Singhania Palace | Dining Hall | 9:17 PM
The long marble dining table shimmered under the chandelier, silver cutlery clinking gently with plates as the Singhania family shared their evening meal. Laughter, updates, and subtle teasing filled the air, as it always did during dinner.
Trisha sat at the head, still in her navy suit from the Khanna Court meeting, sleeves rolled, shirt unbuttoned at the neck, hair slightly tousled. Next to her were Monty (her cousin), Raghav Chachu, Nandini Chachi, Swadamini Dadi, and her father Ranveer—the man who made her who she was.
They were halfway through their saffron rice and palak paneer when Trisha casually dropped the bomb.
Trisha (nonchalantly, still chewing):
"Khanna came to the Royale today."
Instant silence. Five forks paused mid-air.
Monty (leaning forward):
"Why?"
Ranveer (instantly alert):
"She came herself? Must be something serious?"
Trisha:
"I was in a meeting. She waited. I went to The Khanna Court in the evening."
Raghav Chachu (raising an eyebrow):
"Then what happened?"
Nandini Chachi (curious):
"What did she want?"
Trisha kept eating without responding, reaching for the salad.
Swadamini Dadi (smiling gently):
"Beta, everyone's asking. What's going on?"
Monty (dramatically):
"Answer, damn it!"
Trisha (finally):
"She's offering a partnership. Toast of Royals—a 5-star restaurant in Udaipur. Fifty-fifty profit sharing."
Ranveer (leaning back):
"Hm. Interesting... So what did you say?"
Monty (grinning):
"Obviously, she said yes to Khanna. Royal flirting on and off the field."
Trisha (deadpan, still eating):
"I haven't said anything yet."
Raghav Chachu:
"You should consider it. Udaipur is booming again, and a combined venture would break the industry."
Trisha:
"I'll ask her and her team to pitch it to my BOD. If they like what they hear, I'll sign."
Monty (mock salute):
"Bold of you, General."
Swadamini Dadi (smirking):
"Trixie has always been bold."
Ranveer (smiling at his mother):
"Mom's right."
Nandini:
"But 50-50 with Khanna? Can you both handle the spotlight together?"
Monty:
"Forget spotlight. Can you two handle each other's fire without burning the place down?"
Trisha (smirking):
"If it burns, it'll be a gourmet fire."
Ranveer (nodding approvingly):
"Well, you have our support. Just make sure your Board's convinced."
The Khanna Mansion | Reeva's Lounge | 10:10 PM
The Khannas sat in their lush indoor garden-lounge area. Fairy lights twinkled across bamboo screens as the family enjoyed their post-dinner dessert. A bowl of pista ice cream in hand, Reeva was curled up next to her sister Saanvi, while Rajeev (dad) and Swarna (mom) sat across them.
The phone on the table lit up.
Caller ID: Trisha👑📞
Saanvi (grinning):
"Ooooh. Look who's calling!"
Swarna (reading the screen):
"Trisha Singhania? At this hour?"
Reeva (grabbing her phone calmly):
"Yup."
She got up, walked toward the hallway, and answered.
Phone Call:
Trisha (cool voice):
"Hey. Just called to say I've been thinking about the offer."
Reeva (slightly smiling):
"So? What's the royal verdict?"
Trisha:
"I want you and your team to pitch it formally in front of my BOD. Complete breakdown—budget, concept, timelines, projections, management structure."
Reeva (serious tone):
"You got it. Menu curation, luxury branding, staff structure, architectural theme—everything. We'll pitch like it's Shark Tank for Royals."
Trisha (soft chuckle):
"Let's see if your Queendom can charm my empire."
Reeva (teasing):
"Oh baby, we don't charm. We conquer."
Trisha:
"See you soon, Khanna. Good night."
Reeva:
"Good night, Singhania."
Back in the Lounge:
Reeva walked back and picked up her ice cream as if nothing had happened.
Rajeev (raising an eyebrow):
"Why was Trisha calling at 10 PM?"
Saanvi:
"Reeves? Answer?"
Swarna (smirking):
"Is something going on between you two?"
Reeva (nearly choking on her ice cream):
"MOM? What the fuck!?"
Rajeev (stern):
"Language."
Reeva (recovering):
"Oops. Sorry. It's business. I made her an offer—Toast of Royals, Udaipur. She asked us to pitch it officially next week."
Saanvi (teasing):
"Nothing going on with Trisha the Royal Blood?"
Reeva (smirking):
"Not unless business deals turn into soul deals."
Everyone exchanged looks. Ice cream was back in motion. But the heat in the room wasn't from dessert anymore.