Despite being here, living in Dwapar yug for so many years, I was still in awe of how time passes.

But this time, it wasn't that long. Especially since we had only been back to Indraprasth for about two years.

My daughter, now a true teenager was as moody as ever. Thirteen years old and she was the absolute pain in everyone's noses but still the light of everyone's life.

Abhivart, my darling son had grown notorious under the great tutelage of his kakashree Arjun, he was, in a way his own shadow, tagging along with Abhimanyu and Sphulingini's son, Srutkarman.

Devi had recently sent me her own good news. Now that Rudra was six, they had a good news for us.

She would be having another AJ spawn... I can imagine his fright at being a father to more than one kid. Rudra had scared the shit out if him anyways.

But it was pleasing to know how life changes... Doesn't it?

" Mumma! Abhi's stealing my hairbrush! " My quiet moment of introspection was broken by my daughter's shrieks from another room.

" It's not my fault! She hid my toy horse! " Came a retaliation, a strong bold one, seeing as he definitely is the more notorious one.

" No I didn't! If you don't keep your things properly how is that my fault!" She yelled back and I sighed.

I pity my own mother now.

But before I could get in, I heard a strong voice, " If you two don't calm down, I won't take you out for horse riding today. " My husband sauntered into the room, his eyes tired as he flopped down on the bed next to me.

" What's wrong? " I asked and he laughed, turning his face to me.

" Nothing, just another minister claiming to have done nothing wrong to a farmer, you needn't worry. " He said and I frowned.

" What do you mean, they're my people too -"

I felt one finger on my lips, softly shushing me.

" I told you, don't worry. You shouldn't worry so much. Especially now. " He shuffled up, placing his head against my shoulder.

" Yudhishthir? Sagarika?" A voice called and I saw Jyeshth walk in, his eyes we're grim.

" What is it? " I asked and he stood by the table.

" Mahamantri Vidur is here from Hastinapur. " He fiddled with the scroll in his hand.

" Give it here Jyeshth, what does it say? " I asked and he handed it over, if reluctantly .

" Jyeshth, what is it? " Yudhishthir asked, shuffling off the bed, " Why are you so worried? "

" They have sent the request for a friendly match -"

" - absolutely not! " I shouted, wincing as Yudhishthir frowned, shuffling over to support me of the bed.

" I understand. But you must read what it says -"

" - I don't care! Don't you know what happened when we accepted any invitation! " I screeched and Yudhishthir kept his hand on my shoulder, his eyes stern as he tried to calm me down.

" Yudhishthir, I understand her fear. But just read it. If you don't we will have problems. " He said and I sighed, sitting on the bed.

Yudhishthir's eyes scanned the scroll, his eyes growing harder with each passing line.

He walked up, picking my hand and opening it palm up.

" Burn it. " He ordered and I frowned.

" Okay, " I said, letting a small flame out as it burnt the scroll to ashes.

Jyeshth sighed, walking out of the room. But he seemed satisfied.

As he paced around the room, I saw his eyebrows furrowing again.

Steadily getting off the bed, I stood in front of him, raising his hands to my face.

He sighed, eyes relaxing as he bent his head low, pulling me into a hug.

" What was in it? " I asked.

" Duryodhan has invited Nakul and Sahdev to a friendly spar. " He groused.

" Sparring? Why them? " I asked and he shook his head, " Don't know. But what's more concerning is that they've also invited Mini. " He said and I went rigid.

" Absolutely not. I wasn't going to allow them to go earlier itself. Now absolutely not. " I said and he held my face.

" I know, I know. It's why I burnt the letter -"

" - samrat, Mahamantri Vidur -"

" - tell mahamantri that he can return. We reject the proposal. " Yudhishthir said and I sighed.

" This is not going to end well. " I mumbled, shuffling back into the bed.

" There is no option other than to end well. They'll either accept the refusal or do something else. And we will be ready. Sleep. You look exhausted. " He said and I laughed.

" You try bleeding for three days straight. " I poked his nose and he smiled.

" You have me. Don't worry." He kissed my forehead, letting me go to sleep.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

If there was one thing Yudhishthir was right about, it was the chaos that followed the note.

I saw Duryodhan storm into the sabha the next day.

" Samrat Yudhishthir! How dare you refuse a messenger of one of the strongest Kingdoms of Aryavart with no reply and the rumors of a burnt note! " He shouted and Yudhishthir just looked at me. We both held the same faces.

Here we go again.

" Yuvraj Duryodhan, we have the complete power to refuse anyone from our gates. The fact that you choose to disrespect the sanctity and peace of our royal court just gives us the right to hold you in our cells. However, we know that would hurt Maharaj Dhritarashtr's heart and it's why we advise you to wait your turn in the court proceedings, " Yudhishthir said, " You'll be taken in after sarthi Kank's case. "

He looked over at us in surprise, before grumbling as he stood behind Kank, while I watched in feigned boredom... I was dancing on the inside.

He however was just as patient as Abhi is when he sees me make gol gappa..

" I will not be put behind some sarthi! You will listen to me first! You must -"

" - I must not do anything. Rather I can throw you out of this court right now if you'd like. Would you like that? " I glared at him but he didn't back down.

" You dare to insult the Yuvraj of Hastinapur? " He exclaimed and I groaned in my seat.

" You dare to insult our court in our presence. Frankly I don't see any reason why didi is wrong. " Mini said, eyes cold as she tracked Duryodhan's movements, before his eyes fell on her midriff.

" Whose child is that kumari? Do you even know? Or was it -"

" - Duryodhan! " Nakul shouted, hounding down the stairs, his eyes like molten fire ready to burn him down.

" Nakul, Nakul you cannot raise your weapon. Not yet. Move back. " Yudhishthir called and Nakul heaved, his eyes wide in anger as he stepped back, with Mini's hand on his arm. I could see slight tears in her eyes.

Oh no... You don't hurt my sister and leave free.

Krishn. I told you. No one hurts her again.

" Yuvraj Duryodhan! " I stormed down the stairs, my eyes trained on his towering form as I stood right in front of him.

He had his weapon raised... His first mistake.

" On account of daring to raise your weapon in the court of Indraprasth, that too in front of the Smarat and Samragyi, I order you to surrender your weapon, " I said, " Now! " Stressing on it by holding his mace in one hand.

" Once again I'm robbing you off your 'pride' as you claim. Try and hurt one more person and I will personally burn all of you down. Nakul's oath be damned. " I grit my teeth as Bheem finally plucked it out of his hand.

" Go Yuvraj. You've lost this bet. Try again... Maybe after an exile? Would five years be enough? " Jyeshth sneered.

Duryodhan's eyes were murderous as they held mine and then shifted to Mini. He stormed out of the room.

Why do I think this is not going to end well.

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

Okay..so how was it... What do you think the chaotic trio will do now?

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥