Inside Ajmer Hotel's executive boardroom, Yuvaan stood near the far end, arms clasped behind his back, jaw set. His frustration was barely contained behind his dark gaze. He was simmering since the moment he entered and saw the man he hated the most in the seat of MD.

Again.

Ranvijay Rajvansh.

In his chair.

Technically, not his yet. But it would soon be.

Originally, it belonged to the King. However, their step-uncle had been too comfortable in it since years. Agni bhai was only seventeen when their bhaiya had passed away in a car crash, just six months after their mother's death. Their grandparents had expired when they were young teens.

Someone had to hold the palace together and lead the family. And that was how Ranvijay became the patriarch. The placeholder. Until Agni bhai would be old enough to manage everything on his own.

Ranvijay sat like he owned the room. His good leg crossed leisurely over the twisted and shriveled one beneath the desk while his unmoving left arm rested against his chest. He was born with a cogenital defect and thus, was never crowned even if he was older than their father.

Yuvaan couldn't trust him. Not because he was physically impaired, but he was sharp. Calculating. He had learned since young that men with power often forget where lines are drawn. And Ranvijay had never forgotten to push every one of them.

He had acknowledged that corruption even in himself. He was entitled, and he often used that entitlement. But at least he knew it.

But people like Ranvijay never accepted it. They were always the victim.

Ranvijay scrolled through the file Faiz— his PA, had just handed him half an hour ago. Faiz's expression remained unreadable as he stood behind his master.

When Yuvaan's gaze met Faiz, the prince averted his gaze coolly to observe his own secretary instead.

When would his brother arrive?

He had subtly hinted at Karan to send a message to Neelakshi ASAP. The old man had been reading the file for half an hour now.

What brilliant method of condescension was he planning to unleash this time?

Standing anywhere near him was grating on Yuvaan's nerves.

"Numbers are promising," Ranvijay exhaled at last, flipping the pages with excruciating calm.

The third-quarter projections are promising," Ranvijay finally said, flipping another page as he mused. "Fourteen percent occupancy growth... return guest ratio stable... average stay extended by 0.6 days..." He nodded. "A decent rebound."

He didn't answer.

Ranvijay looked up, lips quirking. "Don't be so stiff. I'm praising you."

"It doesn't sound like praise," he retorted.

Ranvijay nodded, movk impressed as he gave an amused smile. "True. That's because I'm not one of your subordinates. I don't hand out hollow praises."

Karan coughed softly into his hand but didn't look up from his phone. Yuvaan wanted to glare at him, but resisted. It wasn't his fault someone was dryly praising him.

"I'm not looking for praise," he replied sternly, "I'm looking for results. Which I have already delivered."

"Results, yes," his uncle nodded again, setting the official file down. "But results aren't legacy. Legacy knows when not to speak."

Yuvaan smirked. In anger.

Though, Ranvijay leaned back, unfazed. "You will understand that someday."

The door opened just then. Guards stepped aside after holding the door open as Agney entered. Neelakshi followed after him, her eyes scanning everything.

Ranvijay straightened and began to rise with a grunt and his silver cane.

Agney stepped forward, waving a hand.

"Please, sit. You're the eldest."

The old man however, rose with a chuckle. "You are a king now. Some truths shouldn't be naively dismissed."

He leaned slightly forward, a glimmer in his eyes. "Care to tell me though, why aren't you meeting this old man these days?"

"Pardon me. Workload. That's all." Agney tipped his head forward, imperceptibly.

Ranvijay waved, dismissing the question already. "I came to confirm if the hotel is doing well with my own eyes," he added after a beat. "Not that I was expecting any less from our Yuvaan. But the rebound is appreciable. Considering last quarter's response," he jabbed.

Yuvaan's jaw ticked, before he smiled coldly. "Everyone makes mistakes. I learnt from them."

"Sure." Ranvijay nodded. "But legacies don't need foul ups. Anyways, leaving all this beating around the bush behind, with more finesse, you could have bagged atleast sixteen percent occupancy."

Agney's eyes flicked to Ranvijay. "You think he lacks finesse?"

"No, my nephew is perfect. But I think," Ranvijay replied, ever-smiling, "that brilliance without discipline is like fire in a dry grass. He's experimenting. That can be risky."

Yuvaan's fingers twitched at his side, not enough to be noticed. But Agney saw it.

"I disagree, Hukum," Agney clasped his hands behind his back. "The world order constantly changes. There's nothing wrong with trying to match with present trends. A perfect balance should be struck between the two worlds. One day or the another, the past shall die," he warned, unwavering.

Ranvijay's eyes flickered with irritation before he gave a slow, impressive nod. "But sometimes the new fire burns the house down. Perspective, perspective..."

"Speaking of fire," the old patriarch added, "I heard a prince has come back."

Agney's shoulders stiffened.

Yuvaan clenched his fists. Not again.

"Agni, my son, are you sure that's wise? He might carry our name. But not everyone can forget where he came from."

Agney toyed with his ring, his brows briefly twitching.

"Are you worried about judgement?"

"Yes, I am worried. We're in too much pressure right now. First Yuvaan with his speed. Now this... Harsh with his history. People expect perfection from us. I don't think our flaws will be welcomed."

Agney met his gaze. "Then they'll learn to just shut up."

Ranvijay flinched. "Shut up?"

"Family is family, Hukum," Agney began, moving to his chair. "It doesn't matter if it's the devil on the other side or the God, I will fight for my family. This is my duty, my purpose. Nothing can deter me. The world will learn to forget his past over time. That's not my problem."

Ranvijay chuckled. "My, my, you went berserk over a simple observation of mine. You're right. Family is everything. I was just sharing the other side of the lens. After everything that happened between you and Rajeshwari—"

"Uncle," Yuvaan cut in, eyes blazing with anger at the mention of that one name his brother couldn't hear without losing his mind. "How about we stick to the agenda for today? I'm sure you must have other important appointments. You will be late for them," he reminded firmly.

Ranvijay smiled back, stiff. "Faiz, look, how considerate my nephew is."

However, Faiz watched them without an ounce of emotion. Ranvijay peered at him from under his eyes. "Faiz?"

Faiz presented a small, ornate silver box.

"Thank you." Ranvijay turned back to Yuvaan. "Come closer."

Yuvaan mimcked a cool smiling face, doing as he was instructed. Now what? Some fake, saccharine useless uncle-nephew talk?

This man was faker than he was.

That told in volumes about him.

Ranvijay opened it with care, revealing two pieces of delicate golden Makhan Malai.

"Freshly prepared two hours ago," he said, lifting it. "I got it specially from a descendant of Lucknow's nawab's chef. This a secret recipe. It was your dad's favorite. We couldn't get enough of it when we were kids."

He took one piece, offering it to his nephew's mouth.

Yuvaan glanced at Agney who was wearily massaging his temples. A second later, he glanced up and subtly nodded.

Yuvaan turned back to his uncle and nibbled at the corner of the delicacy, still suspicious that it was poisoned.

After dabbing his lips clean with a napkin his secretary provided, he handed it over without looking.

Karan stepped forward smoothly and disposed of it.

Yuvaan looked up. "What's the special occasion?"

"Congratulations," Ranvijay leaned in, a flashy saccharine grin. "You'll be announced as the Managing Director next quarter."

Yuvaan blinked. What?

Ageny's eyes flickered with surprise.

Ranvijay turned to Agney, who schooled his expression back to impassiveness.

"That's a... pleasant surprise," Agney said carefully, nodding once.

How could the man handover his seat yet? He thought Yuvaan would need to earn a favor for a few more years.

The same question played in Yuvaan's mind. Why now? Suspicion buzzed under their skin.

"I know it came off unexpected. Well..." Ranvijay said, glancing at Yuvaan. "If someone like that boy can return as blood... it's only fair my dear Yuvaan receives the leadership he deserves. A man couldn't be more prepared than he is at present. I'd announce it to the board meeting next month."

"You've finally snatched my place, young man." Ranvijay grinned.

"Earned," Yuvaan corrected with a razor-sharp smile, tipping his head.

"Of course. Earned."

***

Both the brothers walked in silence through the private corridor, their footfalls muffled by the carpet. Their secretaries followed at a discreet distance, deep in murmured conversation.

"When can we get rid of him?" Yuvaan gritted.

Agney didn't answer right away. "Be careful. There are eyes." He stopped, flashing a smile for anyone watching.

Yuvaan turned sharply and frowned at Karan, who as usual, was loitering just close enough to hear, but far enough to deny it.

Neelakshi stopped him mid-way, her tone calm and sharp as she questioned him about something.

He rolled his eyes at his uncle's personally assigned secretary to him. Yuvaan would had him framed and removed had he not known playing dumber was better than showing he knew everything. It was a necessary sacrifice to keep his uncle's guard down. He was pretending to be just a spoiled and desperate twenty one year old to not let Ranvijay anticipate his move. He had even deliberately asked Karan to send the message to Neelakshi to make that man feel he knew them, he had them under his watch, but never enough to harm them.

Honestly, life was just a game at this point for him.

A vicious game.

"He can barely listen this far. Neelakshi is holding him back," he said, watching as Neelakshi purposefully held Karan back and kept on interrogating him.

Karan was frowning, slowly losing his patience.

But he couldn't break out of his character, could he?

"He's useful, Yuvi," Agney exhaled, exasperated.

"Useful?" Yuvaan scoffed when reminded of their uncle. "He is calculating everything. Every seat he takes, every word he sugarcoats. He acts to keep you his pawn forever."

"Because for now I'm," Agney replied coldly. "And if he wants to bring us down, he can still do it without lifting a finger. He is the bridge to the power we want. He is the connection to the world we want to rule."

His chest heaved with restrained anger. "So we just wait? Let him slave us around?"

"No," Agney said, stepping closer, lowering his voice. "We let him think we still need him. Because we do. For now."

He looked away.

"Strengthen your mind, your skills, your ties, everything, Yuvi. We can't afford to slack. Let the people need us instead of him. The time has arrived. He is dangerous. Yes, but so are we. He just has thirty years of more practice than us."

All these words aggravated Yuvaan. He felt as if he couldn't breathe. There was one thing he absolutely hated. Being helpless.

The pressure crawled up his throat like a hand closing in. His lungs stuttered for a second, a sensation he knew too well.

Agney's eyes widened in alarm. He stepped in at once, leaning closer, his expression gentler with concern. If he pushed his baby brother any further, the stress could trigger his asthma. He needed to steady him. Now.

"I know what you're feeling. I'm suffocated too. But elections are just six months away. Besides, he is our step-uncle. If we sideline him now, people will stop trusting us. If we can discard him right away, nobody will believe in us to spare them either. This pity party is a win-win situation for us. Tolerate him for six months more, okay? I've planned something."

His eyes narrowed at that, colour returning to his cheeks. His breath turned steadier as curiosity overtook the restlessness.

His curiosity piqued, brows twitching. "Planned? Since when planning became your job, bhai?" He smirked.

Agney ignored him and patted his shoulder with something akin to fatherly pride and warning.

Yuvaan smiled back as Karan approached them.

The act on.