Page 14 of Claimed By the Maharaja
Taking a deep breath, Yamini scrolled through the comments. Most of them were about Rani Suchitra, but Yamini read the ones about Bharat and rolled her eyes.
More handsome than a movie star.
Intimidating.
Reserved.
Yamini almost laughed at the wildly misguided comment that called the Jogra maharaja"handsome Prince Charming".
Some of the comments stated that it would be a fairytale to marry the handsome Jogra maharaja and live in his large palace surrounded by the snowcapped mountains.
She nearly scoffed.
There was nothing charming about a man who could stand across from you and make you feel like you didn’t exist.
She knew whoever married him would live a lonely life with endless days filled with royal duties. There would be no laughter, conversation, or teasing.
But what did choosing a marriage with laughter, conversation, and teasing bring you?
The sudden thought burned in her mind.
Her gaze shifted to the suitcase in the corner. Inside were a few old dresses, fake jewelry she had bought after selling the originals, and a divorce certificate folded at the bottom.
Her ex-husband had been charming. Easy to talk to. Fun. But he had also cheated on her and emptied their joint account.
She had once thought running away from a privileged life was freedom. Now she knew better. Freedom was expensive. And rebuilding it would take time.
She needed stability. Savings. Something of her own.
One day, she told herself, she would open her own photography studio. A proper space. Good equipment. Work that didn’t depend on scrambling for the next assignment.
But for now, she needed money.
“By the way,” Pooja said, breaking through her thoughts, “I’ve got two new offers. A wedding in Jaipur and an exhibition in Mumbai.”
“That’s amazing. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Pooja said. “Which also means, you have two new assignments.”
Yamini smiled. “I guess I do.”
“Alright. I’ve got to go. A meeting with a client. I have a feeling they want to hire me because they think I might have access to Rani Suchitra’s Royal house.”
Yamini laughed. “Have fun.”
The call ended, and the room fell quiet again.
Yamini sat still for a moment.
Her thoughts raced. But they weren’t about the event or the cold maharaja or the chief minister’s daughter. She thought of people who mattered to her.
Before she lost her nerve, she picked up her phone again. There was one call she had been avoiding since she returned.
Her previous number had been blocked, but now she was calling from a new one.
Her thumb hovered briefly before she pressed the dial.
The phone rang three times before it was answered.
