Part 3

Trigger warning: mentions of drugs and abortion.

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"In politics, the only true relation is that you have with the throne" - unknown

"And here goes, check and mate! You couldn't save your queen. Ha!" Khushi smugly declared as her clever move had trapped Aman and won her the game.

Rani, who was watching this from a distance, had a satisfied smile...this was a big day. Khushi Mehra was the chief minister and now was going to get married to Arnav Singh Raizada soon. In all this, Rani would still be the queen mother, the one who held power. After all, she had ensured everything under the sun for the position her family was in today, she was in today! The journey from a 20 years old, middle class Reema Sharma to this rich and powerful Rani Mehra had been a tough one but she had crossed every hurdle and how.

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Reema Sharma was a middle class yet very ambitious girl studying at Delhi university. She had a clear aim, to become a rich and powerful person! She hated her middle-class life with passion and craved to be in power. She was ready to do anything for that, and she did! Even after her first ever decision proved to be wrong...

After that, a 20-year-old Reema was left homeless and alone. Her family had abandoned her. But she wasn't one to back down. Soon, she managed to catch an eye of a famous industrialist Jay Mehra, who was a bachelor in his 40s! He needed a beautiful young wife and an heir, and she needed power! He agreed to give her a respectful life by marrying her, in return of a child for him! And she willingly went into that marriage.
Soon after, she had twins, Swayam and Swara. But when the kids were barely 7 years old, Jay passed away, leaving a huge property, businesses and 2 small kids to his 28 years old widow, Reema.

Reema finally took the reins from that moment... She now became known as Rani, the queen of her world. Even to her kids, she became Rani Ma.

But in all this, her kids were raised without her care, love, and attention. They had every luxury money could buy but they had no one to tell them their limits. By the time she understood it, the damage was done. A 17-year-old Swara came home, scared, and pregnant!!! It was her classmate who was equally juvenile. There was no question of a wedding as they were underage and there was no way Rani Mehra's daughter could be a teenage mother. This would have caused a scandal not to mention ruin her image. So, Rani ensured Swara was 'freed' from it. But the whole incident impacted Swara, and she went into a shell...Rani finally decided to send her to Jay's distant relative in Denmark, where she would be under that family's watch...

She once again threw herself in her business when a few years later, Swayam was found involved in drugs. Rani couldn't handle it, neither could she find a way out, this whole thing was a huge blow to Mehra's name and her own carefully created powerful image. Board of directors had started throwing questions on Mehra's future CEO.

Of course, Swayam was sent to a rehab where he was recovering but he needed a new image.

And then she found the answer.. his marriage! A good, devoted husband was definitely an image that would eventually help him.

And thus, she made a deal with ex-cm Shashi Gupta, he would Mehra's support and backing in return of khushi's marriage with Swayam. Khushi's scandal had tainted Gupta's reputation and Swayam needed to reform his image, so this marriage served both purposes...

But this marriage was purely a political move for her, or so she believed...

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Shashi Gupta was bedridden after that attack a few months ago, which had taken his son-in-law's life. But he was still able to speak and understand what was happening around him.

And today was his daughter's engagement again, this time with a Raizada! Oh, how he hated that name! The rivalry between Gupta and Raizada families was deep rooted, since last 3 generations, in a bid to win Delhi. But no one had taken it as far as his arch nemesis, Arvind Raizada.

Shashi felt defeated and angry when his daughter's affair with Arnav was brought to his attention. He then kept her under house-arrest.

But how did he forget, she was a Gupta after all, who never accepted defeat. She managed to run away. And what followed was not only her heartbreak, but his downfall too.

And that was when Rani Mehra approached him, with a proposal of Swayam and Khushi's wedding. Mehras were sponsors of his political campaign since a long time, but they were also loyal to the throne the most. And currently, the one who was sitting there was Arvind Raizada. He had felt surprised that Rani had still brought this proposal, but he accepted it.

Khushi of course had denied, refused to marry him at first but soon relented...

He was pleased to see changes in her from then, she had started taking keen interest in the party work, and together with her husband, now they were preparing to take on Raizadas. That was when that accident, or now he knew an attack on them snatched Swayam away...

Khushi changed even drastically after that...

And now when he looks at his daughter, he almost can't identify her. She has become a fierce, true-blue ruler!

His only fear is, she shouldn't lose more than she already has...

--*--

Aman was a sincere, hardworking guy, who had dreamt of changing political scenario of his country. So when he befriended an enigmatic, charming, political heir Arnav, he was very delighted. But soon he realized Arnav Singh Raizada was a high-headed, egoistic boy who was a blind follower of his corrupt father. Not only that, but Arnav also used to look down at anyone who was from a lower strata of the society. In fact, Arnav occasionally made fun of Aman too for his humble background. Arnav expected him to keep taking his subtle remarks, in return of an entry in politics, but Aman wasn't ready on sacrificing his self-respect. And that sealed the deal for their so-called friendship.

Aman then approached Shashi Gupta, who recognized his capabilities and gave him a position. He even won Shashi's trust so much that Shashi often entrusted him with Khushi's security. Before meeting Khushi, he had expected her to be another version of Arnav, but to his pleasant surprise he met an innocent, naïve girl. And then he developed a fierce protectiveness for her, as his young sister he never had.

But to his ultimate horror, he one day found out about Khushi and Arnav being together. He had no doubt Arnav would not be the right choice for her. Heck, he even doubted if Arnav can be trusted.

"Khushi don't do this, Arnav is not a trustworthy guy." Aman had warned her

"Nahi aman bhai, Arnav really loves me, we'll end this stupid rivalry, aap dekhna." Khushi had said and refused to believe him.

And before he could do anything more to stop her, he was pulled into some urgent matters of the party. But he had told Shashi Gupta so and effect was Shashi had moved Khushi's base to Delhi.

"Khushi, Shashi sir has brought an alliance for you, Swayam Mehra." Aman was the one to give her the news and when she didn't say anything, he had hoped she would agree.

Least he knew what was to be followed. He had dashed out to Raizada mansion when his men informed him about what was happening there. But he was late...

"Khushi, stop crying, he is not worth it." He had consoled a crying Khushi all the way back from Arnav's house as he had rescued her from there.

And finally, when he had enough, he took the charge as her elder brother,

"Listen to me Khushi Gupta! You maybe forgetting who you are, but I haven't. You are a Gupta, a family of rulers! People fight to be a part of power, you are already born into power, take the charge, show the world what you really can do. Otherwise, people will think Khushi Gupta is a coward who broke down with first harsh blow!"

And that had worked like a charm.

Khushi really took charge of her life and how.

After marriage with Khushi, Swayam too had emerged as a good husband and Khushi had found her footing into politics, much to his and Shashi's happiness.

Until one day...Swayam's death changed many things. Things had become bloodthirsty!

Amidst all this, when even he had started fearing their fate, Khushi emerged as a warrior. He had felt proud of her then, and not to mention Rani ma's grooming!

Khushi had managed to become the chief minister; they had put the killers behind the bars but they still couldn't completely negate that there wouldn't be any further attempts at the throne. Everyone knew Arnav wanted to become a chief minister even before Arvind had done so, and there were quite a few people who were loyal supporters of Raizadas. At any given chance, they could plan to put Khushi's position at risk.

That was when Rani Mehra brought this plan to him and Khushi how they could tackle their most prominent enemy. By proposing a marriage between Khushi and Arnav. In return they would give him another position, in Mehra group, but of course the ultimate control would be with them. He couldn't help but see sense in Rani Mehra's words...

Khushi had objected at first but then agreed.
But only Aman knew what this really meant for her, how difficult this decision must be for his sister. She had buried a lot of pain in her heart, she had survived too many battles in her young age
And for the first time Aman questioned himself, was this all really worth a battle of throne?

--*--

Precap: "Fine. But I have a condition." he said,

Khushi laughed out loud "Do you really think you are in a position to demand anything Arnav?"

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A/N - No arshi in this chapter so gave a little precap :D. I hope the events until now are clear to you all now. Two rival families, 2 young people who got involved in the game of love, deceit, and power and now they are supposed to become life partners. Where will this take them? We will find out next chapter onwards. But please let me know if you're liking it so far, I am nervous...