Shakuni frowned and looked at Manvendra confused. He wondered what condition does this son of Vidur is going to impose.

The more Manvendra waited to tell his conditions, the more was Shakuni worried. Because in the time he lived in Hastinapur, one thing is for sure. You cannot underestimate Vidur or anyone related to him. And this was his son after all.

"What conditions ?" Dhritrashtra asked getting restless.

"Firstly, I do not want just the border security but entire Kingdom security with its cities and villages. And secondly I want an independent army that will only be the subject to my autonomy over them." Manvendra said.

"I agree." Dhritrashtra said before Shakuni could protest.

"Then I agree to take up the duties." Manvendra said before Shakuni could intervene.

"But Maharaj ! How can this be in Kingdom's favour ?" Shakuni asked, forcing a smile and trying to hide the panic in his voice.

"Don't worry Gandhar-raj." Manvendra said. "My morals and ethics are too high to rebel against my own kingdom without a righteous reason. I have always accepted the sovereignty of Kuru-throne." He assured.

"Sulabha-nandan, it is understandable that you want to secure the kingdom and not just the borders. But why do you ask for an independent army ?" Shakuni asked raising his brow.

"Because if the army is dependent on the king, then they shall have to wait for his orders to act. And before a king orders, he needs to discuss it with the ministers. This causes delays, which cannot be in our favour. Hence to eliminate the errors caused by the delays, I asked for an independent army." Manvendra said.

"Your concern is well thought, son. I agree to give you an independent army, consisting of the best soldiers. Tell me what type of military do you require ?" Dhritrashtra asked.

Shakuni looked at him with disbelief as the blind king was restlessly gave in to Manvendra's wishes.

"I need Ashwa-rohi. They are faster and will quickly move from one place to another." Manvendra said.

"Alright. I'll give you 500 Ashwa-rohi." Dhritrāshtra said.

"I need 1000." Manvendra said.

"Fine. I'll give you 1000 Ashwa-rohis which are in the command of Ashwasen. They are the best in entire Kuru-rashtra or even Bharatvarsh, so to speak." Dhritrashtra said.

"Thank you for your generosity Maharaj. I shall report to you every monsoon or whenever I am asked to come." Manvendra said.

"I am pleased by your determination Manvendra. Hence I give you complete right over the wealth you gain from your conquests. That shall soley belong to you and your army." Dhritrashtra said.

"Maharaj is indeed generous. Now allow me to go make the preparations." Manvendra said.

"Definitely. Bless you son." Dhritrāshtra said.

Manvendra bowed to him before he left. Dhritrashtra was elated while Shakuni sighed in despair.

"Did you have to be so generous, Maharaj ?" He asked.

"If I had not been, then that Manvendra wouldn't have accepted the offer. He would've become suspicious of us sending him away." Dhritrashtra reasoned.

"Trust me Maharaj, he is the son of Vidur, he knew what we were planning. And he played with us." Shakuni said.

"So now what ?" Dhritrāshtra asked.

"Well Maharaj, as long as he is not in the capital, he is not our concern." Shakuni said.

------

The very next morning, Dhritrashtra didn't delay even a moment, before formally entitling Manvendra with the duty of border security.

"I, Kuru-samrat Dhritrashtra, henceforth declare Vidur putra Sulabha-nandan Raudra Manvendra as the guardian of Kuru-rashtra. You shall have full autonomy over the 1000 Ashwa-rohis you asked for, you shall have full rights over the wealth you gather, but remember you must pay obedience to the throne of Hastinapur every monsoon."

That was what Dhritrāshtra had said before giving the royal sword to Manvendra with the responsibility to guard the borders of the entire Kuru-rashtra.

The hundred sons of Gandhari were extremely elated at the fact that Manvendra shall no longer reside in Hastinapur.

But the Pandavas were upset at this, already Manvendra had become so distanced, they feared that him given this job will make him a stranger to the rest. But they couldn't do nothing as it was Vidur-putra's own decision.

Vidur and Sulabha were saddened because their son had to leave but they didn't show it on their faces because they trusted his logical thinking and decisions.

Bhishm was also upset, after all Manvendra was the first grandchild he had held in his hands. He was upset at the fact that he knew that this was all a conspiracy to keep him out of the capital yet he could do nothing.

Although upset, they all had accepted that Manvendra was going to leave. Except Yuyutsu, he was adamant for Manvendra not to go.

"Taat, please don't leave. Who is there for me in the palace if not you ?" Yuyutsu pleaded to Manvendra who was packing his things.

"I told you, this is my own decision." Manvendra said.

"Taat, this is a conspiracy. To keep you out of the capital." Yuyutsu said.

"This is an opportunity." Manvendra said.

"Opportunity for what ?" Yuyutsu asked.

"To live a life of peace." Manvendra said and then looked at his cousin, "The face of that woman haunts me every night Yuyutsu. While asleep I see the blood of her husband on my hands, her traumatized face in front of my eyes and her curse ringing in my ears. But when I'm awake, all there is here are grave struggles between cousins." He told.

Yuyutsu sighed as Manvendra continued, "I want to go away. Away from the petty conspiracies. Away from the tussle for a mere throne between cousins. This palace has started to suffocate me Yuyutsu, I want to be free now." Manvendra said firmly.

"Fine. Then I'll come with you." Yuyutsu said.

"No." Manvendra shook his head.

"But why ?" Yuyutsu asked.

"I am leaving this place, yes. But I am not abandoning it Yuyutsu. Hastinapur is supreme to me and will always be. It's just this generation that has tainted this capital of Kurus. But that doesn't mean that because of few insolent princes and their friends, this soil should be forsaken. Here, you are dearest to me. You're my most trustworthy cousin. I want you to stay here, and be my eyes." Manvendra said.

Yuyutsu sighed, he knew that once Manvendra has made up his mind he cannot be persuaded from his goal.

"Fine. I'll stay here." Yuyutsu said.

"Rajkumar, Commander Ashwasen has arrived with his soldiers." A Pratihari informed.

Manvendra nodded at him and then looked Yuyutsu.

"You may leave now." Manvendra said. Yuyutsu nodded with a heavy heart and left.

Manvendra too went to the courtyard of the palace where a tall man with muscular stature, clad in armour, was standing with downcast eyes, which still had the essence of warrior's pride in them.

There were some grays in his hair and beard which reached a little below his jaw. Those were the proof of his great experience.

"You must be Commander Ashwasen." Manvendra said to him.

"Salutations to you, Rajkumar. I am indeed Ashwasen. And these are my troops, consisting of the best Ashwa-rohis of Bharatvarsh." Ashwasen said hiding the grimness in his voice.

Manvendra looked behind Ashwaden where there were the thousand Ashwa-rohis mounted on the best horses of Kamboj breed.

They had a serious look on their faces but their eyes were gloomy, due to the fact that they are going to separated from their commander, their father-figure Ashwasen.

"These Ashwa-rohi soldiers shall now serve you till their last breath." Ashwasen said.

He removed his silver battle helmet from his head as a sign of giving up his duties, and placed it on the feet of Manvendra, but the Vidur-putra picked the glory filled helmet up.

"You are not out of duty, Ashwasen." The Vidur-putra said placing the silver helmet back on Ashwasen's head. "You have been with these Ashwa-rohi soldiers for years, I need your help to command them. And your experience shall be helpful in battles." He said.

"As you wish Rajkumar." Ashwasen said with a small smile.

"HAIL RAUDRA ! HAIL RAUDRA ! HAIL RAUDRA !" The soldiers cheered, their hearts had already been won by this son of Vidur.

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A/N

Sahi mei.... Hastinapur mei kaun rehna chaahta hai aise logo ke saath ? (-.-)

Anyway, brace yourselves for the new phase in Manvendra's life 🌝✨