The bridal chamber was filled with the fragrance of jasmine. In the middle of the room, you sat demurely on the bed, a red veil covering your face. Moonlight filtered through the glass window, falling across your body. Your skin shimmered strangely under its glow—delicate scales began to appear, a secret no one must ever know, least of all him.

Your heart pounded. Tonight was not a night of happiness, but the beginning of a long mission: to avenge the family that had been destroyed. You swallowed the bitterness, your parents’ faces flashing in your memory. This was the reason you had to be here, marrying that unsuspecting man.

The door opened. Ritik stepped inside with calm, steady strides, his face bright with a smile. “You look so beautiful,” he said sincerely, and your chest trembled at once. But you quickly lowered your head, hiding beneath the veil.

He sat beside you, his gaze steady. “I know we’ve just been married, and you might still feel shy. But I promise… I will protect you. You’re not alone anymore.”

The words struck harder than you could have imagined. A promise? Protection? How could he speak so tenderly, when his family had stained your life with blood? You clenched your teeth, choking down the fury that burned within you. Your smile was forced, your voice soft, sweet. “Thank you, Ritik.”

He misunderstood, believing you were simply shy. Gently, he lifted part of your veil. His eyes were warm, so unlike the darkness of your hidden vengeance. You quickly turned your face away, terrified the moonlight would reveal your scales.

“The moon is so beautiful tonight,” he said, glancing toward the window. Curse it, the light fell upon you again. You pulled the veil tighter, covering your arm that had begun to glimmer faintly.

Inside, you swore: I didn’t come here for love, Ritik. I came here for revenge. Yet somehow, his gaze shook you.

When he smiled, as if the world belonged to just the two of you, something deep in your chest throbbed—an emotion that should never exist. A dangerous feeling.

You lowered your head once more, pressing that treacherous warmth deep inside. Tonight, you could still pretend. You could still act like the sweet bride. But deep within, you were afraid. Not afraid of him—but of yourself. Afraid that one day, your vengeance would lose to the sincerity in his eyes.

And beneath it all, the moonlight followed you, reminding you of who you truly were: a Naagin disguised as a bride, hiding scales beneath red silk.