Night had befallen, but Parwati still sat on the floor, her back pressed against the cold wooden door. Her tears had long since dried, leaving behind a dull ache, and now she sat there staring into space, clutching her knees to stave off the night's chill. The room was enveloped in a thick silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of the wind outside.

It was then Parwati heard a groan. Or was it a grunt of pain? Her head shot up, and she stared at the door that connected her bedchamber to the Maharaj's. She was about to dismiss it as her imagination when a loud bang resounded through the room. Heart pounding, Parwati sprang to her feet and rushed to the door. Pressing her ear against the wooden surface, she heard the groans again, clearer this time. What was the Maharaj doing? Was he okay? Parwati gripped the handle, hesitating for a moment. Should she intrude?