A palace full of people could be the best place to go unnoticed. Abhijishya had reached that conclusion yesterday after galvanating around the entire day trying to interact with people in the attire of a dasi.

Pitamaah, Kakashree and Jyesth were off to attend the administrative matters. Rest of the Pandavs including her beloved were nowhere to be found.

Another dasi informed Abhijishya that Angraj had left last night for Anga and also that Yuyutsu was out of the palace. Her newly estranged mother-in-law was in the company of Jyesth Mata along with Draupadi jiji.

The she had dragged Charu along with her to the kitchen and prepared lemon cakes to curb her boredom. It had resulted in exasperated cooks and 27 lemon cakes. Overall, she had been happy with the result.

During lunch, only 20 cakes made it to the table; 7 she had given to the das and dasis as a treat. They had only accepted after she convinced them that she was none other than Rajkumari Abhijishya. In exchange, she had taken their promise of silence regarding her disguise. Then she had changed into her clothes before lunch.

The highlight of the day had been Suyodhana's sour face after praising the lemon cake then coming to know it was prepared by her. Gandharraj Shakuni had declared he was allergic to citrus fruits while Bhrata Bheem muttered about good food being wasted on bulls. Nakul had begged to differ saying animals were way better which earned him a chastising look from Kunti. Thankfully, only Vikarna heard them and sputtered out half-swallowed water. After firm pats and wheezing coughs, rest of the lunch went peacefully. Draupadi sent her occassional glances but Mata Kunti didn't spare her a look. Jyesth Mata beckoned her to join them for the meal but by then Abhijishya had lost her appetite.

She once again had set out to wander the palace grounds but this time in her usual clothes. Abhijishya exchanged dialogues with a messanger from Chedi, a guard who looked too tired to remain standing and a child looking longingly at a bunch of dangling raw mangoes. The messenger was loose mouthed and let slip of Chedi's interest in Kuru's fine breed of stallions. Abhijishya had smiled and made a mental note to whisper the information in the right ear. She tried to dismiss the guard but he had said," Oh Rajkumari, the Kuru princes do not tolerate lack of diligence."

She had nodded thoughtfully and asked for his services to knock some green mangoes off the tree. He did as told. Abhijishya had offered all except one mango to the child. Giving the mango to the guard, she told him to eat it as the sourness will help him stay awake. Storing a gap toothed grin and a half-smile in her memory, she had eaten dinner alone at night. As much as going unnoticed was fun, it had felt awfully lonely too.

Later Abhijishya had found the much craved comfort and affection in Nakul's warm embrace.

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Today, Nakul and Abhijishya were on their way to the Royal stables.

"It is a mess, Mohini. Yesterday, both Jyesth and Bhrata Suyodhana showed up when Pitamaah called the Yuvraj. As you can expect, no actual work got done. Tatshree never says anything to Bhrata Suyodhana. I don't see any peaceful way other than division of Kuru Kingdom if Bhrata Suyodhana were to remain as the Yuvraj of Hastinapur,"he said with a sigh.

"Does Pitamaah still not agree with Kakshree's counsel?" Abhijishya asked curiously.

"Pitamaah doesn't want Kuru Kingdom to be divided. We aren't keen on it either but I am tired of this endless conflict between the Kauravs and us, Pandavs. Tatshree, even Bhrata Suyodhana are in favour of division," he let out a sardonic laugh. "The same Bhrata Suyodhana that was yelling in the court against it. I guess he too has grown impatient and tired of our presence in Hastinapur."

Abhijishya interlaced their fingers together and gave a comforting squeeze. "Do you think I should try speaking to Pitamaah about the division?"

Nakul shook his head. "I do not think your interference would be welcome. You would certainly be at the receiving end of his displeasure."

"It is a matter of time before Pitamaah accepts Kakashree's suggestion, Arya. Rajkumar Suyodhana will not give up on being the Yuvraj anytime soon and Jyesth will be expected to do his duties as Yuvraj. It will only lead to more bitterness between cousins," Abhijishya replied. She had assumed Pitamaah had accepted Kakashree's counsel after seeing them on good terms at lunch. Her train of thoughts were cut off by a gentle tug on her wrist.

She looked at Nakul. "Hey now, it is still too early to think so deeply. We'll figure everything out eventually," he said with a reassuring smile.

Abhijishya smirked," It is always too early for you to use your brain."

He playfully tugged her hair. "I am quite intelligent. It is you and Sahadev who overthink everything everytime."

She childishly stuck out her tongue. "One day you'll thank me and Sahadev for 'overthinking' as you call it."

Nakul laughed. "We shall see. Now come on. We'll never reach the stables if we keep walking in this pace."

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The stables were bigger than Abhijishya expected with numerous horses and caretakers.

"How many horses are there in here?" She asked in awe.

"203 stallions. 153 mares and 134 foals. These horses are only meant for the Royals. The army horses are kept in a separate ground. As much as I love every one of them, I admit I am partial to Ojas. Come this way," Nakul said.

On the way, soldiers and caretakers bowed their head and greeted them. Abhijishya and Nakul nodded in acknowledgement.

Upon stepping inside the stable, a horse immediately neighed as if to welcome them. His dun coat was glossy with white markings. Abhijishya watched in fascination as Nakul's face lit up with a smile. He stepped forward to stroke Ojas's forehead.

"Hey Ojas, I brought along my Mohini with me," he murmured near the horse's ear. Ojas neighed.

Abhijishya came near Ojas and gently caressed his mane. "He is gorgeous, Arya," she said with a smile.

"Isn't he? Wait I'll-" he turned towards the stacks of hay. "Hey, you, what are you doing here when I specifically ordered for privacy here for today morning?" Nakul said.

Abhijishya moved aside to get a better look at the crouched figure near the hay stacks.

The man got up abruptly and said with his head bowed," Pardon me, Rajkumari, Rajkumari. I wasn't aware. I'll leave at once." He walked out hastily from the stable. She caught sight of a strange mark on his neck as he went past her. She didn't know people could get tattoos in Dwapar yug.

Abhijishya felt something off about the man.

"Ojas likes oats as well-" Nakul shouted out in pain.

She looked at him to find him sprawled on the ground clutching his right hand and a snake slithering away.

Hump-nosed pit viper

Her breath caught inside her throat. She threw her daggar at the snake's head in a flash and knelt beside Nakul the next moment. The dagger impaled the snake on the ground as it thrashed around then stilled.

Nakul was gritting his teeth. There were two fang holes on his right forearm.

"Don't remove your hand from your forearm. Clutch the area four fingers above the bite tightly," Abhijishya said; her mind already coming up with first aid procedures necessary for venomous snake bites.

"Mohini-"Nakul called. She paid him no mind. Abhijishya moved in search of ropes. She found some near Ojas who was now panicking upon sensing something wrong.

"Guards! Guards! Someone help!," Abhijishya called out. She focused on the rope and stroked Ojas's belly in circular motions. As soon as Ojas stopped moving his legs, she picked up the rope.

Two soldiers and a caretaker came in. "What happened, Rajkumari?" one of them asked.

Abhijishya went to sit beside Nakul once again. Unravelling the rope, she said," Rajkumar has been bitten by the snake that is lying there. I want one of you to take the snake to RajVyad and get cure for the venom. Another of you will calm Ojas down. The remaining, go out and get people to help carry Arya to his chambers. Now, fast."

"Mohini," Nakul looked at her. Abhijishya tied the rope above and below the bite tightly to prevent the venom from spreading freely. "Don't worry. It's.. It's just a snake. You'll be okay," Abhijishya said with a shaky smile trying to ignore the growing pit of dread in her stomach.

"What are waiting for? Go get men to carry Arya to his chambers," she shouted at the caretaker. He ran out of the stable.

The surrounding area of the bite was swelling and turning purple.

"Mohini," Nakul tried to say something again.

"Shut up. I will make ever-" she bit her lip trying not to cry "everything fine," Abhijishya said while caressing his forehead. Soon, guards arrived and carried Nakul away.

Abhijishya followed them. "You, go get all the Pandavs in Arya's chambers. And you, see whether RajVyad is coming or not. Tell him to arrive quickly," she ordered the men around her.

They laid Nakul on his bed.

"DASI, Dasi," Abhijishya yelled. A few dasis came running. "Go get me more cushions and inform Mata Kunti as well as Draupadi jiji to come here at once," she ordered.

Nakul sat up slowly. She arranged the pillows so that he could sit upright with his legs stretched out. "Privacy. No one but the Pandavs, Mata Kunti, Draupadi jiji, Pitamaah, Kakashree Vidur and RajVyad enters the chambers," Abhijishya said and the guards along with the das and dasis left.

She sat down beside Nakul on the bed. "Don't move your right hand," Abhijishya said to him. The swelling was only increasing.

RajVyada arrived with rest of the Pandavs in tow.

"Vyadji, did you see the snake I sent? I hope you can make the correct anti-venom now. Do it quickly," Abhijishya said.

"How did he get bitten by a snake in the stables? It is always checked thrice a day," Bheem said with frustration.

"The snake could've gotten in anytime, Bhrata Bheem. Anuj will be alright," Arjun said looking worriedly at Nakul.

Sahadev went to sit beside Abhijishya on Nakul's left. The twins shared a look that Abhijishya couldn't decipher.

"The snake was brought, Bhrata," Nakul stated calmly.

"Brought?" Yudhisthir asked.

"It was a hump-nosed pit viper, Jyesth. Commonly found only in South Aryavart specifically in Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms. So yes, someone brought the snake," he said then hissed as RajVyad jostled his hand.

"That man," Abhijishya exclaimed with wide eyes.

Nakul nodded with a grimace.

"What man?" Arjun asked.

"Today morning I had explicitly ordered for privacy in the stables but a man was inside the stable. He must have put the snake inside the hay stack that time," Nakul replied. He bit his tongue as the RajVyad touched the bite area.

"SUYODHANA," Bheem shouted in rage. "He must have done it. I'll kill him this time for sure."

Mata Kunti and Draupadi came inside that time.

"What is this I hear? Nakul has been bitten by a snake," Kunti said as she moved to sit beside her son.

"It is one of Mama Shakuni's and Suyodhana's conspiracies, Mata," Arjun said as he started pacing.

"Do not stop me, Mata. I have had enough of that Suyodhana. First he tried to poison me, then Varnavart and now Nakul," Bheem said angrily.

Abhijishya who was listening to everything said," It isn't Gandharraj or Rajkumar Suyodhana this time, Bhrata Bheem."

"Of course it is him. Who else has tried to kill us till today?" Bheem said with gritted teeth.

"It is not Gandharraj Shakuni or Suyodhana this time," she repeated. "They would've gone for Jyesth,even you or Arjun but it was planned specifically for Arya. His demise doesn't facilitate them as much as Jyesth, yours or Bhrata Arjun's would."

"For Narayan's sake, will you stop weighing my sons' lives? This is why I never wanted to return," Kunti cried out.

"Mata, please calm yourself. Vyadji is here. Arya Nakul will be alright in no time," Draupadi tried to soothe Kunti as she sent Abhijishya a disapproving look.

"Bhabishree hasn't said anything wrong, Mata. I agree with her. This wasn't Mamashree Shakuni or Bhrata Suyodhana's scheme," Sahadev said calmly.

Nakul sent him a grateful look. He nodded minutely in acknowledgement.

"Vyadji, will putra Nakul be alright?" Mata Kunti asked wiping her cheeks by her saree.

Everyone looked at him expectantly.

"There is no cure for the venom of hump nosed pit viper. Due to Rajkumari's immediate actions, the venom has been trapped only in the right forearm. The only possible way to save Rajkumar," the RajVyada hesitated.

"Tell us, Vyadji," Yudhisthir urged.

"Amputation," Nakul answered looking into Abhijishya's eyes. "I was trying to tell this only, Mohini."

Abhijishya felt as if someone knocked the breath out of her. Her beloved who wielded sword couldn't loose his right hand.

'That man,' she seethed as tears spilled down her cheeks. Clenching her fists tightly, Abhijishya shouted,"Guard, come in here."

One soldier came in at once and bowed.

"Close all the palace gates. Check every man. Bring me the man with a black jumping tiger's insignia on his neck," Abhijishya said coldly. "Alive."

"Yes, Rajkumari," the soldier said and rushed outside.

Sahadev sat with a blank expression on his face. Yudhisthir had turned away from Nakul.

"Is there no other way, truly?" Arjun asked; failing to hide the tremble in his voice.

The RajVyada shook his head. Bheem shouted and punched a wall. The chamber shook from the impact.

"We have to do it quickly. The longer the venom remains inside his body, the more it'll be dangerous to his life," the RajVyada said gently.

Kunti tried to stifle her sobs. "I- I'll be with Narayan," she mumbled then got up and walked out of the room. "Mata, mata," a teary Draupadi called as she followed her out.

"Bheem, go after Mata and Panchali. None of us should remain alone," Yudhisthir said.

Bheem nodded and left as well.

Nakul shifted a little and groaned. Abhijishya stared at his sweat glistened forehead and scrunched face due to the pain. She felt like someone was strangling her to death.

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"It is done," the man said.

Sushasan smirked and tossed him three bags of gold mudras. "Double as promised. Now leave before Pitamaah sniffs you out."

"Thank you, Rajkumar,"The man said as shoved the bags inside the folds of his waistband then jumped out of the balcony.

Sushasan poured himself a cup of wine. A das came in and said," Pardon me for disturbing you Rajkumar but news is that Rajkumar Nakul has been bitten by a deadly snake this morning."

He sipped his wine and said,"Dismissed."

As soon as the das left, Sushasan sat down on his bed and let out a hearty laugh. It was rightly said that a palace full of people could be the best place to go unnoticed.

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A.N. - Please vote and COMMENT.

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Go check out Utpathasthita- Avengers in Dwapar story by Sayra612

Until the next time,

Byeee 😅

*runs away*

P.s. you'll get the Gandhari bead scene explaination in the next chapter.