The night after the dinner felt strange for both of them.
Nithya lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. The proposal was still fresh in her mind. Aryan's calm but confident voice echoed in her thoughts.
"When I decide something… it usually happens."
Most people would feel nervous hearing such a statement. But Nithya was not most people.
She sat up and opened her laptop again. Her Business Management assignment was still unfinished. The case study was about a powerful CEO taking control of a company through a sudden acquisition.
Nithya read the details carefully.
Then she smiled slightly.
"This man thinks exactly like that CEO," she murmured.
Taking control quickly.
Making bold decisions.
Not waiting for permission.
That was exactly what Aryan was doing.
Her phone buzzed.
It was Viraaj again.
"Ma'am, we investigated Aryan further."
"And?" Nithya asked.
"He owns many global companies. Technology, shipping, finance. Everything looks legal. But his security network is… unusual."
"How unusual?"
"Too organized. Too loyal. Like a private army."
Nithya leaned back in her chair.
Her instincts were rarely wrong.
"Continue watching him," she said calmly.
"Yes, ma'am."
After the call ended, Nithya closed the laptop.
Something about Aryan felt like a puzzle.
And Devil always liked solving puzzles.
Meanwhile, at the mansion, Aryan sat in his private office.
A large digital screen showed the world map with business routes and financial networks connected to his empire.
Korea.
Europe.
America.
Asia.
Everything connected under his control.
Rohan stood beside him.
"Sir, should we wait for Nithya's answer?"
Aryan didn't look away from the screen.
"No."
Rohan blinked.
"Sir?"
"I'm not waiting for rejection," Aryan said calmly.
"But she asked for time."
Aryan finally turned his chair.
"People ask for time when they are unsure. My job is to remove uncertainty."
Rohan understood what that meant.
Eagle was about to move again.
The next morning, Nithya arrived at university.
The campus was full of students walking between buildings, chatting, laughing, and rushing to classes.
But Nithya walked calmly, holding her books.
Inside the lecture hall, the professor began explaining corporate mergers.
"Sometimes," the professor said, writing on the board, "one company takes control of another company very quickly. This is called an aggressive takeover."
Nithya listened carefully.
Aggressive takeover.
The words reminded her of Aryan again.
Halfway through the lecture, her phone vibrated quietly.
A message appeared.
"Meet me after your class." — Aryan
Nithya stared at the message for a second.
Bold.
Very bold.
Most people would never message her directly like that.
But Aryan clearly wasn't worried about rules.
She didn't reply.
Outside the university gate later that afternoon, a black luxury car waited.
Students whispered as they walked past.
"Who is that?"
"Looks like some rich businessman."
When Nithya stepped outside, Aryan was leaning casually against the car.
His presence alone made people nervous.
Nithya walked toward him slowly.
"You came to my university," she said.
"Yes."
"That's unusual."
"I prefer direct conversations," Aryan replied.
Nithya crossed her arms.
"You're not giving me time to think."
Aryan looked at her calmly.
"I gave you time. One night."
"That's not enough."
"For important decisions, it is."
Nithya studied him again.
"Why are you so sure about this marriage?"
Aryan answered honestly.
"Because you are exactly what I need."
"And what exactly is that?"
"A partner who understands power."
Nithya was silent for a moment.
Then she asked a dangerous question.
"And if I refuse?"
Aryan's expression didn't change.
"You won't."
That answer almost made her laugh.
"You sound very confident."
"I am."
For a moment the two simply stared at each other.
Eagle and Devil—without knowing the truth about each other yet.
Finally Nithya sighed softly.
"You are very difficult."
Aryan replied calmly,
"And you are very stubborn."
The corner of Nithya's lips curved slightly.
"Fine," she said.
Aryan waited.
"I will marry you."
Aryan didn't show excitement, but his eyes softened just a little.
"But," Nithya added quickly, "I have conditions."
"Tell me."
"I will continue my Business Management studies in Korea."
"Already arranged."
"And my independence stays."
Aryan nodded once.
"Agreed."
Nithya looked at him suspiciously.
"You agreed too quickly."
"I told you," Aryan said calmly. "When I decide something, I prepare everything."
Nithya shook her head slightly.
"You're dangerous."
Aryan opened the car door for her.
"Not to you."
Neither of them knew the truth yet.
Because the world's most dangerous mafia king had just married the world's most dangerous mafia queen.
And soon…
The Eagle and the Devil would rule together.