Isha slept for 2 hours before waking up and started cleaning the hallway, gym room, the hall outside the study, the staircase, and the main hall which is just beside the entrance to the king's chamber and she got already tired because everything is huge in there... She used to work a lot even in the Rajput palace but the things at Ranawat's are grandeur and 10 times bigger. She wanted to clean the other two bedrooms as well since she cleaned the one she is staying in before she slept... 

She slowly walked to the corner one and thanked her stars for not encountering her husband, She quickly cleaned the room and the porch and balcony attached to it... She saw a huge closet in every room but didn't have the time to explore them so she quickly walked to the other room, the only room which is left for cleaning, after which she could go and freshen up... It's still 5 AM, and she didn't expect her husband to wake up and she is right... 

She saw him laying on the bed in attention mode, with closed eyes... She decided to clean the room and calmly leave the place without disturbing his sleep, but what she didn't know was he already woke up, he is trained that way, even a little moment could wake him up, he hardly sleeps, he just came to his room to take an hour of sleep and then start his day with a workout but before he could wake up, his wife came inside and started cleaning, he decided to close his eyes and let her do her work as he knew if she knows he is awake, she would stumble here and there messing up things in fear which he hates...

He waited for her to go but he didn't hear the sound of her walking away or of her cleaning... so he slightly opened his eyes to see what she was doing and what he saw surprised him... She is staring at his huge portrait looking keenly... And then he heard the cutest thing he ever heard...

"I am afraid to look at your face even when you are asleep, that's why I'm looking at your picture, I actually didn't remember clearly how you look, it's a shame you know ?? For a wife not to know how her husband looks, that's why memorizing you now", she said to herself in a low tone... 

Abhyansh didn't get angry hearing her words, and neither is he irritated, he felt cute and wanted to hear more of her talk, that never happened before, no human talk ever interested him, he actually felt irritated hearing someone talk, it is a chore for him but for his wife he felt the opposite and he absolutely hated it...

"Get out", he said and she jerked back in fear hearing his voice suddenly... She scurried away immediately and he sighed... He freshened up and went to his gym room, and seeing it clean, he mentally appreciated his new maid, that's what he felt for Isha. He ordered all the maids not to enter his chamber, and he knew they wouldn't dare to defy his orders, he wanted to torture Isha Rajput so much that her father's dead soul could never be at peace...

Isha freshened up and wore her clothes, which were offered to her by her mother-in-law for this morning as there are some more rituals... She needs to at least arrange her wardrobe if she is going to stay there all her life... She decided to talk to her husband and with that, she remembered the early morning incident that has happened, she like a stupid kept talking to his portrait, did he hear her talk ?? No, he would have punished her if he did... she concluded and walked down... All the while, her mind couldn't stop thinking about him, he is a king, by all means, he looked so handsome in that portrait and she wanted to keep staring at it... If he didn't wake up, she would have done it for some more time... 

His portrait is only in that room, rest two bedrooms have many paintings, but no portrait, but why ?? She decided to ask her mother-in-law...

She went down and Amruta who saw her daughter-in-law rushed to her, engulfing her in a motherly hug...

"You look so beautiful Isha, my daughter", Amruta said hugging her, and placing a black dot behind her ear, a belief that would drive all the evil eyes away...

"Thank you ma...", Isha replied getting shy, no one ever said that to her, Her aunt dismissed a maid punishing her severely for calling Isha beautiful, which scared everyone to the core...

"Ma, What are the rituals", Isha asked politely and Amruta started telling her all the duties... Isha nodded obediently and started working in the kitchen... Amruta too helped her daughter-in-law and both of them talked to each other... Both are extremely happy that they got each other, Isha never had anyone to talk to, she talked to her brother whenever he visited or to herself the rest of the time, while Amruta is in a similar condition, no one in the family conversed to her much except for her younger son, but he doesn't get enough time due to his work and regarding the servants, she is not allowed to talk more than what is necessary...

Isha informed her about the job and how Abhyansh permitted her, Amruta got so happy for her daughter-in-law, then Isha remembered to ask her mother-in-law about the 3 bedrooms in the king's chamber...

"Ma... Why does Maharaj have 3 bedrooms in his chamber ??", Isha asked, and as soon as the question left Isha's mouth, Amruta dispersed all the staff working there, and then answered her daughter-in-law's question...

"Isha, Abhyansh chooses his bedroom according to his mood, when he is extremely furious, he uses the extreme right one which is of a darker shade suiting his dark mood, when he gets a victory or.. or defeats someone(she wanted to use destroy and kill but didn't want to scare Isha), he uses the middle one, he won't use the extreme left one much, it's been years he slept there", Amruta said the last part sadly...

"Why ma, when would he use the extreme left one ??", Isha asked remembering how he came there the previous night, he was drinking in the same room and she is sure he came there to sleep but when he saw her sleeping on the bed, he jerked her away and set the whole bed on fire...

"He goes there when he feels calm or peaceful or happy, but it's been years since my son felt those emotions", Amruta said getting teary-eyed... and hearing her,  Isha understood that her husband wasn't there in the room to sleep but to teach her a lesson which he did by setting the bed on fire...

She recollected he slept in the middle bedroom the previous night, which means he destroyed someone or he got a victory, but over whom ?? Isha puzzled...

"Now take these to the table, I'll call the staff back to get the other things", Amruta said and Isha nodded...

Soon it's time for breakfast and everyone gathered in the dining hall, Isha greeted everyone but all they did is nod, Isha went and took her father-in-law's and Rajmata Devyani Devi's blessings touching their feet... and at the same moment, Abhyansh made his way, everyone who just got seated, stood up and wished him bowing their head, she frowned seeing the elders too doing it, she knew he is the king, but standing up is enough respect for him, but bowing the heads is a bit too much but Isha didn't say anything, she just looked down...

Abhyansh settled in the head chair, and Amruta made Isha stand beside Abhyansh's seat asking her to serve... Abhyansh didn't say a word as that was the right thing to do, she is a royal, and his wife, so it's good that she is taking up her duties...

She served everything, but he didn't touch the food...

"Take a plate and taste everything", Abhyansh said in his steely tone shocking everyone... 

"Abhyansh... Beta... She cooked in front of me, the food is safe", Amruta said feeling bad for her daughter-in-law, that is a grave insult to do, in front of the servants... Isha felt daggers in her heart, she didn't feel so much pain even when he treated her like a maid but now knowing that her husband didn't trust her and insulted her in front of all the servants and family had killed the hope she felt the previous night when he allowed her to go to work...

Abhyansh banged on the table seeing Isha standing still, she jerked backward getting afraid, but quickly composed herself, took a small plate, and tasted everything she made, and after 5 minutes, seeing Isha fine, Abhyansh ordered her to serve him while the servants served the other family members...

"Amruta, sit and have your food, your daughter-in-law is there to serve the king now", Rajmata commanded to her daughter-in-law, and Amruta sighed before settling beside her younger son... She wanted to have food with her daughter-in-law but can't disobey her mother-in-law.

Isha saw her husband's eating pattern and understood he wouldn't like to ask for more, you have to keep asking what he wants and he would signal with a finger if he wants or not... her mother-in-law did inform her about it, but not clearly, thanks to her good observation skills, she understood it immediately seeing him eating and started asking if he wants something...

She observed him eating like a robot, in fact, everyone ate without a word of compliment but Isha didn't feel bad, she is used to this kind of treatment, only her brother complimented her food till date... He always said she is a wonderful cook and he would eat her food even if she mixes poison in it...  She shook her head warning herself not to think about her brother anymore, the moment he gave up on her, Isha too gave up on him, she decided she would never expect anything from him... but her heart refused to obey her decisions... She loved her brother more than anything in the world, he is the only family she ever has and she can never hate him...

Isha observed her brother-in-law taking 3rd serving of ghevar she made, and she smiled at him affectionately remembering how her brother used to eat the same way when she cooked...

Seeing her looking at him, Avyan asked the servant to stop serving and started eating his food silently... Isha felt bad, so she went to him and served him more surprising everyone, Amruta smiled at her lovingly while others continued eating... Avyan wanted to thank her and also tell her the food is very delicious but the hatred he held for her didn't let him...

Isha went back to her place that is beside her husband, seeing the almost empty plate of her husband, she refilled it immediately, in her hurry she forgot to see the indication whether he wanted or not, Amruta noticed this and got hell scared seeing her daughter-in-law's blunder, but everyone is left shocked when Abhyansh quietly had all of it and left from there...

Amruta smiled with tears in her eyes as this is the first time her son had had food contently... She must say, her daughter-in-law is a wonderful cook, every item she prepared is so delicious that no one could say 'No' to her food and that included the Royal BEAST as well...

Soon everyone is done with breakfast and left from there, and that's when Isha realized that she didn't have money to travel to the city and reach her office... She is never allowed to go out or buy anything for her, even the sanitary napkins given to her were limited, that too she has to beg for them, and also serve her aunt for a whole week like a proper slave after she is done with her periods every month...

She can't ask her mother-in-law for money as that would be degrading her husband, also she can't tell her that she was ill-treated by her uncle-aunt... She walked fast to catch her husband's steps, she saw him going to the other staircase which leads to his office... She didn't know if she could follow him or not, but she didn't have the courage to call him... He entered his office, he knew she is following him, but he intentionally didn't react as he doesn't want to put up a show in front of the servants, the incident at the dining table was enough, he didn't want to do it, but he didn't trust her at all, that woman can mix poison in his food very easily, she has all the reasons to and above all that, she is Amar Rajput's daughter, her blood can't be trusted according to Abhyansh Singh Rananwat...

He entered his study, purposely didn't lock as he knew she would come inside... When she entered, he turned towards her making her nervous...

"I.... I...", Isha fumbled, Abhyansh hated to wait, he wanted to slap the woman in front of him but there is something in her face that didn't let him get violent with her despite the hatred he has for her... 

Isha closed her eyes to gain the courage to ask him for money... After the morning insult, she couldn't ask him for money killing her self-respect but she didn't have another option...

"I want some money", she said it... and she would have died if she saw the disgusting look he gave her, but due to fear, she looked down...

"I know you are a gold-digging b**ch, but thought you would wait for a few days before displaying your real face", Abhyansh threw words at her face which made tears to her eyes but she held up...

"I... I will return it after I get my salary, I want to travel to the city to reach my office", she finished gulping her tears...

Abhyansh didn't believe her, he didn't know she was caged in for her whole life, and no money was given to her, according to him, she has all the Rajput's properties under her name, still, she wants his money... But he didn't want to argue with her, he hated her presence, so opened the drawer, took a bundle of notes and threw them at her face... The bundle of money hit her face and fell down... That hurt her more than his words... After that, no matter what, she can't take that money... no she can't... 

She took the bundle and slowly walked to the table where he is standing on its other side... Her tears fell on the bundle... she put the bundle of notes on his table and left from there surprising him...

She went to her room, took the clothes she designed herself and changed into them... She was never offered any new clothes, so whenever her clothes stopped fitting her, she used to take some cloth pieces from the royal designer who comes to design clothes for her aunt and uncle... Till Ranveer was there, he used to buy clothes for her but after her brother moved to London, her situation worsened...

Isha's dress

After changing, she collected her phone and bag and went downstairs... 

Amruta looked at her with surprise...

"You are going to work in these clothes ??", Amruta asked and Isha nodded with a confusion etched face... She didn't understand what was wrong with them... Looking at Isha's clueless face, Amruta thought it was okay to wear such heavy clothes to work so she didn't say anything...

"Okay, come and have your breakfast", Amruta said and Isha nodded, she quickly ate food and decided to ask her mother-in-law for help...

"Ma, I don't know how to reach my office from here, could you please help me ??", Isha asked...

"Oh! I totally forgot you must be knowing the way from the Rajput palace but not from here right ?? Don't worry, I'll ask Avyan to drop you off for today", Amruta said and Isha couldn't thank her enough, she decided to convince her boss to give her salary in advance so she could travel from the next day...

After a while, Avyan came there... Amruta called him and he walked towards them...

"Yes ma", Avyan asked ignoring Isha's presence...

"Avyan, drop your bhabhi sa at work today, she doesn't know how to go, please do this beta", Amruta said softly to her son who almost obeys her every word...

"Ma, I can't, I have work and need to reach the office on time, otherwise, bhai sa won't forgive me", Avyan said in order to avoid any kind of interaction with the woman who married his brother and who he hates to the core...

"Please Avyan, drop her for me, how will she go ??", Amruta tried convincing him...

"No ma, bhai sa won't like it if I reach late, I can't take that risk...", Avyan said, they can't even ask any driver as all the drivers obey only if they have orders from Abhyansh...

Amruta kept insisting, and Isha felt bad for her brother-in-law, she didn't want him to suffer because of her... So, she told her mother-in-law that she would manage, not knowing her brother-in-law is just making up an excuse to avoid helping her...

Avyan left from there, followed by Isha, she has no idea how she would reach her office which is in the city... She doesn't have a smartphone to see Google Maps, the phone her brother bought for her when he last visited India was snatched by her uncle as Ranveer taught her how she could transact money online and he was afraid that Isha would access her account with it and he can't control her anymore...

Isha kept walking for kilometers but couldn't find any vehicle, after reaching the main road, thankfully she found a cab...

She started conversing with the cab driver asking him to help her reach her office, she told him the address and when he asked for money, she told him that she would give him after one month when she received her salary, the man cursed her for wasting his time and sped off, all this is seen by Avyan, his car broke down and he is waiting for another car... and by seeing his sister-in-law's face, he knew she isn't acting... 

Avyan sighed deeply and walked towards her, mentally preparing himself to tolerate her, how much he may hate her, he couldn't leave his brother's wife like this...

"Bhabhi sa...", Avyan called and Isha turned and got surprised to see her brother-in-law, that too he called her bhabhi sa, which surprised her...

"Banna...( a term to represent younger men, a sister-in-law respectfully calls her brother-in-law)", Isha greeted him with a small smile...

"Call me by my name...", Avyan said and Isha nodded with a smile... Avyan felt the innocence in her smile, he felt that immediate respect for her, the kind of respect and affection he felt for his mother, he mentally chided himself and reminded that he is here to just help her not to accept her as his family...

"What happened Avyan ?? Why are you here ??", she asked softly

"My car broke down... I'm waiting for the driver to get another car", Avyan said

"oho! how will you reach the office in time then ?? your brother might get angry ??", Isha said getting worried for him... And Avyan is surprised to see her genuine concern...

"Leave about that, what about you ?? Why are you here ??", Avyan asked her maintaining a calm tone hiding all his emotions...

"I didn't find any vehicle... I got one but he didn't like it when I told him I'll give him money at the end of the month", Isha blurted the truth and immediately regretted it... She is embarrassed...

"You don't have money ??", Avyan asked and she shook her head lowering her head, he didn't want to embarrass her more so he didn't ask her further...

"I'll drop you, wait for 5 minutes, the driver will be here", Avyan said

"No, I'll go, I don't want you to get late because of me", she said 

"It's okay, no problem, I still have time", he said and she nodded...

The car arrived and Isha sat in the car followed by Avyan, and he drove her to her office asking the driver who brought this car to get his other car repaired...

"Give me your office's address", Avyan asked and she gave him...

"you walked for miles that too in opposite direction, don't you know this isn't the way to your office ??", Avyan asked

"I didn't know the way, today is my first day", she said softly

"Oh!, but this isn't the way to the city as well", Avyan said and she looked down not knowing what to tell him...

"You have never been to the city ??", Avyan probed...

"I have never been anywhere", she said and he looked at her with surprise... 

"What ?? Why ??", he asked, and looking at the soft eyes and concern he showed, she wanted to tell him...

"I wasn't allowed to go out of the palace, I was caged in the Rajput palace for more than 15 years", she said shocking him, he pulled the brakes immediately losing control and making her afraid...

"What happened ?? I'm sorry...", she said instantly thinking she might have distracted him too much while he drove and now he is pissed, but Avyan is shocked and felt extremely bad for his sister-in-law...

"No... No, that's okay", he said his face still holding that expression...

"Avyan, don't tell this to anyone... please", Isha requested and he nodded, not understanding what to do... 

"Anyways, I'm so happy, I get to work, I now have freedom, I can see this world now... today is my first day... I will do good right ??", Isha asked happily and a small smile formed on Avyan's lips looking at his sister-in-law's cheerful attitude...

"yes, you will do good", he said with a smile, but instantly covered that smile cursing himself... 

"thank you devar sa(brother-in-law)", she said with the same soft tone and kind smile...

He dropped her at the office and since it's in the opposite way, he got late, he is supposed to visit the factory before reaching the office, and he went back to the factory and then reached the office which delayed him, turning his morning lie true...

Isha entered her office, it's not a huge building, just a small one, with a homely atmosphere, it's half in size of her current bedroom, which belonged to her BEAST husband but she felt a lot more happy and comfortable being here than in her husband's chamber... the place offered so much comfort...

"Hello ma'am, what would you like to see ?? We have all kinds of wear, western, traditional, Rajasthani....", the woman started speaking but Isha stopped her with a smile...

"I'm Isha ma'am, I'm here to work... my appointment letter", Isha showed her appointment letter, which was sent to her...

"Oh! sorry, seeing your clothes, I thought you are an affluent customer... Where did you get this dress ?? It's so beautiful, so soft... and the work on it is extremely pretty... and you are so beautiful... Oh sorry! I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Reetu, I'm one of the designers here... come I'll take you to Ragini, our boss... well don't worry, she is so cool...", Reetu blabbered, Isha liked her cheerfulness a lot...

Isha looking at Reetu's casual clothes and understood her mother-in-law's question in the morning... But she didn't have any casual clothes, now she has to arrange money not only for her transport but also for her clothes...

"Ragini, look, she is Isha, our new designer", Reetu introduced...

"Oh! Isha", Ragini said stitching something, and then looked around to greet Isha... "OH! You are so pretty girl, and your dress, it's beautiful....", Ragini said, taking her dupatta and feeling the work...

"Hai na(isn't it), even I told her that", Reetu added in

"Thank you ma'am", Isha said

"Oh just call me Ragini...", Ragini said with a smile...

"Thank you Ragini, where should I work ??", Isha asked

"Reetu will show you baby, and relax, chill, it's your first day, look around the place and be comfortable", Ragini said with a smile easing Isha's all worries...

Isha is about to go when Ragini asked her about the dress, and the store she bought it.

"I designed it myself Ragini", Isha answered softly surprising Ragini...

"Oh Lord, I did an excellent job hiring you...", Ragini said and Isha gave her a thankful smile...

After a while, Isha looked around and then started her work along with Reetu...

"Isha... Why did you wear such clothes to work ?? Don't mind, you look so pretty, but they are heavy and uncomfortable to work no ??", Reetu asked and Isha didn't know what to answer, she didn't want to tell them that she is their king's wife, neither did she want to tell them that she belonged to an affluent royal family, and princess of Mewar for obvious reasons... The queen's face is not clear in any posts, also they didn't think their queen will come and work with them, so no one knew about Isha being ISHA ABHYANSH SINGH RANAWAT

"My family is very traditional, so I don't possess any casual clothes", Isha answered, Ragini who is passing from there heard Isha... She thought something to herself and walked from there unnoticed.

Isha designed a wonderful saree till the evening, though not everything was ready, the outline is and the rich work shocked Ragini, Reetu, and others... and a customer who came to see the designs liked the saree a lot, she asked Isha to complete the work and deliver it to her and Isha nodded. The customer asked Ragini the price and Ragini looked at Isha with a smile...

"Isha, you will decide the price for your work, you deserve it...", Ragini told Isha and Isha gave a confused smile...

"Uhhh Rs. 200", Isha said shocking everyone... 

The customer laughed out thinking Isha is joking, but Isha gave a puzzled look, Ragini understood something is wrong and took the matters into her hands... Isha didn't know what is the value of money as she never bought things on her own ever...

"It's Rs. 2,00,000 Mrs.Shah", Ragini replied with a smile, the lady nodded the payment and walked away...

"Isha, come to my cabin", Ragini said and left from there...

"Is Ragini angry with me ??", Isha whispered worriedly...

"No, Ragini is very sweet, and also the kind of work you did is incredible, you did a 2 lakh sale, it's very good", Reetu said with a smile, Isha nodded and walked to Ragini's cabin... She was made to sit and Ragini locked the door sitting in front of Isha...

"Isha, tell me, why did you say 200 ?? I know you weren't planning to joke, what's wrong, you can tell me...", Ragini asked Isha softly...

"Ragini, I don't know the value of things or money, my family is very traditional, they got me home-schooled, this is the first time I'm exposed to an outside world, sorry I disappointed you", Isha said the half-truth

Ragini hugged Isha tightly feeling extremely bad for her...

"Oh! no dear, I'm not disappointed, don't apologize, take these, these are some of the casual clothes I have designed, these will look good on you", Ragini said handing her a cover of clothes...

"No, Ragini, I can't take this", Isha said 

"Oh! don't worry, I'll deduct the amount from your salary", Ragini said and Isha smiled taking the bag and thanking her...

"Ragini, I need one more help...", Isha asked hesitantly...

"Yes dear...", Ragini said encouragingly...

"I need some amount of my salary in advance", Isha asked and Ragini gave a sad smile...

"We don't have any such policy dear, this is your first day here, and I can't give you your salary in advance...", she said and Isha's face fell...

"Actually Ragini, I need the money to commute daily, my family is not in support of me working, so they....", Isha trailed... she didn't know how to convey her problem to Ragini, she didn't want to tell her problem to anyone, but at the same time she needed money to reach the office next day...

"Oh!, I can't give you the salary in advance, that would be against our policies", Ragini said and Isha turned her face to hide her feelings... "But, I can give your percentage for the sale you did, take this...", Ragini screamed delighted handing Rs. 20,000 to Isha... 

Isha looked up and gave a teary smile to her...

"This is a lot... Ragini", Isha said...

"No dear, I give 10% in their design sales along with the salary to all my designers, so you deserve it too... take it", Ragini said hugging Isha tightly which Isha reciprocated happily...

Ragini also helped her with the basic costs of everything like how much a cab driver takes, She also gave her a smartphone and pepper spray for Isha's safety teaching her how to use Google Maps, share locations, etc.

Isha took the cab, she is very happy with her workplace, she loved all her colleagues, especially her boss Ragini, and Reetu... In her happiness, she forgot she is married to a BEAST and she is supposed to be home an hour before...

Precap - Punishment...

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