The evening had descended in its glory, one one side the sun was setting in the west, on the other side the moon could be faintly seen rising in the east. The sky was orange on one side and had started turning blue on the other side.

The king of Mlecchas along with his ministers and some soldiers, was standing outside his settlement which had been reduced to ashes.

Dhisana was standing behind him, she had been decked in simple clothing but it was the best possible attire they could find after the fire had subdued.

Suddenly the neighs and footsteps of the horses fell in her ears, she raised her gaze and saw at a distance that the Kuru-prince was coming at their direction. Riding a stallion. Wearing an armour. He looked as splendid as the sun itself

Behind him came his Ashwarohis, seeing them all fear struck the hearts of the mlecchas, whereas Dhisana just kept staring at him with awe, trying to take in his glory.

Manvendra halted his horse, before the Mleccha king, while the Ashwa-rohis surrounded the Mlecchas from all the directions, seeing the warriors all decked with weapons, the Mlecchas got even more frightened.

"We mean no harm. Only if you don't." Ashwasen said in the language of Mlecchas, so they understand.

Their king stepped forward, forcing a smile on his face.

"Welcome ! The brave prince of the great Kuru lineage ! The pride of Aryas !" The Mlecch-raj greeted Manvendra.

The Vidurputra looked at Ashwasen who was right beside him, "Ask him what his offer is." Manvendra said.

"The prince wants to know, what you have to offer." Ashwasen asked.

"My sister. I know, the women of our mlecchas are nothing compared to the Arya women. But she has recently reached her youth, and will bring pleasure to the prince." The king of Mlecchas told.

He then grabbed Dhisana by the back of her neck, and pushed her in front of Manvendra's horse. She fell on her knees, and yelped slightly.

The very moment Ashwasen along with the Ashwa-rohis, pulled out their swords and spears in great anger, seeing this the Mlecchas got afraid.

"YOU DARE DISRESPECT A WOMAN LIKE THAT !?" Ashwasen blazed in anger, pointing his sword at the king of Mlecchas, who took a step back.

Hearing this Dhisana raised her gaze a little to look at the Ashwarohis. They were angry even at the disrespect of a mleccha woman that too an enemy ? So these were the great Aryas, she thought.

Her eyes then fell on Manvendra, who was staring at her. Her eyes met his for a moment, and she clearly saw the wildfire it carried. It was as if she had been struck by lightning, she had never felt anything like it before. But she knew what it was. It was the sting of love.

Dhisana lowered her gaze, as her cheeks turned red while Manvendra still kept looking at her, carefully examining her.

"Forgive me, commander. But you know we Mlecchas stay away from civilization. We do not know your way of treating women." The Mlecch-raj said

"Ask him what he wants in return." Manvendra said, still looking at Dhisana.

"You must be hoping for something in return. What do you want ?" Ashwasen asked.

"In exchange for my sister, I ask for money. I need it to rebuild my kingdom." The king of Mlecchas said.

"How much money should we give ?" Ashwasen asked Manvendra.

The son of Vidur looked up at the Mleccha kingdom, it had been completely reduced to ashes. He could see the tear stainned faces of many citizens standing far away.

"Ask him, if 1 Lakh gold coins would be enough." Manvendra said.

"How about 1 lakh gold coins ?" Ashwasen asked.

Hearing this a wide smile appeared on the face of the Mleccha king, his greed could be seen from his grin.

"I accept. Take my sister Dhisana, she speaks your tongue and she'll serve you to your heart's content." The Mleccha raj said.

Manvendra got down from his horse and walked up to Dhisana, now that he was on his feet, she could se how tall he was. She had imagined him to be, but he was exceptionally taller. If his height was even an inch higher then she'd have believed him to be someone descended from the heavens. Given his godly looks it'd be believable too.

Manvendra knelt down in front of her and Dhisana kept looking at him quietly as he took her comparatively petite hands in his big ones which had become roughened over time due to wielding weapons.

"I, Vidurputra Manvendra, prince of Kuruvansh, accepts you, Dhisana, as my wife. Let the omnipresent Akash be the witness of our union. Let the setting sun in the west and the rising moon in the east, be the witness to our union. May all the deities bless my bride." Manvendra said.

And so he took out his dagger, making a small cut on his thumb, and from his dripping blood, he filled the parting of her hair. Dhisana felt a flutter inside her. She knew that this was the man she had been dreaming of, the man who would complete her in every way. This was the man Shambhu had chosen for her.

And then she felt his arm sliding underneath her knees and one hand behind her back, Manvendra picked her up in an instant as a slight yelp escaped her lips.

Manvendra walked towards his horse, and made Dhisana sit over it. And then he got mounted on it, sitting behind her, and held the reins. The princess of Mlecchas, seemed to be locked between his sturdy long arms, and she didn't mind it one bit.

"Ashwasen, tell him to not trouble the Kurus again. The gold coins shall reach him in three days." Manvendra said.

"Now we expect you not to dare and attack the Kuru-rashtra. And the gold coins shall reach you in three days." Ashwasen said.

"Certainly not." The king of Mlecchas said.

And so Manvendra rode his horse away, taking Dhisana with him. Ashwasen and the Ashwarohis followed him behind.

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A/N

Well the prince of Dhisana did come, swept her off her feet, took her away on his horse and she definitely fell in love at first sight ✨