The Raichand–Malhotra family council had always been clear—each generation must prove themselves not within the shelter of their legacy, but in the real world, where power and responsibility walk hand in hand.
For Mukul, the opportunity arrived alongside his four cousin-sisters, who were among the brightest stars of their age:
Liya Moreau – The law scholar, sharp-tongued yet graceful, her words cut as precisely as her intellect.
Rishika Raichand – The international law prodigy, determined to carve her name beyond the Raichand shadow.
Diya Knight – The medical prodigy, calm and empathetic, her presence was a balm in even the harshest storms.
Rhea Malhotra – The cyber-law strategist, quick with both her mind and her courage, always unafraid to face fire.
Together with Mukul, they were assigned their first continental project—a massive initiative spanning across Asia and Europe, combining diplomacy, economic restructuring, and high-stakes technological safeguards.
The Challenge
The project was no mere exercise. It required them to:
Establish legal frameworks to stabilize trade conflicts.
Implement technological defenses against rampant cyber-attacks.
Lead medical and humanitarian efforts in border regions.
Negotiate alliances with fractured political entities.
For Mukul, it was not just about showcasing his hidden genius, but about letting his sisters shine. He guided subtly from behind, allowing their skills to claim the forefront.
The Unexpected Encounter
It was during a crucial summit in Geneva, where tensions between rival factions were threatening to derail months of work, that they met Aralyn Nyx—a poised, enigmatic young woman with striking silver-gray eyes and an aura that demanded attention.
Unknown to them at first, she was Anaya Ahir, reborn under a new name after years of secrecy.
Aralyn was an independent strategist, already recognized for her brilliance in economic reforms and cross-border negotiations. She carried herself with elegance, yet there was a quiet melancholy in her gaze, as if her past weighed heavily on her soul.
When Mukul and his cousins first spoke with her, it was Rishika who noticed. "You don't just analyze problems, do you? You've lived through them."
Aralyn gave a small smile. "Experience is often the cruelest teacher. But it also gives us the sharpest tools."
Friendship Forged
Over late-night discussions, shared documents, and high-pressure negotiations, a bond began to form.
Diya Knight admired Aralyn's humanitarian spirit and found in her a confidante for medical outreach.
Rhea Malhotra engaged in endless debates with her on cyber ethics, each session ending with laughter despite heated words.
Liya Moreau and Aralyn often worked side by side, dissecting international laws with the precision of master swordswomen.
Rishika Raichand, perhaps the closest in temperament, began treating Aralyn like another sister, finding comfort in her steady presence.
Mukul watched quietly, realizing that Aralyn Nyx was not just another ally—she was someone whose path was destined to intersect with their family's fate.
The Silent Truth
None of them knew the truth yet—that Aralyn Nyx was blood of the Ahir line, tied to the very history that had once exiled Avni.
But destiny was already weaving its threads.
For now, she was simply a friend, a trusted partner in the battlefield of intellect and diplomacy, and someone who reminded Mukul of the shadows of the past while igniting new possibilities for the future.