interest in a stranger.

“Find her,” Reyaansh ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I want to know everything about her—her name, her family, where she’s staying. Everything.”

Vikram nodded and left without a word. Reyaansh sat in silence for a moment longer, his mind replaying every detail of her he could recall. The girl who had dropped her anklet had done more than leave behind a piece of jewelry; she had unknowingly walked into his life, and he had no intention of letting her walk back out.

---

Back at the hotel, Kiara was oblivious to the storm brewing in the shadows of her life. She stood by the window of her room, looking out at the twinkling lights reflecting on the lake’s surface. Her sister Sneha walked in, holding two steaming cups of tea.

“Lost in thought, little one?” Sneha teased as she handed a cup to Kiara.

“Just admiring the view,” Kiara replied, a soft smile gracing her lips. She sipped her tea and sighed. “Rajasthan feels magical, doesn’t it? Like anything could happen here.”

“Let’s just hope the magic doesn’t involve you wandering off somewhere,” Sneha teased. “Mom would have a heart attack if she thought you got lost.”

Kiara laughed, her anklets jingling faintly as she moved. But one foot remained silent. Sneha noticed it first.

“Kiara, where’s your other anklet?”

Kiara glanced down, startled. “What? Oh no!” She set her tea aside and frantically checked her suitcase, the room, and even retraced her steps in her mind.

“You must’ve lost it at the palace,” Sneha said, trying to calm her. “Don’t worry, it’s just an anklet.”

“No,” Kiara said, frowning. “That set was a gift from Dad for my birthday. It’s special.”

Sneha sighed. “We can go back tomorrow and ask if anyone found it. Don’t stress over it now.”

Reluctantly, Kiara nodded, but the worry lingered.

---

Meanwhile, Reyaansh stood on the balcony of his sprawling mansion, the anklet in his pocket. The cool night air brushed against his face, but it did little to cool the fire inside him.

“She won’t stay a mystery for long,” he muttered to himself. His lips curved into a determined smile.

The wheels were already in motion. Soon, he would find her. And when he did, there would be no escaping him.

---

The next morning, Kiara woke early, her mind still preoccupied with the lost anklet. Despite her sister's reassurances, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease. Slipping into a pale pink kurta and jeans.

Her look~

She joined her family for breakfast in the hotel’s lavish dining are. Her parents were discussing their plans for the day, but Kiara’s thoughts wandered back to the Lake Palace. Was the anklet still lying somewhere on its grand marble floors, or had someone found it?

As she sipped her coffee, her brother Arjun noticed her distracted expression. “Still thinking about that anklet, huh?” he teased. “You’re making it sound like you lost a treasure chest.”

“It is special to me,” Kiara replied with a slight pout. “I want to go back and check today.”

“We’ll stop by after visiting City Palace,” her father chimed in, folding his newspaper. “I’m sure someone must have picked it up and turned it in.” His words were meant to comfort her, but they only fueled her determination to retrieve it herself.

---

Across the city, Reyaansh Rathore sat in the study of his mansion, a thick file spread open before him. Vikram had returned late last night with information about the girl who had so effortlessly captured his attention.

“Kiara Malhotra,” Reyaansh read her name aloud, his lips curling into a smile. “First-year college student. Youngest in her family. Visiting Rajasthan with her parents, brother, and sister.” He leaned back in his chair, tapping the file with his fingers.

“Do you want me to arrange a meeting, sir?” Vikram asked cautiously.

Reyaansh’s dark eyes gleamed with an intensity that made even Vikram shift uncomfortably. “Not yet. Let her enjoy her little vacation for now. But keep an eye on her. I want to know her every move.”

---

At the City Palace, Kiara found herself distracted, her gaze flickering to every corner, as if expecting her anklet to appear out of thin air. Her family teased her endlessly, but she couldn’t bring herself to laugh along. When they finally made their way back to the Lake Palace in the afternoon, she felt a flicker of hope.

Walking through the familiar halls, Kiara approached one of the palace staff, describing the anklet she had lost. The attendant promised to check their lost-and-found collection and asked her to wait. As she stood near the balcony where she believed the anklet had fallen, she couldn’t shake the strange feeling that she was being watched.

---

Unbeknownst to her, Reyaansh was already there, standing in the shadows of the same hall, his eyes never leaving her. He had decided to see her again, to observe her up close, without interference. And now, as she searched for the anklet that had brought them together, he found himself captivated all over again.

She was as radiant as he remembered, her innocent curiosity and determination making her stand out in the bustling palace. The way she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear made him smirk. She was completely unaware of the storm she had stepped into, completely unaware that she had already become his obsession.

“This is just the beginning,” Reyaansh thought to himself, his gaze darkening with possessiveness. “She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s already mine.”