It had been a week since the flooding, and new homes were being built for those who had lost everything. The displaced villagers had been relocated to temporary structures until their permanent houses could be completed. Jahnvi found herself appreciating the Bhosleys more than ever. They were among the few royal families that genuinely cared about the well-being of their people. Not only did she see the love for the villagers in the eyes and actions of the royal family, but she also sensed a personal warmth towards herself.

"...now stuff this mixture into the flour pancake and seal it," Nanda Bhosley instructed as she watched Jahnvi mimic her actions. "Now roll this flat with a rolling pin, making sure the stuffing doesn't ooze out."

Jahnvi carefully rolled her first Puran Poli, making sure not to break the seal of the dough.

"Is this thin enough, Aai Saheb?"

"Perfect. Now brush some ghee on the pan and place your Poli gently on top."

Jahnvi had started to spend her evenings exclusively with Nanda, the two of them cooking dinner for the family. Their culinary sessions were a blend of Marathi and Kashmiri cuisine. Both women enjoyed cooking and each other's company, and the family delighted in the different dishes they experimented with.

"Aai Saheb, I want you to taste Rogan Josh. I'm sure you'll love it," Jahnvi said as she flipped the Puran Poli, which sizzled on the hot skillet.

"We can make that whenever you want. Make a list of the ingredients you need, and we can ask Veena to arrange them."

"That sounds great. I'll make a—"

"Aai Saheb!" Gauri exclaimed, bursting into the kitchen. "Aai Saheb, listen! Listen!"

"What happened, Gauri? Calm down," Nanda said, holding Gauri by her arms as she caught her breath.

"I have news!" Gauri panted.

"Gauri, why are you panting? What news? Malhar, what is Gauri talking about?" Nanda asked Malhar, who had followed Gauri into the kitchen.

"Aai Saheb, I just received a letter from Pune. Abhinav Dada and Damini Kaki are coming to Satara."

"Damini and Abhinav?" Nanda asked, surprised. "When? Why?"

"They didn't mention the reason for their visit. Their convoy should be here in two days; they've already started their journey from Pune."

"And now what, Aai Saheb?" Gauri asked. "Damini Kaki is here to cause some drama again."

"Hush, girl!" Nanda reprimanded Gauri. "You give her the respect she deserves. Don't worry, I'll make sure everything goes well during their stay."

"Aai Saheb, you know it too. She only comes to rattle our brains and destroy our peace." Gauri rolled her eyes. "And that son of hers, he thinks he—"

"Gauri!" Malhar placed a hand on Gauri's shoulder, making her stop. "It's true, Malhar," Gauri pouted.

"And I'm not denying it," he said, turning her around and placing both hands on her shoulders. "But sometimes, we need not always express how we feel about someone, especially if they are older than us, no matter how hard they make it for us to like them."

"Got it," she whispered.

"Good. Now, can I ask you to make a cup of tea for me?"

"Will do." She smiled brightly and moved towards the chula fire, placing a pot of water over the flame.

"Gauri," Malhar called again.

"Yes?" she said, adding crushed cardamom pods into the now-boiling water.

"Add a pinch of salt to the tea once you strain it," he said, his eyes meeting Jahnvi's, who stopped mid-flip of her Puran Poli.

"Salt?" Gauri asked, confused.

"Yes," he said, turning his gaze back to Gauri and giving her a small smile. "I'll be in my study." He walked out.

"Girls, I'm going to retire to my room as well. Gauri, help Jahnvi with the lunch," Nanda said and left the kitchen.

Outside, Nanda saw the two kittens playing together. Zoon shadowed Jahnvi everywhere, and Chandni followed her brother. Gauri had lost interest in raising the kittens and was glad Jahnvi took responsibility for looking after them, training them well over the past week.

"Malhar!" Nanda called as she stepped out of the kitchen. Malhar, who was walking towards his study, stopped and turned towards his mother.

"Aai Saheb? Is there something you want to talk about?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, walking towards him. "I'll walk with you to the study."

"Sure."

The mother-son duo walked the length of the Kandara fort towards the section reserved for the king. The corridor became narrower but brighter, opening into a courtyard—a section hidden within the fort in plain sight, only accessible to the king and approved individuals, manned with guards around the clock.

"I can see something is bothering you, and I have a faint idea of what it could be."

"Do you?"

"Yes. I told Gauri I would tell you in person, but she couldn't hold on. You know she dislikes Kaki, but she is just a child, she'll—"

Malhar was interrupted by Nanda's chuckles.

"A child?" she asked, shaking her head in disappointment. "She isn't a child, Malhar. Stop seeing her as one. Look at her as a woman, a woman you are to marry, as your queen."

"I'm sorry if I have offended you, Aai Saheb," Malhar said, his eyebrows knitting in confusion at the sudden change in his mother's tone. "I'll be careful in how I speak to Gauri."

Nanda smiled at him as she sat on the couch placed on the right half of the courtyard and looked up at the now-clear skies.

"It's been weeks since you returned from Hyderabad," she said, looking at him as he sat on the chair opposite her.

"Yes, and?" he raised an eyebrow.

"And I think things should go back to how they were before."

"I think everything is settled and normal."

"Is it really ?"

"Aai Saheb, I would appreciate it if you didn't talk to me in riddles," he said, his voice becoming huskier as he tried to hold onto his patience.

"There have been some additions and subtractions from this household. I want you to change that," she said, looking straight ahead. "Start by calling Jai home immediately."

"Aai Saheb, I get that you miss him, but he needs t—"

"To be here," she said, looking at him. "He needs to be home. Now, with Abhinav and Damini coming, I want him by your side—"

"You think I can't take care of myself?" Malhar's voice raised an octave. "I am not the same child who wore the crown, Aai Saheb! I have earned this throne. I am not the same nine-year-old who needs to be protected by his mother or a bodyguard."

"Well, you have certainly forgotten who I am. I am not your subject; I am your mother and, more importantly, still the queen mother. So when you talk to me, don't forget that, boy!" Nanda replied. "Don't forget that. Ever!" She stood up in one swift motion and walked towards the exit.

"Aai Saheb, I'm sorry," Malhar called after her, but she walked out, ignoring his apology.

The guards manning the corridor bowed as she walked out.

"I don't have to go inside. You can give this to him," she heard a voice coming from the entrance to the secluded corridor.

"I'm sorry, I can't do that either."

"Why don't you help me or understand that—"

"What is going on?" Nanda asked, watching the scene ahead of her.

A tall guard had blocked the entrance to the corridor. He moved away swiftly, allowing Nanda to step out into the main corridor.

Nanda saw Jahnvi standing there with a tray in hand.

"Aai Saheb! Thank God you are here," Jahnvi said, relieved.

"What happened, Jahnvi?" Nanda asked, concerned.

"Gauri gave me this tea she made for Malhar. She said I need to follow this path, and I'll find Malhar's study," she sighed. "But sir won't let me pass. He says I'm not authorized or permitted."

"Oh," Nanda let out a chuckle. "I thought it was something serious with your expressions looking so concerning."

Nanda turned towards the bodyguard and smiled. "This is Jahnvi, part of our family. You can let her pass. Please inform the rest of the guards as well."

"Thank you, Aai Saheb," Jahnvi smiled.

"Always welcome, my darling," Nanda said, stroking Jahnvi's head affectionately. "Where did Gauri disappear to? Did she dump all the kitchen work on your head? I told her to help you. I know she hates cooking, but—"

"Oh no, no, no," Jahnvi quickly interrupted Nanda, ready to defend her friend. "Gauri helped me finish everything. As we were wrapping up, Chandni sneakily sprang upon Gauri, who dropped the turmeric powder on Chandni because of the jump scare."

"Huh?" Nanda looked confused, trying to understand what Jahnvi said.

"So now, Gauri has taken Chandni to give her a bath. She fears her white coat will turn yellow."

"Oh, you girls," Nanda laughed. "Go hurry now before the tea turns cold."

"Yes, Aai Saheb," Jahnvi replied as she turned and walked into the inner corridor.

"Zoon, you'll make me fall on my face if you keep walking ahead of me," Jahnvi scolded her kitten, who meowed in response.

"Don't act so innocent. I know you would have influenced your sister to scare Gauri," she said, frowning at the cat as she continued down the hallway.

As Jahnvi stepped out of the corridor into the courtyard, her jaw dropped open. She had not expected this in the least. The courtyard was an architectural marvel, bathed in soft sunlight that filtered through intricate stone latticework. A serene fountain burbled in the center, its water sparkling like liquid diamonds. Surrounding the courtyard were lush plants and vibrant flowers, their fragrances mingling in the air.

Back in the main part of the fort, Nanda sat in her room, contemplating the upcoming visit. She knew Damini well—her penchant for stirring trouble was legendary. Nanda's thoughts drifted to Malhar's reaction earlier.

Gauri, meanwhile, was busy in the kitchen, scrubbing the turmeric-stained Chandni. The kitten meowed pitifully, and Gauri laughed despite herself.

"Alright, alright, I'm almost done," she said, rinsing the kitten gently. "You better not do that again, or next time, Jahnvi will have to deal with you."

As the sun set over Kandara fort, casting long shadows across the ancient walls, the Bhosley family prepared for the challenges ahead.

AN: Hello dearest readers. I hope you are liking the story so far. Leave behind your feedback so I can work on the story line better. Go vote for all the chapters you've skipped voting for, sending you love.