Mrithika's throat was as dry as the lands of Rajasthan. Her eyes darted forth between Kunti, Purochan and Shakuni. She didn't mind the elderly woman but what worried her the most was the presence of the latter two.

And none of them were any good. Their smiles were like poisoned honey, sweet yet malicious.

"Your highness, it's good for the young Kalyugi princess to have a glimpse of our beautiful countryside of Varnavrat and witness the lasting glory of our late king Pandu," Purochan implored, stealing glances at Shakuni.

Shakuni happily obliged. "Yes, Rajamata. If she is to stay here she needs to learn the ways of the Kurus. What better way than to have a tour around the villages of our empire? I suppose it's been a month since she has arrived", He persuaded.

"Oh that's fine. I can go anytime. It seems like the ceremony at Varnavrat is more important than just a memorable visit", Mrithika intervened at a pathetic attempt to exclude herself but Shakuni waved his hand dismissively at her.

"Nonsense! You do not know of the beauty of Varnavrat despite it being a village. The villagers there hold King Pandu with great respect for his character. Purochan has also taken a great effort to construct a mansion for your accommodation there. Please do not let it go in vain", Shakuni grinned. For once, Mrithika expressed fear at the hidden intention behind his smile.

'Oh I won't but I'm sure the others will' she thought with wry humour.

Kunti had a thoughtful look on about her face as Mrithika silently prayed for her to change her views. After a moment of constant persuasions from both Shakuni and his henchmen, Purochan, she finally gave up and agreed to their terms.

"Perhaps, it would do you good to visit Varnavrat, Putri".

A befallen expression caved on her features whilst a ghost of a smile crept upon Shakuni's lips. He and Purochan shared a look as their plan came to the verge of success.

Mrithika forced a painful smile as she nodded slowly, her eyes subtly turning to glare at the conspirator duo. "Perhaps".

Her ivory teeth gnashed as Mrithika watched the bees buzz around the palace garden, jumping from one flower to another in the hopes of acquiring sweet nectar. She couldn't believe that her entire plan that was carefully crafted for her stay at Hastinapur was reduced to ashes by the likes of Shakuni and his minions.

Her eyes flitted across the garden and landed across a lone figure nearby the honeysuckle plants creeping upon an intricate arch. For a moment Mrithika thought she saw Duryodhan and was ready to fling a rock at him and run away from the scene of crime, but on careful inspection she saw otherwise.

Despite being warped in royal robes befitting a royal of high status he was not one of those typical Kauravas spare Vikarn who had been a complete gentleman. He held a bow in one his hands and Mrithika was sure she saw him among the other hundred Kaurava brothers. With his back turned it was quite difficult for her to identify him and so crept behind the figure to his spot.

The person sensed someone behind him and his reflexes urged him to whip around in alarm.

"Ah, Devi Mrithika! I failed to see you there! Apologies for my lack of knowledge", He apologised sheepishly. Mrithika was a bit taken aback by his courteous response and discovered the identity of the royal.

Yuyutsu, one of the unsung heroes of the Kurukshetra war.

Mrithika waved his apology dismissively, " It's fine, I'm the one to blame for sneaking up like that". She continued, "It's rare to see a Kaurava away from one of his brothers, what brought you here alone"?

A wave of melancholy swept across Yuyutsu's eyes as he answered, " They do not acknowledge me as a Kaurava, hence my exclusion from their company".

"Ohhh", Mrithika said in fake concern. She longed to tell him that he was better off without his brothers but decided against it. If she could recall she remembered a bit about Yuyutsu's history of being a product of wedlock from King Dhritarashtra and his wife's handmaiden Sugadha. Leading to his isolation from his one hundred half brothers.

"I heard you were leaving for Varnavrat tomorrow along with Kakishree and the Pandavas", he broke her reverie with hesitation. Mrithika guessed it was due to that fact that nobody talked much to him in regard of his birth. In that place she did have some empathy.

"Yes. Your dear Mamashree was the one who suggested I go along with Mata Kunti", she replied with disguised sarcasm. She knew she need not tread as carefully with him unlike the other Kauravas.

Yuyutsu sighed as if such an occurrence was an usual sight. "I wonder what you did to incur his ire", he mumbled shaking his head slightly.

Mrithika chuckled and replied, "I'm guessing you're familiar with his antics"?

"Who isn't? Most of the residents here at the royal palace are familiar with it except for Jyesth, Pitashree, Matashree and Kakishree".

His expression turned serious as he warned, "But be careful. If Mamashree is so eager to send all of you to Varnavrat in the care of his own men...something's definitely wrong".

Mrithika smiled grimly and thought, 'The entire trip is wrong'. She nodded slowly and assured, "I'll try my best to stay vigilant".

The following day's breakfast was glum in her opinion. She saw how happy and cheerful the Pandavas and their mother looked. But they weren't the only ones happy, the two eldest Kaurava brothers and their maternal uncle too were beaming but for an entirely different reason.

Mrithika assessed the consequences of the situation if she went with them. It meant that she had to live incognito for a year if she survived the catastrophe. And if she did, she had to live in the forests with the Pandavas like a Brahmin who had to survive on alms.

She almost shuddered at the idea. Never in her life, ever since moving into Hastinapur, did she want to go through the same process of hiding in the shadows deprived of any material luxury. She had already been through it for two years and did want to add another to the quota.

Yes she knew how Krishna had preached in the Gita that materialistic pleasure was an illusion and would eventually cease to exist in a matter of time, but viewing it in a rational way she saw that it was just a matter of survival of the fittest and necessary till the time she was on earth.

After all that he had done for her she felt the tiniest bit of guilt creeping through. Not to mention the doubt she had on wether she would survive the fire or the series that would precede it. If Shakuni had deliberately inserted her into his plan then surely he must have some backup to ensure her untimely demise.

And that sent shivers down her spine.

What if she didn't survive?

She pointedly glared at the trio and Karn as they were waiting for their respective chariots and bidding everyone a temporary goodbye. What irked her the most was Shakuni's nerve to grin back at her innocently.

She forced a smile on her face. For the first time she saw Karn, the son of Lord Surya. She remembered how he was another product of wedlock by Kunti due to her childhood curiosity to use her boon of begetting a child through any devas.

Karn was on the left of his best friend, Duryodhan, staring curiously at her and leaning to whisper in Duryodhan's ears, "Is she the Kalyugi princess"?

Duryodhan nodded grudgingly, "Yes, Mitra. That arrogant woman is definitely a Kalyugi"!

"She looks strange indeed. Not like any woman of our era. How did she arrive here"? He asked as he observed that despite being dressed in the attire of the current yuga, her facial features and hairstyle did not resemble that of any Dwapar yugi female despite having a natural regal aura.

Duryodhan rolled his eyes. "Arjun found her in the forest unconscious during his target practice and temple visit. Being the golden boy of our clan he brought her straight to the palace to get treated. Later Vasudev Krishna arrived and cleared everyone's doubts of her origins and Pitamah accepted that she stay with us owing to her Kshatriya royal status", he drawled displaying his clear dislike for Mrithika.

"I tell you Angraj, ever since she arrived she has been utterly rude and obnoxious towards Mamashree and Jyesth. She frolics with the Pandavas especially that Arjun and ignores most of the palace rules. She had even insulted Jyesth when he objected her use of weaponry in the training grounds as per the norms. She even has the audacity to not greet Jyesth whenever he's around her", Dushassan complained bitterly about the time traveller which brought up memories that still bruises Duryodhan's fragile ego till this day.

Karn's ears tuned out everything that Duryodhan and Dushassan said about Mrithika and instead turned the blame of her impudence on Arjun due to his rivalry with the Pandava prince. "Yes yes, Mitra. That Arjun thinks he's such a saint by doing charitable acts. He has been nothing but a thorn on our sides but fear not, I'm sure Gandharraj Shakuni's plan is bound to shut him up forever and your annoyance with the Kalyugi too shall turn to ashes in the fire of Lakshgriha".

Mrithika stood there smiling at everyone unwillingly due to the prospect of being trapped in the oncoming arson attack. She saw Kunti and Bhishma having a rather formal conversation and turned her ears to solely eavesdrop on their conversation.

"I hope you remember our plan, Kunti? He must know of her existence, it's vital to ensure their allegiance with us," Bhishma spoke in a hushed tone.

Kunti nodded obediently and replied, "Yes, Mahamahim. I have already sent a letter to him and obtained an affirmative response."

"Whatever happens, be sure to finish that job immediately before you head for Varnavrat. It must be your top priority. Varnavrat can wait anytime", Bhishma instructed sternly.

Mrithika wondered the context of their conversation and stopped eavesdropping as she could not understand it midway. Gandhari approached her and bid her farewell along with Yuyutsu. The eldest Kaurava prince smiled amiably at her who reciprocated the smile and assured her return as soon as possible. Though the old Queen's eyes were blindfolded with a piece of cloth, Mrithika could see that her eyes held innocent happiness at their journey to a possible murder conspiracy at the hands of her own brother. Sometimes she wondered if Queen Gandhari literally was blind to her son's and brother's conspiratorial tendencies or was just in denial about the entire situation.

Eventually the chariots arrived and Arjun went to her, "You can come on my chariot, monkey"!

She grinned at him and bowed mockingly, "As you wish, your ugliness"!

Arjun frowned with a mockingly offended expression and shot back, "I'm quite handsome actually"!

"Says you".

"Says everyone. Even Madhav", he countered innocently at the last part.

"Well your Madhav's blind"! Mrithika retorted cheekily with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I'm not"! Krishna yelled telepathically and added, "Don't bring me into your nonsensical banters"!

Mrithika laughed in response and went up after Arjun and sat down making herself comfortable while smoothing her skirt. She opted for something light for the travel and chose a pastel blue skirt and matching cotton stole with a pink stanapatta.

Seeing Mrithika board Arjun's chariot and missing out the opportunity to request her to accompany him, Sahadev felt gloomy. Sensing his brother's disappointment, Nakul went up to him and patted his shoulder assuringly.

"It's no worries. You can always have other opportunities than this. Take it slow, brother", He reassured him to lift up his spirits.

Sahadev smiled faintly and ordered his charioteer to start.

A/N
Hello dear readers!!
So we have finally departed for Varnavrat and have seen the official convo between Mrithika and Yuyutsu. Shakuni and her still seem to be at loggerheads with each other and will be till god knows how long. Kunti and Bhishma seem to be plotting something behind Shakuni's back, Sahadev still has a lot to learn on the grounds of love  and I'm excited of Yagyaseni!!! That was so random cause ur author doesn't know what to say in the A/N and now I'll just shut up and go.