Draupadi laid in his embrace because the past incident came flashing back to her, she remembered everything happened that day, how she with others reached Hastinapur and the dreadful series of happened after that, how she was dragged and was nearly about to be disrobed despite she begged everyone present there, she was shivering unconsciously before was engulfed in embrace of Karna. Only his presence assured her of safety like it happened on that day. She knew in front of him she can be like this because he won't judge or think she is weak. One year with him was blissful for her, she has recovered from her trauma but never was able to forget it happened to her and one who was responsible the most for her recovery was none other than her husband who is embracing her now. Their relationship started from being friends first and he was a great husband and even better listener. He heard everything she has to share, whatever it may be, her trauma or her daily life. Never once has he disregarded what she has to say, the time he spent with her is not that much but in that time he made her feel like she was the most important person in his life. She was thinking about him now so she calmed down, she was near hyperventilating but now she could feel her husband was stroking her back gently to even out her breathing.

Karna too felt she had calmed down but he still kept stroking her back. He knew this was something very hard for her but she has to face it. He will be with her whatever her decision be. He knew she had forgiven everyone but never forgot. In this one year it took even months for her to open up and speak about what and how she felt. What broke her most was not what happened though that left a mental scar but the thing that broke her was betrayal she experienced from her husbands for whom she was devoted. Their silence and inaction completely broke her so much that she began questioning her self worth. It really wasn't a pretty sight when the once proud agnisuta knelt down and broke and spoke of betrayal she felt despite doing all her duties and sacrifices. After sometime when he felt she has calmed down completely,

Karna : Panchali, we don't have to talk about this if you don't want to.

Draupadi : No, we should talk. If not with you then I don't know whom I can talk about it with.

Karna : If that's what you want then it's fine.

Draupadi : Radhey, tell me truly how do you feel about Duryodhana when you saw him?

Karna : Draupadi, anything I say positive or negative about him would do nothing but influence you and I don't want to do that. Whatever I or anyone in the entire Aaryavrat feels about him is of no importance. How do you feel about him?

Draupadi : I don't know it won't be wrong to say I dislike him but hate would be a strong word. Especially talking about him with Mata Ghandhari, bhanumati and Dushala. He is a good son, great husband, brother and father. After knowing about his childhood I understand he hates pa...

She looked at him, he just smiled encouragingly to speak and there was no need to shy away.

Draupadi : I understand he hates Pandavas. I also understand he was not solely responsible for everything that happened that day. Yes he was a huge part of it but someone else was equally if not more responsible for it. He too has been punished for more than 12 years. I have decided to forgive him but still it's difficult for me to think anything about him.

Karna didn't say anything but kept listening to her, it is never easy to judge a person. He might be evil to you and saint to anybody else, and vice versa. Especially Duryodhana who takes cake for dual personality. Draupadi slipped his embrace and started pacing in the room.

Draupadi : Radhey tell me what I should do. My thoughts are conflicting. A part of me said he has suffered enough but a vengeful part of me wants him to suffer more. I know he was really close to death, trust me Radhey for Bhanumati, Lakshmana and mata Ghandhari, I too prayed for his safety because as a woman i can understand what they are going through but now that I know he is well I don't know what to think. Tell me what it means.

Draupadi went to and fro several times during her small monologue if it wasn't serious topics Karna would have laughed at his overly excited wife. He stood up and went to her,

Karna : It means you are human and you have a very big heart. Draupadi takes whatever decision you want and doesn't let anyone or any relation to influence it. Remember you were the victim of everything that happened , no one else so only you can understand what you went through. Anyone else can only make assumptions only and assumptions are not the basis on which decision should be taken.

Draupadi : How would I take such decisions alone Aarya? Help me please.

Karna : You are capable of this Draupadi, I will be with you in your every decision but you have to take it alone not for anyone else but for yourself. To get your justice, for your own peace.

Draupadi : Am I really? My choices and decisions in the past don't reflect that. If I was then.....

Karna understood what she was going to say so he just placed his finger on her lips.

Karna : Shhhh...., No need to doubt yourself. Come let's sleep. I know it will take time so take all the time you need.

Both of them came to bed and slept, Draupadi laid her head on his shoulder and he too wrapped his arms around her. Like this they went into the slumber as nidra grasped them.

Next day, karna woke up and as usual he left his room for his surya pooja. He was accompanied by his son. It was their schedule and binding time in the childhood of Vrishasena. They both greeted each other and enjoyed their company. They then reached the shore of Ganga and did their Pooja. Presence of Vrishasena was a barrier for Kunti who came there after knowing about the return of Karna. She wanted to talk to him privately and she knew Gandhari left with others their presence was shocking to her, she has seen the chariot going away but were relieved once it went out of Brahamnagri, now she could influence karna more she thought but company of Karna during his Pooja was making it difficult, she left now but certainly won't leave till she can achieve her goals by any means. Both father and son did pooja and Karna then gave some alms. Both of them return to the palace. There they had breakfast and during it Karna asked his son about gurukul days, others were also interested if they listened and now the time of Sabha has come. So everyone went to Sabha.

The Sabha was arranged as usual and everyone took their seats. The usual hearing happened and now was time to address the major problem, Sage vasisth, the kulguru of Brahamnagri stood up.

Sage : Maharaj we need to talk about the change in politics that has happened a few days before. I know you are aware about it more intimately and privately due to obvious reasons but we have to think about political implications because of the war that happened in the borders of Hastinapur.

Sahdev and Arjun present in sabha perked their ears, arjun was surprised by sudden disappearance of his students then got to know who left here for Hastinapur. They were scared because it could lead to repeat of vanvas and agyatvas. He has talked about it with his brothers, everyone was ready to leave except Sahdev who told them Panchali wouldn't leave under any circumstances so he too wouldn't. He told them to have some faith in no one then at least in their cousin who sent them here. Others too decided to stay but they are very much unaware of any war taking place because this kingdom is strangely secluded. None of the petitioners discuss the outside world here and vice versa except they went and got their alms.

Sahdev : What has happened, kulguru?

Sage : There was war waged on Hastinapur by two groups. One were the well wishers and relatives of Pandavas like panchal, madra, kashi, shivi etc except Dwarka, they had Drupad, Dhrishtadyumna, Dronacharya, kashi naresh, madra raj, Ashwatthama, etc with wish to capture Hastinapur but king of Hastinapur with his brothers, nephew, kulguru and army of Hastinapur along with Gandhar defeated them in one day due to their efficient war strategies and but when the end is about to declared second group attacked it consists of hundreds of thousands of asur and geedy kshatriya like jaydrath, keechak, rukmi, bhagadatta, paundrak etc. For the safety of everyone the second battle was fought by Maharaja Duryodhana himself with his might and valor he emerged victorious and completely vanquished everyone alone. The earth trembled and sky witnessed the battle where he alone, like the raudra roop of Mahadev, sent their entire army to the abode of Yama. He fought from sunset to sunrise and solely wiped them out. A warrior of his calibre is rarely witnessed, I think apart from few in Aryavart anyone could be his equal and as for defeating him that could be done by numbers I can count is way lesser than him if we leave the cheeranjivi bhagwan Parshuram and loed Hanuman along with revered warrior sages who are in seclusion only Maharaj Karna, Dwarkadhish Vasudev and Mahabali Balram could achieve thst but it won't be easy. But the encounter with both the armies has left him gravely injured but I hear by grace of almighties he has recovered. so it's imperative to take measures because as of now we have sovereignty over entire Aaryavrat due to Maharani Vrushali Digvijaya.

Everyone was astonished by the description of sage Vasistha himself about Gandhari Nandan. Sahdev himself didn't know what to say or feel while Arjun was burning inside. He would never believe that he and his brothers couldn't defeat Kauravas, their family has spent 12 years in preparation for the upcoming war and no matter what happened they would have their Revenge and everything that was rightfully theirs back. He must arrange an immediate meeting with his brothers but now court is going on. Draupadi herself didn't know the full details and was shocked by everything she heard. She became more and more confused. While there was silence in the court, Karna spoke up,

Karna : Kulguru, rest assured the political climate has surely changed but I feel it was for the better. We can observe for two months what they are upto but from what I know Hastinapur is not planning for any more wars. If that chance ever arrives then we will make a decision as per circumstances.

Sage vasistha: Maharaj, If I may. Let's do Yuvraj Abhishek for Prince Vrishasena and invite every kingdom here.

Karna : We could do that but not now. Vrishsaena hasn't proved himself to be eligible yuvraj as of now so for two months we would see if he has capability and maturity for this or otherwise the position will remain empty, I don't want an ineligible person to succeed me. I have asked Putra Ghatotkach to be yuvraj but he declined as he will be chief among Rakshas but I have seen his capabilities if Vrishasena proved not worthy to be Yuvraj then Ghatotkach or any other eligible young man would be Yuvraj.

Karna said this with no fluctuations of expression but that doesn't mean the sabha wasn't astonished, they knew Maharaj will follow through his words they saw at Vrishasena who had just smile on his face, he expected this his parents never gave him something if he wasn't eligible for it and he didn't care, he was ready for everything the two months were deadline for agyatvas of Pandavas. His father did justice to the post and along with it he set everything smoothly. Sabha was then adjourned while responsibility of Vrishasena was added.

A/n : the most i could do for Duryodhana remember this was Karna centered fanfic. I would write a one shot or short story for Duryodhana too once i complete this book. Bye bye for now see you all in next update.