Hastinapura

"Yuvaraj!" Indrasena hurried into Yudhishthira's room.

"What happened, Indrasena?" Yudhishthira looked up from the documents he was working with.

"Minister Kanika has sent a message for you!" Indrasena informed. But the worry on his face told Yudhishthira that there was much more in that matter.

"What did he say?" He asked in an even tone.

"He has requested you to reopen the medicine shop that you have ordered to close last week."

"Why? Doesn't he know that the shop sells wrong medicines that can harm people's health?"

Indrasena kept quiet for a while. Then he gathered courage and said, "I can't say whether he knows or not, Yuvaraj. Only this much I can say that, he would do anything to make the shop run again. The owner of that shop is his son-in-law."

"So?" Yudhishthira frowned, "do I have to play with my subjects' health by opening that shop, just because the owner is a minister's relative?"

"I get you totally, Yuvaraj!" Indrasena humbly said, "but, forgive me for saying this, refusing his request straight away may go against you!"

Yudhishthira could not speak. Indrasena looked at him and continued, "Yuvaraj, I am not supposed to give you any advice, being a mere charioteer. But you only honoured me by treating me as your friend, as your fifth brother. With that rights given by you, I'm requesting, do not get into a direct clash with these ministers, especially Kanika, who is the king's right hand."

"I adore your love for me. But I don't think of myself, Indrasena!" Yudhishthira slowly uttered, "I am responsible to protect my subjects! I cannot be selfish."

"I know that, my Prince! But to carryout with your responsibility, you will have to be well first! All of your actions of praja-kalyan are adding to ministers' displeasure, with a potential to harm you back. And at this moment, even your four brothers are not here to protect you!" Indrasena joined his hands, "what will happen to Hastinapura's future, my Prince, if something happens to you?" His eyes got moist.

Yudhishthira smiled at his sheer loyalty and love for him.

"Do you really believe that what I am doing is right, Indrasena?"

"I do, Yuvaraj, but what is the gain in sticking to such righteousness which gives nothing but invites danger for you?"

"Righteousness is not a business deal, my friend!" Yudhishthira put an arm on Indrasena's shoulder, "it is an achievement of soul that doesn't require any other gain or reward! Dharma protects them who protect it." He smiled, patting Indrasena, "worry not! As long as I am on the path of Dharma, no one in this universe can harm me!"

Indrasena nodded, taking a deep breath.

"Go tell minister Kanika that I'm unable to keep his request since it is against praja's benefit. Also tell him that I will meet him soon to discuss on this issue further." The crown prince declared his decision.

***

Shivi

Devika lied down on her bed, hiding her silent pain from everyone of the palace. She knew how helpless her father was, too gentle to protest against this injustice arranged by her uncle and cousin. She knew how shameless Jayadratha was. He would not even hesitate to attack Shivi and abduct her forcefully in front of all, if her denial reached him. Devika shivered in the very thought of being married to that man who had no respect for womankind.

Yuvaraj Yudhishthira, where are you now, at this crisis of mine! Tears sprang from her doe eyes. Would the message of her heart not reach him?

"Devi!"

The much needed melodious voice soothed Devika's soul, and also provided her the courage that was fast failing her. She turned to see who was calling her so affectionately.

"Didi!" Devika took a deep breath, seeing her distant cousin Mitravinda smiling wide. The daughter of Govasana rushed to her and threw her arms around Mitravinda.

"What happened, sister?" Mitravinda asked as Her tender fingers ran within Devika's long tresses.

"Don't you know, Didi?" Devika's voice broke, failing all her patience.

"I do." The princess of Avanti nodded slowly, "and do you know why I have been called?"

Devika lifted her head to look up to Her lotus eyes. Seeing her eyes hurling silent questions, Mitravinda softly chuckled.

"To convince you for marrying the Sindhu prince!" She said very casually.

Devika held her breath, still looking at her elder cousin. Would She too betray her trust? No, this cannot happen!

Seeing disbelief in her eyes, Mitravinda laughed. "Worry not, my little sister! I'm not going to do that! Because I'm aware of the wish of your heart and I promise you, I will not go against it!"

"Everyone in this house values your words, Mitra Didi! Can you please do something to save me?" Devika looked up to Her with hope.

"Not me." Mitravinda shook Her head, "You! You only will have to do something to save yourself, sister!"

"Me?" Devika was surprised, "but how?"

"I will not tell you 'how'. I will just tell you a story."

"A story?"

"Yes. A story that will inspire you how to fight your own battles. A story that will make you strong for the upcoming struggle. A story that you have never heard."

"Which story is that, Didi?" Devika thought aloud, "Bhrata Krishna's early life's?" Her lips curved into a half-teasing smile, remembering Mitravinda's love for Krishna.

"No. It's something new, yet something that is still happening." Mitravinda smiled, pulling Devika closer, "this tale started when a prince was born in a forest, to a Rajarshi father who left his kingdom to do penance for an unwilling mistake..."

Devika kept listening with rapt attention.

"The future heir of the clan was born in a forest, without opulence, without pomp and show." Mitravinda continued, "but peace and love prevailed in their small cottage, teaching them how to be happy without a royal life! But one day everything changed, with the untimely demise of the king. Then the eldest prince was only in his sixteenth.

He had to grow up that day, for the sake of his four younger brothers. He lost a father, and he became a father to the four. And yet, he could not afford to break down!"

"Kuru Yuvaraj!" Devika gasped. She was but unaware of this early life of him. But after the mention of his fatherly love to four brothers which she herself had witnessed, she knew it could not be anyone else.

Mitravinda smiled, amused since Devika did not utter his name. The pleasure in her softened eyes had spoken of her heart.

"Tell me more, Didi!" Devika pleaded.