The morning had started like any other. The palace bustled with activity, servants moved hurriedly through the halls, and the royal court prepared for another day of discussions. Vaidehi, however, had been feeling strange since she woke up.

She had brushed it off at first—the light-headedness, the nausea, the sudden aversion to the smell of flowers in her chamber. But as she made her way to the courtyard, where the Pandavas and Kauravas were gathered for their morning assembly, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

She barely had time to react before her vision blurred, and everything went black.

A loud gasp echoed through the courtyard as Vaidehi fainted.

Chaos erupted instantly.

"Vaidi!" Yudhishthir was the first to react, catching her before she could hit the ground.

Duryodhan, who had been leaning against a pillar, practically threw himself forward. "Bhabhi?! What happened to her?!"

Karna, who had been standing beside him, pushed past everyone, kneeling beside her. "Vaidehi, wake up!"

Bheem, not one to be left behind, roared in panic. "Someone call the Vaidya! Call five Vaidyas! No, TEN!"

Nakul and Sahadev immediately rushed to check her, feeling her pulse and making sure she was breathing properly while the Vaidya was called.

"She's still breathing," Nakul muttered in relief, pressing a cool cloth to her forehead.

"Then why is she not waking up?" Sahadev asked, concern clear in his voice.

Meanwhile, Duryodhan had started pacing aggressively. "If something happens to Bhabhi, I swear I will—"

Karna grabbed his arm, though his own expression was just as tense. "Calm yourself, Mitra. She will be fine."

Yudhishthir held Vaidehi close, brushing a hand over her face. "Vaidi, open your eyes." His voice was softer now, almost pleading.

After what felt like an eternity, Vaidehi groaned softly, stirring in his arms.

Everyone froze.

Her eyes fluttered open, slightly dazed. "Arya...?"

Yudhishthir cupped her face, his worry evident. "Vaidi, what happened? Are you feeling unwell?"

Vaidehi blinked, still trying to gather her thoughts. "I... I do not know. I just felt dizzy, and then—"

The royal Vaidya arrived just in time, pushing through the group of overgrown warriors who were hovering like overprotective hens.

"Step aside! Give her some air!" the Vaidya scolded, swatting at Bheem, Duryodhan, and Karna, who refused to move.

The healer examined Vaidehi, checking her pulse and asking a few questions. After a moment, she stepped back and bowed her head.

"There is no need for concern, Rajkumar. Rajkumari Vaidehi is in perfect health."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the room.

"Then why did she faint?" Yudhishthir asked, still holding her close.

The Vaidya smiled knowingly. "Because she is with child."

A silence fell over the courtyard.

It lasted for all of three seconds.

And then—

"WHAT?!"

Bheem was the first to react. His eyes widened to the size of plates. "Bhabhishree, are you—"

Vaidehi stared at the Vaidya in shock. "I... what?"

The Vaidya chuckled. "Yes, Rajkumari. You are expecting."

The second wave of chaos erupted.

Duryodhan, who had been kneeling beside her, staggered back as if the news had physically struck him. "Bhabhi is pregnant?! I am going to be a kaka?!"

Karna ran a hand over his face, shaking his head in disbelief. "Madhav be praised... Vaidehi is going to be a mother."

Bheem, after a full moment of silence, suddenly let out a loud whoop of joy. "THIS CALLS FOR A CELEBRATION!"

He grabbed Yudhishthir and spun him around. "JYESTH! You're going to be a father!"

Yudhishthir looked completely overwhelmed, as if his brain was still catching up to reality. He turned back to Vaidehi, his hands still trembling slightly as he cupped her face.

"Vaidi..." His voice was barely above a whisper. "We... we are going to have a child?"

Vaidehi, still in shock, nodded slowly.

Yudhishthir exhaled sharply, and then—he pulled her into his arms, holding her close.

Kunti and Gandhari arrived just then, confused by the noise. "What is happening here?"

Duryodhan, still in disbelief, practically shouted. "Mata! Bhabhi is going to have a baby!"

Kunti gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth. "Vaidehi... my child..."

Gandhari, who had always been composed, smiled warmly. "This is a blessed day for Hastinapur."

Bheem, meanwhile, had already started barking orders. "SERVANTS! BRING SWEETS! BRING LADDUS! ACTUALLY, JUST BRING THE WHOLE KITCHEN!"

Dushala, who had just arrived, clapped her hands in excitement. "I am going to be a Bua!"

Karna turned to Yudhishthir, a rare softness in his expression. "Congratulations, Bharatshree. This child will bring great fortune to the Kuru Vansh."

Yudhishthir smiled, clasping Karna's hand. "Thank you, Bharatshree."

Vaidehi, who was still seated, looked around at the overwhelming scene—Bheem shouting at the servants, Duryodhan demanding to be the child's favorite uncle, Karna looking emotional, and Yudhishthir holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

She laughed softly, feeling warmth spread through her heart.

This... this was family.

---

By the time night fell, the palace had settled after an entire day of celebrations. Yudhishthir and Vaidehi sat together in their chambers, her head resting against his shoulder.

He had been quiet all evening, but his hand never left hers, his thumb running gently over her knuckles.

"You have been silent, Arya," Vaidehi murmured. "Are you still in shock?"

Yudhishthir smiled softly, turning to look at her. "A little."

She chuckled. "Bheem has already declared himself as the official guardian of the child."

Yudhishthir sighed. "We may have to control him before he tries to name the baby after food."

Vaidehi laughed, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "And what about you, Arya? Do you have any thoughts?"

Yudhishthir shifted, his hand moving to rest gently over her stomach. "I never imagined this so soon... but now, I cannot think of anything else."

His voice dropped to a whisper. "Vaidi, you have given me the greatest joy of my life."

She smiled, covering his hand with hers. "And you have given me a home."

He kissed her softly, lingering for a moment. "Promise me something."

"What is it?"

"No matter what challenges come our way, we will face them together."

Vaidehi squeezed his hand. "I promise, Arya."

Yudhishthir smiled before pulling her into his arms, holding her close.

As the night deepened, they lay together, wrapped in warmth and love, with their unborn child between them—the promise of a future filled with happiness.