Indraprastha, Sahadeva's mansion

"You keep saying that Jyeshtha is your Guru." Vijaya casually remarked.

"I do, because that's the truth." Sahadeva replied with his natural calmness, knowing well that her question was not as casual as it seemed to be.

"Then do learn something from him!" Vijaya demanded. "Jyeshtha has kept his works pending today for Devi Jiji's sake. Have you ever come out of your stargazing for me? Even once?"

"But you were not lost like Bhabhi was." Sahadeva tried to explain.

"Oh, so you want me to get lost? Only then you'll care for me?" Vijaya's nostrils flared in mock anger. "Fine! I shall get back to Madra tomorrow itself!" She pretended to arrange her things, side glancing at her husband who still sat quiet, focusing on the scrolls in front of him. His silence fueled her even more.

"I won't return this time!" Vijaya threatened. "Stay happy with your stargazing!"

"Thanks for the idea." Sahadeva looked excited. He closed his scroll, put it aside and rose. "I too was thinking to visit my uncles since few days." His eyes shone in delight. "Let's spend a week or so in Madra, what say?"

"But I'm not taking you with me." Vijaya faked a grimace, looking away.

"How come? You only asked me to stay happy with stargazing, didn't you?" Sahadeva innocently reminded. "How would I do that if you go alone?"

Vijaya still did not look at him. Sahadeva made her turn to him, and cupped her face. "My stars are here! In your eyes!" He smiled, his eyes showering love.

"Flutterings!" Vijaya frowned.

"Not at all! Dharmaraj Yudhishthira's brother never lies." Sahadeva assured.

"Sure?"

"Definitely!"

"Then what are these at this time?" Vijaya complained, pointing to the scrolls.

He understood, and brushed her hair lovingly. A knowing smile played on his lips.

She held his hand. "I didn't get my answer, Rajkumar!"

Sahadeva laughed, shaking his head in amusement. She used to call him 'Rajkumar' whenever she was angry.

"Well, listen then, Maadreyi Vijaya. I was checking about the right time."

"For what?"

"For our child's birth." He whispered in her ear. "And your well-being."

Vijaya turned crimson. "You..." she shied away. "Couldn't you tell me earlier?" Her tone softened but still held complaint.

"You look much prettier when you blush!" He pulled her close. "Who will say now that this is the same quarreling wife of mine!"

She pouted. "Still you're calling me quarreling wife?"

"Well, well, my sweet wife who still thinks me as her childhood friend!" He laughed, pecking her cheeks. Vijaya glared at him.

"You know how bad you are?" She pouted, lightly stroking his chest.

"We are going to be parents soon, Jaya. Let's behave like ones from now." He suggested.

"Parenthood will be different, Swami. But let's never lose our inner children." She rested her head on his chest. "Let's remain those little ones forever till our last breath, together!"

***

Village, next morning

"I fulfilled my vow, Aarye." Devika addressed the worried mother. "Here is your daughter." She placed Chandravati's palm over her mother's.

"I'm guilty to you, my Queen!" The old lady broke into tears. "I...I have said so much bad against our Maharaj...and yet you saved my child!" She sobbed, joining her shivering palms. "Forgive my offence, Maharani!"

Devika warmly held her joint palms. "Don't, Mata. I have just done my duty on my husband's behalf. It's not me, it's your King who has saved your daughter through me." She paused for a while and then added, "Hope now you won't have anymore complaint against him."

The old lady stood perplexed, not knowing what to say.

"Mata, you might not know what Maharaj is doing for your good, because he does it without a show." Devika spoke again. "The flawless protection that you enjoy even in these villages beside Khandava, is due to his order. And know that whatever I or Maharani Draupadi do for your protection, is ultimately guided and sanctioned by him alone."

The lady lowered her head.

"And regarding Prince Arjuna's exile," Devika continued. "Maharaj didn't drive him away. He tried his best to keep him here. He wanted to ignore Arjuna's unwilling act. It's your senapati who disagreed to stay." Devika observed the woman's reaction. Guilt showed in her eyes.

"Your King is wholeheartedly dedicated to your service, Mata." Devika added. "Keep trust on him. He will never let you down."

"I am sorry, my Queen!" The lady bent down at Devika's feet. "I have never realized this! Will Maharaj ever forgive me?"

Devika smiled, lifting her.

"Maharaj doesn't even take offence of his enemies, Mata! You all are his beloved subjects!" Devika paused for a while, and then added, "But I want to know what made you doubt that King's character whom you only have adored once. What made you feel that he is betraying you? Can you tell me?" She started at the woman.

The old woman hesitated. Chandravati came forward.

"If mother is scared to tell, I will, Maharani." She said. "We have never even thought of doubting our King. We have been made to misunderstand him."

Devika's brows arched.

Was her guess right then?

"Who did that?" She looked at Chandravati. "Tell me without a fear."

"I don't know who they are, Maharani. But they are not people of Indraprastha for sure." Chandravati said. "They dress up like our villagers but their physic and behaviour are more like..." She hesitated a little.

"Like what?" Devika patiently asked.

"Like...like the people of mountains." Chandravati fumbled. "They seem to have been living in a hotter climate. Even their food habits are..."

Devika could not listen anymore. Her heart had begun racing.

If her guess was true, she won't spare the culprits! Her jaws tightened in a silent vow.

"Do they live in this village?" She enquired in a grave tone.

Chandravati nodded in response.

"Can you show me where?"

Chandravati glanced at her mother.

"Pray, leave my daughter, Maharani." The mother joined her palms. "I don't want her to fall in another danger."

"No harm will touch your daughter. Stay assured." Devika said. "Her responsibility is mine. I'll protect her even at the cost of my own life. My maids and bodyguards will safely bring her back to you."

***

Near the rivulet of Khandava forest

Devika's alert eyes measured the conjested locality around her. The place was too deserted even at this mid-morning.

So they had chosen this place near Takshaka's abode! There must be a connection!

"Stay behind." She stopped Chandravati from moving further.

"Ratna, take her back to her home." The Queen ordered. "Let a group of bodyguards accompany you."

"And you?" Ratnavali looked concerned. "You will be alone here?"

"You know well what I alone can do. Don't you?" Devika smiled.

"We know. But it's Maharaj's order to me never to leave you alone again." Indrasena came forward. "I cannot disobey my master."

Devika paused for a while. Yudhishthira's words of last night echoed in her head. He had taken a promise from her not to repeat it.

"Alright. You can stay, but at a distance." Devika agreed. "Don't come here unless I ask you to."

"Thank you, my Queen!" Indrasena bowed. "I shall keep watch over you from that bush." He pointed at a corner.

"Maharani, don't take this risk alone. These people are dangarous." Chandravati warned.

Devika softly chuckled. "You don't know how dangarous I can become for such evils. Don't worry for me. You safely return to your mother. She is waiting for you."

"May Narayana save you." Chandravati prayed before following her order. As she left with Devika's maids and army, Devika went down the chariot and moved ahead. Indrasena stayed where he was, along with the remaining bodyguards.

Devika walked in measured step, scrutinizing the surroundings. The place was so lonely that even the chirp of birds felt too loud.

And then, she heard a human voice. Too low to understand the words, but the tone felt familiar.

Devika advanced towards the hut from where the voice was coming. As she moved closer, the words became audible.

"How's the work going on?"

"Exactly as you wanted, my Lord. These villagers now hate Yudhishthira. They believe that he only is responsible for their sufferings."

Devika's heart burnt in anger and hatred.

There was no more doubt left now! She had recognised the voice.

"That's not enough." Replied the voice. "Remember, your main task is to destroy Devika's trust on Yudhishthira. Do something so that she hates her husband and leaves him forever."

Devika rushed into the hut.

"Your evil wish will never be fulfilled, Yuvaraj Kotikasya!" Her sharp voice lashed out at the people inside just like her sword would do.

"Devika!" Kotikasya's jaw dropped.

"Maharani Devika!" She corrected, glaring at him. "You stand in front of the Queen of this land, Shivi Kumar!"

"You here, at this time?" Kotikasya muttered, his eyes narrowed.

"I own every corner of Indraprastha. I can be anywhere at any time. Rather I ask you, what you are doing in my kingdom?" Devika looked straight into his eyes.

"Maybe you're forgetting, Maharani, that I also have rights to come here at any time, as the brother-in-law of the King." Kotikasya jeered. "You cannot stop a relative of royal family to visit their daughter's marital home."

"A true relative never tries to break their daughter away from her husband!" Devika cried out. "Don't you feel ashamed, Shivi Kumar? You claim yourself as brother-in-law of that person against whom you are conspiring? Do you know that the soil you are standing upon is also his, each morsel of food you eat here is also on his mercy?"

Her sharp voice reverberated from the quiet large trees of Khandava forest. Indrasena suspected something wrong, but could not proceed disobeying Devika's order.

"Devi, dear sister, whatever I'm doing is for your good only!" Kotikasya's tone softened.

"Enough!" Devika fumed more. "Don't pretend to be a caring brother which you definitely aren't! The crime you have committed is unpardonable. You'll pay for it!"

"Devi, please, listen once..."

"I have listened enough. Now you will." Devika turned her head to the door. "Indrasena!" She called out.

Indrasena came out of the bush, followed by the soldiers.

"Yes, Maharani?"

"Arrest him!" Devika raised her finger to Kotikasya.

"Maharani, he is..." Indrasena hesitated.

"He is a Rajadrohi, revolter against our King." Devika said. "Take him to Maharaj!"

Indrasena still hesitated, knowing that Kotikasya was Devika's brother.

"You're bound to obey my order, Indrasena!" The Queen reminded.

Indrasena nodded, and asked the soldiers to seize Kotikasya and his people. Devika watched them advancing towards the palace. To her surprise, her heart ached more now rather than getting relief.

Since a week she had been searching for the reason behind Yudhishthira's sudden misreputation. Little did she know that the revealation of truth would hurt her even more.

The criminal behind all these was her own blood!
_________________________________________

Author's note: Sorry for the extra long chapter and the unhappy ending. But as you know, we must go through some bad to receive some good. This present track will eventually lead to Yaudheya sambhava parva. Keep reading to know how things unfold.

DevikAjatashatrubhyam Namah!