Everyone stared at Chitrasen as he made his way through, Prativindhya hoped that Chitra won't be able to win Vatsala . While handing spear to Chitrasen..
Rudra(whispers)-" Mitra please, please win my sister's hand in marriage, my Pitashree is planning to get her married to Prativindhya, to emerge Indraprastha in our kingdom , please stop it!"
Chitrasen takes a deep breath, and nods at Rudra who looks at him with hopeful eyes...
Chitrasen (thought -" This keeps getting complicated... Pitashree wants me to get married to the rajkumari, Rudra also wants it but then what should I do ? The rajkumari doesn't want it , I can't do such a sin , a sin of separating two lovers but but , Pitashree's promise.....)

Flashback...

kingdom of Hastinapur...

Duryodhana and Shakuni were discussing about the current affairs.. Hastinapur was lacking support from other kingdoms, Duryodhana was tensed, just then Karna appears...

Karna-" Mitra Duryodhana! Chitrasen has gotten a invitation for a swayamwar!"
Duryodhana (smiles)-" This is a great news! Congratulations Mitra!"
Karna-" Congratulations?"
Duryodhana -" Hmm Mitra , now you will have another daughter in law ! Well don't disagree with me, I know putra Chitra is amazing, no rajkumari can say no to him!"
Karna-" Aare Mitra ! But the competition will be tough! The invitation is from Vatsal's kingdom. The rajkumari will marry the one who will throw the spear furthest!"
Shakuni looks in deep thought. Chitrasen was about to enter , but then he stops and hears their conversation...
Duryodhana-" Our putra is best at it!"
Shakuni-" Haan , Chitrasen is the best at it! Infact this is an amazing opportunity for us to emerge another kingdom with us , Hastinapur!"
Karna-" What do you mean Mamashree?"
Shakuni-" So putra Duryodhana didn't tell you? Well Hastinapur is in trouble act-"
Duryodhana cuts him in -" Nahi Mitra it is nothing!"
Karna-"Yes there is something tell me , or else I will leave back for Anga !"
Duryodhana sighs-" Darasal Mitra , Hastinapur is not getting supports from other kingdoms, in fact we are receiving threats! We need a great backing! A powerful kingdom!"
Shakuni-" Haan aur karna ! Chitrasen can help us in this , if he gets married to the rajkumari of Vatsal we will have a great kingdom with us !"
Duryodhana-" Par Mamashree what if Chitrasen doesn't want to go?"
Karna-" Nahi he will go and he will get married to her , I will talk to him! Vatsal will soon be a part of Hastinapur and that too in a peaceful way yeh mera vachan hai!"

Chitrasen's eyes widened...

He couldn't believe it now what was he supposed to do? He didn't want to got to Vatsal ? How was he going to tell this to Karna now? If karna broke his promise it would mean enmity with Hastinapur! He silently leaves from there ...

With karna and vrushali

Karna- " Putra why ? Why don't you want to go?"
Chitrasen-" Pitashree I don't have a reason but I really don't want to go! I don't get a good feeling about this , what if I am not able to marry her?"
Karna-" Ofcourse you will putra!"
Chitrasen (shrugs)-" Pitashree I am not ready yet and infact do you really think a kshtriya rajkumari would marry ME?"
Saying so Chitrasen leaves from there... Leaving behind a tense karna.

Royal Garden

Chitrasen felt bad. He couldn't get it out of his head . And above all his ankle had started to hurt again! He had decided to apologise and tell the truth to karna and vrushali... It was almost dusk he made his way through and heard Shakuni speaking with karna ....

In Shakuni's Room

Shakuni-" So Putra Chitra won't be taking part in the swayamwar?"
Karna-" Ji Gandhar Raj, forcing him for something as big as marriage doesn't feel right! "
Shakuni-" Huh?! Won't feel right?! Are you forgetting everything which putra Duryodhana did for you?! He made you the king of Anga ! Because of him your KIDS and enjoy the luxuries, he made sure they grew up as royal princes! And yet after knowing all of this , Your SON REFUSES TO HELP HASTINAPUR WHEN THEY NEED YOU?! Shame on YOU!!"
Karna-" Gandhar Raj I understand, I can't forget what all my Mitra did for me? How can I ?"
Shakuni-" Then go and tell your son, to attend that swayamwar and win the princess's hand NOW!"
Karna-" Magar-"
Shakuni-" Are you BREAKING YOUR PROMISE to putra Duryodhana?"

Chitrasen heard every single word , he had no choice but to go to the swayamwar now .... He hadn't even seen the potrait of the princess... Just then he heard footsteps, he hid behind a pillar, Karna walked straight towards his room, ofcourse Karna never broke his promises to Duryodhana but this one had too? He went straight towards karna's chamber...

Karna and Vrushali

Vrushali(cups his face)-" Arya , I understand how you are feeling right now. On one hand is your friend while on the other your son. I know it's complicated but think about it if Chitra by chance gets married to her , would he be happy? What if he rajkumari isn't happy? And it's not important that after their marriage the Vatsal Raj will support Hastinapur? Is it?"
Karna-" Ohh Vrusha I understand, but I have never broken my promise to Mitra , and this time he really needs us!"
Vrushali-" Arya when he doesn't want to go is it any use forcing him? Huh? And I have noticed he had even Started limping!"

Before karna could say anything, Chitra enters....

Chitrasen-" Pranipat matashree and Pitashree! I am sorry I heard your conversation but I have decided I will go! I promise I will come back with the princess! You don't have to break your promise Pitashree!"
Karna-" Par putra your ankle?"
Chitrasen-" It's okay Pitashree there is no pain I can go!"
Karna looked a bit doubtful but Vrushali gives him a nod , he sighs and hugs Chitrasen...
Karna-" Putra I love you so much , I expect you too bring me a daughter in law and yes apart from our personal matter this is a big one , this is a political matter! That's why this is important! Do you understand?"
(Cups Chitrasen's cheeks)
Chitrasen simply nods...

Flashback ends...

Chitrasen takes his stance , it was perfect for a long throw , he knew how important it was for him to marry Vatsala he started running, first slow to fast, Prativindhya couldn't look , he shut his eyes, Vatsala was attracted to him but her heart was set on Prativindhya she prayed that Chitra would be unsuccessful.... The pain in Chitrasen's ankle increased he couldn't run hard enough, he could remember everything...
I expect you to bring me a daughter in law and yes apart from our personal matter this is a big one .... This is a political matter... This is my promise to you Mitra!!... Did you forget what putra Duryodhana did for you?... SHAME ON YOU... ARE YOU BREAKING YOUR PROMISE TO DURYODHANA?...
Chitrasen opened his eyes , he threw the spear with all his might, but unfortunately his ankle twisted he fell down with a thud , it was dead silence not because Chitrasen fell but because
Chitrasen's spear had landed exactly beside Prativindhya's spear....

[ Longest chapter so far !!! I loved writing this one , it was important to establish Chitrasen's character more ! I hope you like this chapter!! The next chapter will be updated soon!! Stay tuned!!] ~author
[ I probably won't be able to upload a new chapter by Friday since my unit tests are starting I will keep writing, and if a chapter is completed I will definitely upload but If not then a double update on Friday! ]