Morning came.
It was July 19th.
Their Indian wedding day.
The Russian and American wedding had taken place on July 8th, but today—this day—was different. This was tradition. This was culture. This was sacred.
Nikolai woke up late.
He had fallen asleep past midnight, exhaustion finally claiming him. As usual, his room remained locked—no one dared disturb him.
Today…
He would bring his bride.
His Queen.
Home.
The wedding was set for 7:30 PM—the muhurat, the most auspicious time chosen carefully by the priest.
Everything was ready.
Colors.
Lights.
Crowds.
A union meant to shake empires.
—
Nikolai sat at the dining table, rubbing his forehead slowly.
"Are you okay, brother?" Arina asked softly.
He didn't answer.
Instead, he pulled her into a tight hug.
Yulian, Daria, Zhanna, and Taran joined in, wrapping him in a rare moment of warmth.
A siblings' embrace.
"It's your wedding day, bro… don't cry. She'll be fine," Taran said quietly.
They all knew what weighed on him.
Nikolai pulled back, wiping the faint tear from his eye.
"Come on. Let's eat."
They sat down together, beginning breakfast in silence that carried more emotion than words.
—
Meanwhile, at the Muard mansion…
Reyan sat with Jai, Sohan, and Amala.
Jai clung tightly to his mother, curled in her lap.
"I missed you so, so much," Amala whispered, kissing his face repeatedly.
Jai smiled.
"Dad took care of me… he's a good father."
She nodded, holding him even closer.
Reyan watched them with a quiet smile.
"Baba!!!"
They turned.
Lilith stood there—small, furious, adorable.
She was dragging Ariz and Farhan by their hair.
"What now?" Reyan asked, already knowing chaos had arrived.
"She just woke up and wants sweets! We told her no until the wedding!" Farhan complained.
Sohan chuckled.
"Bambi, come here."
She immediately released her brothers and ran into his arms.
He kissed her forehead gently.
"Baby… there will be a lot of sweets at the wedding. Everyone will feed you. I promise."
She blinked.
"O… okay, baba."
She hugged him tightly.
—
5:56 PM.
The bride's gifts and luggage had already been sent to her husband's mansion.
The Muard home buzzed with energy—voices, footsteps, laughter.
Lilith sat quietly as Bhairavi fed her, while Anika carefully styled her hair.
"T…thank you, Maa…" Lilith said, hugging Bhairavi.
The older woman smiled warmly at her tiny grand-niece.
"It's time for the dress and makeup!" Sarah announced.
"YES!!!!!"
The women cheered, surrounding her as they guided her into the room.
—
Meanwhile, in Nikolai's mansion…
He stood dressed.
A masterpiece.
A luxury dark teal velvet sherwani, adorned with heavy gold zari embroidery. A perfectly tailored churidar. A regal embroidered stole draped over his shoulder. Layered emerald and gold necklaces rested against his chest.
Royal.
Commanding.
Perfectly matched to his bride.
"Sit," his grandmother Viktoria said.
He obeyed, sitting on the tall stool.
She held a turban carefully in her hands.
"You know… this was your grandfather's. He wore it during his best days."
She placed it gently on his head.
"And now…"
She adjusted the diamond ornament at the front.
"…it is yours. Your best day."
Nikolai smiled softly.
He stood and hugged her.
"Thank you, Grandma."
"LET'S GO!!!" Rohan shouted excitedly.
"Finally!" Vishal added.
Nikolai chuckled.
The drums began.
Powerful. Loud. Alive.
He stepped into his luxury Rolls-Royce as the convoy moved forward.
The groom was on his way.
—
"Mihu is ready!!"
Vanya's voice echoed through the mansion.
Everyone rushed toward the room.
Sohan held Riyana's hand tightly.
"Mahira…" Amar whispered.
Sohan closed his eyes, fighting back tears.
"Hi!"
A soft, cheerful voice.
"Open your eyes and see your daughter, son," Mr. Kadeon said gently.
Sohan opened them.
And froze.
Tears fell instantly.
Lilith stood before them.
A vision.
A luxury dark teal lehenga choli, heavily embroidered with gold zari and shimmering crystals. A long, flowing dupatta draped elegantly. Layered emerald and gold jewelry framed her delicate form.
She looked powerful.
Regal.
A queen.
She giggled at their stunned expressions.
Sohan broke down, covering his face as he cried.
Karim wiped his own tears.
Mrs. Rashi did the same.
"You look absolutely gorgeous, Mihu!" Elena said.
Lilith blushed shyly.
Bhairavi wiped her tears.
Amar turned away, emotional.
Lajja smiled softly.
—
Outside…
Cars pulled up.
"THE GROOM HAS ARRIVED!!!" the girls screamed.
Lilith peeked through the window.
And saw him.
Her groom.
Nikolai stepped out.
At that exact moment, he looked up.
Their eyes met.
He winked.
She blushed instantly, waving shyly.
"Come on, Mihu. Let's get you ready," Anika said.
Sohan kissed her forehead gently.
—
Outside…
Nikolai stood, holding his phone.
Taran stood beside him.
A message appeared.
"Awwww… you look so handsome, my groom."
Nikolai exhaled softly.
Taran placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Breathe, brother."
He nodded.
—
Golden dusk wrapped Lilith's mansion in a soft, royal glow.
The grand gates opened.
The baraat arrived like a storm—music, drums, power.
Nikolai stepped forward.
Regal.
Dominant.
Every movement controlled.
Every eye on him.
Every breath held.
"Hold on! You can't enter first!" a girl shouted.
Manisha.
"Why?" Daria asked, already amused.
"He has to pay to see our Mihu!" Sarah declared.
"YES!" all the girls chorused.
Rohan stepped forward.
"How much?"
"Areeee… not much," Beyza said dramatically. "Just around ₹900,000."
"JUST!?" Vishal nearly choked.
"Yeah," Sarah shrugged.
Alexxio chuckled.
Damian stepped forward, handing Nikolai a white briefcase.
Nikolai opened it.
Stacks.
Bundles.
More than they expected.
Their faces went pale.
"All yours," Nikolai said calmly.
"WOAHHHHH!!!!"
The girls screamed.
"Oh my goodness… this is a lot…" one of the aunts whispered.
"Mihu bhagyashali hai… Mihu is lucky," another said softly.
—
Bhairavi stepped forward, carrying the sacred flame.
She performed the aarti, circling the light before Nikolai.
Her eyes studied him deeply.
Blessing him.
Testing him.
A tilak was pressed onto his forehead.
A mark of acceptance.
Of protection.
Of honor.
The air shifted.
The resistance melted.
Nikolai stood unwavering.
A final gesture.
A final silence.
Then—
The doors opened.
Inside…
Waited destiny.
And the bride who had turned a king into a man willing to be tested.
The Mafia King had arrived.
For his bride.