"Abhyansh Singh Ranawat... your end is not far. I know you'll kill me today... but soon, you'll join me!" screamed the man as the men in black mercilessly beat him.

Though those words were meant for the devil himself, he didn't dare look into his eyes.

Abhyansh sat on his chair with effortless royalty, his infamous emotionless face betraying nothing as he leisurely sipped his drink.

"Your Royal Highness, shall we kill him?" one of his men asked, his head bowed respectfully. No one possessed the audacity to speak to Abhyansh while looking him in the eye.

Till date, only one man had ever done that.

Ranveer Rajput.

A man of unwavering principles.

The thought of him crossed Abhyansh's mind for a fleeting moment before he pushed it away.

"No."

The single word, delivered with a sinister glint in his eyes, was enough. His men immediately understood. Their king didn't want the man dead...

Not yet.

He wanted him to beg for death. Without another command, they resumed the torture.

Abhyansh opened his customised MacBook and immersed himself in work as though the man's agonising screams didn't exist.

In reality... they were music to his ears. With every scream...his satisfaction only grew.

An hour later... he finally heard the words he had been waiting for.

"Please, Maharaj... please... kill me. Kill me! I... I can't bear this torture anymore..." the man cried, his voice breaking under the unbearable pain.

Abhyansh continued typing, not sparing him so much as a glance.

Then came the sentence he had been waiting to hear.

"Kailash Rajput... he was the one who sent me to destroy your godown. I told you everything you wanted to know... now please... give me death, Maharaj... please..."

The man didn't beg for his life. He knew better.

No one who entered Abhyansh Singh Ranawat's den as an enemy ever walked out alive. Death wasn't what he feared anymore. Living through another moment of torture in the presence of the Beast was.

Without a flicker of emotion, Abhyansh picked up the revolver resting beside him and pulled the trigger.

The bullet pierced the man's skull with perfect precision.

Despite the distance... he never missed his target.

Setting the revolver back on the table as though he hadn't just ended a man's life, he resumed his work.

A moment later, he connected his Bluetooth headset and joined the Annual General Meeting online, simultaneously signalling his men to clear the body without creating unnecessary noise.

His well-trained men carried out the order flawlessly.

"Kailash Rajput..." Abhyansh muttered to himself.

The man had become a nuisance lately. He wanted to kill him. But every time the thought crossed his mind... one person stopped him.

Ranveer Rajput.

A man of principles.

The only human being courageous enough to look Abhyansh Singh Ranawat straight in the eye while speaking to him.

The very first time they met, that courage had earned Abhyansh's respect. He had gone there to kill Kailash Rajput for his countless misdeeds.

Instead, Ranveer had stood before him and promised to correct every wrong his father had committed.

The conviction in the young man's words had impressed Abhyansh.

When asked what he wanted in return...

Ranveer requested only one thing— His father's life. And for the first—and perhaps the only—time... Abhyansh Singh Ranawat had granted mercy without a second thought.

Ranveer had kept his father under control as long as he was in India. But a few years ago, he had moved to London to pursue his master's degree. After completing it, he chose to stay back, establishing a business with his friend. Their venture flourished, and with Ranveer successfully running the firm, he continued building his career there. From that moment on, Kailash Rajput had become a constant obstacle to Abhyansh's business.

Abhyansh wanted to kill him. But he was a man of his word. The cunning old fox knew that. And that was precisely why he continued meddling in Abhyansh's business without fear.

He would have to find a solution soon.

With that thought, Abhyansh walked out of his dungeon and headed to his workplace.

------------

He returned home for dinner that evening.

The moment he entered the dining hall, every member of the family stood up in respect—including his handicapped father, who slowly rose with the support of his crutches.

They greeted him.

He merely acknowledged them with a nod before taking his seat at the head of the dining table.

As always, Amrita Singh Ranawat served his meal while the servants attended to everyone else.

It was one tradition that had remained unchanged over the years.

Despite the complete deterioration of their relationship... his mother still served him.

To the world, Abhyansh claimed that only a member of the royal family had the right to serve him. But both he and Amrita knew... that wasn't the real reason.

"I think you're provoking the Rajputs by killing their men. There are other ways to deal with a situation, aren't there?" his father, Pratap Singh Ranawat, said, keeping his eyes lowered.

He wasn't brave enough to meet his son's gaze. But he still found the courage to question him. Abhyansh continued eating as though he hadn't heard a word.

Sensing the growing tension, Avyan intervened before the situation could spiral out of control.

"Father, that was necessary. Kailash Rajput has crossed every limit. Bhai Sa did what was right."

The words had barely left his mouth when Abhyansh looked at him.

Just one look.

A look that said... 'I don't need anyone to defend my actions. I am the king. I answer to no one.'

Avyan immediately lowered his head.

"My apologies, Maharaj."

Abhyansh resumed his dinner as though nothing had happened.

The silence infuriated Pratap.

"Don't forget," he said, anger creeping into his voice, "the chair you're sitting on is mine. That throne is mine. You're there because you're my son. You're answerable to me."

The spatula slipped from Amruta's hand. She knew her son hated that tone. She knew his temper. And she could already feel the storm brewing.

Rajmata Devyani Devi tried to step in before matters escalated. But, she was too late.

Abhyansh placed his spoon on the table before lifting his eyes to his father.

One look... and Pratap instinctively swallowed.

"I was the one who protected this throne. I was the one who fought those vultures and reclaimed what belonged to the Ranawats. I was the one who retained not only our palaces but every royal property that rightfully belonged to this family."

His voice remained cold.

Cold enough to freeze the blood in everyone's veins.

"I am king not because I am your son. I am king because I earned it. You were unfit to rule—not because of your disability, Father... but because of your inability."

The dining hall fell silent.

"So the next time you decide to question me... be prepared to lose every privilege you still possess. I have zero tolerance. You know that better than anyone."

Pratap emptied the entire glass of water before him, his trembling hands barely able to hold it.

"Maharaj..." Rajmata Devyani Devi spoke as gently as she could. "Please forgive him this once. I will make sure he understands the situation."

"You better."

That was all Abhyansh said before calmly finishing his dinner.

A few moments later, he rose from his chair and walked back to his chamber.

After dinner, the family quietly dispersed to their respective chambers.

Amrita knew her son hadn't eaten properly. She prepared a glass of lassi for him, but lacked the courage to take it to his chamber alone.

"Avyan, will you accompany me to your brother's chamber, please? He didn't have his dinner properly. I want to give him this lassi... but I'm afraid," Amrita said softly.

She knew her younger son wasn't powerful enough to protect her if Abhyansh decided to punish her for disturbing his private time. Still, she wanted him by her side. She simply didn't have the courage to face her elder son alone.

"Ma, you know Bhai Sa doesn't like being disturbed at this hour. Why are you so determined to get yourself punished by him?" Avyan asked, unable to hide the irritation in his voice.

He hated the way his elder brother treated their mother. But he could never voice it.

For one, he had always been a devoted follower of his brother. And secondly... he feared Abhyansh's anger just as much as everyone else.

"He's my son, Avyan. I can't stop loving him just because he hates me. How can I fill my stomach knowing my child is hungry? I may not be able to ease the pain in his heart... but let me at least ease his hunger. Please..."

"Ma... no. I won't accompany you, and I won't let you go there either."

"Then I won't eat until I give this to him."

She stood her ground. Knowing there was no changing her mind, Avyan let out a defeated sigh and reluctantly agreed.

Together, the mother and son walked towards the lion's den.

With every step they took... their hearts pounded harder.

The servants standing outside the king's chamber widened their eyes the moment they saw Amrita holding a glass of lassi.

Oh no... They were about to witness their king's wrath once again.

They silently pleaded with her to turn back. But the mother in Amrita refused to listen.

One of the royal guards helplessly walked inside, his hands trembling.

"M-Maharaj..." he stammered, bowing his head. "Queen Mother Amrita Singh Ranawat and Prince Avyan Singh Ranawat seek your permission to enter."

The guard inwardly sighed in relief, grateful that he had managed to finish the sentence without fumbling any further.

Abhyansh gave a slight nod.

That was all. But the fire blazing in his eyes was enough. The guard immediately hurried outside and gestured for them to enter.

Amrita and Avyan exchanged a nervous glance.

Taking a deep breath, they silently prayed for protection from Abhyansh's wrath before stepping into the chamber with hesitant footsteps.

"Ma, God won't forgive you for getting your own child killed. If something happens to me because of this, you'll go straight to hell," Avyan whispered to his mother.

"Stop scaring me, beta... I'm already shivering," Amrita replied, almost on the verge of tears.

"What?"

Abhyansh growled the moment he saw his mother and brother walking into his study.

"Abh... Abhyansh... I... you... food... no... lassi... hungry..." Amrita stammered, unable to put together a proper sentence.

Abhyansh's eyes narrowed in irritation.

Knowing his brother's patience had already worn thin, Avyan quickly stepped in. He knew Abhyansh hated listening to people fumble. He himself used to stammer in front of him during the early days, but years of working under the BEAST had trained him otherwise.

More importantly... he knew exactly how to soothe his brother's temper.

"Maharaj... this is lassi. May I place it here with your permission?" Avyan asked respectfully, keeping his head bowed.

The request for permission eased Abhyansh's irritation to some extent.

Though he inwardly appreciated his younger brother's manners, not a trace of it reflected on his face. He simply nodded.

Avyan let out a silent sigh of relief, took the glass from his mother, and carefully placed it on the table.

For a brief moment... Avyan sighed in relief, mentally dancing with joy that they had escaped his brother's wrath... Then his mother spoke.

"Have it before you continue with your work, beta," she pleaded.

Avyan slapped his forehead.

Abhyansh slowly lifted his gaze. His eyes burned with fury.

The next second, he flung the file in his hand. It crashed into the neatly stacked pile of books on the table, sending every single one of them tumbling to the floor.

The deafening sound made both Amrita and Avyan flinch.

Fear gripped them instantly.

"The next time you walk into my chamber, leave your fake motherly affection outside." His cold, dangerous tone sent chills through the room. "Address me either by my name or by my position. That is all I am to you. Don't ever try to become my mother."

Hatred dripped from every word he spoke.

Tears welled up in Amrita's eyes before silently rolling down her cheeks.

"My apologies, Bhai Sa. Please permit us to leave," Avyan said, gently holding his mother by her shoulders.

Abhyansh gave a slight nod. Without uttering another word, the mother and son quietly left the study.

Silence engulfed the room. Abhyansh's eyes fell on the glass of lassi.

For a moment... he wanted to throw it against the wall.

Instead, his mother's words echoed in his mind.

'Have it before you continue with your work'

His grip around the glass tightened.

Without another thought, he picked it up and drank every last drop.

Setting the empty glass back on the table, he remained seated for a few moments before gathering himself and resuming his work.

Outside...

Amrita hurried towards the kitchen, covering her mouth as she broke down.

"Ma... Ma... please sit down. Stop crying," Avyan said softly, guiding her to the dining hall before helping her sit on one of the chairs.

"You know him, don't you? Stop crying. You have your good son. Forget your Raavan and concentrate on your Vibhishan instead," Avyan said with a chuckle, only to earn a slap on his arm.

"He may be a Raavan, but unlike the people of Lanka, the people under his rule are happy. Raavan was one of the most knowledgeable men to ever exist. His downfall wasn't his knowledge or his power—it was his ego, arrogance, false pride... and the way he treated women."

She paused before continuing.

"My son isn't like that. So listen to me carefully, young man. If you call him Raavan because of his knowledge, power, and courage, then I'll proudly accept it. But if you ever become Vibhishan and betray your brother, I will never forgive you."

Her voice softened.

"I want you to stand by your brother, no matter what. I know... he can never knowingly do something wrong."

"Huh... but he hurt you. Isn't that wrong, Ma?" Avyan asked, unable to understand her unwavering faith.

"He's just angry. I'm his mother. If he doesn't pour out his anger on me, then who will he? He has that right."

"Hai na?" Avyan grinned mischievously. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear! Then why are you crying like a drama queen? Sorry, Bhai Sa... I had to call you Raavan to get the truth out of our mother."

Amrita couldn't help smiling through her tears as she slapped his arm again.

"Now eat," Avyan said, picking up a morsel and feeding his mother.

She gladly accepted it. She loved it when her younger son pampered her. Her elder son used to do the same once. But she had destroyed it all.

Every single day, she cursed the moment she had decided to hide the truth from her husband and her son.

One decision... That was all it had taken to create the distance between them.

After making sure his mother had eaten, Avyan escorted her to her chamber before retiring to his own.

Amrita stepped inside, already expecting to face her husband's wrath.

She wasn't wrong.

"Did you see the way that b**tard spoke to me?" Pratap Singh Ranawat shouted in rage. "His own father! I hate you... Is he even my son?"

"Please don't say that," Amrita pleaded. "He is your son... our son. He cares for you. You know he does."

The next moment... A loud slap echoed through the room.

Amrita didn't utter another word.

Silently wiping away her tears, she walked away... Crying over her fate.

--------------

Rajput Palace

"Call that stupid b**ch here. Tell her she has ten minutes to report to me. If she doesn't... she'll starve."

Kailash Rajput barked the order, asking for his elder brother's daughter—the one person he hated to the core.

After his elder brother and sister-in-law died in an accident, she became his responsibility.

A responsibility he despised.

He had always hated his elder brother for becoming the heir to the Rajput family's wealth and legacy. Even after his brother's death, his hatred didn't fade. Instead, it shifted to the next heir...

His daughter.

Isha Rajput.

Kailash's man deliberately delayed delivering the message, informing Isha only three minutes before the allotted time, ensuring she would arrive late and earn another punishment.

After all...

Kailash Rajput's men were every bit as cruel as their master, if not more.

Isha ran as fast as her legs could carry her towards her uncle's office. She was one minute late.

"When did I ask you to come?" Kailash asked, his vile tone making her heart sink.

"Kaku Sa... my apologies. I... I was informed only four minutes ago. I ran here as fast as I could," she defended herself, though she knew no one would believe her.

"No, Your Highness." Kailash's man stepped forward. "She's lying. I informed her the very moment you dismissed me."

Fear flashed across Isha's eyes.

Without another word, Kailash walked up to her and slapped her hard across the face.

"How dare you lie to me?" he thundered. "You will starve for the next two days. Consider that your punishment."

Tears welled up in Isha's eyes. She silently nodded. Punishments like these had become a part of her life long ago.

Things had been different when her brother was still in India.

He never allowed his parents to lay a hand on her whenever he was around. Every time they tried, he stood between them and his little sister, fighting with his own parents without a second thought.

They still tortured her... But only in his absence.

No matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't stay home all the time. When the time came for him to leave for London to pursue his higher studies, he didn't want to go.

Not while leaving her behind.

His parents had promised him they would stop torturing Isha. They had even agreed to let her pursue her master's degree through an online program.

For his sister's sake... Ranveer believed them. He left for London. That was the biggest mistake of his life.

They kept one promise. Isha was allowed to pursue her master's degree.

The other... They broke without remorse. Their torture only grew worse.

"You wanted to work, didn't you?" Kailash asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

The innocent girl nodded vigorously, completely unaware of the trap he had laid for her.

"I'll allow you to work..." he said, pausing deliberately. "...on one condition." Hope flickered in her tear-filled eyes. "You'll marry the man I choose."

Her eyes widened in horror.

No... She couldn't do that. Marriage was the only escape she had ever dreamt of. The only hope that one day she would walk out of this hell.

If her uncle chose her husband... She was certain he would choose someone even crueler than himself, ensuring that her suffering never ended.

She knew him. She knew how much he hated her.

"No... Kaku Sa... please... I beg you... please..." she sobbed, folding her hands before him.

Kailash grabbed her jaw roughly, forcing her to look at him.

"Listen, you piece of dirt." Hatred dripped from every word he spoke. "Either agree quietly, or I have other ways of making you say yes. And trust me... when I resort to those methods, you won't even have the privilege of working for the next few months."

His grip tightened.

"This is your only chance to taste the freedom you've been craving."

A wicked smile spread across his face.

"Enjoy it while it lasts... because soon, I'll throw you from one cage into another. And believe me... You'll enjoy the next cage even more."

A shiver ran down Isha's spine. She had no choice. Her brother wasn't there to protect her anymore. She knew if she refused, her uncle would force her into agreeing by other means...

Means she didn't even want to imagine. Left with no other option, she accepted the trap laid before her. All she could do was cry over her fate...

And silently resent her parents and her brother for leaving her alone in this living hell.

Slowly... she nodded.

Kailash laughed.

"Now swear on your dead parents..." he ordered. "Swear that you'll marry the man I choose."

Isha stared at him in disbelief, her eyes widening in horror.

No...

That was a death sentence. If she swore on her parents... There would be no turning back. No matter who the groom turned out to be.

Her parents meant more to her than anyone in the world.

Exactly how cruel was the man her uncle had chosen... that he was going to such lengths to ensure she couldn't escape him?

"Madan... come here and make the princess agree." Kailash called one of his men.

The moment she heard those words, Isha knew exactly what he meant. Before Madan's lustful hands could even touch her... she frantically nodded her head.

Whatever the situation... she had to protect her dignity at any cost.

That was one thing she would never compromise on. But then... what would happen after her marriage?

How would she protect herself from her husband?

The thought alone shattered whatever little strength she had left.

She dropped to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably, while Kailash and his men laughed at her broken state.

"I am waiting to hear your approval, Princess Isha Rajput," Kailash said, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Or Madan is right here to obtain it for me."

"No... no..." she cried, shaking her head violently. "I... I will say it. I promise on Mumma and Papa... I will marry whoever you choose, Kaku Sa."

"Good."

A satisfied smile spread across Kailash's face.

"Now leave. You may start applying for jobs. If any company is willing to hire that filthy face of yours, you have my permission to work."

He looked at her with disgust before adding,

"And don't forget... your punishment still stands. You won't get food for the next two days."

Isha silently nodded.

Without uttering another word... she turned around and walked away.

Precap - Kailash Rajput's deal and Abhyansh Singh Ranawat's decision