**Chapter 12**

Anya was fuming as she stormed away from the encounter with Duryodhan, muttering under her breath. "How dare he call me a scared rabbit! Me, scared? Not even close!" Her small, pouty face only made her complaints sound even more adorable. She wandered into the dining area where Subhadra and Dushala were already eating. Spotting her, they greeted her warmly, but Anya couldn't stop ranting.

"Can you believe it? Duryodhan-Prince Duryodhan-called me a scared rabbit! *Me!*" she huffed, dramatically plopping down next to them.

Subhadra chuckled. "You do have a habit of getting under his skin."

Anya blinked, pausing in her outrage to think. "Do I? I wasn't trying to... well, maybe a little." She grinned mischievously.

Dushala smirked. "It sounds like you're really getting to him."

"Well, that's not my fault! He's the one always being so... so rude!" Anya declared, picking at her food. After a moment of silence, she added in a singsong voice, "But... I think I might be winning." The friends exchanged amused looks as they watched her eat.

After eating and chatting with Subhadra and Dushala, Anya felt sleepy. She retired to her chambers and let the attendants help her into bed. "I could get used to this lazy life," she yawned, stretching her arms out. After a restful sleep, she woke up refreshed and, as usual, her routine was nothing short of leisurely. Her attendants prepared her breakfast, and after eating, she strolled out into the garden with a newfound energy.

Humming a cheerful tune, Anya wandered through the greenery, talking to herself, "It's so funny... he really thinks he can scare me! Duryodhan, you fox!"

Then, as she rounded a corner, she spotted Duryodhan seated on a bench, looking ever the king with a scroll in his hand. He appeared deep in thought, his brow furrowed in frustration. Anya froze for a moment, feeling her heart skip a beat. He looked magnificent, almost regal in his quiet brooding. But she quickly shook her head.

"No, no, no. Magnificent? He's just a grumpy fox!" she mumbled to herself. But instead of walking away, she decided to confront him. *Why should I be scared of him?* she thought, puffing out her chest as if to bolster her courage.

Stomping toward him, she coughed lightly to grab his attention. "Prince Duryodhan!" she said loudly.

Duryodhan glanced up from his scroll, giving her a quick, uninterested glance before returning to his reading. This only irked Anya more.

"Excuse me!" she huffed, hands on her hips. "I'm talking to you!"

His mood was already sour after hearing the news that the Pandavas had built Indraprastha and that more people from Hastinapur were flocking to the new kingdom. He wasn't in the mood for Anya's bratty behavior. "Anya, now is not the time," he warned coldly, his voice deep and stern.

But Anya, in her typical fashion, didn't back down. "What do you mean it's not the time? You're just sitting here like a grumpy king! Why don't you smile for once?"

Duryodhan closed his eyes for a moment, trying to rein in his irritation. "Leave me alone, Anya," he said, his voice clipped.

Anya, feeling more emboldened, snatched the scroll out of his hand. "Why are you always so moody? Maybe you need a distraction!" She waved the scroll in front of his face, taunting him.

Duryodhan's patience snapped. In one swift motion, he stood up and grabbed her wrist harshly. "Give that back," he growled, his grip firm.

Anya's eyes widened in fear, her bravado melting away as she realized he wasn't joking. His grip was strong, almost too strong. But as soon as he saw the fear in her eyes, he loosened his hold, his expression softening. He didn't like the sight of her scared.

He sighed deeply and gently held her small hand, turning it over in his own. "Anya," he said quietly, almost like he was scolding a child. "You need to stop acting like this. You're behaving like a bratty kid."

His thumb traced soothing circles over her skin, calming her, but also himself. Anya's heart raced. She wanted to say something back-anything to defend herself-but she found herself speechless, captivated by how close he was, by how he was holding her hand so delicately after gripping it so fiercely just moments ago.

Duryodhan's gaze softened, and before she could protest further, he brought his finger to her lips, silencing her completely. "Enough," he whispered, staring down at her. The tension between them was palpable, as if time had stopped. Anya's mind was blank, the witty retorts she usually had ready nowhere to be found.

But as he held her there, their proximity causing her heart to race, a slight smirk tugged at his lips. "You really are a scared rabbit," he murmured, his voice low, teasing her now.

That snapped Anya out of her daze. "I am not!" she protested, her voice muffled against his finger. She tried to step back, but Duryodhan wouldn't let her go just yet.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm on her cheek as he whispered, "Then why are you trembling, princess?"

Anya's eyes widened, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I'm not trembling! You... you're just... too close!" she stammered, unable to form a coherent comeback.

Duryodhan chuckled softly, finally releasing her hand and stepping back, but not before giving her one last teasing look. "You're still a bratty kid, Anya. Always causing trouble."

Before Anya could even think of a retort, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Anya," Karn's voice rang through the air. He stood at the entrance of the garden, watching the scene unfold with raised eyebrows. "Princess Anya," he corrected himself, though his tone was more casual than formal. "Can you give us a moment?"

Duryodhan took a step back, the tension between him and Anya dissipating as reality came crashing back. Anya blinked, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Her usual confidence had vanished, and she glanced between the two men.

"Oh, um... yes, of course," she mumbled, quickly stepping away. She could feel her face burning as she scurried off, rubbing her wrist as if to shake off the lingering sensation of Duryodhan's touch.

Karn turned to Duryodhan, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "You've certainly got your hands full with her."

Duryodhan exhaled, shaking his head. "She's infuriating," he muttered, though there was an odd fondness in his voice. His eyes lingered on the spot where Anya had stood just moments ago.

Karn chuckled softly. "Indeed. But let's focus. We have more important things to discuss."

Duryodhan's expression hardened again, the softness from earlier disappearing. He nodded, pushing all thoughts of Anya aside. "Yes, Indraprastha," he said sharply. "Let's focus."

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