The grand ballroom of Hotel Maharaja Palace was transformed into a vision of opulence that evening. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over the space adorned with cascading flowers and elegant royal blue drapery—the signature color of the Agnihotri family. A string quartet played softly in one corner as waiters in crisp uniforms circulated with trays of champagne and delectable hors d'oeuvres.

Ruhanika stepped out of the car, her heart hammering against her ribcage. Despite having lived as an Agnihotri for months now, this was her official introduction to society. The weight of the tiara on her head felt both foreign and strangely right, as if it had been waiting for her all these years.