Author's Note: Please refer to the glossary at the end of each episode to understand the non-English words used in this episode. This was originally meant to be a published novel, but due to time and resource constraints, I'm publishing it here first. I hope you enjoy the sprinkle of culture throughout the Episodes! 

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The nursing beside her son's bed continued till he had regained consciousness. 

Once the physician exited the room with His Majesty's aides, the king and the queen huddled around the bed. For a while, they were diligent parents who took turns to caress and massage his cold hands and legs to warmth. Next to them, Chanda fussed over the fusion of scents and steam that would help him wake up. She would repeatedly check his wounds, ready to swap them with fresh bandages. She would order the other maids to keep an eye on the jar of water for her king and queen, should they require it. 

Although there was constant movement in the room, it was quietly done despite everyone in the palace anticipating the awakening of their prince. 

A few muhurta's later, their efforts revealed their results when the prince showed his first signs of awakening.

His breaths quickened. The hand that held his mother's palms shifted inside the cocoon. 

"Ma."

The king jumped up in joy. Without waiting any further, he briskly walked out of the room with a smile blooming and tears running down his face. He walked with a definite purpose, with the mission to fetch the physician to check on his now awake son. 

The prince was awake, and the palace would gain back some of its energy and colours soon.

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Indumati was resting away the afternoon in the gardens under the giant banyan tree. A resting cot was newly placed in the queen's gardens. Buddhisen could be heard giggling as the maids entertained him. They were painting, flowers, the skies, birds, the butterflies, and his mother was surrounded by maids. 

There was something that she couldn't pinpoint. Has she watched over him, she could sense that he was different from when he had lost consciousness. He wasn't as lively, nor was he as mischievous. But her son had seemingly lost his shine after that fall.

"Chanda."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Do you think Buddhisen seems changed?"

"Your Majesty?" 

The apparent confusion in her maid's voice made her glance at her.

"Nothing," she said. "It must be my overprotectiveness speaking."

There was a pregnant pause between them before Chanda spoke again.

"His Highness is still recovering, Your Majesty." 

Indumati glanced at her maid. 

"He will get healthier and stronger than ever before, Your Majesty," she smiled, assuring her queen's worried heart.

"Yes," Indumati mumbled, "Of course, it has only been a couple of days since he was able to walk around on his own."

Her shoulders relaxed, and she peered at her son again as another round of giggles reached her cot. 

"Your Majesty," another maid said as she walked over to her. "The midwife is here. Shall I bring her in?"

Indumati gave her assent and got up as Chanda assisted. Giving orders to her other maids to watch over the prince, the queen walked back into the nearest chambers in her palace to check on her unborn gift.

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[Footnotes/Glossary]

Muhurta = Vedic time measurement which equals 48 minutes

Ma = Hindi for mother

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