In Indraprasth:

"Give him to me!"

"No!"

"I'm warning you for the last time. Give him!"

"No!!!"

"Okay."

Valandhara shouted in fear as Bheem picked her up with their son nestled in her arms.

"What are you doing?! You'll drop us! You, bhaaloo!!!"

"Don't call me bhaaloo! What will Laddu think?"

"Don't you dare call my son Laddu again!"

"What's happening here?" A very much confused Devika asked. They were in the hallway and these two new parents of the cute little baby boy had started fighting there only! Devika gave a stern look at them as she noticed the guards and dasis silently laughing behind them. Bheem upon seeing Devika gently put his wife down.

"Look at this Bhabishree! She's not giving me my son!" Bheem complained with a frown.

"And he is not stopping calling my son Laddu!" Valandhara complained too.

Devika stared at the both of them for a few moments before shaking her head. They would never change. Even becoming a parent had not brought a single difference.

Valandhara had gone into labor a few days ago and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Today was the naming ceremony of their son and look at these two.

"Enough. Everyone is waiting for you. Come on, now." Devika ushered them to the hall where the ceremony was going to take place.

Nothing much had changed in Indraprasth apart from the arrival of the new member. It had taken Devika a little time to accept everything and make peace. And her family had supported her at each step. She had concluded that she was Dharmraj Yudhisthir's wife. The mother of his son. It was her only identity now and nothing else mattered.

That day after Sindhuraj had left, the silent spectator of the events, Sivi Naresh Govasena was also going to follow him. But his steps had faltered as Devika had stopped him from behind.

"I want to talk to Sivi Naresh in private if you allow Maharaj." Devika had requested to Yudhisthir solemnly. Yudhisthir though was concerned, didn't object and left with the others.

Sivi Naresh didn't say anything as he stood stoically whereas Devika observed him with tearful eyes. This man before her was her biological parent?

"A lot of questions were going through my mind that I wanted to ask. But now, I can only ask you one." Devika said finally as he remained silent only.
"Did you only come here for Sindhuraj?"

"Who is asking the question? The Maharani of Indraprasth or the daughter of Sivi?" Maharaj Govasena asked turning his eyes to her.

"Was I ever the daughter of Sivi? Because from my understanding, I was given away as soon as possible." Devika had replied as a lone tear fell from her eyes.

"We can only give away what belongs to us. Whom I gave away was my daughter only." Maharaj Govasena had answered solemnly.

"Then how could you give up your innocent daughter so easily?"

"Not easy. Never easy." He had looked at the far sky while remembering those days.
"When I received the news of your arrival, I felt blessed. Maharishi Brihudyanu himself came to bless the child that had born with the blessings of Goddess Amba! I was so happy. And I felt pride unlike anything when he predicted that my daughter will become the Samragi of Aryavarth and rule it one day. But ignorant me! Before I could understand the full meaning of his prediction, someone else did.

Maharaj Vriddhakshatra attacked our tribes and killed my people mercilessly. He captured the women and children while killing the men in hunting sport. I was helpless to do anything. And then he offered me a chance. He would release me and my people only if I got my daughter married to his son, he had said.

I couldn't understand. Couldn't understand the reason for such an obnoxious demand. But then I realized it.

My daughter!

My innocent daughter was the future of Aryavarth!

According to the prophecy, she'll become the Samragi of Aryavarth and that means only one thing.

The man who marries her will become the Chakravarty Samrat of the entire Bharatvarsh!"
Maharaj Govasena's eyes met Devika's again.

"Maharaj Vriddhakshatra, the neighbouring king of Sindhu had realized it too. So, he wanted you for his son. That's why Sindhuraj Jayadrath stromed at Indraprasth after receiving the news that you're alive!"

He smiled scornfully at the absurdity of the act.

"But he forgot one thing, karma (action) is above all. Human if wants can even challenge fate with his karma. Your fate is Pandavagrajah (eldest of the Pandavs) only. Because only his actions matches your fate."

Devika gulped nervously looking away from him. For some reason that sounded ominous.

"You didn't even try to meet me once after coming here. Did you not want to see me? Talk to me once? Or at least ask how I am?" She asked again.

"How can I dare to ask that to Dharmaraj Yudhisthir's wife?" Sivi Naresh replied with a ironic smile.
"When I know that the man who follows dharma at each and every step of his life, who has five invincible brothers who can lay down their lives for him at anytime, who is setting an example of how to rule with kindness, who is the king of one of the most prosperous kingdom of Aryavarth,

Is and will always be with you." He took a deep breath before adding,

"I have no right to ask to see or talk to you. Because I couldn't protect you. To protect my people, my kingdom, I abandoned you. The moment I bent in front of Sindhuraj and got an innocent child married to his son, I lost the right."
His voice turned heavy as he spoke around the lodge forming on his throat.
"You kept crying the whole night when that mark was engraved on your little wrist. You were in so much pain! And I couldn't do anything.
That's why I said or did nothing even knowing that your mother was planning for your escape. I was tied with the promise I made to Maharaj Vriddhakshatra. But she wasn't. She had seen what he and his young son was capable of. And so, she did what I couldn't. She sent you away from Sivi to someplace unknown with your Anukalpika (substitute)."

"And you never tried to know where I am or how I am, Pitashree?" Devika asked sharply.

Hearing her call him that made his breath hitch. So, he took a moment to control himself before replying.

"I heard Maharaj Yudhisthir bought you from someone who had you as a servant. I will never know what you actually went through. I wondered though. But honestly speaking, I didn't want to find you. As I said, I abandoned you and I thought it was for the best."

"Why did you come here then?" She asked as tears fell freely from her eyes now.

"The same reason for which I never tried to find you." He answered in a low tone. "I am bound by my promise."

Devika wiped her tears and asked with criticism,
"Did you really think I will go with Sindhuraj?"

"I never doubted your husband. I knew he won't let you go. Besides, that forced facade of a marriage will never be accepted on the court of Maharaj Yudhisthir even if it was someone else and not you." He replied genuinely.

Devika sighed hearing his answer. Long moments passed in silence as both tried to gather their thoughts. What was done, couldn't be undone. There really was not a point in dwelling on it, was there?

"Can I ---can I meet my mother once?" Devika asked in a small voice hesitating.

"She passed away years ago." Maharaj Govasena replied softly. Devika's heart pinched badly for the woman who had birthed her. She never even got the chance to know her.

"You look so much alike. You have a strong spirit just like your mother." Maharaj Govasena commented in a whisper.

"I wish, I could meet her!" She whispered back in sorrow.

"Don't be sad. She must be happy to see you all grown up from wherever she is." He said offering a comforting smile to his daughter.

"If---he ever allows you to come to Sivi, remember you will always be welcomed. Now I should leave before he throws me out." Maharaj Govasena said with a little hesitation.

"He won't." Devika said with a smile.

"Are you sure?" He asked glancing at the balcony from where Yudhisthir was frowning at him in displeasure. Devika followed his eyes and upon seeing her husband remembered how just a while ago he had been angry enough to hold a naked sword to Sindhuraj's neck.

"You should leave."

Devika came out of her thoughts as she noticed Yudhisthir looking at her questioningly. She shook her head lightly with an assuring smile.

"Rajkumar Bheem, give your son a nice name now." The Rajpurohit addressed Bheem after completing other rituals. Valandhara sulked as Bheem threw a smug look at her.

"Nakul? Sa se kaunsa misttan ka nam aarambh hota hai? (Which dessert's name starts with S?)" Bheem asked his brother with a straight face. Everyone surpassed their laughs as Valandhara openly glared at her husband. In the entire Aryavarth, only she could get away with glaring at Vrikodar Bheem unharmed.

"Shrikhand, sheera aur sandesh, bhrata Bheem.
Teeno hi Dhara Jiji bohot accha banati hai. (Dhara Jiji is excellent at cooking all three of them.)"
Rajkumari Drisana supplied helpfully as her husband stood silently not daring to answer.

"Right!" Bheem nodded his head turning to Valandhara who was giving a look of betrayal to Drisana.

"So, my sweet son's name will be,"
Valandhara closed her eyes tightly unable to bear.

"Sarvaga."

***

I went back and searched through the chapters of the previous book to find out where I was. 😅😅😅

I'm seriously regretting the decision of taking down the previous two books.

1st of all, not all readers can get it on Amazon. But they love the book! I feel like it's not right to deprive them.

2nd thing is, I add special notes and clear any confusions if the story offers any conflicts to the original texts.
Which is not added in the published one. And I feel like it may create a misunderstanding of the original texts to someone who is not familiar with 'Mahabharat'.

I am confused 😕

By the way, I am thinking of changing the plotline that I had decided at first. Maybe I'll or maybe not. Let's see.

And lastly, I need someone to help me in creating aesthetics and trailer. And a new cover. Help, help help!!!