It had been nearly a week since she arrived in Hastinapur and to say that she fitted in was not fair on her part. Mrithika certainly had problems with the entirely new culture and norms here in Dwapar Yug.

For instance, the people here. Everyone seemed to good to be true, but Mrithika knew that people in this era followed Dharma and were just generous because of their ancient nature. She still had to adjust to their behaviour with being cautious of their actions. It was quite uncanny in the modern world for people to be so helpful and kind without having ulterior motives. Well, not with everyone though.

She saw how overly sweet Shakuni was being to her, which was definitely filled with ulterior motives unlike the other innocent folks.

And it didn't help the fact that almost everyone seemed so curious about her and it didn't help that word got out about the 'Kalyugi Princess' all over Hastinapur and probably outside too. She doubted it must be the servants gossip which caused the wildfire. Just a few days after she arrived, she had to give an entire history/ future lesson to the Kurus during lunch.

"This is pathetic how our forthcoming generations are so weak that mlecchas had to control us for centuries," Bheem grumbled with regard to the information Mrithika gave about the Mughals and Britishers.

"Agreed, Putra. Not to mention that they managed to change some our glorious traditions and culture", Bhism agreed, clearly miffed about how Gurukuls vanished and girls being forbidden from getting educated during the earlier periods of Kalyug.

"Because of these barbaric lot, monarchy can not rule anymore", Duryodhan huffed indignantly. Mrithika rolled her eyes at him, it was funny how irritated Duryodhan was more than her when he came to these matters. She inwardly laughed.

Though one thing was clear and common. Everyone seemed displeased with the modern and medieval history of kalyug and Mrithika couldn't agree more with their opinions.

Though she seemed to get along well with the other members of the Kurus, her opinions clashed a lot with them. They all had different views and some just irked her to much that she openly conveyed her words unfiltered.

Yet, she liked it here better than her previous home. At least here she wouldn't be able to reach her and that was something she was grateful for and like everything even this era had it's own ups and downs.

She respected Yudhisthir and observed him closely to integrate his principles of Dharma to her own life to earn the good karma she needed. It seemed like she clashed a lot with his opinions but she respected him. There was no one who followed Dharma and was as pure as him.

She liked Bheem's bold and courageous nature. It motivated her to speak her own mind when she felt something was wrong and she observed how intuitive he is.

It seemed like Mrithika synced more with Arjun and Nakul. Around them she felt at home, they gave her the feel of a brother despite the fact that Arjun found her height to be quite amusing, she got along well with them.

Both the brothers made it their duty to constantly remind her of her tiny stature of five feet. It made Mrithika whine and complain to Kunti about their teasing to which she and Yudhisthir would rebuke them playfully.

Having her, Kunti felt like she was raising a daughter she never had, she always wanted a daughter along with her six sons but she never got the opportunity to do so since her life was to hectic to think about it but now, she felt as if God has answered her silent prayers.

Mrithika was wondering around the corridors of the vast palace. Despite being here for a week she still could not navigate through the building without being lost.

It was empty until Mrithika laid her eyes on a lone person walking in the distance.

Sahadev.

If there was one person who had not talked to her much except for the Kauravas, it was definitely the youngest pandav, Sahadev. She didn't know why but he always seemed to shy away from talking to her unlike his other brothers. At first she assumed it was due to her unknown identity that he remained wary but even after she revealed almost everything, he seemed distant.

Mrithika remembered how interested Sahadev seemed when she was telling them about the history of British era and the Mughal invasion. His concentration never diverted from whatever she was saying. His mysterious and introverted aura made her more curious about him and seeing him alone in the corridor made it perfect to catch up to him.

She immediately ran to catch up with his fast pace before she lost him in the labyrinth of a palace.

"Hey how's it"! She exclaimed, startling Sahadev out of his wits that he violently spun around to find a grinning Mrithika in front of him.

"Rajkumari! What brings you here"? He asked, rushing his words rather quickly. It wasn't like him to speak so, he was usually calm and composed. Mrithika almost laughed.

"Oh what can I say"? She started out rather dramatic and continued in the same cadence, " It's been nearly a week here in Hastinapur and I'm quite bored so I decided to wander around. Where are you going, Rajkumar Sahadev"?

"To the library", he replied.

Mrithika's eyes lit up, "Oh there's a library? Yes, I've heard you like to read though. You must show me then".

"How did you know that"? Sahadev asked, referring to Mrithika's knowledge of his love of books.

"Rajkumar Nakul told me" she lied.

Sahadev nodded in realization and said, "Of course he must have told you that. Sure, Rajkumari Mrithika. This way".

"Oh please, you don't have to be so formal and call me Rajkumari. Mrithika would do just fine", She said, waving her hand dismissively.

The library was huge, filled with palm scripts and bounded books in various teak wood shelves. Mrithika looked at them in awe that she lost sight of where she was going and bumped into a nearby shelf.

"Careful, do you like to read too"? He implored, seeing Mrithika's awe for the library and its books.

"Yes and can I borrow some books from here? We can exchange books! I can lend you mine and you can lend me yours. How does that sound"? Mrithika proposed, her eyes lighting with mysterious excitement.

"Your books? You have books with you? But how"? Sahadev asked, surprise colouring his voice vividly. He didn't quite understand her.

"On I just do, but there's a small catch. They're of a different language, angrezi, the one I told you about some days ago. But here's the deal, I can teach you angrezi and you can give me your books and teach me everything about this yug's Aryavart".

Sahadev pondered over it for a while. He found the deal intriguing. Learning a new language of an entirely different era just to read it's books seemed like an exciting adventure and a chance too good to miss. He instantly agreed.

"It's a deal, Mrithika", he smiled.

"Great I'll get my books and you can get your stuff along with some palm leaves and ink ready," Mrithika nodded and set off excitedly. She meant exactly what she told him, she did have books with her from the modern era. How?

Krishna. That's how.

"C'mon Gopal", she whined, "I'm not even complaining about the dress. The least you can do is somehow get me my books. Please", She pleaded, pouting at the tight lipped lord of Dwarka.

Krishna sighed, giving in. He couldn't refuse his devotee's request, "Alright, Mrithika. I'll ask Mata Saraswati for your arrangement and this is your final request."

"Yay, thanks Krish", she hugged him in bliss and true to his words, there was a large cupboard in her chamber that would grant her any book that she wanted and Mrithika decided that it was one of the best things she had ever received, other than Krishna's darshan and her second chance of course. She sent a prayer of thanks to the Goddess Saraswati for the gift.

She mentally asked for an English alphabet book with examples and a children's one filled with simple words and ran towards the library.

She brought in the books only to find Sahadev waiting for her inside on the floor with palm scripts, a pot of ink and a feather. He was reading a book and did not notice her presence until she dropped the books near him with a loud thud.

"These are not the story ones but just starters for you to get accustomed to the language. First, we shall start with the basics of the language, the alphabets. There's only twenty six of them", Mrithika explained, opening the alphabet book.

"Just twenty six? It'll be easy then", Sahadev assumed.

Mrithika laughed, shaking her head, "Though it has the least letters, it's actually quite complicated as two similar pronouncing words have different meanings and this language has a lot of idioms."

"That doesn't matter, I can learn", He protested defiantly.

"Of course. I'm the best teacher after all", Mrithika smirked and continued, "Alright. This is A, B, C..."

A/N

I know this was an early update but mostly because I was so excited to write this chap. And yup do tell me your thoughts and questions about this chap.