Raajsabha, Indraprastha

"Maharaj, rebelling against a king's rule creates obvious unrest in his kingdom. Any opposition to a strong administration makes the subjects suffer. This is why Rajadroha is an unpardonable sin as per the Shastras." Devika uttered in firm voice. "I demand remarkable punishment for the Shivi Yuvaraj who dared to do that."

Yudhishthira listened quietly. His serene eyes were fixed on a fuming Kotikasya, yet storm of dilemma blew in his heart.

He knew whatever Devika was saying was correct. Neither would she feel hurt to see her brother seized in Indraprastha's prison. But the rest of Shivi? What would be their reaction to this? Their son had been seized in their daughter's marital home. Won't this lead to a huge misreputation of Devika? Would Govasana ever return to his daughter after this?

He observed Devika's fair face that had turned crimson. Maybe she was too angry to think much, but Yudhishthira could sense the possible upcoming consequences of this. It was hurting for him to malign Devika's respectable position in Shivi. Neither could he release someone whose punishment was demanded by Queen Devika herself, in an open court. That would be dishonouring her power and authority.

It felt like a test to him.

Maharani Devika's honour at one side, and Shivi Kumari Devika's reputation on the other. What would Yudhishthira do now?

Devika noticed curves on Yudhishthira's serene brow. Realising his dilemma, she moved forward.

"Maharaj, Raaj Dharma is above our personal emotions and family bondings." She softly reminded.

Yudhishthira nodded, letting out the sigh he had held for long. This sabha of Indraprastha was definitely not a place of such thoughts. As long as he was on the throne, he had no relative to care for except the subjects. He mentally thanked Devika for bringing his thoughts to the right direction.

That's what a true Queen, a true wife would do!

"Shivi Yuvaraj, do you have anything to say?" Yudhishthira stared at Kotikasya.

Kotikasya slowly lifted his crimson eyes.

"I don't want to waste my time on a fool who acts on a woman's words!" He gnashed his teeth. "No fair decision can be expected from such a King."

Yudhishthira turned grave.

"The woman you refer to is my wife, Shivi Kumar! She is the Queen of this land. She has as much rights to take any administrative decision as I do. If she thinks that you can be harmful for Indraprastha, I have to ponder over the matter."

Entire sabha held their breath in silence. Devika beamed in pride. Draupadi looked at Yudhishthira with admiration in her eyes.

No royal court of Aaryavarta has ever heard a King honouring his Queen thus!

"And regarding fairness, I promise you, if you can prove your innocence, you will be released with respect at this very moment." Yudhishthira added. "Indraprastha never punishes an innocent. But it never forgives an offender, too!"

"Can you prove that I indeed am an offender?" Kotikasya challenged. "What's the evidence except your wife's mere words?"

Devika pursed her lips, fuming.

"You talk of fairness, Yudhishthira?" Kotikasya groaned. "Your wife has seized me. It's your duty to prove my offence, not mine. I challenge you to do that! And if you cannot, I'll show the entire Indraprastha how void your so called Dharma is!" His finger danced in front of the throne in an offensive manner.

"Dharma does not become void, you fool!" Devika chided. "This is Dharmabhumi, the very abode of morality. You only will become a void here. Wait for that!"

Kotikasya laughed sarcastically. "So you can't present sufficient evidence for..."

"Evidence is here!" A sharp voice cried.

Devika turned around. A group of villager women stood at the door, led by a familiar female figure.

"Chandravati!" She exclaimed, surprised.

"Kindly let me in, Maharani." Chandravati requested. "I will undo this beast's mask today!" She glared at Kotikasya. "And all my fellow women will validate my words."

Devika exhaled, smiling.

This was all she wanted. To ignite righteous courage in the womenfolk of Indraprastha.

"You may come in, Bhadre." Yudhishthira permitted.

The guards let the group enter in, shocked to see so much boldness in a young girl who had just been rescued by their Queen a few days ago. Chandravati walked in with her head high. She paused facing the King. Behind her, stood the others.

"Maharaj, this is the one who had been assulting the village girls since months!" Chandravati's delicate long finger pointed unwavering at Kotikasya. "This is the one who is helping Takshaka's people to raid our villages! And he is falsely shifting all liabilities of his own sins to you!"

Kotikasya's face flushed. He stood rooted, shocked in this unexpected sudden attack. Yudhishthira looked at Devika with admiration.

He knew that this woman empowerment in his kingdom was her success!

"Maharaj, this Shivi prince is harming your praja just to malign your name!" Chandravati added. "To prove you as an irresponsible King, he can go to any extent. He is too inauspicious for our kingdom, Maharaj. We want him to get punished for everything that he did!"

Chandravati's voice did not shiver even a little. Devika beamed, taking a deep breath. A sense of relief washed over her tensed heart.

Her mission has become successful!

The very subjects who had once accused her husband in public, had released him from the false blame today! Her Yudhishthira's lost honour had been restored. There was nothing better that Devika could have prayed for.

"We want his punishment, Maharaj!" Cried the women in chorus.

Yudhishthira took a deep breath before looking at Kotikasya.

"Hope you have nothing more to say, Shivi Yuvaraj." He uttered in an even tone. "On a public demand from my people, I give order for your imprisonment. Stay seized until you change yourself."

Kotikasya's frame trembled in wrath as he lifted his crimson eyes to Yudhishthira. "You didn't do this good, Indraprastheshwara! You'll have to pay for this!"

Yudhishthira did not respond. Indrasena instructed the soldiers to take Kotikasya to the prison.

***

Night, Yudhishthira's mansion

"This victory is yours, Maharani." Yudhishthira caressed the golden crown that gloriously adorned Devika's head. "Those girls could never have been this fearless unless your encouragement."

Devika smiled. "I have done nothing. Still they say that I only have inspired them not to be scared of evil powers. I myself was stunned to see this unbelievable change in that timid, soft -spoken Chandravati. Her courage was beyond my imagination."

"That's where your genius lies, my Queen!" Yudhishthira beamed. "You don't need to give them long speeches to destroy their fears. Your fearless aura and brave steps are enough for that. No amount of words could have done what your action did. They are just following you."

"Their Queen is nothing except her King's active support and guidance." Devika placed her palm over his, smiling. "I'm glad that they themselves have dispelled the false accusation on you."

Yudhishthira's smile faded.

"Are you really happy with whatever has happened today?" He sighed.

"Without a doubt. What makes you think otherwise?"

Yudhishthira looked straight into her eyes. "I'm asking this to Shivi Kumari Devika, not the Maharani of Indraprastha."

Devika's jaw gritted. "You know well that I no more consider Kotikasya as my brother. Nothing to regret from my side at all."

"But your father?" Yudhishthira patiently asked.

Devika's lips parted, but she looked away, choosing not to speak.

"I know your feelings for Pita Govasana. I don't want to cause any rift between you two." Yudhishthira added.

"Rift is already there and neither of us can help it." Devika bit her lips. "Better to stop worrying about that." She quickly moved away to put down her crown. Yudhishthira held her hand from behind.

"You cannot ignore your motherland thus, Shaivyaa." He softly reminded.

Devika paused in her steps and turned back.

"Kotikasya doesn't represent my motherland, Maharaj. It's the people of Shivi who do." Her tone was emotionless.

"I know. But even for them, today's incident doesn't seem favourable. How would the Shivis react to learn that Yuvaraj Kotikasya is seized in your land? What will be your position in their minds after this?"

Devika's gaze lowered. Yudhishthira came close and put his arms on her shoulder.

"Devi, I fear, I have ruined your reputation as a Princess and a daughter today." Pain surfaced in his brown eyes.

Devika lifted her head.

"You have uplifted my honour as a Queen and a wife. That's all I need, Swami." Pride shone in her eyes. "And regarding Shivis, they know well how Kotikasya is. They won't blame me for punishing him. Rather they would bless both of us for reliving them from his tortures. They will adore you not just their son-in-law but as their saviour now. This incident will strengthen your bonding with Shivi." She smiled. "Just as I wanted."

Yudhishthira shook his head. "Pita won't see this as you do, Devi."

"That's not your fault, Natha. Stop feeling guilty for something you haven't done." Devika patted his arm. "We have won our first battle. Now we have to keep ourselves strong to face the next."

Yudhishthira slowly nodded, letting out a sigh.

"I so wish that your dreams come true, Devi!" He whispered.

"They will, Natha. Where women are strong and active, everything is possible there. I believe that this woman empowerment in Indraprastha will lead us to a big success one day." Her eyes glowed. "I shall begin training sword fighting to the village girls from tomorrow."

"Don't know about other women. But as long as my both women are active, I have nothing to worry." Yudhishthira finally smiled, kissing Devika's cheek. Her warm embrace drew him to the soothing world of love, relaxing his mind.