" You? " I asked, eyes wide as I walked in on Dushasan, lying back on the diwan, his eyes droopy,hazy clear sign of intoxication.

" Bhabhishree! " He slurred, staggering over to where we stood.

Yudhishthir shifted me behind his back, one hand on his sword.

Dushasan reached us and pouted,
" Won't you let me see her, Samrat Yudhishthir? " He asked, eyes struggling to stay open as held one outstretched hand, as if to grab Yudhishthir's shoulder but missing each time.

" Rajkumar Dushasan, what are you doing here? " Yudhishthir asked calmly.

" I'm here only to - hic - " He paused for a hiccup, " I'm here to sleep, " He mumbled, imitating the action of falling asleep.

" Dushasan, why don't you go back, Charumati would be worried, " I tried and he laughed loudly.

" Worried? No? No one is worried about me over there! Jyeshth and mamashree are busy hatching schemes, mata and pitashree are busy with Jyesth and Charu has left me, alone. Saying that she cannot be with me after I didn't try to protect you in the sabha. Laughing with the others as I was, " He sneered,
" According to me, she just doesn't want to lay with me at nights, leaving me in favour of separate rooms, this that, Rajasvala or something or the other. " He frowned, " Does she do that too? Refuse to lay with you at night. Is he too left to tend to his own needs, despite having a wife? " He asked Yudhishthir and I felt his arms tighten on my arm.

" Rajkumar Dushasan, I am sure Devi Charumati would prefer if you apologize to her, rather than make a scene here. I can ask a horse to take you -"

" Chariot Yudhishthir he's far too inebriated, " I murmured, which Dushasan apparently caught.

" Yes! That's one more thing, she says I drink too much, I don't, right?" Eyes crossing over.

" Didi? " I heard a soft voice call as she held two fingers over her nose, walking into the room.

" Go to sleep Saudamini. Now, " Yudhishthir said and she bristled.

" Why jiju? Why aren't you sleeping -oh! " She exclaimed, watching Dushasan topple over to her, losing his balance as he fell into her arms.

" You, " He said, as Mini twisted her head against his rotten breath, " I never met you, but when Jyeshth went to Dwarka for marriage with Rajkumari Subhadra, I saw you in the gardens playing with her. You are beautiful, I wish I could make you my bride, such beautiful hair, " He raised his hands to her head, even as Yudhishthir moved to haul him back up, he persisted.

" Dushasan move! " I yelled, but he wouldn't, his hands shifting to Mini's arms whose eyes we're blazing.

" Dushasan! " Yudhishthir shouted, tugging him off as I tried to help, but a limp man is hard to move, even if you have a superhuman with you.

Just as he was about to place his hand on her face, I felt streaks of blood on the floor and a sound that preceded it, the swish of a sword.

" How dare you? " A cold voice asked as Dushasan moved back in horror, his face marred with the slash.

I looked up to see Sahdev rushing over to Mini, helping her up as he huddled her close to him, pulling her into a hug as she weeped into his arms.

" You dare to touch my wife with those hands! You dare to touch my wife at all! Our wife! You know very well who all protect her don't you? Yet you dared! " Nakul's voice thundered even over the pouring rain that had gone unnoticed until now.

" Move back! You dare to touch her pure body with your impurity! You dare to try and taint her! " He shouted, kicking at him, eyes ablaze as he Dushasan stumbled over his own feet, falling over, Nakul, in a fit of rage raised his sword, ready to drive it into Dushasan's chest, " You shall die for you sins, " He said, eyes nearly red with anger, when I felt Yudhishthir swiftly grab his own.

" Jyeshth leave my hand! He has to die today! He touched our wife! " Nakul exclaimed, forcing the sword down. Everyone else rushed in, eyes widening at the scene. I had the peace of mind at not finding the children there.

"Nakul, my brother I understand your rage, it's true and I won't stop you, but right now, we need to take him in as a prisoner. You must understand. This threatens war, " Yudhishthir explained to him calmly and while he was right, my own blood boiled at my sister's shivering form, while Sphulingini and Kali tried to help her, she shook her head, burrowing it further into Sahdev's arms as he sat down against the wall, holding her trembling body in his arms.
He gently murmured sweet nothings into her ear, watching her rapidly rising chest come to a softer pace.

" Nakul, Nakul, calm, " I said and he shook his head, tears threatning to escape his own eyes, " Bhabhishree he -" He broke off, " - you know how it feels, yet you won't let me kill him!" He asked, voice rising in rage.

" I do, I understand more than you know, " I whispered and Yudhishthir's face darkened, apparently thinking of the same thing, " But right now, your wife needs you more, you understand that don't you? Please, " I said, joining my hands in front of him as his eyes widened. He clasped them in his own, " I'm asking as a sister, she needs her husband right now, please, " I whispered and he shook his head, tears falling freely as he yelled, slamming the sword down and my breath caught as I watched it move down, right next to Dushasan's neck.

" I cannot see my wife's tears, nor can I see my bhabhishree's hands joined in front of me. You are spared Dushasan, but not for long. Hear my vow, all that lives and breaths! This man shall die by my arms! By any means necessary! " He screamed, before collecting his breath and rushing over to Mini.

The clouds thundered, as if supporting his vow as I finally sagged against Yudhishthir's arms, watching as he ordered guards to take him to the prison cells.

Mini, I though, eyes shifting to my sister, who was curled up in Nakul's arms, while Sahdev held her feet, gently massaging them, " This should help calm her heartbeat, " He whispered as I crouched by her.

" I'm sorry, " I said to her, I saw two droplets fall to her face as I raised my head to see Nakul's eyes freely flowing with tears.

" It's not your fault didi, " She whispered, even as she whimpered.

" No, it is. I am your elder sister, it's my responsibility to protect you at all costs and I could do nothing! " I shouted and she laughed, " Come on didi, I'm even past the age of an adult now, married too. How long will you carry that responsibility alone? Let someone else too have a chance to serve me, " She said, attempting a laugh, but I could see the fear in her eyes.

I lightly slapped her cheek, holding her face, " You idiot. You don't get it do you? I'll always care for you, you're always my responsibility." I said

She smiled lazily, her heart rate finally fell as I felt it against her neck, eyes finally drying.

" You want to go to your rooms? " I asked and she nodded.

As they took her back, I was furious.

I rounded on the others, " Did you know he was here, " I asked, my voice felt frightening even to me as they shook their heads.

" The primary reason for the sleepover bhabhishree was to ensure you don't use your room. We knew it was still not tended to and didn't want to trouble you more with a late night. We never knew he was here -"

" A thousand guards, all of you, spies and none of you saw him come in? " Yudhishthir asked, his own anger barely restrained.

" Yudhishthir, listen to me, it's a long night. We must all rest -"

" How do you expect me to rest Jyeshth! I saw my sister nearly die of fear and shock right now! " I screamed and two arms enveloped mine.

" I understand Karali, but this is not the time for this. We must deal with it in the morning. Saudamini will be fine, she has her husbands, you must calm your head, you are the Samragyi before anything. You must think of your people. If this gets out, no one will believe that they are safe under your and jijashree's rule, you must calm yourself, " I heard Kali mutter next to me as I sighed.

" Sleep? " Someone said as they all headed back to the main halls.

But that night I couldn't sleep. My own horrors resurfaced at Mini'a stricken face and I tossed and turned, rushing out to the top of the tower.

It might have been a while when I heard a voice say, " I thought I'd find you here priye, "

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Don't I have a penchant for annoying my readers 😂😂😂

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Radhekrisnn ♥