Gauri guided Jahnvi to the community kitchen, a massive open space where huge cauldrons simmered over roaring flames, cooking food for the people inside the fort. The air was thick with the scent of spices, and the clattering of utensils created a symphony of activity.

"This is huge," Jahnvi said, her eyes wide as she stood in the middle of the bustling kitchen.

"Princess?"

Jahnvi turned to see Kanchi approaching with a lady who appeared old enough to be her mother. Kanchi's usually calm demeanor seemed rattled.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were looking for me. You could have sent someone to fetch me. Do you need anything? What can I get you? Maa, this is Princess Jahnvi of Kashmir, and I am assigned to serve her. I'm really sorry if I took too much time; I didn't know you were—"

"Kanchi! Breathe," Jahnvi said, letting out a hearty laugh that echoed through the kitchen, momentarily halting the clatter and chatter.

"Sorry," Kanchi said, her face flushing red with embarrassment.

Everyone had stopped their tasks, taking a moment to stare at the beautiful girl who had entered their kitchen, whose laugh was a melody, and whom Kanchi had referred to as a princess. Jahnvi's presence seemed to cast a spell over the room, her elegance and warmth captivating everyone.

"I'm sorry if I am disturbing you all. Please resume your duties," Jahnvi said politely, her voice carrying a regal but gentle authority.

The cooks and helpers took a moment longer to look at her before returning to their tasks, whispering among themselves about the rare sight of royalty in their midst.

"Do you need anything, Princess? Do you need me?" Kanchi asked, her voice filled with concern and eagerness to please.

"No, I was going to help with the meal prep for today."

"Oh," Kanchi exclaimed. "You've come to the wrong kitchen, Princess. Food for the royal family is cooked in the private kitchen for safety purposes."

"Well, I wasn't aware of that, but I am at the right place. I am here to help cook food for the refugees."

"Refugees?" Kanchi's confusion mirrored the uncertainty in the room.

"The fort doors are open to families displaced by the floods," the lady standing behind Kanchi, who Jahnvi assumed was her mother, said. Her voice carried the weight of experience and compassion.

Jahnvi smiled at her, sensing a kindred spirit in the woman.

"Apologies, Your Grace. I am Veena, Kanchi's mother and one of the royal cooks. I've been relocated to the common kitchen to serve the refugees."

"Wonderful, Veena Kaki. Let's get to it, shall we?" Jahnvi said enthusiastically, her energy infectious. "We should start by deciding the menu and organizing into smaller teams."

"If you don't mind, Princess, I'll call in all the cooks. We can brief everyone together," Veena suggested. Jahnvi nodded, appreciating the efficiency.

Within ten minutes, Jahnvi was seated in the center of a small circle of around nine people, the cooks from both the common and royal kitchens. The atmosphere was a mix of curiosity and respect.

"I suggest we divide into teams of ones or twos with our helpers and start on different dishes. There are one hundred and twenty people in the fort and around three hundred villagers joining us for the meal today, so we need to cook for about four hundred fifty people. Let's pick simple, warm dishes. Any suggestions?"

"Warm vegetable broth to help them regain body heat," one of the cooks suggested. Jahnvi nodded, noting it down.

"We can serve warm varan bhaat," said another, and Jahnvi nodded, noting it down.

"I can make a vegetable curry, a little spicy to beat the cold," Veena added.

"Sounds good," Jahnvi said. "We'll have the rest making chapatis and keep a cauldron of tea boiling constantly. I can make warm phirni for dessert."

The kitchen quickly divided tasks, with everyone cutting, chopping, and prepping for the massive meal. Smaller fire stations were set up, and multiple cauldrons were filled with food at different stages of cooking. The air filled with the aroma of simmering spices, creating a sense of comfort amidst the chaos.

Jahnvi wiped the sweat off her forehead as she helped chop vegetables for Veena's curry alongside Kanchi and six other helpers. She carefully sliced through the vegetables, knowing she couldn't afford to cut herself and delay preparations. It was already past three, and the dark clouds made it difficult to work due to the lack of light. Big oil lamps were brought in and placed around the kitchen, casting a warm glow on everyone's faces.

Jahnvi could hear the buzz from outside, signaling the arrival of families.

"Kanchi, take a few cups of broth and tea and start serving the people," Jahnvi instructed. Kanchi nodded, taking a few helpers with her.

"Veena Kaki, everything is chopped. I'll start prepping for the phirni," Jahnvi said and moved towards the cauldrons prepared for her to start making the dessert. She poured the soaked rice into seven cauldrons of milk kept over the flame, watching the rice slowly absorb the creamy liquid.

Jahnvi, along with a fourteen-year-old girl named Lata, started to powder some sugar with cardamom. She was surprised to find saffron in the kitchen but was informed that it was a gift from an ambassador from Iran.

"Now all we have to do is stir the pots and add ingredients when needed," Jahnvi said. "Lata, keep stirring the pots every five minutes and ask someone to chop the dry fruits. I'll go check if people are being fed properly."

Jahnvi plucked the end of her saree tucked around her waist and let her hair down from its bun to escape the heat as she walked out of the kitchen after four hours. Her exhaustion was palpable, but so was her determination.

"...keep moving. You can settle down and then tend to your things, please," a soldier said, ushering a group of villagers toward the north wing of the palace.

Jahnvi hadn't explored the fort enough to find her way herself, so she decided to follow the crowd. After a brief walk from the common kitchen, she entered a large room through massive wooden doors decorated with gold and silver filigree work.

The room was supported by large columns and stretched as far as she could see. Thick plush red carpet covered the floor, and small wooden daises were built on either side of the room. There were balconies on the first floor overlooking the room, providing a view of the activities below.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Parth asked, appearing behind Jahnvi with a gentle smile.

"It is," she replied, her eyes taking in the grandeur of the room. "What is this place?"

"The common court. This is where Dada sits," he said, pointing to the large platform at the far end of the room. "These eleven daises are for the eight ministers, the Ashtapradhan, Aai Saheb, the second in line, which is me, and the future queen."

"And these balconies?" Jahnvi asked, admiring the intricate designs.

"For women who wish to attend court. They can partake in political issues while staying away from the crowd if they wish," Parth explained, his pride in his home evident.

"It's beautiful," Jahnvi said, her voice filled with awe.

"How are courts in your kingdom?" Parth asked, genuinely curious.

"Open meadows, between pine trees and lush grass. We build a makeshift tent outside in the palace grounds," Jahnvi described, her eyes lighting up at the memory.

"Sounds dreamy," Parth replied, imagining the serene setting.

"Jahnvi! You look knackered," Gauri said, walking up to them with two men holding stacks of carpets.

"It's been a long day already," Jahnvi replied with a small, tired smile, her spirit still unbroken.

"Go give these to the boy's family and make arrangements for a small fire next to him. I'll be with them shortly," Gauri instructed the two men, who bowed and followed her orders.

"Everything okay, Gauri?" Parth asked, looking at her with concern.

"Yes, just a couple of sick kids. Their house was flooded, and they had to sleep under a tree all night in this downpour," she said, shaking her head, her eyes reflecting her empathy.

"Can I see the kids?" Jahnvi asked. "I may be able to help."

"Sure, come with me," Gauri said, leading Jahnvi to the farthest corner of the room where a man sat on the floor next to three children who appeared to be between five and three, their tiny bodies buried under blankets. Their mother nursed an infant, and an old lady sat beside her, trying to catch some sleep against the wall.

"Thank you, Your Grace. We got the blankets, and they said they would light a small fire for the kids here," the man said, folding his hands in gratitude.

"That's the least we can do," Gauri replied, her voice soothing.

Jahnvi crouched down to touch one of the children. Their skin was burning with fever, and their breaths were shallow.

"The children are burning up. Just providing heat won't help. We need to bring their temperature down. Start placing wet rags on their heads; the fever shouldn't reach their brains," Jahnvi said, her voice firm but gentle.

"Are they going to get better?" the mother cried, her voice breaking. "They've barely been conscious since last night."

"They will get better, I promise," Jahnvi said, placing her hand on the mother's shoulder, her eyes filled with determination and hope. "We'll take good care of them."

AN: hello my lovelies . Thank you for all the lovely feedback's. One of our readers suggested a few faces for our characters, whom do you see as Jahnvi Malhar Gauri ? Lmk in the comments
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