Third Person P.O.V
Duryodhana was pacing in his chamber, his eyes red with tears and anger burning in them, he wanted revenge for what happened to him in the Maya Sabha, how those Pandavas laughed at his expense, how that woman Draupadi howled with laughter like it was a big joke. Shakuni entered in his nephew chamber, his eyes widened as he looked around the chamber, everything was broken and this place reeks of alcohol, his eyes went towards his nephew who looked like he haven't washed himself in weeks, his hair was wild, his face was unwashed and he wore the same clothes he was wearing days before, all in all he looked miserable. Shakuni quickly closed the door behind him and sat down on the bed looking at his nephew sorrowful face. Abruptly Duryodhana fell down on his uncle feet "I can't bear it anymore, Uncle Shakuni! You must help me, or I will die of the dreadful thing burning in me. Help me, please help me." he cried out, tears flowing down from his face and he started sobbing. Shakuni stroked his head gently "What do you want, my dear nephew?" he asked caressing him, he can do anything for his nephew. "I am ill with sorrow! Sorrow eats my heart. Uncle Shakuni, you say you love me; I beg you, help me." He howled in pain, he was fevered and panting. "I will never be well again until I see my cousins destroyed. If you really care for me, Uncle make me emperor of the world. Or this ravening envy will devour my life."
Shakuni took his nephew hand in his and seemed to be lost in thoughts. He was making plans to destroy Pandavas in his mind. Duryodhana began to pace the room tensely. He gnashed his teeth and balled his hands into fists. "I would rather die fighting them, than let them be. You don't understand what this means to me: fate has conspired with my cousins to humiliate me." Duryodhana stopped pacing. He saw the smile on his uncle's face and cried, "You have an idea! I can see you have thought of something." He was at Shakuni's side, grasping his hand. "Tell me what you have thought!".
"The Pandavas are invincible warriors; but there is another weapon we can use against them. They are men of honor: that is their strength; it is also their weakness. We must use their own nobility against them." Shakuni said with a sly smile on his face. "Don't speak in riddles, my heart will stop!" Duryodhana snapped, he was impatient, he wanted to get rid of his cousins as soon as possible. Shakuni went on dreamily, as if he was talking to himself, "I can make all of their wealth and even their kingdom yours, Duryodhana. I can make you emperor of the world. And not an arrow shall be loosed, or a sword drawn, or a drop of blood spilled." Duryodhana quickly went beside him and sat in front of him, his eyes shining with hope. "Your cousin, the emperor, has a weakness for gambling, You must invite Yudhishtira to a game of dice and I will play for you. Your cousin will lose everything to you: his wealth, his army, his kingdom, everything" he said rolling his dice in his hands, he was so sure about his ability.
Duryodhana had grown very still. "At dice?" he asked.
Shakuni nodded. "You must convince your father to invite Yudhishtira to Hastinapur for a game. Once the Pandava comes, the rest will be as easy as taking a toy from a child."
"I want Pandavas on my feet, I want them to be my slave, I want that characterless woman to be part of my haram, she will tend to my every need and I will show her, her place, I want Prakriti to be my wife, her place is beside me not with that worthless Arjuna." he said frowning, he want them to be his slave and he want Yadava Princess as his wife, she was the only one who never treated him differently, she didn't even laugh at him, she even helped him in that time. He wanted her so badly, he liked her since he saw her when they were children. She was different than any other girl he ever met, there is a calm aura around her and he needs her in his life. Shakuni started chuckling but there was no humor behind it. "Are you out of your mind, you want Prakriti as your wife!" he exclaimed laughing, his voice ringing in the whole chamber. Duryodhana frowned, did he say anything wrong? No, he just spoke his desire.
"Prakriti is the only person in the Pandavas family who can change adharm into dharma, she thinks logically and her facts are always correct that's why she is a General Secretary, drop your dream about her, it will never happen" he continued, he know Prakriti perfectly, that woman is just like her Brother Krishna, both mind works alike. Duryodhana face fell, he wanted her so badly and he thought if he is getting everything, why not one more thing. "If we want to succeed in our plan, we need Prakriti to not come in Hastinapur" Shakuni said, his voice cunning, plan started forming in his head.
"How are we going to do that?" Duryodhana asked in confusion.
Shakuni rolled his dice in his hands and smirked "I will find a way" and both started laughing thinking about the future.
***
Prakriti P.O.V
After the success of Raj Suya Yagya, we resumed our responsibilities, everyone was happy in our Kingdom. Everywhere we look, People looked contented as they were busy in their work. Brother Krishna stayed with us for couple of months as he also enjoyed our hospitality. I was sitting with Brother Krishna in my chamber, he wanted to talk to me.
"Prakrite, I have to go back to Dwarka, it needs me" he started saying, there was no smile on his face when he was speaking. "What happened Brother Krishna, is everything alright?" I asked in concern, there is something happening in Dwarka which I don't know? Brother put his hand on my head and gave me a smile. "King Salwa is on his way to attack Dwarka because of what I did to Sishupala" he responded, I sighed and nodded my head, I knew there will be repercussion of events in Yagya. "You should go then, if you need our help, we can come with you" I said, I know my Brother can handle any situation but I am by side every time he needs me. He gave me a small smile "I do need your help, Prakrite, nature is required to intervened in this fight" he said seriously, I quickly nodded my head without any second thought "I will talk to Elder Brother regarding it and we can leave for Dwarka as soon as possible" I said, "Besides, Indraprastha is fine right now so I am not needed here currently" I continued, Everyone will take care of our Kingdom in my absence. I looked at him, he has a faraway look on his face but he quickly changed his expression and gave me his happy smile.
"Okay, my little sister, now lets go, we should enjoy our last moment here with our family" he said standing up from his seat and pulling my hand, I nodded my head and followed him but my mind was somewhere else.
My Family will be fine without me?
***
We were gathered on the roof of our Castle, Brother Krishna came up with a great idea of flying Kites. All of our family members were with us as we enjoyed the game. I was standing beside Elder Brother "Brother, I wanted to talk to you about going to Dwarka" I started the conversation, he gave me a smile gestured me to speak further. "Brother Krishna needs my help in Dwarka so I wanted to go with him" I asked, Elder Brother chuckled and turn his head in my direction "You don't have to ask for permission to go with Vasudeva, it is your choice" he said, a smile made its way on my face and I nodded my head.
"I will try to come back as soon as possible" suddenly I am having a bad feeling leaving my family behind. He chuckled and put his hand on my head "Dwarka is your home as well, you can stay there as long as you want " he stated and with a smile I pulled the string of my kite. My eyes moved towards Arya who was helping Abhimanyu in flying kite, then my eyes moved to Brother Bhima and Nakula who were bantering while Sahadev was laughing. I looked at Brother Krishna and Draupadi, they were talking to each other, suddenly I saw Brother Krishna cut his hand on the string of kite and blood started flowing from his hand. I left my kite quickly and moved towards him in concern. "Brother Krishna" I said, Draupadi quickly tore a piece of her clothes and tie it around his finger stopping the bleeding. I took his hand in my own and examine the wound "I am fine, Prakrite, its just a small cut" he said and chuckled, I frowned "Even if it is a small cut, it is still a wound" I stated, every pain that comes to him, I felt that also. He put his hand on my shoulder and nodded "Okay, my dear little sister" he smiled, Draupadi was standing beside us smiling, hearing our conversation.
"You both are going to Dwarka, I will miss you" she said, I gave her a bright smile "Don't worry my Krishne, I will come back soon and I told you that whenever you need me, you just have to utter my name and wind will send me your message" I assured her, she nodded her head and finally smiled back.
***
I was in my chamber, Abhimanyu was in my lap and I was singing him to sleep. I gently stroke my hand in his hair and hummed the lullaby. He was on the verge of sleep but he was restraining himself "Sleep, my little warrior, tomorrow, we have a journey to start" I said, he looked at me with his sleepy eyes "Is father coming with us?" he asked, I shook my head "No, son, he has responsibilities here, he can't come with us" I responded, he made a face but slowly nodded his head "He will visit us, won't he" he further asked, I chuckled "We are going to Dwarka for short time, we will come back soon" I said in calm voice, stroking his head, he hummed and his eyes started drooping. Finally, he fell asleep and I gave him a peck on his forehead standing up from the bed going towards Arya who was busy in making war strategy, I stand beside him and looked at the labyrinth, I put both of my hands and chin on his shoulder looking at the war formation. I could feel Arya smiling, he put one of his hand on my hand. "Is our little warrior asleep?" he asked, I nodded my head "Yes, he is finally sleeping after a long day" I responded, "You are leaving tomorrow for Dwarka" he stated, his voice seemed a little off, I sighed "Brother need me but I will be back soon" I said kissing his cheek, he smiled and finally nodded his head.
"I will miss you and our little warrior" he finally said turning around, away from his strategy, he pulled me into hug and I put my head on his chest hearing his steady heart beat. "We are not getting time to spend together, we are too much busy in our work" he complained, I chuckled "But we are free now and don't worry, I will come back soon" I responded sighing, I missed this, I miss us.
"I hope so" he said.
I hope so too, Arya.