The court in Matsya Desh was in session when a soldier announced that Dwarkadeesh Shri Krishna would be arriving in the court within an hour. This caused immense shock and amazement. Matsya Desh was a small kingdom, almost insignificant compared to Indraprastha, Dwarka, Mathura, Kashi, Panchal, and Hastinapur. Its people, though, were very down-to-earth, having no contempt for anyone and living by the principle of 'Let others and yourself live.'

Everyone had heard tales of the Royals of Dwarka, of Krishna, of Balrama, and of Dwarka's princesses Mayuri and Subhadra. They heard of how Dwarka had a very strong connection to both Panchal and Indraprastha, as Princess Advika was also the Samragyi, being married to Samrat Karna, while Princess Subhadra was the Maharani of Panchal, being married to Dhristadyumna. Samrat Karna's brothers were also married to the princesses of Panchal, making this trio of kingdoms a tight-knit one.

The people of Matsya Desh had never seen them, while King Virata had seen the family of Indraprastha and Shri Krishna during the Rajsuya Yagna completion and the coronation, only once. To hear that such a revered person was coming to his kingdom was a bit jarring for King Virata. He immediately went to inform his queen.

"Maharani, start preparations as fast as possible. Shri Krishna, Dwarkadeesh himself, is arriving in our palace in an hour," said Virata upon entering, where his wife and children were.

"WHAT?" yelled all three of them.

"Maharaja, are you sure? Why haven't you told me before? Oh no! Uttara, come, we have much to do!" rambled Sudeshna.

"Maa! Maa! Calm down! Pitashree, do you know why such a holy and influential person is visiting our kingdom? I mean, you haven't invited him and forgotten to inform us about it, have you?" asked Uttara, being a bit suspicious. Sudeshna glared at her husband, daring him to say 'yes' to what Uttara was saying. Maharaja Virata nodded negatively with a bewildered look.

"I haven't invited him or anyone for that matter! I don't know why he is coming here, but we shouldn't let a guest be ignored, should we?" clarified Virata.

"Who is ignoring a guest? Come, Uttara! We have much work to do! God knows where Sairandhri is when you need her!" muttered Sudeshna before hurrying off, with Uttara running after her.

"Now that I think about it, I haven't seen Brihannala anywhere either!" commented Uttar as he came to stand beside his father.

"Hmm, I believe Kanak was absent in the court too, which was weird, as the man was always present, never taking leave," thought Virata, with a furrow on his temple, as he absentmindedly nodded at his son.



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Alta painted fingers twinged the jhumkas, and painted lips formed a gorgeous smile. The mirror reflected a handsome man smiling back, love clear in his eyes. His kundals glinted in the light, making his face radiant.

"Bhabhishree?" called another female, a soft smile on her face, eyes sparkling with happiness.

"Come in, Vritika," said Advika with a smile, while Karna gave a soft smile at his sister-in-law.

"I hope I did not disturb!" said Vritika, a bit mischievously.

"If we were doing something, I would have closed the doors with a 'don't disturb' sign," said Karna, rolling his eyes at the question. Advika gaped at the reply, while Vritika giggled.

"Don't listen to him. He is getting bold and shameless in his old age," said Advika, focusing on wearing the bangles. Vritika giggled a bit more but nodded. Karna snorted at the response, "You have been calling me old for years, my dear! Pray tell how old am I exactly?"

Advika ignored him completely, looking at Vritika, who had a fond smile on her lips, enjoying her jyesht and bhabhishree's little banter.

"Well, at least, Jyesht knows what he wants. Your dear brother is a confused soul at best and unromantic at worst," said Vritika with a fake annoyed sigh. Advika passed her an amused look, while Karna snorted as he put on his crown.

"Yes, I am always at fault, no? From where did the children come from? The sky?" commented Sahadev as he entered too.

"Obviously!" muttered Vritika, huffing a bit. Advika was enjoying the banter between her family again. Sahadev rolled his eyes at his wife.

"Alright! Where are the others, anuj?" asked Karna, turning towards the dressed-up Sahadev, back in the royal regalia of a prince and the brother of the emperor.

"In the hall, waiting for you!" answered Sahadev immediately.

"Then let us proceed there, little brother. Come, sister," said Advika, as the four went out of the room. Advika's eyes filled with her entire family in their royal regalia after 13 years. Yuddhisthir and Devanshi stepped forward to take their blessings.

"Bhabhishree?" called out Devanshi, worried as Advika did not bless them.

Advika smiled a happy smile, taking a dot of kajal and placing it on both Yuddhisthir and Devanshi, "Kisi ki nazar na lage." (Let no bad eye fall on you!)

All of them smiled as she blessed them. Advika did this to all of them, her smile happy, eyes sparkling with determination.

"Bhabhishree, you haven't told us what your plan is to avoid the war," commented Nakul, his lips in a slight pout.

"Let me speak with Kanha, once. Then I will inform all of you. Then the decision will be all of yours," answered Advika.

"We can never disobey you or Jyesht. Whatever you two decide regarding this matter, we will follow," said Bheem, getting nods from everyone, making Karna and Advika smile.

"Yes, Jyesht, Bhabhishree. Neither of us will leave for Dwarka until the entire chapter of Duryodhan and his Mamashree is over!" said Vandita, with a smile.

Advika nodded.

"Then we should go to the palace; Keshav must have already arrived by now," answered Karna, with a gentle smile at his treasured family.

"I promise, there will be no war. I won't let it happen. This is the promise of Prithvi Kumari Avni. No one will die for this ridiculous rivalry and for a throne," thought Advika, her eyes sparkling with an inner fire and a promise set in her bones.

Lord Shiva and Devi Gauri smiled from above as they watched, a glint of pride in their eyes.



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Krishna walked into the court of Matsya Desh with the ease of a divine being.

"I am pleasantly surprised, my lord. We hadn't thought you would visit us here," expressed Virata, with joined hands.

Krishna replied with joined hands as well, "Well, Maharaja, I haven't got an invitation either, but this time I got a chance and reason to visit your kingdom. I am rather happy."

Sudeshna, Uttara, and Uttar, all three of them, were standing beside Maharaja Virata.

"Please, take your seat," gestured Virata.

Krishna nodded, and everyone took their seat as well.

"I believe everyone is a bit curious about my sudden visit, without any prior notice?" asked Krishna, with a mischievous gaze.

"Yes, Dwarkadeesh. We are rather curious," answered Virata, with a smile.

Krishna smiled, his eyes sparkling.

"I am here to take back my sister and her family," answered Krishna, speaking cryptically.

"Sister?" repeated Maharani Sudeshna, a bit shocked.

"Indeed!" said a melodious voice, sounding like bells. Every eye turned towards six couples standing there. The one who spoke was Advika.

Every single eye widened.

"The blacksmith was the Samrat?" he uttered in shock.

"Yes, Maharaja. I was," answered Karna, with a smile.

Krishna got up with a smile, as he bent to take blessings, only to be pulled into a hug by all of them. Arjun clung to his best friend a bit more before letting him go.

"Mayuri!" said Krishna softly. Advika leaned in to hug him tightly as well, with a soft whispered 'Kanha'.

"Your children are devils," said Krishna, complaining.

Advika laughed, a few tears slipping from her eyes.

"They learned from the best," she threw back.

"That I am! Wait, are you calling me a devil?" asked Krishna, with a mock sad look.

"Yes," said Advika, with a straight look, before both laughed. Krishna side hugged her again.

Everyone admired the sibling bond between them, the people of Matsya Desh still amazed that the royals of Indraprastha had chosen their kingdom to finish their last year of vanvaas.

"Thank you, Maharaja, for allowing us shelter in your Kingdom. We cannot thank you enough," said Karna, with folded hands.

"No, no, please, Samrat, don't shame me any more. I am very blessed that you all have chosen my Kingdom to stay hidden. Samrat, Yuvraja Yuddhisthir, please forgive me if I have ever said something to offend you," said Virata, a humble yet pleased smile on his face.

"No Maharaja. Nothing you say would offend us," said Yuddhisthir, with a gentle smile. Karna simply nodded.

"Please forgive me as well, Rajkumari!" said Sudeshna, as she stood in front of Draupadi.

Draupadi clasped her joined hands and spoke, "No, Maharani. It is absolutely fine. But I must confess, that Bhrata Bheem was the one who had killed your brother, Keechak."

Sudeshna's eyes widened, "No, my lady, I am relieved at what Rajkumar Bheem had done. Yuvrani, I ask for your forgiveness too, if I had behaved with you rudely."

"No, Maharani. All's forgiven and forgotten. Be at peace," said Devanshi, with a small smile.

"What is the matter Uttara? I haven't seen you this quiet in ages," said Arjun, hoping his dearest and only student did not hate him or something.

"Were you my Guru, Brihannala?" asked Uttara, in a soft voice.

Arjun nodded, when Uttara spoke innocently, "Can I call you Gurudev then?"

Arjun's face broke into a smile, as he nodded.

"Will you teach me still?" asked Uttara, again. Her confidence back at the smile in her Gurudev's face.

"Of course. If your parents allow!" said Arjun, amending in the end.

"We have no problem, Rajkumar. She is your student, in the end," said Virata, with a smile, happy for his daughter.

Uttara beamed, while Arjun also smiled back happy.

"Well, we should take your leave then, Maharaja!" said Krishna, with folded hands.

"No, please, my lords and ladies, I would love it if you will stay here for a few days more and have food with us," requested Virata, with a hopeful look. Sudeshna and Uttara also looked a bit hopeful. Uttar was at awe at the powerful warrior males in front of him, so he was hoping they would stay back as well.

Karna exchanged a look with his brothers, while Advika looked at her sisters, who also looked a bit hopeful with Kanha simply smiling. Karna saw Advika's slight nod before speaking, "Very well Maharaja. We do have certain works to complete, I hope you will understand."

Virata simply nodded, happy they would stay back.

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"Kanha!" called Advika as she entered the chamber where he was staying.

"Here, Mayuri," answered Krishna as he turned back from where he was leaning on the windowsill.

"What are you doing there?" asked Advika as she neared.

"The gardens are rather beautiful. Every flower bloomed so beautifully, as if ready for a new beginning," commented Krishna, glancing at the garden visible from his window.

"For a new beginning, the previous chapter must be closed," said Advika, as cryptic as her brother.

"Indeed. What have you planned?" asked Krishna, with a knowing smile.

"You already have an idea," she stated, with a knowing glint.

"Indeed. But I would like to hear it from you nonetheless," said Krishna.

Advika's painted lips curled lazily into a smile. "I was thinking of using the boon that I haven't asked from Dhritarashtra," she stated with a hard glint.

"Hmm... shouldn't be so hard. If he had even a bit of pride, he will have to agree," answered Krishna.

"Of course. I am sure Pitamaha will get him to agree. He is cornered in the end," said Advika, with a small smirk.

"What about Duryodhan and Devi Gandhari? One may not agree, while a mother can never see her sons dead," stated Krishna, with a small smile.

Advika snorted, "Don't behave like an idiot. You know very well there would be no bloodshed, not this time. And about Duryodhan, strike where the iron is always hot, no?"

Krishna chuckled, "Indeed. Whoever thought you can't play politics hasn't ever met you!"

Advika's lips curled into a smirk, her eyes expressing her mirth.

"I learned from the best. Fools will remain fools, no matter what."

Both siblings smiled as they felt the wheels of Fate rearrange themselves.