Two months passed swiftly.

Their incognito year was successful, at least for now.

Karna had gone by the name of Vrisha, as no one had any idea about this name. Though he was not a part of the court, as their primary and only blacksmith, he came across all sorts of people. One of them was the commander of the Matsya desh's army, Keechak. He was the brother of Queen Sudeshna. He was a weak warrior compared to them, so Karna wasn't worried much. But what bothered him was that Keechak was a tyrant in nature. He collected obscene amounts of taxes from the common people; if they couldn't pay, then their punishments were very atrocious. Males were forced to join the army until they paid off their debt, while girls either became servants or were forced into marriage with Keechak.

They got a front-row seat to such a situation. Advika had been very furious, so furious that Karna had to stop her. Vandita was no less. His sister-in-law was just as furious. While Karna had been busy stopping Advika, Vandita had thrown a rock discreetly at Keechak, making him bleed. Karna had understood the reason, but they needed to think of themselves too. Because of that act, no one had been able to meet with the others. Matsya desh was on high alert, as Keechak started becoming paranoid. But after two months of no success in finding the culprit, everyone, including Keechak, had relaxed. It was night, a new moon night. It was dark all around, especially at midnight.

Twelve figures arrived at the clearing. The entire family had assembled in their new getup.

"Everyone here?" mumbled Karna softly.

"Yes, jyesht," answered Yuddhisthir just as softly.

"Is everything alright?" asked Nakul, as no one had been able to meet with each other at all.

"Yes," answered Arjun, eyes already adjusting to the darkness.

"Enough! No one will talk any longer. Hold hands and form a chain. I found an underground cave where we can meet and talk freely," ordered Advika.

All did as told. Advika in the lead, led them to the cave. It had a mashal placed on the wall, even though no fire. As they arrived, Advika muttered, "Dhanyavad Maa."

"Devanshi, love, will you mind?" asked Yuddhisthir as he gestured to the mashal.

Devanshi nodded and created fire in the mashal with ease.

"Finally, we can see each other," said Nakul, dramatically. Everyone gave him fond looks. They had missed his dramatic nature a lot.

"I have an important matter to discuss and inform," said Draupadi, her voice serious. Devanshi nodded as well from beside her. Arjun and Yuddhisthir stiffened as well.

"We also have something to speak about," informed Vandita, her eyes holding a slight hint of anger.

"Okay then, how about we start with what happened to Keechak?" suggested Bheem, softly.

"Yes. That annoying problem. Vandita was the one who threw the stone," said Karna, softly. "And I should have burned his tongue," said Vandita, still furious.

"What happened?" asked Vijaya, softly.

Advika explained what had happened, how the proposal of Keechak marrying the poor farmer's underage daughter came to the farmer when he was not able to pay the obscene amount of taxes. How Keechak threatened and was about to whip the farmer because he had denied Keechak's proposition when Vandita had thrown the stone, making blood ooze out of his head and making him unconscious.

"You should have killed him, love. He doesn't deserve to live," said Bheem, eyes red in anger, but Vandita's hand on his arm stopped him. Vandita herself was disgusted. She was glad she stayed with Jyesht; otherwise, who knows what would have happened.

Yuddhisthir sighed, while Nakul and Sahadev exchanged a look.

"What about you two?" asked Advika, softly.

"Keechak, he is a despicable human being, bhabhishree. He can't see my face, yet he hasn't stopped making flirty comments. He doesn't even stop in front of Maharani Sudeshna, who doesn't even bat an eyelid," said Draupadi, furiously.

"Yes, and on top of that, he has been doing the same thing with me, too. He spoke such vile comments in front of Arya!" said Devanshi, supporting Draupadi's statement. Yuddhisthir and Arjun were also nodding.

Yuddhisthir said, "I spoke with Maharaja Virata. His hands are tied. He knew exactly the kind of person his brother-in-law is, yet he cannot do anything. Keechak had threatened him, that if he left then, the army will fall to the wayside and the Kuru's will attack. He reprimanded Keechak, but I don't think it had any effect."

"I see," came the cold voice of Advika.

"We can't kill him off now, though. That will create suspicion," said Sahadev, sighing.

"I know. That's why, I haven't made a fuss about it," said Draupadi, a bit softly.

"That doesn't mean, we can't do anything," said Karna, a bit thoughtful.

"Jyesht?" asked Devanshi, shocked.

"Yes. Arjun, as Brihannala, you stay in the female quarters, no?" asked Karna. Arjun nodded.

"Draupadi, stay near Arjun as much as possible. If the situation gets worse, then you are to go straight towards Bheem or Yuddhisthir. Arjun can't fight in this situation as the teacher of the princess. Devanshi, the same applies to you. Don't come out of the house and keep a weapon with you at all times. Be very careful at all times," instructed Karna.

Everyone gave serious nods.

"At least now I know that Bhratashree Arjun's beautiful looks will be of some use. Brihannala is very beautiful after all," commented Nakul, eyes dancing with mirth.

Arjun lunged for Nakul, who made a noise of embarrassment and took protection behind Kalyani, who was smiling. Draupadi's giggles filled the room. Everyone watched amused.

"Why do I have a feeling that there is more to the story, Draupadi?" said Advika, eye glinting with laughter.

"Oh, there is..." said Draupadi, laughing.

"Ohh...I can already see the story. Dear sister, spill," said Bheem, while Arjun flushed red.

Draupadi nodded as she started to recount what happened.

Flashback

"Arya, please, agree..." pleaded Draupadi, softly.

"No."

Arjun was adamant. He wouldn't agree to that ridiculous plea.

"Fine. I just wanted to see your disguise, but look at you. What kind of a husband I have? He doesn't fulfill one measly wish of mine," grumbled Draupadi.

"Why are you stuck on seeing me in Brihannala? I look horrible in that look. I don't even know what Madhav was thinking!" said Arjun.

"You are getting annoyed?" asked Draupadi, fired up.

"Yes."

"Fine, then I have a solution."

Arjun's eyes gleamed as he turned around.

"What solution?" he asked.

Draupadi smirked before speaking, "A bet. First promise me, then I will tell you."

"Fine, I promise," relented Arjun.

"Well, the bet is, you have to disguise yourself as Brihannala and go into the market of the village. If no one flirts with you or calls you beautiful, then, you win. Vice versa, I win."

"What is the prize?" asked Arjun, a bit suspicious.

"The prize is if I win, you will use Brihannala as your disguise in the incognito. If you win, Arya, I will never ever bring up Brihannala in front of you ever again," said Draupadi, knowing her dearest husband won't be able to resist himself.

"Ever again?" clarified Arjun.

"Yes, never ever again," affirmed Draupadi.

"Deal," answered Arjun, while Draupadi's grin was wide.

Flashback interrupted.

Nakul and Sahadev were laughing, while the girls giggled. Yuddhisthir and Karna were snickering, while Bheem chuckled. Arjun was pouting.

"Let me guess, he lost."

"Yup. Want to listen to what happened next?" asked Draupadi, giggling.

At everyone's nods, she continued.

Flashback restarted.

Arjun, as Brihannala, was walking through the market of the village.

Various men were watching him, while the girls were seething with jealousy or admiring him. Draupadi was walking a bit behind him, trying not to draw attention to herself.

"Sundari...you are very beautiful," said a burly man in a gruff voice, when they were a bit away from the thick market.

Draupadi stopped her smirk from coming on her face.

"Me?" asked Arjun, a bit shocked.

"I don't see anyone else here," answered the burly man. Arjun nodded, weirded out.

"I have something to tell you," said the man again, after a bit of silence.

"What?" asked Arjun, confused.

"My mother wants to get me married, but all the other girls aren't as beautiful as you. Will you marry me?" asked the burly man.

Arjun looked at him in horror and then ran. The burly man screamed and was about to give chase when he tripped on his own feet.

Draupadi was laughing when she arrived at their secret spot.

"So, how was the proposal? It could have been better, though," said Draupadi, laughing.

Arjun threw the clothes of Brihannala on her face as a response, while he was in his usual clothes, sulking at the lost bet.

Flashback completed.