Sikva, capital city of Kavish

"Hold on. Hold on." Nakul stopped Parthiban in the mid of his narration to ingest the information his brother shared. "Are you telling me that we have uninvited guests from Durja? The prince of Durja?" he asked, stressing the meaning of his question word by word.

"The crown prince of Durja," Nathan corrected despite being equally surprised.

"Yes, the crown prince of Durja and three of his guards or maybe friends are here," Parthiban nodded in respond to his brother's apprehension.

Nakul crossed the length of his chamber, anxious for the unexpected presence of the prince from the foe land. "And you have let him stay here without sending him out of Kavish even after learning who he is?" The eldest prince's eyebrows furrowed in a scowl, strongly disapproving Parthiban's action.

"I would have fight and send him out but I saw the sincerity in his eyes. I chose to hear him out."

The eldest of them all settled on a chair by the table, rested his elbow on his thigh and entwined his fingers together—calming his perturbed mind. The events of which might follow with the presence of Durja prince in their land engulfed him in a trepidation.

"So, why is he here and how did he get in Kavish?" asked Nathan, fetching the torch that was brought by the palace guard and assent him. The retired sun shone its last bits of rays as Nathan illuminated the chamber, lighting the torches hung on the wall and in the central pit of the chamber.

"He claims to have found a few of our missing people by the border of north Durja. And he intends to send them back to their families but with no travel documentation to prove their citizenship he couldn't do it naturally," Parthiban recounted Dhruva's intention.

"So, he came here to speak to us personally to make us understand the situation?" Nathan concluded, still holding the torch.

Parthiban nodded and slid his eyes from Nathan to Nakul. Nakul remained silent in contemplation, his shoulders tensed and eyes focused on nothing on the floor. He presumes his brother was in a dilemma, the recent events had taken up their energy; first Nakshathra and Abhimanyu then the new problem at the east garrison and now with return the missing people escorted by prince of Durja. He feared he would witness a similar phase of Nakul just as Nakshathra. Mincing across the room, he held Nakul's shoulder and gave a firm grip.

"Don't dwell in those thoughts, Nakul. It does no good."

"What is your plan, Parthi?" The oldest of them asked.

"I'm waiting for him to confirm on their arrival and once they are by the border gate, I'll go with him. The verification part is the most important procedure, I intend to do it myself. They have given me the names of the men they claim to be citizen of Kavish. I'll be checking on the missing list to tally the names." Parthiban poured a glass full of water from the pitcher and gulped its content at once.

"You know, I worry too much these days. There is a sudden dispute blown up at the east garrison. Reports are coming against the mayor for loathing the people's possession yet there are no evidences. I should be there but here I am, thanks to father," Nakul resigned with a sigh. Although, general Pasupathi had gone to the east representing the crown prince and keeping him updated with the situation, it was nothing like being there in person.

Nakul continued to pour out his frustration to his brothers. "Why? Because Abhimanyu is coming and father wants all of us to be there to receive him. For what?" he shook his head, his face scrunched in annoyance. "He wants Nakshathra to marry Abhimanyu, the spoilt brat. Then there is prince of Durja whom someone had fed into Nakshathra that she needs to consider marrying him to retrieve our lost people. My worries are so interrelated."

"You are not alone but we have to tackle them as it comes. Pasupathi is already at the garrison looking into the matter, so we don't have to worry too much on it. Our next immediate sore is the prince of Durja." Parthiban gave a reassuring tap on his shoulder and noticed Nathan had remained quiet.

"Fine, station a few guards at the ashram and have them keep an eye on him... You should know better; I'll leave it to you as long as you can handle. Let me focus on Abhimanyu. There must be a way to stop this madness." Nakul mumbled away as he stepped out to the balcony, inhaling the fresh air.

The sky had turned dark and the last few flocks of bird flew away to find shelter for the night. The gales of little giggles coming from the garden below caught his attention and instantly the sight put a smile on his tired face. His wife, Kamini and his three children were walking back to the palace, indulging in what could be an interesting chat. He was indeed blessed to have a partner like Kamini; loving, brilliant, caring and outspoken. She has been his conscience whenever his decision wavered.

His thought then shifted to Nakshathra and Abhimanyu. Will his sister continue to luxuriate in her freedom with Abhimanyu in the future? As far as he has his insight on Abhimanyu, he was an irresponsible prince and highly addicted to women and firewater. Nakshathra will have to run behind him, keep him in check—like a babysitter?

"I would like to add another matter on your worry basket." Parthiban stood next to him and turned around so he could see both Nathan and Nakul.

"What is it?"

"Do you want to guess who asked me to meet Dhruva in the first place?"

Nathan who had been the silent all the while jumped on his feet enthusiastically. "Now that you asked, I have a wild guess."

"Who?" asked the older brother, impatiently.

"Our dear sister, Nakshathra," answered Parthiban.

"Does she know who him?"

"No, he had concealed his identity to everyone but exposed it to me. Good thing, he doesn't know about Nakshathra either. Not sure how Nakshathra managed to do that, she maintains her identity as 'the physician'." Parthiban was on his way to the door as he spoke. "So, there's nothing much to be worried. I'll get going. Have a good rest."

Nakul shook his head in a silent contemplation while twisting his lips to one side. "God, what is going on here?"

**--***--***--**

As much as she had tried to control herself, curiosity had taken the best of her. The next morning, she woke up early and headed to greet Parthiban, first thing in the morning. But it was Ahalya who answered the door, "Came to meet your brother?" her question taunted Nakshathra. There was no greeting nor the warm smile she often displayed.

Aware of the crude treatment, Nakshathra tried to make peace with her sulking sister-in-law. "I'm sorry, I did not come to meet you after that day but I have been busy with the arogyalaya and the camps. But I'll come see you later in the evening." She engulfed Ahalya in a tight embrace, Nakshathra made sure there were no more scowling on her face.

"Fine, let me go! You are choking me!" Nakshathra earned a light slap on her arm before Ahalya made her way out of the room. "You are a master in pacifying."

Nakshathra smiled wide although unsure if the statement was a praise or a taunt. Nevertheless, she took it positively. "We need to make peace with all because peace makes our life happy, anni."

"Ever since you started meditating, you have been sounding like a sage. The princess who speaks wise words."

"Oh, don't make me a saint. I'm not even close to one."

They continued all the way to the central courtyard adorned in azure and parted ways. Nakshathra's smiling face snapped glum as soon as Ahalya had gone out of her sight. The too much of blue drapes and the blue ornaments everywhere made her sick to her stomach despite the colour give out calm ambience.

She never hated a colour before but she feared she would soon as she hurried her steps to the weaponry room. Inside the heavily guarded chamber, filled with weapons; new and old displayed neatly on the walls and by the side of the chamber. A wooden table sat in the middle of the room, on it laid a number of shiny swords and valari, a short-curved blade with flat end and a round knob at the handle.

"Meticulously done," Nakshathra commented, checking out the sword after a few strokes to the left and right.

"Indeed. What brought you here?" Parthiban set the valari he was examining on the table.

She smiled wide, "came to know about yesterday."

"What about yesterday?"

"The meeting with Dhruva. What was it about?" Her eyebrows danced in curiosity.

"Oh, you don't know why?" Unsure of how much Nakshathra knew about the matter, he questioned her first and from there he will know the amount of information need to be shared.

"No. He did not want to tell me until he talks to you," she shrugged and leaned against the wooden table.

He vaguely studied another valari flipping it back and forth. "If he doesn't tell you than he must have a reason for it, isn't it?"

Of course, Dhruva wouldn't tell her because for him, Nakshathra was only a respected physician. He would have told her if he had known her as a princess, she thought and nodded. "I'm a bit curious, you see. Why would a man from Haridra travel so far to meet you? Must be something important ... but I guess his decision should be respected."

"Anyway, I am curious too. So, let's talk about this man." Parthiban and Nakshathra head out of the weaponry chamber and headed to the garden away from anyone's listening range. "What do you think of Dhruva?" he asked soon after they had settled under a tree.

"I think he is a decent man," she replied, brushing off the dust on her skirt. "He also has an attractive nature although there is only little that I know of him. People around have been talking about them as the kind and helpful newcomers. They have even helped a lonely farmer plough his land when they first came here. All of them are good but Dhruva stands out as a leader. A good man."

"Do you like him?" Parthiban asked. As he waited, he felt his heart beat rapidly against his chest. Although, the urge to warn her about Dhruva formed as a lump in his throat, Parthiban let their identity be as they have displayed. For now, he wanted to clear his doubt in regards to why she chose to help him.

Nakshathra fumbled in her thought, her brother's question was no different to Arunya's who had asked her the same the night before. She had brushed off Arunya away answering it as a silly question but being question for the second time made her deeply assimilate her feelings. There was hardly any defined reason for Nakshathra to put her finger on in regards to Dhruva.

"As a friend, yes. He is man with good nature as far as I have known. If you are hinting for a deeper liking? I don't know. Does it matter in anyway? Did he ask you something in regards to this?" She asked.

"No, he did not. That is a different issue altogether. And yes, it matters. Why because father has already chosen a prospect suitor for you. It won't be nice if you have a liking on someone when you already have a suitor waiting for you." Parthiban did not look at her. If he did, he would have seen tears glazing her eyes.

What she heard from the fabric merchant was true after all, a wedding was going to take place and it was hers. A sense of disappointment filled her soul, she did not get a chance to choose her life partner. How unfortunate. Forcing herself not to tear up, she gazed at her brother.

"I thought by abolishing the Heramba rule, we could live as per our terms... you know with fewer rules to follow. But I forgot that..." she exhaled a shaky breath. "The king would prefer to be fair to all the children in the palace in at least one thing, isn't it? That perhaps is the choice of a life partner. Neither of you older to me had the choice to select your partners, how am I an exception? The king has hit the bull's eye. Putting me back on my place." Nakshathra chuckled sympathising herself in a choiceless path.

"No brother would want his sister to live an unhappy life just for her to get the same fair treatment as him."

Silence prevailed in the garden with only the chirping birds singing in the morning. Nakshathra nodded, nothing that the siblings didn't know about each other. When he mentioned 'unhappy married life', she knew what he was citing. She was aware of the cold exchanges between Parthiban and Ahalya in the first year of their marriage but are they still distant from each other? She couldn't tell for sure, all she knew was her brother had made the effort, forgetting his first love and be the husband Ahalya deserved. If only the king was considerate with all of them, Parthiban would been a happier man, she thought.

"Who is it, Parthi? The man father had chosen for me. Which man is obsessed with the colour that the entire palace is bursting in it?" she asked as a muscle in her jaw twitched.

Parthiban turned to her, the morning chirpiness she had gone, replaced with sullen façade, glazy eyes and drooping lips

"The prince of Pareen," he said, bitterly.

The one man she did not go in good terms from the first meet—Abhimanyu. Nakshathra unmindfully minced her way through the garden. How on earth did the king selected Abhimanyu as her suitor? How did her mother agree to the king's choice? Aren't they aware of the prince's unethical behaviour? What about her brothers? She swirled to meet Parthiban standing at where they sat, expressing equal concern.

With a shake of her head, she retraced her path back to Parthiban. "I can't, Parthi. Abhimanyu and I don't go along. I almost broke his head with a glass bottle the last time we met when he had forcefully dragged Arunya to satiate his lusty desire," her voice low yet full of rage.

"Do you think we are fine with father's choice." Parthiban glared at her. "No, we are not. By all means, we want to stop this ridiculous alliance which we fear would ruin your future. As Abhimanyu's brother-in-law, I should be seconding the arrangement but I can't. We will do our best to change father's mind." He took her fist dangling by her side and unclenched it, giving a reassuring pat on the back of her hand.

"What if he doesn't agree? Shall I chop Abhimanyu's hand? Then plead in the court for not wanting to marry an armless man? Oh, should I run away?" she continued to mumble, feeling helpless. "I would have agreed to marry even a fisherman but not Abhimanyu," she said, holding her tears at bay.

***---****---***---***

A/N: I think it's time to bring in some 'magic' into the story. Are you ready?