Page 71 of Twisted Alliance

She was reminded of the times he had fought off the attackers. Plus, the Thakvar security was just outside to help if needed.

Sucking in a deep breath, she relaxed.

He led her to the table and drew out a chair. Once she was seated, he sat next to her.

“I’m Shivay Thakvar, and this is my wife, Ishani. She is the rightful Gujjar heir, and our marriage has brought the Thakvar and Gujjar clans together.”

Ishani’s eyes widened when she heard her husband speak in the local language. It was a complete shock to her, and she could see a similar surprise in the eyes of the other clan leaders. “I’m the oldest son of Mihir Thakvar, and I’m here in front of you to discuss how we can build the alliances we need for the betterment of our people.”

“There are rumors that you aren’t the real heir,” someone called out. “It’s been said you are a businessman who is here to steal the oil wells from Singoor.”

Ishani held her breath. She had the same doubts as the ones being voiced out loud—that Shivay Thakvar was a ruthless businessman who was fooling everyone to steal the oil wells.

She turned to see what Shivay Thakvar would say.

His darkly handsome face remained unfazed. “I’m Mihir Thakvar’s son. I have several proofs that can be presented… DNA results, family photos, and my parents’ wedding photos in America. But most of all, to prove that I’m not here to steal the wealth that rightfully belongs to all the heirs in Singoor, I will be signing a contract with all of you as witnesses that would remove me from having any stake in the oil wells.”

There was shocked silence in the room. Ishani was stunned as well.

Shivay Thakvar looked right in the eyes at each one of the clan heads present. “Everything my father has done over the past twenty years is for the betterment of our region and its people. The Thakvars are always willing to share the resources we have with the rest of the clans in Singoor. What we expect in return is to have an amicable relationship between all of the clans so we can restore peace. My father and I will ensure that once peace is restored, we will build the necessary infrastructure to connect all the clans. Your children will have access to the rest of the world, education, and modern amenities…”

Ishani’s heart thudded loudly as she heard Shivay Thakvar’s commanding and compelling voice as he spoke. Until then, she held doubts about him being the Thakvar heir and his intentions. But listening to him talk, she had no reason to believe he wasn’t the true heir, especially if he was forsaking his stake in the oil wells.

“So, will you all agree to sign the peace treaty and secure the future of your children?” he asked.

There was absolute silence for a few moments. And then, it was followed by a roaring applause from all of the small clan members. “Yes! We will!”

Shivay Thakvar nodded. “As I have promised earlier, I will forfeit the share in the oil wells for the Thakvars. I will be signing the document, and you all can be witnesses to the contract.”

Ishani watched as Shivay Thakvar held the paper that had the contract and conditions listed for the peace treaty. He put his signature underneath before passing it to her.

“Read the contract and sign next to my signature,” he said.

With shaking hands, she picked it up and read the brief contract. It contained all the information he had stated earlier. Sucking in a deep breath, she signed next to his bold signature.

She then watched as he personally went around the meeting table and had each clan member agree to the contract by placing their initials or thumbprint. Despite his commanding nature, she watched as he patiently explained to some of the clan heads what each point in the contract meant.

Her heart thudded, watching this side of him she hadn’t personally witnessed before.

One of the clan heads spoke to her. “Your husband is not from here, but the way he speaks and came to meet us in the villages, we feel he is a part of the Sands of Singoor.”

Ishani was shocked. She hadn’t known that Shivay Thakvar reached out to the smaller clans in the Eastern part of Singoor deemed inaccessible and dangerous. She then recalled the initial days and weeks of their marriage when he had been away from the Thakvar mansion and returned at midnight.

My God.

All the while, she had thought him to be a selfish, ruthless man, but he was risking his life to bring stability to her region.

But why?

She still didn’t know his motive, and she couldn’t ask him because he didn’t trust her.

Feeling confused and shaken, she continued to watch him from under her veil.

Much later, a few hours before the sun began to set, the clan meeting ended.

“May the Mahadev’s blessings be with you!”

Ishani felt touched when the clan heads blessed them before leaving the meeting.

---