It was around dusk. The people of Indraprastha welcomed her with open hearts. They all were stunned to see her beauty and her young age.

Could someone who is only 18, take care of such a big and prosperous kingdom?

Everyone had their own doubts but accepted them. The mayavi palace was a beautiful piece of magic combined with architecture. It astonished Vatsala.

This was her new home and she had to take the greatest care of it. Even the slightest mistake could create a ruckus. She looked at Prativindhya, she couldn't be Naive or the little kid she was in Vatsal.

Draupadi-" Putri , now you the rajkumari here. After Arya Yudhishthir, Prathi will be given the throne , and you will be the queen. These people are your responsibility! Even a slightest mistake could creat havoc. Remember you are the mother and these people your children!Do you understand?Now go and take rest ,you must be tired. I will make arrangements for you and Prathi."

Vatsala nodded. Yudhishthir decided to call a meeting. Draupadi told the kids to take rest. The chambers were huge. Prathi showed her his, no their
Chamber. It was beautifully decorated.

Prativindhya closed the door and sat beside her. The air was filled with silence. Parthi tried to break it.

Prativindhya-" Do you like Indraprastha?"
Vatsala -" Y-yes. It's beautiful. I love the palace."
Prativindhya-" I see."

Prathi looked away. (thought -" Seriously prathi I see? Is that the best answer? Okay I need to calm down. She is finally your wife and you are being scared! NO! Straighten up!")

He slapped his cheeks. He noise was loud. He awkwardly looked at Vatsala who stared at him , sweat tingled down his neck.

Vatsala broke into a giggle. She couldn't hold it anymore. Prativindhya too started laughing. They both had a hearty conversation.

Next day..

Vatsala tried her best to find the way towards the Darbar. The palace changed at every turn.... Just then she saw Nitya...

With Nitya..

Nitya saw at the edge of the window. Her eyes are closed and the wind seemed to play with her anklets. Her breathing was soft and a automatic smile came on her face as she remembered him....

Flashback..

Nitya was making Charumati's hair. She noticed that Charu and Banasen were exchanging looks. He gestured Charu telling that she looks pretty. Charu looked down shyly.

Nitya-" Charu ! You didn't tell me!"
Charumati-" About what?"
Nitya-" About my jija ji!"
Charumati-" Nahi nahi jija ji nahi hai woh!"

Her face was all red. Nitya giggled. Just then they heard Abhimanyu and Dvipat's voices. Abhi kept repeating that he would help him talk to her. Banasen ran towards them.

Abhimanyu pulled Dvipat with such great strength that the boy straight dashed beside Nitya. Banasen ran towards Dvipat and helped him up.

Nitya observed them. They were the same height as her. Banasen was slightly taller and had brown eyes, not to mention he had the fairest skin out of all the karna Putras. Dvipat was the one with curly hair, and black eyes. What caught Nitya's most attention was a silk cloth covering his eye.

She always wondered why he was hiding it. She was brought back to reality when Abhi spoke.

Abhimanyu-" Aare! His forehead is slightly bleeding! Ah seems like Nitya has some bandage, Charu and Banasen let's go !"

Abhimanyu pulled Charu and Banasen, though Banasen wasn't ready to leave. Nitya was rather suprised by Abhi's behaviour, she took out her aid box and started treating Dvipat's forehead.

Dvipat stared at her,hard. She tried her best not to look at his attractive eyes. Her finger slightly touched Dvipat's covered eye and he grunted.

Nitya-" S-sorry! I didn't mean it!It happened by mistake!"

It was the first she looked directly in his eye. Dvipat simply smiled and gestured her to continue the treatment.

Nitya's heart skipped a bit. ( Thought- " What is this? Why is my heart beating so fast? His smile is so-so.... I don't know what to say!") She wrapped bandage on his forehead.

Dvipat tried his best to show that he is a tough lad and hard to impress. But inside he was trying to calm himself, he had never seen such a beautiful princess, ofcourse after all she is the daughter of Draupadi and Nakul! Reality hit him like a train.... Why would a princess so pretty, like him?

Nitya-" Kumar why was bhrata covering your mouth earlier?"
Dvipat-" Woh-woh well I was teasing him!"
Nitya-" About what!"
Dvipat-" umm- um well he has a certain liking for the princess of -"

Nitya anxiously waited.

Dvipat-" I won't tell you!"

Dvipat laughed and started running, Nitya ran behind him. Through out the wedding she glued to him. They talked alot. She tried her best to know who Abhimanyu likes but in vain. It was just a excuse to be with Dvipat.

Banasen was staring at his twin's activities. He couldn't help but throw him teasing looks. Just then Charu hugged him from behind. Banasen looked at his childhood crush and placed a kiss on her forehead.

They were going to miss eachother. Dvipat and Banasen would be staying in Anga for a while. It made Charu sad but it was a good change for Dvipat and Banasen,.

Charumati-" Promise me that you love me the most! "
Banasen-" haha, I have a gift for you!"
Charumati-" First promise!"
Banasen-" I will tell you my answer after you see my gift."

He took Charu in a corner. He rolled his left sleeve and there it was , Charumati written in bold . It was written with arrow.

Banasen-" I promise I love you and only you!"

He hugged her, tears formed in Charu's eyes.

Charumati-" You are a maniac! A maniac! I love you Banasen."
Banasen-" Love you too Charu!"

They quickly went back , no one saw them sneak out . It was too crowded.
Nitya looked at Vatsala and Prathi they were doing the seven rounds around the auspicious fire. She looked at Dvipat. She knew that he was the man for her. And she hoped that he liked her too.

The covered eye didn't bother her. She just wondered what was beneath it. During the time of farewell, Dvipat gave Nitya a gem, a red one, which he assumed was a Ruby. This was his sign to convey his love.

Nitya made two heart shaped necklace when she came back home. That night was the worst, she couldn't sleep at , only Dvipat's face came in her mind. She hoped that he would write to her.

After a good night kiss from Draupadi, Nitya fell asleep dreaming about the prince of her dreams.

End of flashback..

Vatsala Shook Nitya. She got up and rubbed her eyes .

Nitya-" Jiji! Pranipat! Did I feel asleep?"
Vatsala-" Pranipat! Yes you were asleep, looking all cute and that smile!"
Nitya-" I was smiling? Hehe but jiji what are you doing here? Don't tell me mata is angry because I slept in?"
Vatsala-" No no! Mata told me to let you sleep for some more time since you were late last night."
Nitya-" Oh hash I am safe! Anyways jiji how was your last night?"

A tint of red appeared on Vatsala's cheeks, she tried to divert the topic. Ofcourse she wasn't telling her new sister that she and Prathi made love.

Nitya-" Tell na!"
Vatsala-" It was ok! Now please tell me the way towards Darbar!"
Nitya-" Oh okay! Let's go!"

Both of them made their way. On the first day itself Vatsala gave some good suggestions. She joined Prathi for a round around Indraprastha.

Draupadi could see the future queen in her. They both were meant for this. Prativindhya and Vatsala got even close to eachother. He would run the horse fast and Vatsala would tightly hug him. She scolded him to go slow which made Prativindhya laugh.

The dinner was specially made by Vatsala. Arjun and Shrutakarm teased Prathi with his favourite kheer made by Vatsala. It was indeed a wonderful family dinner.

With Vatsala and Prativindhya..

Vatsala was tired. She removed the ornaments, and untied her long hair. She didn't realise when she fell asleep.
Prativindhya came in babbling something to himself. Just then in the deem light he saw her. She was exhausted. He didn't wake her up.

He blew the candles and opened the windows. He placed a kiss on her soft lips. He pulled her close to him. As soon as his head touched the pillow he fell asleep.

With Suthanu..

Suthanu was waiting for Shatrunjay's letter. She paced in her chamber. Just then a huge eagle came and dropped a letter. She quickly attached a new one to it's foot. She jumped straight into bed and started reading it.

With Pragti...

Pragti sat on her bed, she thought hard what to write. Maybe she should ask how he is , does he miss her or did he see some beautiful rajkumari? No no too lame. She started writing but wasn't satisfied. It was her 5th time tearing a paper and throwing it away.

She shouted. Just then Arjun came to check, she quickly pushed her stuff below her bed and and covered her face with blanket.

Arjun checked if she was alseep and left. Pragti decided to take Vatsala's help to write.

It was a peaceful day....

[Here it is, Nitya and Dvipat's interaction! Next chapter will have a time skip where the Pandavas, Upapandavas and Vatsala will be invited to Anga the naming ceremony of the little prince! Stay tuned 🙃]