Page 83 of Claimed By the Maharaja
But it was Bharat’s absolute calmness that remained in Suchitra’s mind.
Now, five years later, Bharat had brought back Yamini into his life.
Suchitra understood strategy. She understood duty. She even understood revenge.
But she had no idea what her most controlled son planned to do.
CHAPTER 18
The room Bharat had suggested for her palace studio was larger than her entire rented apartment in the city.
Yamini stood just inside the doorway, taking it in. Tall arched windows lined one wall, opening out to snow-dusted peaks that looked close enough to touch. Pale winter light spilled across the wooden floor in soft bands. The room was perfect.
Yamini stepped farther in, her footsteps echoing faintly. She could already imagine a backdrop stand near the window, an editing desk against the inner wall, and a storage for lenses and lights. The light alone was a photographer’s dream—cool in the morning, warm by afternoon, diffused by the mountain air.
A week had passed since their wedding.
A week since she had become Maharani Yamini Jogra in name and paperwork, if not in spirit.
During the day, Bharat barely acknowledged her existence. Only breakfast overlapped, and even then, there were no conversations beyond logistics or curtly uttered commands. And whenever she didn’t like those commands that were mostly driven by security measures, she argued. But even her heated arguments were met with a particular expression that suggested he was waiting for her to finish ranting before he once again calmly reiterated his command. He was infuriating.
At night, however, he came. Always at midnight.
He came because he saw her as an obligation—a royal duty to fulfill.
He never kissed her on lips. Never stayed or held her once he was done. And didn’t speak beyond issuing commands.
She hated that her body still responded to him each night. Hated that her mind betrayed her with heat and awareness even as her pride bristled.
“Controlling jerk,” she muttered.
A soft clearing of throat made her turn.
A young maid hovered near the doorway, clearly unsure whether she should speak.
“Is… is everything all right, Maharani?” the girl asked hesitantly.
Yamini forced a smile. “Oh yes. This room is perfect. Thank you, Savita for showing it to me. Also, can you take me around the palace to introduce me to the rest of the staff?”
She was waiting to be officially introduced to the palace staff. But she strongly doubted that Bharat Jogra would even consider it time well spent.
He would rather conquer more steel plants and issue commands elsewhere.
The young maid blinked before she nodded. “Yes, of course, maharani.”
There were nearly forty staff members working in the Jogra palace during that shift.
There was curiosity in their eyes as they looked at her.
She greeted each of them, smiling, asking their names, and thanking them as they bowed.
They all spoke about Bharat Jogra.
“Maharaja is very disciplined,” said Kamla, the head housekeeper, in almost a reverent tone.
“He doesn’t tolerate mistakes,” added Vikas, who was the head valet responsible for taking care of Bharat’s clothing and shoes.
“He never raises his voice,” another said in a tone of awe.
