In Hastinapur:

Duryodhan frowned at some parchments. There had been heavy rainfall this year which ruined a lot of crops. The storage of Hastinapur had been opened for the subjects. But seeds for new harvesting had to be imported from other Kingdoms. As Duryodhan was busy in checking the agreements, Vikarna asked permission to enter.

"Come. How is the distribution going on?" Duryodhan asked not removing his eyes from the parchments.

"It's good. We have already taken assessments of the loss of the villagers. Soon allotments will be handed too." Vikarna replied sitting on the couch facing him.

"Has Vivitsu and Yuyutsu returned?" Duryodhan asked again.

"Vivitsu has returned. Bhrata Yuyutsu has gone somewhere. He will return soon." Vikarna replied carefully.

"Where has he gone? There's a lot of work pending here." Duryodhan said frowning.

"We all are here to take care of everything. You don't worry." Vikarna said assuring him. Duryodhan concentrated on his work, but sensed Vikarna wanted to say something.

"Do you want to say something?" Duryodhan asked still not glancing upwards.

"Jyesth. Bhrata Dushsasan has gone to Darpan Mehel again." Vikarna said with hesitation.

Duryodhan paused hearing him and then sighed heavily. Darpan Mehel was a palace made with beautifully crafted white marbles and mirrors all around consisting all the luxuries one could imagine. It was gifted to Dushsasan by Maharaj Dhritrastra. And Dushsasan loved nothing more than spending time there. With alcohol and women. It was a open secret that all the Dasis working there were pleasure slaves. Other Kauravas also joined Dushsasan there frequently. For Suvharman, it was his second home though he wasn't an alcoholic like Dushsasan thankfully.

"Let him be. We'll call him back when needed." Duryodhan replied finally.

"But Jyesth, you know how bhrata Dushsasan is. He will again remain drowned in alcohol until someone drags him out of there." Vikarna objected in disappointment.

Dushsasan just like his name was hard to rule or unbounded. Maharaj Dhritrastra gave him this name which suggested his son would bow down to none and none would be able to rule over him. That had indeed come true but in a wrong way. Dushsasan cared for nothing or no one except Duryodhan and Maharaj Dhritrastra. Even his wife and son hadn't succeeded to bind him. Their father and Duryodhan was the only ones whose words he heeded to. And unfortunately, both of them didn't interfered in how he spent his leisure time. As for administrative works, Dushsasan had the unique ability to royally mess up those. So, he was kept out of it mostly.

"We will drag him out when he is needed." Duryodhan said casually.

"He is our brother. Is it not our duty to stop him when he's going in the wrong path?" Vikarna asked.

"Vikarna, we, 100 brothers are one but we have our individual personalities too. We need our own space too. Whenever we need Dushsasan, he has always been there. I can not order him around like a slave and he is not a small kid whose hand I will held and teach right from wrong. Have you ever seen me interfering in any of your personal spaces? Have I ever asked you why you're not getting married?" Duryodhan asked slightly narrowing his eyes.

"I understand Jyesth. But bhrata Dushsasan's actions are harming himself. What he is doing, is morally incorrect and dangerous not only for him, but for those around him too. He is deriving from the path of Dharma. Addiction is never good. Either of alcohol or women. And Suvharman is walking on that path too." Vikarna argued.

"Morally incorrect. Adharm. The Gods, who we so dearly worship, do they not get drunk? Even Bholenath's prasad (offering) is bhang, is it not? Then how is it morally incorrect or Adharm? Do the King of Gods, Indradev not rule a lok filled with beautiful apsaras who remain there to entertain him? But still when it comes to us, mere mortals, it becomes Adharm." Duryodhan said laughing.

"And as for being dangerous and harmful, I see him as strong as ever and he had done nothing to become a danger to anyone. He does whatever he wants inside his own palace. So, what do you want me to do now? Pitashree got him married thinking he would mend his ways. But nothing changed. I forbade him from drinking inside this palace, he obliged. What else can I do? Order him to give up drinking? Well, in that case I can as well order all of you and dictate how should you live and what should you do, can't I?" Duryodhan said sharply.

"Jyesth----"

"Tum sabko apna jeevhan aapne tarike se aur swatantrata se jeena ka adhikar hai. Aur main uss adhikar mei hastakshep nehi karne wala. (You all have rights to live your life as you want with freedom. And I am not going to interfere in that.)" Duryodhan said with finality.

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Rajkumari Chandramukhi sat in front of the mirror staring at her reflection. Her dreary eyes was observing the woman decked up in fine clothes, beautiful jewelleries with precious stones embedded in them, long dark hair combed into an elegant updo with flowers attached. Her lips were tinted in bright red, a soft touch of red hue coloured her cheeks and dark black kohl had been heavily applied. The perfect Princess she was. The epitome of beauty and elegance.
But still her husband wasn't there with her. Instead he was in Darpan Mehel getting drunk in alcohol and the beauty of other women.

Rajkumari Chandramukhi and Rajkumar Dushsasan's marriage was fixed by their families. Chandramukhi who was also the cousin of Yuvrani Bhanumati, had once come to visit her at Hastinapur and that was when she first saw Rajkumar Dushsasan. The young naive princess had been smitten with the strong valorous prince. She had heard whispers about his alcoholic nature. But at that time she thought it manly and admirable. After all a man who could consume so much alcohol and still stand still and sombre, had to be praised for his tolerance, right? And as for excessive consumption, that could be easily changed with love. After all, what could be a bigger addiction than love?

That's why she happily said yes when the talk of their marriage was going on. After marriage, she felt like all her dreams were coming true as Dushsasan gave his whole attention and time to her. But that had changed soon. Soon, her illusion had broken. Love could not conquer all and her love had definitely failed to conquer him. It was not that he did not love her. He did. She knew he did. But that wasn't enough to bind him solely to her. He did hurt her, but he healed her wounds too. He did cause her tears, but he was the cause of her smile too. He wasn't ruled by anyone, but his heart was her palace too. But still it wasn't enough. How could it be?

A long sigh escaped Chandramukhi knowing as soon as he was back, she would forget everything and find solace in his arms.

A tear had also escaped her eyes. But before it could hit the floor, a small hand caught it in his palm. Chandramukhi looked at her side to find her four year old son, Drumasen. He was staring at the teardrop that had fallen on his hand. Chandramukhi quickly wiped the residue of her tears.

"You were crying again, Mata?" Drumasen said calmly.

"No, putra. Something went into my eyes." Chandramukhi replied with a smile.

"You should be more careful. Whenever Pitashree is not here, something or other keeps entering your eyes." Drumasen said in the same calm manner staring at his mother's eyes. Chandramukhi was surprised hearing him. Her son was rather watchful and observatory for a mere four year old.

"Rajkumari ji, Mahamahim Bheesmh has summoned you and Rajkumar Drumasen." A Dasi came inside hurriedly to inform her.

"What? Pitamah?!" Chandramukhi was shocked. In all the years of her marriage, she had never been summoned by him. In fact their interactions were few and far between. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Rajkumari. He has summoned you two immediately." The Dasi said in a bit of panic.

Chandramukhi looked down at her son to find him as calm as ever. She grabbed his hand and started to go with fear and uneasiness. On the way, she saw Rajkumar Vivitsu who greeted her.

"Bhrata Vivitsu, Mahamahim Bheesmh has summoned us. Do you know anything about this?" Chandramukhi asked tentatively.

"Pitamah has summoned you? Are you sure, bhabishree?" Vivitsu frowned.

"Yes. The dasi said he has ordered me and Drumasen to be present before him immediately." Chandramukhi replied with a foreboding feeling.

"Let me come with you too." Vivitsu said in concern.

The trio went to meet Pitamah in his meeting chamber. After taking permission when they entered, Chandramukhi's fear increased only, finding Mahamantri Vidur and Rajkumar Durdharsh already there. Both looked worried and Mahamahim Bheesmh was standing with a stoic expression.

"What happened Pitamah? You suddenly called bhabishree. Is everything alright?" Vivitsu asked carefully noticing the tensed atmosphere.

"Putra Drumasen, come in front." Pitamah ordered instead.

Chandramukhi's hold on his hand tightened a little. But Drumasen left her hand and went ahead as ordered. He didn't look afraid or worried unlike his mother.

"Did you beat those boys?" Pitamah Bheesmh asked pointing at three boys of around Drumasen's age who stood at the corner of the room silently.

Vivitsu and Chandramukhi's eyes went in that direction and both were surprised. Someone had beaten them good. One boy's hand was broken, another had a swollen eye and the last one's head was bandaged.

"Yes." Drumasen replied after glancing in that way once.

"Why?" Pitamah questioned.

"He touched my mace. The other two came to defend him." Drumasen replied casually. Here, Chandramukhi's eyes widened. The other three elders in the room were also surprised in the nonchalant way he spoke.

"For such a small matter, you will beat someone?" Pitamah said angrily though trying to reign himself.

"Whoever dares to touch my things or come in my way, I will break them only." Drumasen replied looking straight at Mahamahim.

"Drumasen! Is this any way to talk? Do you even realise who is standing in front of  you? Ask for forgiveness." Chandramukhi scolded him. Drumasen glanced behind at his mother once and then turning to Mahamahim said,
"I am sorry for stating the truth, Mahamahim."

Utter silence descended on the room as everyone stared at the boy in shock and astonishment.

"Look Putra, God has given us strength to protect the powerless, not to terrorise them. They are your friends only. And you should share your toys and play with them in harmony. You should protect your friends, not beat them. In this way, they will start fearing you. Do you want that?" Pitamah Bheesmh said calmly kneeling before him.

"Fear is good, isn't it?" Drumasen said after staring at him for a while. "People also fear you and that's why the land of Hastinapur is protected. And if someone dares to step foot inside this land, you break them too."

"But I never raise hand on someone unnecessarily and I always give at least one opportunity to correct the mistake to them. And most importantly, I always protect my people. I never beat them. That's why they have respect for me, not fear." Mahamahim said keeping aside his surprise at the audacity of the boy. Where even grown up men didn't dare to stare at him straight, this boy stood there arguing with him unflinchingly.

"I also gave them warning that my things are never to be touched. They had the opportunity to not make the mistake. And you do beat your people. Whenever any of my Kakashrees or Pitashree make a mistake, you beat them in the practice ground." Drumasen replied again making everyone stupefied.

Vivitsu and Durdharsh's mouth gaped open and they glanced at each other. Chandramukhi couldn't even comprehend from where her son had learned all this. Mahamahim Bheesmh's mouth tightened in displeasure. On the other hand, Mahamantri Vidur looked curiously at the boy as his shock wore off.

"Pitamah, forgive him. He is just a kid." Durdharsh said hurriedly coming out of the shock.

"Enough! Boys should be disciplined from childhood only. Or else what happens later, I have good experience of that." Pitamah said harshly. "This boy will not understand like this. Now when he gets punishment, only then he will learn."

"Pitamah, he is naive. Please forgive him. I ask for forgiveness on his behalf." Chandramukhi requested in a trembling voice.

"If you want to punish, then call my father. Only he has the authority to punish me. I will not accept punishment from anyone else." Drumasen said ignoring his mother's plead.

"Drumasen!!!" Chandramukhi gasped in horror.

"I spoke only the truth. I won't accept punishment from anyone else. If anyone forcefully punishes me, then I will break his other hand too." Drumasen said pointing at the boy whose hand he had broken earlier.

"How dare you! Even your father doesn't dare to talk to me like this!" Pitamah said angrily, for the first time raising his voice.
"Where is Dushsasan?!" He asked turning his angry eyes to Vivitsu and Durdharsh.

Both glanced at each other hesitating. If Pitamah knew Dushsasan was in Darpan Mehel, true to Drumasen's words, Pitamah would indeed take him to the practice ground for a beating.

"He has gone in the village for some work." Vivitsu replied instead.

"Call him right now! He should also see his son's audacity!" Pitamah ordered and left after giving a last glance to the insolent boy.

Tears of astonishment and concern was slipping from Chandramukhi's eyes. She went to Drumasen and holding his shoulder tightly asked, "Why you did that? From where has you gotten so much courage to talk back to Pitamah?!"

Drumasen looked as calm as ever. In all this time, neither his expression changed, nor he looked the least bit worried or afraid.

"Something has entered your eyes again Mata." It was the only reply Drumasen gave staring at the palm of his hand where his mother's tear had fallen earlier.

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Hello readers!

Irrelevant it may seem....but I just felt like giving a glimpse...😅

The next generation of Dravida, Hastinapur and Indraprasth is going to have a major role in the third book of Drisana's Mahabharat. 😉😉😉

By the way all of the sons of Kauravas were killed in Kurukshetra by Upapandavs.

Upapandavs killed Drumasen brutally on the 14th day of the war after he took part in the killing of Abhimanyu on 13th.