The golden rays of the morning sun kissed the waters of Lake Pichola, painting Udaipur in hues of warmth and serenity. The gentle hum of life in the city blended with the rhythmic chants from nearby temples, creating an atmosphere of timeless beauty. 

Kavya stood on the balcony of their hotel room, sipping her morning tea, the crisp air carrying the faint aroma of marigolds. Behind her, Rishab was busy packing their camera bag for another day of exploration.

“Ready for another adventure, Mrs. Kavya Rishab Joshi?” he teased, glancing up with a grin.

Kavya turned to him, her dark eyes sparkling. “Do I have a choice, Mr. Joshi? You’ve planned this surprise trip so perfectly, I’d feel guilty missing a moment of it.”

Rishab chuckled, walking over to her. “You’ll love today. We’re visiting the City Palace. It’s the crown jewel of Udaipur.”

Though not a frequent traveler, Kavya had to admit that these past three days had been magical. They’d wandered through the history-laden halls of Bagore Ki Haveli, marveled at the intricate carvings of Jagdish Temple, and climbed to the heights of Sajjangarh Fort for a breathtaking sunset. She had even started enjoying the idea of venturing out of her comfort zone, simply because Rishab was by her side.

As they stepped out of their room, hand in hand, Kavya squeezed Rishab’s fingers lightly. “Thank you for this trip,” she said softly. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”

Rishab smiled, his gaze filled with warmth. “You deserve it. You’ve been under so much pressure lately. My parents… I know it hasn’t been easy.”

Kavya shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Let’s not talk about that. Right now, I just want to be here with you, making memories we’ll cherish forever.”

The City Palace of Udaipur loomed before them like a living masterpiece, its ivory and gold façade gleaming against the clear blue sky. The grandeur of the architecture, with its arches, domes, and intricately carved balconies, took Kavya’s breath away.

“This place is incredible,” she whispered, her eyes darting around in awe.

“It’s like stepping into another world,” Rishab agreed, adjusting his camera strap.

As they walked through the palace gates, they noticed the heightened buzz of activity. Workers were draping vibrant fabrics, arranging fragrant flowers, and setting up beautiful decorations. The air was electric with anticipation.

“What’s going on?” Kavya asked a palace guide nearby.

The guide smiled. “It’s a special day. Prince Aryaveer Singh Mewar is getting engaged tonight. The preparations are for the evening ceremony.”

Kavya’s eyes widened with excitement. “The royal family? We might actually see them?”

The guide nodded. “You might catch a glimpse of them if you’re lucky. But the main celebration is private. Visitors are allowed only in specific areas until late afternoon.”

Rishab laughed at Kavya’s childlike enthusiasm. “Look at you, all starry-eyed. You’re more excited about this than our honeymoon in Bali.”

Kavya swatted his arm playfully. “Don’t exaggerate! It’s just fascinating. Royals are like living pieces of history.”

As they wandered through the open areas of the palace, Rishab paused to snap photos of Kavya against the stunning backdrop. She posed with a wide smile, the sunlight catching the soft shimmer of her hair.

“Perfect,” Rishab declared after capturing a shot of her standing by a marble fountain.

Kavya glanced over at a group of elegantly dressed people nearby and recognized one of them as Princess Meera, Aryaveer’s elder sister. The princess stood poised, her saree flowing like liquid gold.

“She’s so beautiful,” Kavya murmured. “Royalty really has an air about them, doesn’t it?”

Rishab followed her gaze and nodded. “They do. But so do you, my queen.”

Kavya rolled her eyes, though her cheeks flushed. “You’re flatterer.”

They continued exploring, their steps taking them to the palace gardens. Kavya marveled at the lush greenery and vibrant blooms, her hand resting lightly on Rishab’s arm. As he adjusted his camera to capture the picturesque view, her gaze wandered.

And then she saw him.

Prince Aryaveer stood near the edge of the garden, his sharp profile illuminated by the sunlight. Clad in a cream sherwani, with a deep maroon stole draped over his shoulder, he exuded an effortless grace that set him apart. His chiseled jawline and piercing eyes gave him an aura of strength, yet there was a hint of misery in his expression.

For a brief moment, their eyes met.

Kavya froze, caught off guard by the intensity of his gaze. The world seemed to fade, leaving only the silent connection between them. It was as if time itself had paused, holding its breath in anticipation.

But the moment was fleeting. Kavya quickly looked away, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “It’s his engagement today,” she thought, amused by her sudden distraction. “Of course he looks like a prince out of a fairytale.”

She turned to Rishab, who was busy capturing the vibrant blossoms on his camera. Sliding her hand into his, she said, “Let’s move on. There’s so much more to see.”

Rishab looked up and smiled. “Lead the way, Mrs. Joshi.”

As they walked away, Kavya couldn’t shake the lingering feeling of having crossed paths with someone significant. Yet, she dismissed it as nothing more than the allure of the royal ambiance. After all, her heart already belonged to Rishab, the man who had been her constant, her love, her everything.

Later in the day, as they explored the palace interiors, Rishab presented Kavya with a small gift—a leather-bound journal with handmade pages.

“Rishab,” she gasped, running her fingers over the soft leather. “This is beautiful.”

“I know how much you love writing,” he said, his voice warm. “I thought it could be a way to document this trip—and everything else you want to remember.”

Kavya opened the journal, her smile widening when she saw their initials carved on the cover: K & R.

“I even requested the seller to personalize it for us,” Rishab added, a hint of pride in his tone.

Kavya’s eyes glistened with emotion. “It’s perfect. Thank you, love.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I just want you to know how much you mean to me. Even when things get tough… I’ll always be here.”

She hugged him tightly, her heart swelling with gratitude. “I’m so lucky to have you, Rishab. This trip, this journal… everything. I couldn’t ask for more.”

“Good,” he said with a playful smirk. “Because I’m not letting you go.”

They laughed, their joy echoing through the palace halls.

As the afternoon sun began to dip, the couple decided to visit the royal museum within the palace. The collection of artifacts—jewels, weapons, and intricate paintings—transported them to another era.

Kavya lingered in front of a painting depicting a royal wedding, the bride adorned in resplendent finery. “Imagine living like this,” she mused. “All the traditions, the grandeur…”

Rishab came up beside her. “It’s beautiful, but I wouldn’t trade it for what we have. Simplicity has its own charm.”

She smiled at him, leaning her head on his shoulder. “You always know how to make me feel at peace.”

As they exited the museum, the sound of distant drums and the sight of more decorations being set up reminded them of the engagement ceremony. Kavya looked toward the restricted areas of the palace, wondering what the royal family was doing at that very moment.

“Are you curious?” Rishab asked, noticing her gaze.

“A little,” she admitted with a laugh. “But it’s not like we can sneak in.”

“Definitely not,” he said, pulling her closer. “We’ve made enough memories here. Let’s focus on our next adventure.”

She nodded, her excitement reigniting. “What’s next on our itinerary, Mr. Joshi?”

Rishab grinned. “You’ll see. It’s a surprise.”

Hand in hand, they left the palace grounds, the echoes of their laughter mingling with the hum of preparations for the royal engagement. Unaware to them, a pair of piercing eyes followed their retreating figures, the prince’s heart conflicted by emotions he could not yet understand.

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