The next morning the palace of Hastinapur was bustling with excitement. The new king of Anga, the radiant young man of the Suta clan is to be coronated today.

Duryodhan was ordering around various das and dasis. He wanted to make the special day of his friend perfect.

Shakuni watched his nephew with an irritated mind but maintained the fake joy on his face. He doesn't understand why his nephew is fussing over his Suta friend this much.

Another reason for his irritation was that fallen princess. His dumb-headed nephew has befriended that girl, making all his efforts go into vain. That girl is a threat to his plan and he knows it. That's why he wanted to keep her away from his nephew. But he doesn't understand what magic she has, she has everyone, even the great patriarchs of the Kuru dynasty wrapped around her fingers.

Shakuni was standing in the corner with Dushasan as Tiasha came along with Dushala and Subhadra and greeted Duryodhan as Sakha.

Shakuni gritted his teeth seeing his nephew also calling her Sakhi and smiling at her.

Shakuni was not the only one who was displeased. Kunti was also not happy seeing Tiasha interacting with Duryodhan happily. But she masked her feelings with a fake smile when Tiasha greeted her.

Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev didn't even care much and showed their disgust openly. All of this arrangement for the coronation of that arrogant son of a Suta? Has Duryodhan lost his all mind?

Yudhishthira was sitting beside his mother lost in thoughts. He saw Angaraj escorting Tiasha to her chamber last night. He couldn't get the scene out of his head. What were they doing together, that late at night? And why was she smiling at him like that?

But all his worries melted away as she greeted him with that beautiful sweet smile of hers.

He couldn't help his smile. Her mere presence made him forget all his worries.

Shakuni watched them from afar and smirked.

He was preparing to say something but Bhishma and Vidur came in the middle.

Tiasha greeted them and touched their feet. Bhishma blessed her and Vidur smiled.

Shakuni decided to keep his mouth shut. That night at the feast when he accused her, he got an earful from Dhritarashtra and Mahamahim after that.

-"You falsely accused our guest Gandhar Raj, this is absolutely unacceptable."

-"If you dare to insult her, one more time, Shakuni, I will personally send you back to your kingdom and you will never be allowed in the Kuru province ever again."

Even his dear sister Gandhari also rebuked him, "Bhratashree, I know you are protective over Duryodhan, but what is your problem with that poor girl? She said nothing wrong. You try to defame her every chance you get. She is just like my Dushala, Bhrata, I will not tolerate her insult."

Bhishma was happy to hear about her friendship with Duryodhan. At least she can be a good influence on his life. Because the influence he has now is nowhere near good.

Ashwatthama arrived with Drona and Kripa. The kuru princes greeted their guru. 

Tiasha stood next to Duryodhan. Drona eyed her, she was the same girl who raised her voice in front of everyone that day to defend the Suta Putra. 

Ashwatthama saw his father eyeing her so he introduced, "Pitashree, this is Kumari Tiasha, she is our friend." 

Tiasha smiled at Ashwatthama and touched Dronacharya's feet, "Pranam, Gurudev."

-"Jayastu, Putri."

Drona was going to say something to Tiasha but Kripacharya interrupted. 

He announced, "It's time, we cannot delay any further."

Duryodhan and Ashwatthama hurried to get their friend. Everybody waited not so eagerly for the arrival of the new king of Anga, except two. Tiasha's eyes shined in joy and excitement. Finally, it's time for his coronation. A small part of her heart was sad also because Radha Maa and Adhiratha Mahasay were not present there to support their son. 

A conch shell was blown to announce the arrival of  The New King of Anga.

Karna entered the royal court of Hastinapur followed by his two friends. He wore just a simple white dhoti. his appearance resembled the shining sun on a spring morning, gentle yet bright, demanding respect. Dark locks framed his handsome face. His divine kundals only increase his radiance.

His amber eyes shined and a gentle smile appeared on his face seeing Tiasha beaming at him. 

Tiasha's heart did a summersault seeing him smiling at her. 

The priests sat him down and applied a paste of sandalwood and turmeric on his forehead and body. 

They bathed him with milk and rose water. 

He wore his royal attire and then took an oath to serve his people and the throne of Hastinapur.

With a deep sense of purpose and unwavering determination, Karna avowed, 

"I, Karna, son of Adhiratha, do hereby swear an unbreakable oath to the people of Anga, whose trust and faith I accept with humility. My heart is bound to the well-being and prosperity of the citizens of Anga, and I shall labour tirelessly to ensure their happiness, security, and prosperity.

Furthermore, I take upon myself the sacred responsibility of upholding the illustrious throne of Hastinapur. In this exalted task, I shall dedicate my strength, wisdom, and valour to preserve the honour and dignity of the throne. I pledge to be a custodian of justice, a guardian of peace, and a steadfast protector of the kingdom.

With unflinching loyalty and unwavering commitment, I undertake this oath. Let it be known to all that I, Karna, shall remain true to these vows, upholding the welfare of Anga and the throne of Hastinapur as my foremost duty, and I shall strive to fulfil this sacred promise till my last breath."

Now it was time for his crowning. Karna's crown was a resplendent work of art, adorned with a dazzling array of precious gemstones and intricate patterns, reflecting his regal stature as the King of Anga.

Kripacharya asked, "Where is your mother Angaraj? She is supposed to put the crown on your head."

Karna lowered his head, a pain grew in his heart knowing his parents were not present at his coronation, they were not happy about him being a king.

Karna told Duryodhan what happened back in his house. Duryodhan felt bad for his friend.

-"Mitra Karna's mother, Radha Maa is not well, so she couldn't attend the ceremony today."

A sly smirk appeared on Bheem's face, he was about to make a teasing comment but Kunti's chiding eyes stopped him.

Kunti was watching the whole ceremony with a small smile on her face. she was extremely happy and excited. It's Surya Putra's coronation after all. 

Kunti stood up and in a meek voice said, "If his mother is not present then I can do his crowning, he is just like my sons."

The Pandavas looked at her bewildered. They know their mother is extremely kind but she is saying that her sons' enemy is like a son to her.

Bhishma and Vidur frowned. All the eyes were turned towards Kunti. 

Duryodhan and Ashwatthama narrowed their eyes. Karna looked shocked but a felt warmth in his chest.

When nobody was looking Tiasha rolled her eyes. 

-"No Rani Kunti, if not his mother then someone close to him can only do it."

Kunti sat down. Her eyes become teary, no she is not close to him, and it pains her. It rips her heart into pieces that he is so close yet so far. She cannot hold him in her arms. He doesn't lay his head on her lap and call her Mata.

-"Then I can do it." Duryodhan proposed. 

-"Only a female can do the crowning, Kumar Duryodhan."

Duryodhan looked down as if thinking something. He perked up as an idea occurred to him, "Sakhi can do the crowning, then."

Tiasha who was staring at Karna the whole time turned to Duryodhan, shocked. 

Karna also looked at him bewildered. He was lost in thoughts. the only people he is close with are his parents and now his two mitras. He thought if not his mother then his Mitra would be the one to crown him. 

The previous night when he was unable to sleep, his imagination travelled to a faraway land. What would it feel like to wear the crown from her hands? Not just one day, but every day in the morning. He remembered her soft touch above his heart and it started beating faster. His eyes went wide and a rosy glow appeared on his cheeks.

The people present in the Sabha looked at each other.

Seeing no one else is there, Kripacharya announced, "The time is running, if Kumari Tiasha agrees then..."

-"I will do it." Tiasha announced.

Everyone looked at Tiasha, some shocked, some happy. Duryodhan and Ashwatthama grinned.

Tiasha walked and stood in front of Karna. 

She smiled at him warmly and took the beautiful crown in her hands. 

Karna too smiled at her and lowered his head due to their huge height difference. 

Tiasha placed the crown on his head and Karna looked up at her dark drowned eyes.

Tiasha put the tilak on his forehead. The coronation of the new king is complete, Karna is now officially the king of Anga. 

The crowd clamoured, "All hail, Angaraj Karna."

-"All hail, Angaraj Karna."

Tiasha signalled a dasi for something.

Duryodhan gave her a curious look, she just gave him an innocent smile.

Dasi arrived with a tray, with a single white peacock feather on it and stood in front of Tiasha bowing. She thanked the dasi and took the peacock feather in her hands.

-"Angaraj, I don't have priceless gems or fine garments to gift. I wanted to give you this, to congratulate you. A white peacock feather is a symbol of purity. It brings luck, wealth and prosperity. I wish for the prosperity of Anga and its new king. Please accept this."

Karna's heart warmed at Tiasha's thoughtful gift. he placed his hand on his heart, "Thank you so much, Kumari. I am honoured. You don't know how much this means to me, a priceless gem or fine garments are nothing compared to this."

He held out his palms and she placed the peacock feather on them. Karna touched it to his chest, over his heart.

At this point, the eldest Pandav has lost all his patience. First his mother and now her. She crowned him and now she is giving him a gift. 

He slowly walked away from the courtroom with a heavy heart. The other Pandavas looked at each other, confused at their Jyesht's behaviour. They were also irritated that their future bhabishree was giving this much attention to that Suta Putra. They followed after Yudhishthira.

-XX-

Off this was a challenge, though I enjoyed writing it so much. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I did writing.

Let me know your thoughts and suggestions, my dear readers. I eagerly wait for all your comments ❤️

Take care, adios, my lovely readers ❤️