Perched on the bench of her balcony, Parwati's gaze drifted upwards to the luminous moon, its soft glow casting a serene ambiance over the spacious outdoor sanctuary. The balcony was her refuge, her solace amidst the turmoil of palace life.

Lost in her thoughts, Parwati's mind replayed the events of the dining hall, a heavy ache settling in her chest as silent tears traced their path down her cheeks. She couldn't fathom why it affected her so deeply. She should have anticipated it, seen it coming from miles away. Yet, her naive heart had dared to hope for a different, perhaps better outcome this time.