Parwati's head throbbed with exhaustion as she made her way back to her chambers, her vision blurred with dizziness. Gaurav followed closely behind, a concerned shadow in her wake. Despite her protests, Gayatri Ma had insisted she rest after succumbing to a pounding headache, a lingering reminder of the injury she had sustained during her stay in the palace dungeons.

As she ascended the stairs, each step felt like a Herculean effort, her weary body struggling to maintain balance. Just as she reached the landing, her strength gave way, and she stumbled precariously. But before she could plummet, a pair of strong arms enveloped her waist, halting her fall with a firm grip.