The morning sun slowly crept through the palace windows.
Golden light slipped through the thin curtains and spread across the quiet room.
On the large bed in the center of the chamber—
Tara was sleeping like a baby. (￣︶￣)💤
Completely unaware of the morning.
Her blanket was half on the bed, half on the floor.
One pillow had fallen beside the bed.
Another was trapped tightly in her arms as if it were a life-saving treasure.
During her sleep, Tara had rolled across the entire bed in the most chaotic way possible. (－‸ლ)
Her hair was slightly messy.
One of her arms was stretched toward the edge of the bed while the other tightly hugged the poor pillow she had captured during the night.
Anything that had been close to her while she slept had not survived the night peacefully.
A small scroll had fallen onto the floor.
One of her hair ornaments was hanging dangerously from the edge of the table.
Outside the room—
Knock knock.
Malini stood at the door.
Malini: Devi Tara… it is morning.
No response.
Malini knocked again.
Knock knock knock.
Malini: Devi Tara, you must wake up.
Still nothing.
Inside the room, Tara simply turned to the other side of the bed and hugged the pillow even tighter. (￣～￣)
Malini sighed quietly. (－_－)
Malini: The winter session of the darbar begins today…
Malini: You cannot sleep through it.
She knocked again.
Knock knock.
Silence.
Malini closed her eyes for a moment. (¬_¬)
Malini: Devi Tara…
She slowly opened the door and stepped inside the room.
The moment she entered—
She stopped.
Her eyes moved across the chaotic battlefield that Tara called a bedroom. (;￣Д￣)
Blanket on the floor.
Pillow missing from the bed.
Scrolls scattered.
Malini sighed deeply.
Malini: As expected… (－_－;)
She quietly walked around the room, picking up the fallen things and placing them back in their proper places.
She placed the scroll back on the table.
She fixed the blanket slightly.
Then she finally approached the bed.
Tara was still sleeping peacefully, hugging the pillow with a content expression. (￣▽￣)💤
Malini gently shook her shoulder.
Malini: Devi Tara.
No response.
She tried again.
Malini: Devi Tara… you must wake up.
The winter session of the royal court is beginning.
Tara only mumbled something incomprehensible and turned her face into the pillow.
Still asleep. (￣o￣) zzZ
Malini looked at her for a moment.
Then she sighed again.
Malini: This is going to be difficult… (－_－)
Malini: Today is the winter session of the Darbar.
The moment those words entered the room—
Tara's eyes suddenly snapped open.
Tara: DARBAR?! (;ﾟДﾟ)
She shot upright on the bed in shock.
Tara: Why didn't you wake me earlier?!
Malini stared at her blankly. (・_・)
Malini: I have been knocking for several minutes.
Tara froze.
Then she slowly rubbed her eyes.
Tara: Oh… (・_・)
She yawned loudly.
Tara: I see.
Malini shook her head.
Malini: Go take your bath first.
Malini: I will prepare your breakfast meanwhile.
Tara nodded sleepily.
Tara: Okay… (￣o￣)
She slowly dragged herself off the bed like a tired ghost and walked toward the bathing chamber.
Bathing Chamber
Inside the chamber was a square stone bathing tub, partially filled with warm water.
A brass pot rested beside it.
Small bowls containing herbal bathing paste and ancient shampoo were arranged neatly nearby.
Tara poured warm water over herself using the brass pot.
She then applied a thick herbal paste made from shikakai, amla, and reetha, the natural cleansers used for washing hair in ancient India.
She gently rubbed the mixture into her hair.
Foamy bubbles formed as the herbs cleaned her long hair.
Soon the bathing chamber filled with the fresh scent of herbs.
Meanwhile…
Tara's Room
Malini and two other servants were busy preparing the room.
One servant neatly folded the scattered blankets and fixed the bed.
Another opened the windows to let in fresh air.
Malini placed a small brass incense burner on the floor.
She dropped fragrant resin onto glowing charcoal.
Soft aromatic smoke rose into the air.
The room slowly filled with the pleasant fragrance of sandalwood and sambrani dhoop.
Malini nodded with satisfaction.
Malini: Good. (￣ー￣)
At the same time, the servants prepared Tara's breakfast.
Breakfast Time
After finishing her bath, Tara returned to the room.
Her long hair was wrapped in a cloth towel and still slightly wet.
She sat down sleepily at the small table.
Malini placed the breakfast tray before her.
The meal included:
warm wheat flatbreadsa bowl of sweet rice porridge cooked with milkfresh fruitsand a small cup of spiced milk with saffron and cardamom
Tara immediately began eating.
Within minutes the food had almost disappeared. (⊙_⊙)
Malini watched quietly.
Malini: Feeling awake now?
Tara nodded happily.
Tara: Much better. (￣▽￣)
After finishing the meal, Tara stretched slightly.
Malini clapped her hands once.
Malini: Good.
Malini: Now it is time to prepare you.
Dressing and Shringar
Malini brought Tara's court attire.
A finely woven silk garment suitable for the royal court.
Tara quickly changed into the elegant outfit.
Then Malini gestured toward the dressing area.
Malini: Sit.
Tara sat down in front of the large polished bronze dressing mirror.
Malini removed the towel from Tara's head.
Tara's long hair fell down her back, still slightly damp.
Malini picked up a kangi — a wooden comb.
She began gently combing Tara's hair.
At first everything went smoothly.
Then suddenly—
SNAG.
The comb got stuck.
Malini pulled.
Tara immediately winced.
Tara: Ow—! (＞﹏＜)
Malini pulled again.
Tara: OW! (T_T)
Tara: Please gently…!
Malini tugged again.
Tara: GENTLY!!! (╥﹏╥)
Malini finally freed the comb.
Malini sighed.
Malini: If you did not sleep like a wild animal, this would not happen. (¬_¬)
Tara pouted quietly. (￣3￣)
After straightening her hair, Malini placed a small dhoop burner beneath Tara's hair.
Warm fragrant smoke rose upward.
Tara leaned slightly forward as the aromatic smoke gently dried and perfumed her hair.
The scent of sandalwood filled the room.
Once her hair was dry, Malini began the Shringar.
First she applied a small streak of cool sandalwood paste on Tara's forehead.
Then she opened a small brass surmadani.
Inside it rested fine black surma.
Malini dipped the thin applicator stick into the powder.
Malini: Do not blink.
Tara tried her best to stay still. (・_・)
Malini carefully applied the surma along Tara's eyelids, making her eyes appear sharper and deeper.
After finishing the makeup, Malini walked to a small wooden cabinet.
She opened it and carefully pulled out a beautiful carved jewelry box.
The box itself looked elegant, decorated with tiny engraved patterns.
Malini placed it on the table and slowly opened the lid.
Inside, several pieces of jewelry rested neatly on soft cloth.
The gold ornaments glimmered softly in the morning light.
Tara leaned slightly forward to look.
Tara: That looks heavy. (・o・)
Malini ignored her.
Malini first gathered the upper portion of Tara's long dark hair and tied it neatly at the back of her head while leaving the rest to fall freely down her back in soft waves.
Then she picked up a delicate hair ornament from the box.
She placed it carefully into Tara's hair.
Two elegant peacock feathers spread outward from the ornament.
Attached to it was a thin golden chain decorated with tiny pearls, which rested gently along her hair.
Next Malini picked up a pair of golden earrings and fastened them to Tara's ears.
After that she lifted a simple but elegant necklace and placed it around Tara's neck.
Then she reached for a decorative kamarband.
Malini wrapped the golden waist belt around Tara's waist and secured it carefully.
The delicate chains rested beautifully over the folds of her clothing.
Tara looked down at it.
Tara: I feel like I am being wrapped like a gift. (￣▽￣;)
Malini continued calmly.
Next she picked up two armlets (bajuband) from the box and slid them onto Tara's upper arms.
The engraved gold ornaments rested just above her elbows.
Finally she added a few thin bangles to Tara's wrists.
They made a soft cling sound as her hands moved.
Malini stepped back and examined Tara carefully from head to toe.
She nodded with satisfaction.
Malini: Done.
Tara blinked at her reflection in the polished mirror.
Tara: Already? (・_・)
Malini folded her arms.
Malini: Yes.
She gestured toward the mirror.
Malini: Tada.
The young minister of the empire was now fully prepared for the winter session of the royal Darbar.
And for once—
Tara actually looked properly presentable. (￣ー￣)
Inside the imperial palace—
Within the emperor's private preparation chamber, the atmosphere was calm but busy.
Emperor Chandraveer sat comfortably on a long cushioned couch carved with intricate patterns.
Several female palace attendants surrounded him, carefully preparing him for the morning court.
One servant adjusted the folds of his royal garment.
Another gently arranged the ornaments on his arms.
A third stood behind him, skillfully combing and tying his long hair into a proper royal style.
Meanwhile, a few male attendants stood nearby holding scrolls and wooden tablets filled with documents.
They spoke one after another, reminding the emperor of his duties for the day.
Male Servant: Maharaj, the winter session of the Darbar will begin shortly.
Another servant stepped forward and opened a scroll.
Male Servant: After the Darbar, you must review the land tax petitions sent from the western provinces.
A third servant added quickly.
Male Servant: The ambassadors from the neighboring kingdom are also waiting for an audience later today.
Chandraveer listened quietly while one attendant adjusted the clasp of his necklace.
Another male servant spoke again.
Male Servant: And after that, Maharaj, you are expected to inspect the royal treasury reports.
Chandraveer slowly rubbed his temple. (￣～￣;)
Chandraveer: That is… quite a long list.
The servants nodded respectfully.
Just then Chandraveer turned his head slightly toward someone standing nearby.
Nayan.
His loyal servant stood calmly beside the couch.
Chandraveer spoke casually.
Chandraveer: Nayan… has Tara arrived at the ministers' office yet?
Nayan bowed slightly.
Nayan: No, Maharaj.
Nayan: She has not arrived yet.
He paused briefly.
Nayan: And it appears she is already late for the Darbar.
Chandraveer sighed softly. (－_－)
Chandraveer: Hm…
A faint smile appeared on his face. (￣ー￣)
Chandraveer: She truly is a strange person.
Chandraveer: A perfect combination of perfection and carelessness.
One of the attendants finished tying his arm ornament.
Another placed a small decorative ring onto his finger.
Chandraveer leaned slightly forward and looked at a small decorated box of sweets resting on the nearby table.
His expression turned thoughtful. (・_・)
Chandraveer: I still have to give her the Diwali sweets.
Nayan quietly looked toward the box.
Chandraveer tapped his finger lightly against his knee while thinking.
Chandraveer: If I give them in public… the ministers will begin whispering again. (¬_¬)
He glanced toward the attendants and servants moving around the room.
Chandraveer: I need to find a moment when no one is around her.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as he thought carefully.
Then he sighed again. (－_－;)
Chandraveer: My schedule is already overflowing…
He glanced at the documents in the servants' hands.
Chandraveer: I barely have any time today.
A small determined smile appeared on his face. (￣ー￣)
Chandraveer: But I must do this.
He looked once more at the sweet box.
Chandraveer: It is only right to appreciate her efforts.
Nayan quietly observed him for a moment.
But he said nothing.
At the same time—
Tara was walking quickly through a long palace corridor.
The corridor was open on both sides, revealing beautiful royal gardens filled with winter flowers and trimmed trees.
Sunlight filtered through the pillars, creating moving patterns on the stone floor.
Tara walked in the middle of the group.
Beside her were:
MaliniTwo young sibling servants who worked under her
Behind them walked three royal guards, including the tall and composed warrior—
Satyadhara.
Malini looked slightly irritated. (¬_¬)
Malini: Devi Tara, please walk faster.
Malini: You are already late.
Tara tried walking faster but still looked relaxed.
Tara: I'm walking! (￣▽￣;)
Malini: Not fast enough.
Tara sighed dramatically. (￣o￣)
Then suddenly Tara turned her head toward them.
Tara: By the way…
Tara: How did your Diwali go?
She looked toward Satyadhara first.
Tara: Satyadhara?
Satyadhara's usually serious expression softened slightly. (￣ー￣)
Satyadhara: I was fortunate.
Satyadhara: I was able to visit my village for a day.
He smiled faintly.
Satyadhara: Meeting my wife and children again… even for a short time… made the festival very special.
Tara smiled warmly. (＾▽＾)
Tara: That sounds wonderful.
She then turned toward Malini.
Tara: What about you, Malini?
Malini shrugged casually.
Malini: Nothing particularly special.
Malini: I stayed at home most of the day.
Malini: Many guests came to deliver festival gifts for you, so I had to greet them on your behalf.
Tara's expression slowly changed.
Her smile faded slightly.
Her face became quiet. (・_・)
Tara: Oh…
For a brief moment she looked a little sad. (´･_･`)
Before she could say anything else—
A loud voice suddenly echoed through the corridor.
Kavya: TARA!!!
Another voice followed.
Aryav: WAIT FOR US!!!
Everyone turned.
At the far end of the corridor—
Two familiar figures were running toward them like maniacs.
Kavya and Aryav.
Both looked completely out of breath as they waved their arms while running.
Malini immediately sighed. (－_－;)
Malini: And now the chaos has arrived.
Satyadhara quietly crossed his arms.
Satyadhara: Indeed. (￣ー￣)
Kavya finally reached Tara and bent forward while gasping for air.
Kavya: Haaah… haaah… (＞﹏＜)
Aryav arrived a second later, also breathing heavily.
Aryav: We… have… important news…! (＞△＜)
Tara blinked in confusion.
Tara: Why are you two running like wild horses inside the palace? (・_・)
Kavya immediately grabbed Tara's shoulders.
Kavya: Because—
She pointed dramatically toward the Darbar direction.
Kavya: THE DARBAR HAS ALREADY STARTED! (;ﾟДﾟ)
Aryav nodded frantically.
Aryav: And we are all late!!! (ﾟДﾟ;)
Tara froze.
Completely frozen.
Tara: …
Then her eyes widened.
Tara: WHAT?! (;ﾟДﾟ)
Malini slowly covered her face with one hand. (－_－)
Malini: I told you to walk faster.