"A battlefield dressed in diamonds is still a battlefield."
— Eris
📍 THE NIGHT OF THE GALA — VR IMPERIAL HALL
Golden lights draped the grand entrance like a river of molten luxury. Paparazzi stood in position, red carpet ready. Security was at maximum level — only coded invites would unlock entry.
Luxury cars arrived one by one.
Politicians. CEOs. Celebrities. Investors.
But there was only one name the cameras were waiting for—
Sara Mehta.
🎥 Backstage — Arrival Zone
Sara stepped out of her car.
Not in a sparkling princess gown.
She wore a black velvet slit gown with a structured shoulder cape — powerful, fierce, regal.
Not a guest. Not a date. A queen on her own throne.
Ritu whispered nervously, "Everyone's staring. Headlines will explode."
Sara lifted her chin. "Then let them watch properly."
The camera flashes intensified — lightning on command.
🖤 Inside the Hall
A hush fell.
Heads turned.
Conversations paused mid-sentence.
Sara walked — calm, unhurried, as if she owned every step of that marble floor.
And then — from the other grand entrance —
He arrived.
Aarav Vir Rathore.
Black suit. Open collar. No tie. Power moving like gravity around him.
The Frost King — in full control.
For a moment—they stood apart.
Two royalty figures entering different ends of a ballroom.
And someone whispered among the crowd…
"Are they going to pretend… or claim?"
🎭 Meanwhile — A Figure in the Balcony
Alisha Verma stood on the private balcony floor, unseen by most. She wore deep crimson — a deliberate opposite to Sara's black.
Her eyes glittered — not with admiration.
But with the hunger of someone who wants to ruin, not win.
She pulled out her phone and sent a single message to Eris.
Alisha: "Target in sight. I'll remove her mask tonight."
Eris: "No. Make her remove it herself."
🎤 Announcement Echoes
Host: "Ladies and gentlemen — welcome to VR Group's Gala.
Tonight, for the first time, Mr. Aarav Vir Rathore will welcome a Guest of Honor personally."
The crowd stirred.
"Guest of Honor??"
"Who? A political figure?"
"An investor?"
"Or…"
Spotlight cut.
Sara stood alone under it.
And then…
A second spotlight turned on.
Aarav stepped forward.
The room held its breath.
⚡ And Aarav — without hesitation — walked to HER side.
Not a secret glance.
Not a shadowed corner.
He walked straight to her.
Every camera turned.
Every phone lifted.
He stopped beside her — shoulder to shoulder — and spoke to the host.
Aarav (mic on, voice calm, public): "VR sets its own traditions.
Tonight, I welcome our Guest of Honor—"
His eyes met hers.
Aarav: "—Ms. Sara Mehta."
Applause. Gasps. Shock. Explosion.
The media went FERAL.
Twitter — CRASHED from refresh speed.
"HE SAID HER NAME. HE SAID HER NAME."
"THIS IS A DECLARATION IN CEO LANGUAGE."
"NO DENIAL. NO HIDING. STRAIGHT ACKNOWLEDGMENT."
🎭 On a Shadowed Balcony — Eris & Alisha Watch
Alisha (whisper, bitter): "He didn't hide her."
Eris (eyes glittering): "He didn't reveal her either."
Alisha frowned.
Eris (smiling slow):
"He placed her beside him… but not as love.
As POWER."