Shakuni wasn't just afraid. He was terrified. Years of his hard work had gone into waste, all because of a woman who had entered their lives and changed the cousins. This couldn't happen, not when his plans were slowly succeeding.

He had made a huge mistake by underestimating Karna. He wasn't a normal warrior. Shakuni shivered as those red irises came into his memory. They were so cold and lifeless that it could only belong to a dead man. That boy hosted a demon into his being. Footsteps made him pause, reaching out for his dagger he always carried by his waistband.

The dungeons were cold and dark, so his eyes could only make out a blurry shadow of a tall and dangerous man walking his way. It had to be his bacche. Yes, he was coming to get him out of this misery. His eyes twitched in excitement and his trembling legs managed to stand up, despite the bruises and injuries.

"Mere Bacche..." His whisper died down, fear evident in his eyes as the lone figure of Karna came into the light. His eyes were red. .The devil was here, and Shakuni knew he wouldn't be spared. He fell back, gulping as he tried to evade him by offering words of his sincerity.

"Rajkumar Karna.. I had never known that you and Devi Is..." Karna broke the chains, entering the dungeons. His face was taut with fury, his knuckles tightly gripping his angavastram.

"Don't ..you dare say her name! You don't deserve to speak of a Goddess like her." He growled, lifting Shakuni by his neck with his single hand. Devajit took over, laughing as he glanced at Shakuni's shaking hands.

"Please...spare me.. I promise I will help you get the throne. Duryodhana and everyone shall obey you. I shall make sure of that, Rajkumar. I shall apologize to your foster parents." Devajit chuckled softly, his grip increasing as Shakuni began coughing, his face a bright shade of scarlet.

"Rajkumar.." Devajit's eyes reddened as he remembered how he almost lost his Ishani. All because of this old hag's words. "I want to pour molten gold down your throat. You can't control that stupid mouth of yours can't you?" Shakuni's eyes dilated, screaming for mercy repeatedly.

"Rajkumar Karna.." An unfamiliar voice greeted him as he turned back in anger. It was a messenger, panting and bowing down profusely.

"Mahamahim requests your presence in his chambers." He shook his head in amusement. That man was not a fool. He probably realized how dangerous Devajit was.

"Tell your revered Mahamahim that I'm quite..occupied." The messenger knelt down.

"Rajkumar, the Mahamahim said that even if you were busy, it is an extremely urgent news, related to Devi Ishani." He immediately left Shakuni, who gasped in relief as he scurried away from Devajit.

"Lead the way. And Mamashree.." He added mockingly, "We aren't done. You shall pay for all those times you've let your tongue loose."

Shakuni sat down, his eyes burning with a firm resolve. If he ever got out alive, Karna would pay. Before that, Ishani needed to curbed.

Meanwhile,

Bhishma paced in his room, with anxious thoughts running in his head. The politics had drastically changed, and it wouldn't be a problem, since both the cousins favored Karna. He looked up as the soldier announced his entry. Karna walked in, his gait tense and frantic, almost bringing a chuckle to Bhishma. He deliberately asked the messenger to mention Ishani, knowing it would work. He had come across few men who literally worshipped the woman they loved, and perhaps Karna was one of them.

"Pranipat Mahamahim. My previous words were disrespectful, and I seek your forgiveness." Bhishma smiled, grabbing his firm shoulders.

"Call me Pitamaha. You are a part of our family. I know that you haven't accepted us, but it is alright. Adhirath is a good man, and he shall always be your father. We won't be cruel." Karna looked up, a slight hint of mockery.

"Forgive me Pitamaha, but my Ishani needed a bit of this reassurance. Unfortunately, she never got it. She worked so hard for months, to get the cousins together. It is sad that you viewed her as an outsider, and it hurts to see my woman being treated like that." Karna's words made him wince, knowing they had been careless in her matter.

"Where is Putri Ishani?" Bhishma asked softly, patting his shoulder as Karna looked at him blankly.

"Pataal. She was attacked by a spirit on the way, but she's resting now. She has been accepted by Daitya Guru Shukracharya for her training. Do you know selfless she is? She asked me to take care of Rajmata and accept you all, despite everything. She's too good."

Bhishma fell into deep thought. Ishani was too powerful, and he had an inkling that she wasn't an ordinary human. If the gods would respond to one plea of hers immediately, she probably must be of their offspring.

"I admit we have been negligent and careless in Putri Ishani's case. However, since you are the eldest Prince, Putri Ishani will get all the respect and honor as our Kul Vadhu." 

Karna laughed silently, his fists clenching in anger. He should have expected this reply from them. They were royals, and chauvinists at that.

"With due respect Pitamaha, why should Ishani get respect just because I am deeply in love with her? She deserves respect and honor for doing what none of you wise people couldn't achieve for years in a few months! She's a Goddess.." His eyes softened as he remembered the curve of her smile, so full of innocence and beauty.

"You will never come across a woman like her, Mahamahim. She's always meant for greater things, and I never want to restrict her. She doesn't need respect because of me. Mark my words, people will respect me because of her. She's no ordinary woman." Bhishma looked at the stern face of Karna, and realized how dangerous this man could turn at Ishani's mention. But, he was impressed. Karna literally worshipped the ground she walked on. Few men would let go of their ego for their women.

"She's not from this world, is she?" Bhishma smiled softly, looking at his narrowed eyes and suspicious expression. "It's not difficult to discern, Karna. I have heard of many mysterious occurrences. Her independent and fearless behavior made me deduce that she must have been an extremely powerful woman in her world."

"She isn't, but I cannot reveal her true origin. It would put her in jeopardy. I have my reasons." Bhishma shook his head, caressing the crown of his hair. 

"I respect your reasons, and I shall not force you. However, the burden of  the crown will now rest on your shoulders. So..." Karna cut him midway.

"Mahamahim, I do not wish to rule. My aim has been to serve the society in my own way. And Ishani and me prefer a simple life to the royal politics. Also, the Manu Smriti states that an illegitimate son isn't fit to ascend the throne." 

Bhishma's calm gaze now hardened in fury and irritation. 

"Who will dare to question your skills? You are the student of Bhargava Parashurama himself. No one but you is fit for the throne. Fulfill your purpose to serve the society by becoming the greatest ruler Hastinapur has seen. I am sure Ishani would be delighted to help you in the affairs of the state. Daitya Guru is skilled in the ways of politics, and he would teach her.."

"No Pitamaha. Unfortunately, I have made my decision. I shall assist Yudhishthira in the affairs, but no more. Ishani deserves a good life, and my world has never been about royalty." Bhishma clenched the hem of his angavastram, trying to calm down.

"How could you give up your duty for the sake of a woman! You aren't thinking straight, Karna! Yes, Ishani is an exceptional woman, but a man cannot allow a woman to consume his mind. Women, wine and gambling have always been the weak points of a man, I will not allow you to fall prey to.." Karna's eyes turned red, as Devajit took over. He began laughing hysterically, making Bhishma stop.

"You call her just a woman! Listen here Mahamahim! She is my Goddess!  Foolish of you to think that she is a bad influence! She is the balm to my mind, body and soul. I shall gladly renounce this world if she wishes me to! Ishani is the only person who ever understood me, and I'm not foolish to let her leave from my life. Forgive me Mahamahim, but I am firm on my decision. I shall take your leave." Saying so, a tense Karna left, storming away from the chambers when Bhishma closed his eyes in frustration.

He needed to find Vidura and the cousins. Karna wouldn't listen, but he couldn't understand as to why Karna would refuse the throne. Wouldn't every woman dream of being a queen?

Meanwhile,

Dilara gulped her breath, looking at the sturdy man whose face was filled with amusement and surprise. She had always known that she wasn't exactly the best to get herself out of tricky situations, but this time she had stupidly opened her mouth and threatened this man. 

"I.. seek your pardon, Shreeman Drauni. However, I shall not hesitate to take serious action of word of this spreads. And I have always been a woman of my words." Ashwatthama felt a part of himself enjoying this. She was so fierce and brave that it stirred his soul.

He strode forward, raising an eyebrow as she stood her stance, staring without fear into his eyes. 

"Shreeman Drauni.." She whispered in confusion, wondering why he stood so close without saying anything. What did he want from her?

"And you are.." He trailed off softly, hoping to catch her name. Her eyes immediately hardened in defense as she  sprung into action, pressing the blade against his throat. Ashwatthama, lost in the depth of her eyes, jerked as he felt the cold metal to his jugular. 

Was he scared? Not a bit. Excited? Definitely a yes.

"I did not wish to know anything else than your good name, Devi. Have you always slit the throats of men who wished for your name?" She glared at him, but his eyes roamed to the curve of her neckline, slender like a swan's. She was so beautiful that he just wanted to stand like this, her scented locks of honey and mint invading his calm senses.

Dilara held her breath, momentarily taken aback by his deep voice that rung in her ears. Why wasn't he acting like all the other men, growling and attacking back since their egos had been hurt? The gem on his forehead glinted softly, and she found herself enchanted by its glow.

"They didn't just wish for my name. Men always crave more." She breathed out harshly, and Ashwatthama shrugged.

"You mean, lusty bastards who do not understand respect and consent? Yes. But not all men." She rolled her eyes; Not all men was such a common statement she had heard, but never witnessed it.

"I can see that the Devi isn't convinced with my words. But who am I to prove you wrong? Farewell, Devi. May we meet under better circumstances." Ashwatthama was about to step back when Dilara tightened her grip, making him pause as he looked at her once again, his brown orbs softening.

Before she could react, he twisted the blade out of her hand as she tried to kick his leg, tripping backwards in the process. Her eyes widened before she felt his warm hands catch her by the waist. She gritted her teeth, about to say something when he left her quickly as she stood up.

"Some men do understand the concept of consent, Devi. Your little act is safe with me, I promise." Saying so Ashwatthama shook his head, turning back to mount his horse and go his way, etching those beautiful eyes in his memory.

"Shreeman Drauni! it's Dilara! My name!" She screamed as he was about to mount his horse. Dilara had no idea why she did that, but nevertheless, there were no regrets on her part. Ashwatthama turned back, bowing his head down and smiling.

Dilara stood stunned. She had never seen or heard of a man bowing to a woman. it was unheard of! He proved her wrong, more than once. Respect and admiration filled her.

Truly, Dronacharya's son was a different man. 

Meanwhile,

"Mantri, we bring ominous news." Vidura rubbed his jaw in tension. His spy had scoured for Karna's foster parents in all the cells of the dungeons, and come back with the news.

"Say it." Vidura commanded harshly, sensing hesitancy from his spy. 

"Shreeman Adhirath succumbed to his fatal injuries, and Devi Radha has fallen unconscious, due to shock and her deep injuries."

Vidura closed his eyes. Should this news reach Karna, hell would break loose. How would he convey this news to him?

"There's no need, Raj Mantri. I am aware of this news." Vidura stood up in shock, looking at Karna standing by the door side, his irises tinted red.

It was the demon.

Vidura breathed deeply, walking to him. "Putra Karna, I shall.." Karna raised his hand to stop Vidura, closing his eyes to calm himself. 

But only Dev understood how Karna held himself from his tears threatening to spill. He almost lost his woman, left her even though he didn't want to, because she said so, to make peace with his so called family. And they were the ones indirectly responsible for the death of his father..

'Karna, we'll sort this out. Should I bring him back?' Dev asked softly, hoping it would work. But Karna had a different reaction.

'Nothing good will come out of bringing back a dead person alive. But we first need to go to Radha Maa.. She..' He spoke back, and Dev sighed.

 "Shakuni has jumped to the doorstep of death today, by daring to harm my people. First, the woman I love, and next, my parents." Karna's voice was blank, and that scared Vidura the most.

"Show me where my mother is being kept! Now! If she's in a critical condition, let me inform you Mahamantri, I will not hesitate to display Shakuni's head to the public!" Vidura winced as he knew Hastinapur's condition wouldn't be the same anymore.

Not when this man was hell bent on turning it upside down.