🌅 Breakfast Table – Rathoure Mansion 🌅

The grand breakfast hall felt unusually tense. The elders had already left for the day, leaving the Rathoure sons seated around the long mahogany table. Plates clinked, coffee steam rose, but the atmosphere was thick with irritation.

Eshan (grumbling, voice low):
"Where the hell are Innaya and Ved? It's already morning, and they're missing."

Aayan (tight-lipped, eyes narrowing):
"Seriously... it's like they vanished. Breakfast without them isn't even breakfast."

Kabir fiddled with his spoon, glancing toward the doorway nervously. Myra, preparing to leave, leaned down and whispered to him:

Myra (softly, serious):
"Kabir, when Innaya comes, make sure she talks with me first, okay?"

Kabir nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. He was about to stand and go look for her when Advik quietly got up:

Advik (calm but firm):
"No... I'll call Ved. He should know where she is."

At the same time, Zayan stood, stretching slightly, voice cold and controlled:

Zayan:
"I'll check on her hand... make sure she's alright."

The trio—Eshan, Aayan, and Rudra—shared a look, unease simmering. They pushed back their chairs and began heading toward the stairs, muttering among themselves, while the others tried to eat, but the tension made every bite tasteless.

🌸 Scene 3 – Innaya's Chamber / Guest Room 🌸

The boys searched the mansion methodically, checking every room. Yet, Innaya was nowhere to be found. Their footsteps echoed as they finally reached Ved's guest room.

Eshan (gritting his teeth):
"Could she really be in here?"

They slowly opened the door—and froze.

Innaya lay curled up against Ved, still in a light sleep, her face peaceful and soft. Ved's arm was protectively wrapped around her. The sight hit the boys like a thunderbolt, jealousy surging instantly.

Zayan (whispering, voice tense):
"She... she's cuddling him? What the hell?"

Aayan (biting his lip, muttering):
"Unbelievable... right in front of us."

Advik (smirking slightly, pulling out his phone):
"She's... too cute. I can't resist. One quick picture..."

Advik gently snapped a photo, careful not to disturb them. A faint rustle kicked Ved awake. He sat up, groggy but immediately alert, and greeted the boys with a tired, calm smile:

Ved (stretching, voice smooth):
"Good morning... gentlemen."

Zayan's jaw tightened, his voice clipped and commanding:

Zayan:
"Come downstairs. Now."

From inside the room, a sleepy, muffled voice drifted out—Innaya's, groggy and pleading:

Innaya (softly, barely awake):
"Five more minutes... please..."

Ved chuckled softly, brushing her hair from her face, his tone gentle as he whispered:

Ved:
"Alright... five minutes. But then we move."

The boys' irritation deepened, their faces darkening with jealousy and frustration. The trio could hardly believe how relaxed Ved was while Innaya lingered in that half-asleep cocoon of warmth. Every second stretched their impatience and possessiveness to the limit.

The breakfast would have to wait, but for now, the mansion was charged with silent tension—the Rathoure boys' envy simmering, ready to explode the moment Innaya finally stepped out

🔥 Inner Thoughts – Rathoure Boys' Jealousy 🔥

Eshan:
She's in his arms... sleeping like she belongs there. How can she be so calm, so peaceful with him? And he's just letting it happen... letting her rest against him. No one touches Innaya like that but me. Why does it have to be Ved? I should be the one protecting her, not him. Not some outsider. I can't just stand here.

Zayan:
That hand on her... that arm wrapped around her... it's mine to give comfort. Not his. She trusts him... laughs with him... and I'm left watching? No. This isn't right. She's mine too... my family, my sister... how can she give someone else that?

Aayan:
Her innocence, her soft face, the way she curls up without a care... it's infuriating. She doesn't even notice the chaos she causes in this house. Ved thinks he's protective, but I should be the one watching her, guiding her, making her feel safe. Not him. He's overstepping... too much.

Rudra:
Cold, silent... and utterly enraged inside. The audacity. The way she relaxes, the way he smiles at her—calm, like everything is normal. Everything should revolve around this family. This is Rathoure blood. She's ours. Not him. Not some guest who dares to hold her like that. I won't let her see him as more than she should.

Kabir:
Cute... ridiculous... I can't even deny it. She's sleeping so adorably, it's maddening. How does Ved get to see this? She's mine too, in some way... everyone's possessiveness aside, I want her safe, happy, but why does it have to be with him?

Advik (smirking but green-eyed):
Picture-perfect... too perfect. I'll capture this moment. She's mine to admire, mine to know. But why is Ved so... protective? So calm? She's teasing all of us without even realizing. How dare he... how dare he get this privilege before us.

Zayan (under his breath, tense):
"She's not supposed to rely on him. Not now, not ever. She should trust her family first."

Eshan (clenching fists, muttering):
"Every second he holds her, every soft smile... it's a challenge. I will not... I cannot let him take what belongs here."

The Rathoure boys exchanged silent, frustrated glances, each consumed by a mix of jealousy, protectiveness, and competitive instinct. Their minds raced: How dare he comfort her? How dare she relax with someone else when we are here?

Even Kabir, usually playful, felt the sting of envy, while Aayan's heart tightened at the unfairness of the moment. They weren't just irritated—they were possessive, territorial, and desperate to assert that Innaya was theirs, even if she didn't know it yet.

Ved, unaware of the storm brewing around him, continued to hold Innaya with gentle care. The boys' silent tension filled the mansion like electricity, a storm ready to break the second the morning peace ended.

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