She was just about to step into the palace when she heard a strange sound.
It was a thin, pitiful sound.
Frowning, she followed the noise toward a cluster of shrubs near the outer wall of the palace.
That’s when she saw a tiny kitten.
It was grey and white, and so small that its ears looked too big for its head. Its body trembled violently, ribs visible beneath its fur.
“Oh no,” Yamini whispered.
She crouched immediately, shrugging off her shawl and wrapping it around the kitten with careful hands. The tiny animal let out a weak mewl, pressing instinctively into her warmth.
Her heart clenched.
She carried it inside, straight toward the large palace kitchen where heat and light spilled out generously.
But as soon as she stepped into the kitchen, the staff looked shocked.
“Maharani!” the cook gasped. “What is that?”
“A kitten,” Yamini said, not understanding their reaction. “It was freezing.”
There was a flurry of alarm.
“No animals are allowed inside the palace, maharani.”
“Yes, it’s strictly forbidden.”
“Maharaja Bharat—”
“Will understand,” Yamini cut in.
The staff exchanged worried glances.
Yamini knelt near the fireplace and looked up at them. “Bring me a bowl of milk.”
There was a pause.
Then the older woman, Sheena, moved first. She fetched the milk without a word.
The others followed.
Yamini didn't let her relief show. She simply crouched near the fireplace and unwrapped the shawl.
The kitten drank eagerly, tiny body still shivering.
Yamini stroked its head. “See?” she murmured. “It just needs warmth and barely a bowl of milk.”
She looked up to find every pair of eyes fixed on her. They still looked worried.
Yamini straightened slowly, the kitten curled protectively in her arms.
“I’ll speak to… Bharat,” she said, deliberately using his name to give an impression of closeness.
The staff didn’t look reassured.
It wasn’t the first time Yamini had to argue to keep a stray. She couldn't walk past any of them without stopping to help or rescue. Her mother used to be exasperated, and her father had called it undignified for a princess. But she always managed to rescue the helpless animals.
