In the morning, Princess Dhara woke first. She decided to bathe before the prince woke and harassed her. Taking her clothes, she set off to find a nearby lake.
After some time, failing to locate any water, she resolved to return to the tents. But the path back was far longer than expected.
Am I lost? she thought.
No, it can’t happen. I’m not a child, she told herself and pressed on.
“Dhara,” the prince’s voice called.
She exhaled in relief; at least she was not lost.
“Where did you go by yourself? This is not a palace to wander as you please,” he scolded.
She opened her mouth to reply but held her tongue.
The prince rubbed his forehead, cooling himself, then stepped out of the camp to find her. He had been serious when scolding her—the area was no ordinary jungle, but a vast stretc
