Over years, Mahendra Baahubali had grown into the best king of Maahishmathi. The fondness he carried was a matter of pride to Avanthika. But.....

A but remained even after being the only Maharani, and the mother of the only descendent now to the throne, Virendra.

A premature child, Virendra was born when Mahendra was not around, at the warfronts,  and Avanthika was too anxious about her safety and the safety of her unborn child.

Though Bijjaladeva was almost seventy then and secluded from the palace by Rajmata, Avanthika was always afraid that he would do anything to harm Mahendra's child. And an anxious pregnant woman, gave birth to a weakling. Not a Baahubali to the true meaning of it.
Avanthika's life grew a greater hell, though she couldn't deny that her entangled mind created whatever hell she was in. Because Rajmata Devasena loved Virendra like any grandma would do and not less. And Mahendra was a protective father. And yet Avanthika tried protecting her child more and more, and in the long run she almost began shunning away everything from herself and her child, even his grandma.

Avanthika herself at times didn't know what her problem was with Devasena. She was too good with her, and yet her certain words hurt her more than they should.
Like one day she summoned a six years old Virendra to the archery, and despite Avanthika's denial, Virendra ran to Devasena who however always held a special corner for his grandma. Avanthika ran along.

" Today our little Virendra will hold his bow for the first time. Do you know, you grandpa began training from the age of four? "

Avanthika shouted out, " maa....he cannot hold...he's too weak for all these, he's not Amarendra Baahubali for god's sake! "

Avanthika hated with each passing day, that her husband looked like Amarendra Baahubali. And prayed vehemently of Virendra to not resemble them.

Devasena stared silently  for sometime, then said, " I understand your concern Avanthika. But he's my grandson too. He maybe physically weak, not mentally. His arms will grow strong only when they work. How will he grow to rule Maahishmathi sitting inside a closed room on his mother's lap? "

Avanthika's blood had boiled inside. She believed Rajmata deliberately wanted to insult her, that she couldn't even produce a worthy descendent.

Virendra couldn't train properly too, because on one side was Rajmata's immense desire to grow him, on the other was Avanthika's fear of his health, and Mahendra was too busy ruling, with no Katappa too beside him who passed away two years back then.

Though Avanthika knew, most of the decisions regarding Maahishmathi was taken by Rajmata, and yes no decision ever backfired, but she felt, her position as Maharani held no place in the state at all... 
Mahendra loved her a lot, but didn't consider her suitable enough to consult on legislation. And day by day Avanthika hated everything.
No one in the palace treated her bad, but she felt no one in the palace made her feel at home even. She couldn't blame Mahendra because he was the best husband she could get, but Rajmata Devasena owned him more than as a son, just because he looked like her husband. Avanthika hated this and thus....hatred became a dominant emotion of her life.

When Virendra turned ten, suddenly there appeared a competitior from nowhere.
The royal priest Vushan Bhavani's son, Raghav Bhavani. He was twelve then, and was one of the most beloved to Rajmata Devasena. He regularly visited the palace, with his father. While his father stayed at the temples, he had unbarred entrance to even Devasena's room leave alone any other part of the palace.

Avanthika initially loved him too because he was a cute kid, but as days passed she well understood, that he might be a priest's son, but he had abilities many didn't. He spoke the sweetest, to everyone in the palace, he spent hours watching the army train, and sometimes even took up the sword because everyone liked him, specially Devasena. And it was well known, remaining in the good book of Devasena was like god's blessings.

Avanthika grew increasingly insecure of everything day by day. Her weak son who was still struggling to hold the sword like his father, the Rajmata who looked  the dearest and yet something else, and out of the blue, a priest's son who could hold sword better than her own son and shared greater rapport with everyone more than she or her son.

That day was Virendra's fifteenth birthday.
And the palace was being decorated for two occasions, a birthday and 'karwaa chauth' the next day.

Avanthika was happy today, genuinely. Devasena had arranged for an enormous offering to Krishna in the evening for the long life of her grandson. She had been doing that every year, and these were the times Avanthika doubted if she was really right in judging Devasena.
Virendra had by then turned better with his training, though what worried Avanthika was Virendra's distaste for kingly affairs. He was rather much more interested in songs and art.

The very morning Avanthika overheard a conversation of Devasena with Vushan.

" I have been observing Raghav for five years now. And he gives me chills. He reminds me very strangely of someone else. The way he holds the sword, the way he throws the arrows, the way he is comfortable with everyone around, I am completely blown away. I don't love him only because he's intelligent and more royal than any of us in his attitude, I love him because he has grown up to be something different in my eyes. I know your family itself are zamindaars, and maybe that much royalty he owned by birth... But is that all? 
Anyways, please never stop his path to anything he wants to. Because one day, he might rule. "

Avanthika had almost fainted. She knew this was coming. Rajmata Devasena only acted as if she loved Virendra. The truth was that she hated Avanthika and therefore would not let her son rule, even if that meant making anyone from the road, a king.

Avanthika didn't tell anything to Mahendra, but shunned appearing at the offerings in the evening, informing she was not doing well.

Rajmata Devasena visited her late in the evening after the worships were done. Avanthika appeared cold. Devasena seemed to be trying to judge her. 
But couldn't.
Finally she said. " tomorrow is karwa chauth again. I know Mahendra hasn't been able to be with you for the last few years because of troubles at the borders. But this time...he'll make it the best for you. I promise. "

Avanthika tried to keep calm. But she felt a volcano developing inside her, ready to erupt.

Devasena continued, " I spent only one karwa chauth with him. And that too, he made special for me, so much that it was the only, and the best. I was eight months expecting then, and we resided in a small hut down the town. He strictly asked me to not starve, rather he starved, and in the evening when the..... "

" I'm tired. " Avanthika interrupted. Devasena was startled.
" I'm tired of your Amarendra's story. Just tired. He's dead, and that's all. Why do you keep reminding me that you didn't get the love of your husband? What would I do? Sacrifice my love as well? Why do you keep reminding that your husband looked like mine? What would I do? Give away mine to you? And please! I very well know that you sent your son away in karwa chauth every year. Enough of your acting! And now you are planning to snatch away my son's rightful throne to give away to a roadchild, just because my son is weak? You know what? Now I can way more sympathise with Bijjaladeva than anyone on earth. I hate you Rajmata Devasena! I hate you! "

Avanthika left the room leaving behind a dumbstruck Devasena.