5 THE THRONE OF BLOOD

Power doesn’t stay empty for long.

It gets taken.

Or it gets stolen.

And today—

Everyone in that room had come to decide which one it would be.

The Rathore mansion’s main hall was filled again.

But this time—

It wasn’t grief in the air.

It was **greed.**

Men who once stood behind Vihaan now stood in groups.

Whispering.

Calculating.

Waiting.

Because the king was gone.

And kingdoms without kings…

fall apart.

Or get claimed.

### **The Gathering**

Rajveer Rathore stood near the head of the table.

Silent.

Observing.

Beside him—

Nandini Rathore sat still.

Composed.

But her eyes…

they hadn’t stopped searching the door.

As if a part of her still believed—

*He would walk in.*

But he didn’t.

Instead—

She walked in.

Ishira.

Her steps were slow.

Controlled.

Her face calm.

Unreadable.

But her presence?

Different.

The whispers stopped.

Immediately.

Every eye turned toward her.

Some mocking.

Some doubtful.

Some already dismissing her.

*Aurat hai.*

*Handle nahi kar paayegi.*

*Temporary hai.*

They didn’t say it out loud.

But she heard it anyway.

Ishira reached the center.

Didn’t sit.

Didn’t speak.

She just looked at them.

One by one.

And in that moment—

Something shifted.

### **The First Challenge**

“Mrs. Rathore,” a man finally spoke.

Senior.

Influential.

Arrogant.

“Business ruk gaya hai. Deals pending hain. Aur frankly…” he paused, glancing around, “…humein kisi capable leader ki zarurat hai.”

Silence.

The words hung in the air.

Clear.

Insulting.

Ishira tilted her head slightly.

“Continue,” she said calmly.

The man smirked.

Encouraged.

“Aap emotional state mein hain. Yeh duniya aapke liye nahi bani. Better hoga agar aap—”

A gunshot echoed.

Loud.

Sharp.

Final.

The man dropped.

Dead before he hit the floor.

Screams.

Shock.

Panic.

But Ishira didn’t move.

Her hand still steady.

Gun still raised.

Her face?

Calm.

“Ab koi aur bolega?” she asked softly.

Silence.

Dead silence.

No one dared.

Because in that one moment—

She had done what they thought she couldn’t.

She had **chosen violence.**

Without hesitation.

Without regret.

### **The Claim**

Ishira lowered the gun slowly.

Placed it on the table.

Then—

She sat.

At the head.

Not as a guest.

Not as a placeholder.

As the one in control.

“Sun lo sab,” her voice cut through the room.

“Vihaan Rathore gaya hai.”

A pause.

“Lekin uska empire zinda hai.”

Her eyes hardened.

“Aur ab yeh empire… kisi aur ka nahi hoga.”

Silence.

“Main chalungi isse.”

No hesitation.

No doubt.

Just a statement.

### **Family’s Reaction**

Rajveer watched her closely.

No shock.

No anger.

Only…

approval.

A faint nod.

Almost invisible.

Nandini’s gaze softened for a brief second.

Not because she accepted her fully.

But because—

She saw something familiar.

**Vihaan.**

The same fire.

The same ruthlessness.

### **The Warning**

Ishira leaned forward slightly.

Her voice dropped.

Colder now.

“Jo yahan baith ke soch raha hai ki main weak hoon…”

A pause.

“…woh agla ho sakta hai.”

No one moved.

No one blinked.

Because they believed her.

Not because of her words.

But because of the body still lying on the floor.

### **The Beginning of Rule**

One by one—

Men lowered their gazes.

Agreement.

Submission.

Fear.

And just like that—

Without a vote.

Without a discussion.

The throne was taken.

### **Later That Night**

The mansion was quiet again.

But this time—

It wasn’t empty.

It was controlled.

Ishira stood alone in Vihaan’s study.

Her fingers traced the edge of his desk.

Everything still smelled like him.

Power.

Danger.

Control.

She closed her eyes for a second.

Then opened them.

Colder.

Stronger.

“Tumne galti ki,” she whispered into the silence.

“Tumne mujhe kam samjha.”

A pause.

Her gaze lifted.

“And now…”

A faint, dangerous calm settled in her voice.

“Main sabko galat prove karungi.”

👑 End Note

That night—

Fear changed its direction.

Before—

People feared Vihaan Rathore.

Now—

They feared her.

Because the throne was no longer empty.

It had been claimed.

By a queen…

Who didn’t ask for power.

She took it.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***