" What do you mean no? We accepted your terms, " I said and Duryodhan sneered at me.

"No one said I had to follow through," He said and I frowned.

" Yuvraj! What sort of behaviour is this! " Pitamah said, while I stared back at Duryodhan, who seemed to regret his words, maybe choosing the wrong moments to say them.

" What my dear nephew means, you've travelled for so long, it might be best if you rest and we debate on it, no? " Shakuni asked, while Yudhishthir and I scowled at him simultaneously.

" Gandhar raj, we prefer to take it now. It's not wise to delay good deeds, " Yudhishthir said and I was far too surprised.

Hot. Never said it before. But yes. I may have lived here for eleven or so years. But I am a kaliyugi at heart.

" I agree with the Samrat, we would prefer to go now, with all our rights returned, or is Maharaj Dhritarashtr forgetting my words from five years ago? I will burn Hastinapur down and nothing will remain. I am being patient because the throne carries the legacy of those better than the current kings, Maharaj Dushyant, Bharat, Maharaj Shantanu, my late father - in- law Maharaj Pandu, I would rather not have their souls burn as they watch over us from the heavens, " I said and Maharaj finally took back the reigns.

" Y-yes, " He stuttered, " You can have your throne. We -welcome Samrat. You're welcome back to your home, " He said shakily, while Duryodhan ground his teeth in barely resisted fury.

" Shall we, Samrat Yudhishthir? " I asked and he nodded, oblivious to the eyes that scowled at him.

" Mumma! " A distant voice called which had me looking down to see why Abhi might have been yelling, when I heard the sound of horses and chariots rushing through Hastinapur's gates.

" Madhumita? " Yudhishthir mumbled, he turned around, prompting me to do the same.

" Madhu? " I repeated,  eyes trained on the beautiful girl running over to us.

Her hair flew behind her in waves of black, eyes wide open in glee, lined with kajal, her dupatta, flying with her hair forming a beautiful tapestry of black and pink. But before I could comprehend it, she'd reached me and before I could say another word, I was taken in by a swarm or black and pink, my midriff captured entirely by her as her tiny girl arms squeezed me, as if to death.

It took me a while before my own made it's way to the top of her head, pulling her closer, if possible, getting to my knees.

Five years. Five years I had never even seen her, her laugh, her cries, her words, her absolute need to be right no matter what.

I felt two more arms around me and her, as I tore my head away from her shoulder to see Yudhishthir. He was definitely moments away from tearing up.

" Samragyi -" Shakuni began when I raised my hand, " Mamashree, I just met my daughter after five years. Please spare me your pathetic chatter, " I said and he moved back.

" We should rest after our long journey, after all, our daughter is home, " I said and Madhu looked up with a toothy smile, when Abhi looked confused.

" Daughter? Mumma, is that Madhu di? " He asked and she looked back in surprise.

" All in due time children, come, " Yudhishthir picked Abhi up with one hand to guide Madhu in.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

" Oh! " Yudhishthir exclaimed as he was ambushed by both our kids, toppling over him on the bed.

I watched from the bedposts as they nearly choked him from the grip they had around his neck, their laughter mingling with his tears of joy.

" Mumma, did you not let him have jalebi again? " Madhu asked, giggling as she wiped his tears away.

" No, why would you think so? " I asked, barely holding my own tears in as I clambered onto the bed, one hand on both their heads, Yudhishthir's eyes meeting mine in the solace we found.

" Because papa is crying! Look, he is crying so much he wet my lehenga, " She said, picking up her moist dupatta.

" That needs to be remedied, I'm so sorry my princess, " He whispered, wiping his tears away as he smiled at her, eyes shining with love.

" And you, " Madhu exclaimed, her eyes trained on me and Abhi,             " Mumma never told me about you," She said, her eyes gleaming with harmless anger as she took her brother in.

" Didn't I tell you I wanted a sister?" She asked, her eyes squinting at me.

" It's his fault! " I pointed at Yudhishthir who burst into laughter.

" If it's a sister you want, you'll get one, " He said, when I glared at him, " There are other ways Sagarika! " He exclaimed, raising his hand over his head, " But for now you have him, is he not enough? " He asked her gently, all traces of jokes wiped away by a simple and genuine question.

Abhi, nearly oblivious to her words except understanding one thing,   
" Don't you like me? " He asked, his lower lip quivering.

" No it's not -" Yudhishthir stopped me, placing one hand on my arm and we watched as Madhu sighed, " You'll do, after all, I'll finally have someone to trouble, " She giggled while Abhi laughed, tumbling into her small arms as they held each other in a hug.

" Look at that. No need for any throne anymore, " I said and my husband laughed, pulling me against his back as I sighed, relaxing.

" Mumma! " Madhu exclaimed, just as I was about to catch a nice nap, " I want matar kulcha!  No one can make it as good as you! Mamishree Rukmini tried, but I still love yours!" She exclaimed and Yudhishthir made a face.

" Still? " He frowned and I laughed,
" She's my daughter, she won't lose her love for it so soon, " I said, kissing his nose as I moved off the bed.

" Can I come too! " Abhi yelled and I nodded, holding both their hands as we left the room.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

" So, now that we've all rested, " Yudhishthir said pointedly, looking at Shakuni, " We would like to go back. Which means all of our citizens leave with us, including one trader, Lakshman, " He announced and chaos reigned in court.

Honestly, for people who were supposed to be the smartest in court manners, they make far too much chaos. They should have a tv show made after them.

Keeping up with the Kurus... Imagine.... Daily drama, someone crying twenty four seven, someone whining all the time ( cough, Duryodhan cough).

But I was shaken out of my attempt to make the situation funny when I heard the words, " Absolutely not! He's our criminal! " Maharaj announced and I frowned.

" And with what basis is he the criminal? Has he been tried? Was his side of the story heard? Was the noblemsn -"

" Kumari Sagarika, why are you speaking in Hastinapur's court, why don't you -"

" Because I am the Samragyi Gandharaj! I have the right to judge a wrong decision made by someone under my control, it's my responsibility, if you forget, even Gandhar is under my responsibility and so help me I'll have Maharaj Ajatshatru take over than kingdom too is you're so fond of speaking in Hastinapur's court, " I said as he frowned.

" Maharaj Ajatshatru? When did he become the Maharaj? " One of Duryodhan's brother's asked.

" The day we were free, " I answered and no one dared to say a word more.

" Now, as my wife was saying, we'd like to take Lakshman back with us, cleared of all charges, otherwise, send Mantri Daivik with us, we'll make the decisions, Maharaj. " Yudhishthir said, when Maharaj sighed.

" Alright -"

" No! He is our prisoner, Hastinapur's prisoner -"

" Hastinapur, is under Indraprasth, they are the Samarat and Samragyi Yuvraj, as the Mahamahim of Hastinapur, I order you to stand down, " Pitamah said as Duryodhan scowled, moving back.

As we strode out of the sabha, we saw Lakshman, he had finally been nursed to health, courtesy of Kakashree Vidur as he came in, his eyes however were still weak and frightened.

" You need not fret Lakshman, as long as we are here, you won't come to any harm, " Yudhishthir promised and he nodded, shuddering in the cold.

" We will make sure that no one is made to suffer like this under Yuvraj's rule. Be it you, or even the Samrat and Samragyi, " I said, glaring at him as I felt him throw daggers at me with his eyes.

Shakuni as always stood by, ruminating for his next move. Well, let's startle you once more shall we?

I sent the tiniest bit of heat, which singed the hair on his arms as he sneered at me.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

So..... What's cooking in Shakuni's mind...

Yudhishthir trying to pacify his poor daughter with another sister while Saag just glaring at him in rage 😂

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥