While it took us a while, we finally moved out, standing in front of the large doors of the sabha.

" Scared? " Yudhishthir asked, pulling my hand to his.

" Yeah, but, it's now or never, " I whispered, " I am Sagarika. You are Yudhishthir. You are here and so am I. So is our family. " I recited, as we pushed the doors open to walk in.

The lines of ministers sitting, the guards by our seats, our family in their own places, it reminded me so much of five years ago.

So much had changed in five years.

" Samrat Yudhishthir, Samragyi Sagarika, padhar rahe hain! " (  The Emperor and Empress are making their way into the court)

As we sat down I, saw the guards ready.

" May the court commence, " Yudhishthir said.

" Bring in the prisoner Senapati, " I said to Arjun, who nodded, walking to the doors, bringing both Dushasan and the traitorous guard with him.

He seemed to have sobered up, yet his eyes we're dark, they weren't the ones that had played chausar with me all those years ago, but they were definitely a heightened version of the one I saw in the dyut sabha.

" Kuru Rajkumar Dushasan, you came over to our kingdom, drunk yourself to near death, attempted to harm the princess of Indraprasth and threaten her. But you were also inebriated. Why did you do this." Yudhishthir spoke calmly .

" I didn't do anything! " Dushasan exclaimed, " I was drunk, Samrat, a drunk mind doesn't differentiate-"

" A drunk mind is not our fault. You were the one who were drunk. You were the one who dared to touch my sister without her permission, you were also the one who leered at her, so don't you dare say that you didn't do anything. " I glowered at him when I felt a hand on my own, gently enveloping it.

" Rajkumar Dushasan, you are guilty and if you speak about your accomplice, the one who brought you in, we might even gift you a swifter death. But if you don't, Hastinapur will be receiving your severed head as a parting gift. " Yuvraj Bheem said, eyes hard.

" Please, forgive me Samrat! I never meant to do this - " The guard began, when Sahdev shuffled down, holding his head back.

" They asked you one question. Who are you working for! How did you bring Dushasan here and who do you work for! " He shouted and the man cowered, thrashing against his hold.

" Sahdev, calm, " Yudhishthir said ,
" If you don't tell us, guard, then we will have no option but to punish you both, regardless of your statements. " He said coldly to the guard.

" Samrat, please! " He pleaded, before freeing himself of Sahdev's hold, falling to his feet, " At last, I am sorry." He mumbled before pressing a kiss to his ring.

Fir a kaliyugi I was ashamed at how long it took for me to realise.

" No! " I screamed, rushing down the stairs, but by then, the damage was done, he fell down by Sahdev's feet, the white foam in his mouth highlighting my first defeat.

I slammed my hand to my head, anger coursing through my veins as Dushasan looked down in horror.

" Bhabhishree, it's alright, go back. We're still to decide Dushasan's punishment. We cannot fall weak yet, " Bheem murmured to me as he guided me back up by the shoulders.

" Rajkumar Dushasan, for your crimes against the princess of Indraprasth, we send you to lifetime prison. So that you can reflect on your deeds and learn. If anyone dares to counter this decision, they will be part of a death sentence given to both of you. " Yudhishthir announced and I frowned, anger still coursing.

" Samrat-" I began but he tightened his hold on my hand, nearly crushing it.

" My decision is final," He announced, " Next issue! " He called as Dushasan was dragged away.

I must trust him. He knows what he's doing.

" You trust me, don't you? " He asked softly, as the ministers came up.

" I do, " I reassured him, sighing as I closed my eyes, breathing deep.

" Sanrat, Lakshman is here to see you, " The annoucer called as Lakshman walked in.

" Samrat ki jai ho, Samragyi ki jai ho,"  ( praise be to your highnesses.)

" Speak Lakshman, what is it you would like to say, " I asked, eyes softening as he walked in, stronger, sharper, " You are free to speak. Today if you say you'd like to bring that cruel minister to court, we'd be amenable to that too. "

" Samragyi, I hold no such power. I can only make that request to you, hoping for your agreement, " He said, " However, I would like to apologize, I did warn you about the state of your rooms but didn't take an action to have them treated to. "

" That is no fault of yours Lakshman, we are grateful for your support. We will bring that minister to court, so that no one else could dare to even attempt to act in such heinous ways again. " Yudhishthir reassured him.

" Alright, three days from now, we hold court for your trial. For your justice. I hope you are at ease now. " Yudhishthir announced.

As the sabha dispersed, I felt Nakul and Sahdev's apprehension from the other corner of the room.

" Jyesth, lifetime prison! I told you he would die for it! " Nakul exclaimed.

" Nakul, I understand your rage, but you must trust your brother. He is not so cruel hearted as to deny Mini her right. " I tried to tell him.

" Bhabhishree-"

" Nakul. I said so because I know Mamashree won't rest. He'll either come himself or send Duryodhan. One stone, two birds. " Yudhishthir said calmly as both brothers had a realisation.

Mini on the other hand began laughing, " Jiju, you're too smart. Why didn't you use this brain when you were about to marry didi? " She said, attempting a joke as laughter reigned the room.

" Mini, " I scowled, running behind her, as she evaded me.

" You won't catch me! " She exclaimed, rushing away as she collided with a hard chest, which picked her up.

" My dear wife, you need rest, leave your sister alone, " Nakul said as he carried a squirming Mini away.

" So? What's your verdict? How long before Gandharaj sends Duryodhan? " Jyeshth asked.

" Why do you think he himself won't come? '' Bheem asked.

" Because Bheem, Gandharaj is very selfish and values his life over anything. He will try his most to not die before his revenge is complete, " He said and I frowned.

" Revenge? What revenge? "

" He's sworn to burn Hastinapur to the ground, " Jyeshth answered, " His vengeance against Pitamah Bhishm is what inspires all his schemes. He won't rest till he finishes the Kuru lineage. That's why he has always pitted you against each other. Now that he's realised this didn't work, he had to hand over the throne, he's sent Dushasan. If you try and kill him, there will be war. And then, the death of the Kurus, " He scowled, " If not planning our destruction, I'd say it's a very smart plan. "

I had to agree. What better way to take revenge than to let the family kill each other.

" But vengeance for what? " Yudhishthir asked and Jyeshth sighed.

" Revenge for Maharani Gandhari, revenge for his father and his ninety nine brothers. " Jyeshth answered grimly.

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

Okay... Soo...

Also, no matter the case. Shakuni's revenge is very clever. But it's revenge nonetheless.

Also, before people say, ha! Duryodhan was right all along?

Please....Just because someone can be manipulated and succombs to it, doesn't mean he doesn't have his own thoughts.

Gadhe, sunna hi tha, to apne papa, mummy, guru ki sunta. Sabne bola to galat kar raha hai. Suna tune?

Anyways.

Much love

Radhekrisn ♥.