The Raichand–Malhotra estate buzzed with a rare anticipation. Word had spread through the ancestral halls: Avni Raichand herself had summoned Aditya Varma and Kabir Rathore—the two hidden masters who had shaped Mukul's destiny from birth.
The air was heavy with reverence when the great doors opened, and the two men entered with their wives, Ishita and Anaya. Their presence seemed to bend the room itself; even the most powerful members of the Raichand and Malhotra clans instinctively rose to their feet.
The Engagement Council
Avni stood at the center, her eyes firm but shining with pride. "Today," she declared, "we do not just speak as families, but as legacies. The time has come to secure Mukul's future."
The six young women—Vanya, Kiara, Sakura, Aarohi, Liya, and Sirisha—stepped forward, each radiant in her own way, representing the worlds of Celestial Forge and Shadow Dominion. Their gazes lingered on Mukul—not with hesitation, but with the steady recognition of destiny accepted.
After hours of sacred discussions, dates aligned, and oaths exchanged, the engagement of Mukul to his six fiancées was set. The union was not just personal but political—a merging of powers, traditions, and unshakable vows.
The Dual Heir
When the murmurs of congratulations quieted, Aditya Varma rose first. His voice was calm, but carried the weight of thunder.
"For years, Mukul has trained under our watch. His mind holds the brilliance of strategy, his heart carries the fire of loyalty. He has proven worthy of what none before him dared to touch. From this day, I name Mukul… the Heir of the Celestial Forge."
Gasps rippled through the Raichand–Malhotra hall. But before the echoes faded, Kabir Rathore stood, his shadowed presence commanding silence.
"And as his destiny is not one-sided, I too declare before heaven and earth: Mukul shall also bear the mantle of the Heir of the Shadow Dominion."
Reactions
The hall shook with disbelief. Never in history had one person carried both legacies—light and shadow, forge and dominion. Some whispered of danger, others of greatness. But all eyes returned to Mukul.
He bowed deeply, neither proud nor afraid, and said only:"I will honor every name I carry. Not for myself, but for those who walk beside me."
Avni's eyes filled with tears. For the first time in many years, she whispered to herself: This is the beginning of his true reign.