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Sakuni carried Aditya through the grand corridors. The palace was alive with the sounds of distant chatter and the rustling of servants' garments as they moved through the hallways. Aditya leaned against Sakuni's shoulder, his small hands clutching the folds of his mamasheee's robe, seeking comfort from his familiar presence.

They entered the family room, a spacious hall adorned with rich tapestries and intricate carvings. The royal family was gathered there, engaged in quiet discussions. The atmosphere was warm but subdued, with everyone sharing the underlying concern for Aditya's well-being. When they saw Sakuni enter with the young prince in his arms, their expressions shifted to a mix of relief and curiosity.

Gandhari, blindfolded but ever perceptive, immediately sensed her son's presence. "Aditya?" she said, reaching out with open arms.

Aditya slipped from Sakuni's grasp and ran to Gandhari, hugging her tightly. Her embrace was gentle yet firm, and she stroked his hair as she bent down to his level. "Are you okay, my son? What happened? Why did you call out for me?" she asked, her voice filled with maternal concern.

Other family members gathered around, their questions overlapping as they sought answers. Bhishma, the family's patriarch, leaned in with a furrowed brow. "Aditya, did someone try to harm you?" he asked, his voice both gentle and stern.

Dritharastra, his father, was quick to ask, "Putra, what happened? were you scared? You can tell us." His tone was gentle, but the underlying concern was clear.

Vidur and the others also expressed their concern, their questions reflecting their care for the young prince.

Aditya felt overwhelmed by the barrage of questions. He wanted to tell them about what he saw, the pain he saw his mother endure, but when he tried to speak, it was as if something prevented him from saying the words. His throat tightened, and the memory of the vision seemed to blur the lines between reality and the surreal.

He looked up at his Pitamah, Bhishma, hoping he could find the words to explain what he saw, but nothing came out. He then turned to Pandu, his Chote Pitashree, and tried to speak, but again, no words formed. Finally, he looked at Gandhari, his mother, who was waiting patiently for him to speak. He tried once more, but his voice faltered, as if an invisible force held him back from revealing what he had witnessed.

Frustration washed over him, and he felt tears welling up in his eyes again. He clung to Gandhari, burying his face in her robes, his young mind struggling with the intense emotions swirling within him. His confusion was evident, but he felt powerless to explain it.

Sakuni, observing Aditya's distress, stepped in to address the family's concerns. "We shouldn't press him for answers if he doesn't want to talk about it," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "He's been through a lot, and pushing him will only make things worse. Let's give him time to process whatever happened."

The family nodded in agreement, understanding that forcing Aditya to speak might only cause more stress. Gandhari held her son close, her touch calming him, even as she felt his reluctance to discuss what he'd experienced.

Eventually, Aditya managed to find his voice, though it was soft and hesitant. "I don't want to talk about it," he said, his tone conveying the weight of his inner conflict. "It's nothing. I'm okay." His words were brief, but the underlying message was clear-he wasn't ready to share the details.

Gandhari offered a gentle smile, nodding in understanding. "That's alright, my dear. You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready," she said, holding him close.

After Aditya said he didn't want to talk about what happened, the family fell silent, respecting his need for space. Sakuni, sensing the heavy mood, was about to say something to lighten the atmosphere when Pandu called Aditya over with a playful grin.

"Aditya, come here," he said, motioning with his hand. Aditya's eyes brightened at the familiar voice of his Chote Pitashree, his favorite playmate and co-conspirator. He quickly walked over, a faint smile beginning to form on his lips.

Pandu knelt down to Aditya's level and leaned in close, whispering in his ear. "Do you want to play a prank on Vidur tomorrow?" he asked, his voice filled with mischief. The suggestion instantly lifted Aditya's spirits, and he nodded enthusiastically, his earlier worry fading away.

The two of them began whispering to each other, plotting and scheming. Pandu asked, "What kind of prank should we do? Any ideas?" Aditya put on a thoughtful expression, pretending to think hard. "I have to come up with something good," he said in a conspiratorial tone.

Pandu pretended to think about it. "Hmm, we could surprise him when he least expects it," he replied, his whispering barely audible.

Aditya nodded, leaning in closer. "Or we could do something during the family dinner," he whispered back. "Everyone would be there."

Pandu's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That's a great idea," he said, intrigued by the possibilities. "What did you have in mind?"

Aditya's face brightened, as if a sudden burst of inspiration had struck him. "I know!!! I can do something in the kitchen, but I'll need some help from the cooks," he said, his voice hushed but filled with excitement.

Pandu grinned, loving how quickly Aditya's mood had shifted. "If you need help from the servants, you can always say it's from me," he suggested. "They'd listen to you if you use my name."

Aditya's eyes widened at the idea. "Really? I can do that?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

"Of course," Pandu replied with a wink. "Just don't get me into too much trouble, okay?"

Aditya nodded eagerly. The idea of planning a prank with Pandu was enough to bring back the joy in his heart.

Everyone else in the room couldn't help but smile at the sight of the two whispering together. Gandhari, even with her blindfold, could sense the change in her son's mood, and she relaxed a little, knowing Pandu could always bring a smile to Aditya's face. Dritharastra and the others exchanged knowing glances, amused by the sight of Pandu and Aditya deep in their prank-planning session.

Bhishma, noticing their hushed conversation, raised an eyebrow. "What's going on over there? What are you two whispering about?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Pandu and Aditya exchanged a quick look before both of them put a finger to their lips and said in unison, "It's a secret!" They both burst into laughter, and the rest of the family couldn't help but join in.

The moment was a welcome break from the earlier tension, and it helped everyone relax. Pandu and Aditya's playful dynamic brought a sense of lightheartedness to the room, and the entire family felt a renewed sense of warmth and unity.

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The next day, the palace was bustling with activity, with servants and cooks going about their daily routines. Amidst the commotion, a small figure stood out-a boy in prince attire, his posture confident, with his hands on his hips. It was none other than Aditya, the young prince, who commanded the respect of everyone in the palace despite his tender age.

Before calling the kitchen staff to gather, Aditya had quietly given instructions to two guards, assigning them a task. "Guard the kitchen entrance," he told them with a serious expression. "If anyone comes, you must tell me immediately." The guards, accustomed to following orders from the royal family, nodded in agreement and took their positions, standing on either side of the kitchen doors.

In front of him, all the servants and cooks responsible for the kitchen were lined up, waiting for his instructions. Aditya's face was serious, but his eyes twinkled with mischief as he surveyed the group. Even at three years old, he had a presence that made people listen.

"Alright," Aditya said in his best imitation of a commanding tone. "I need you all to prepare the favorite sweet dishes for everyone today," Aditya announced, doing his best to sound commanding. "Everyone's favorites. Make sure they're perfect."

The head cook nodded dutifully, recognizing the gravity of the prince's request. "Yes, Rajkumar. We'll prepare them," he replied, his colleagues murmuring in agreement.

But Aditya wasn't done. A sly smile spread across his face as he said, "Wait, there's more." he said, leaning in slightly as if sharing a secret. "I need you to make a few of those sweet dishes a little different." His tone was light, but there was a hint of something else-something that made the cooks exchange curious glances.

One of the kitchen staff, cautious about what the young prince might be suggesting, hesitated to respond. "Different, Rajkumar? How different?" he asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Aditya's grin grew wider, though his tone remained calm. "Just a small change," he said with a casual wave of his hand. "Instead of sweet, make a few of them bitter." The words were spoken with such ease that the staff almost didn't register their impact.

The head cook frowned slightly, worried about the potential consequences. "But, Rajkumar, if the dishes are bitter, we might get in trouble. We could be scolded... or worse." he said, concern evident in his voice.

Aditya waved off the concern with a dismissive hand. "Don't worry. While I'm here, no one will say anything to you. And besides," he added with a touch of smugness, "this isn't my idea. It's Chote Pitashree's order. If you don't do it, you'll have to answer to him for disobeying his orders. I can't save you if that happens."

The servants and cooks exchanged nervous glances. Pandu's name carried weight, and the thought of facing his wrath was enough to convince them to go along with Aditya's plan. The head cook nodded. "Yes, Rajkumar. We'll do as you say," he replied, the others following suit.

Aditya nodded, satisfied. "Good. But make sure only a few of them are bitter, okay? We don't want to waste food." He gave them a mischievous smile.

The cooks set to work, preparing the plates of sweets for the royal family. They carefully arranged each plate with a variety of treats, placing the special bitter sweets in a separate section to avoid any confusion. By the time they were done, the plates looked perfect.

Aditya watched with a smile, pleased with the results. He'd used Pandu's name to ensure the staff followed through with his instructions, but he knew his Chote Pitashree would understand. Now, all he had to do was wait for the perfect moment to unveil the surprise.

After the kitchen staff finished preparing the plates of sweets, Aditya stood back to admire their work. Everything looked perfect, with an assortment of treats arranged on large serving trays. Only he knew that a separate plate held the specially prepared bitter sweets, carefully set aside for his prank.

Aditya stepped outside the kitchen, where the two guards he had posted earlier stood at attention. "Do you know where everyone is?" he asked them, referring to the royal family.

The guards exchanged a glance before shaking their heads. "No, Rajkumar," one of them replied, his voice respectful. "But I can find out."

Aditya nodded, signaling for them to proceed. The guard quickly left, asking around to find the location of the royal family. It didn't take long for him to return with the information. "Rajkumar, everyone is in the Raj Sabha," he said.

"Thank you," Aditya replied, then headed back into the kitchen. He spotted two of the staff and motioned for them to come over. "I need you to take this plate," he said, pointing to the one with the bitter sweets, "and bring it to the Raj Sabha."

The staff looked at the plate and then back at Aditya. One of them hesitated. "Rajkumar, this plate is different from the others," he said, not wanting to point out the obvious but feeling compelled to raise the concern.

Aditya waved off the hesitation with a casual gesture. "It's fine," he said with a confident tone. "Chote Pitashree ordered you to bring these to the Raj Sabha. And make sure you tell them that Chote Pitashree specially made you cook these for everyone." His voice was clear and carried the authority of his uncle's name.

The staff exchanged a quick glance before nodding. "Yes, Rajkumar," they replied in unison. They understood the importance of following the prince's orders and knew that using Pandu's name would avoid any issues. They carefully picked up the plate and left the kitchen, heading toward the Raj Sabha to deliver the special order.

Aditya watched them leave with a satisfied grin. Everything was going according to plan. The servants carried the plates with precision, knowing they were carrying out a command from the royal family. The young prince had orchestrated his prank perfectly, and the stage was set for a surprising reveal in the Raj Sabha. All he had to do now was wait for the reaction.

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In the Raj Sabha, the royal court was filled with advisors, ministers, and royal family members, each seated according to their rank and status. At the center of the grand hall, the throne remained empty, a stark reminder that Dritharastra's coronation had been delayed due to the incident involving Aditya the previous day. The richly decorated room, with its intricate tapestries and grand chandeliers, felt somber, as if the entire palace held its breath in anticipation.

The delay had caused concern among the elders and advisors, and many believed it was not auspicious to postpone such a significant event. Everyone was eager to see Dritharastra officially crowned as king, but they understood the need for caution. Bhishma, the patriarch, stood to address the court, his voice steady and authoritative.

"It is unfortunate that we had to postpone the coronation," he said, looking across the hall at the gathered assembly. "But given the circumstances, it was necessary."

Dritharastra, seated among the other royals, listened intently to Bhishma's words. He understood the importance of the coronation, not just for himself but for the stability of the kingdom. Yet, he sensed the tension in the air.

Vidur, the wise advisor, sat nearby, his expression pensive as he considered his next move. Should he voice his concerns about Dritharastra's ability to lead, or should he remain silent? Pandu had asked him not to say anything, emphasizing the bond of brotherhood. Vidur respected that, but his loyalty to the kingdom's well-being made him question whether he should speak out.

Pandu, sitting beside Dritharastra, glanced at Vidur, hoping he wouldn't raise objections. He knew his brother's strengths and weaknesses, and he wanted to serve Dritharastra as a loyal sibling. Though being king might be appealing to others, Pandu had always admired his elder brother and believed in his right to rule. Despite his blindness, Dritharastra had worked tirelessly to prove himself, and Pandu admired his resilience.

Sakuni, observing the mood in the Raj Sabha, noted the deep contemplation on Vidur's and Pandu's faces. Sakuni himself had his own reasons for wanting Dritharastra on the throne, thinking about his nephew, Aditya, and the future.

If anyone spoke against Dritharastra's coronation, it could create instability and lead to a split within the royal family. Sakuni needed to ensure the coronation proceeded smoothly, knowing that a blind king would face challenges, but those challenges could be managed with careful planning and strong advisors. He considered his role in supporting Dritharastra's claim to the throne, thinking about ways to counter any objections and solidify Dritharastra's position.

Each member of the royal family had their own reasons for supporting or opposing Dritharastra's ascension to the throne, and they knew that any disruption could have lasting consequences. It was clear that the path to the throne would not be without its obstacles, and the inner thoughts of each person reflected the delicate balance of loyalty and ambition.

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Aditya stood at the entrance to the Raj Sabha, watching the activity inside with a mischievous grin. He had just given the kitchen staff their final instructions. They carried two plates: one with the bitter sweets and the other small one with the regular ones. The regular sweets were meant for Gandhari, while the bitter ones were for the rest of the court.

Before they left, Aditya handed the smaller plate with the normal sweets to one of the staff. "Make sure you give this one to my Mata, Gandhari," he said, emphasizing the instructions. "Do not give her the other one, only this one. Do you understand?" The staff nodded. "Yes, Rajkumar," they replied in unison.

They carefully balanced the plates and headed toward the Raj Sabha.As they entered the Raj Sabha, the assembled court turned their attention to the staff carrying the plates. The discussions about the coronation paused as everyone looked to see what was being brought into the hall. The head cook led the way, while the others followed, carefully holding the plates to ensure nothing spilled.

The staff knew their roles well, approaching the side where Gandhari and the other ladies were seated. The one carrying the smaller plate leaned in and whispered to Gandhari, "This is from Rajkumar Aditya," then handed her the plate. Gandhari nodded, her blindfolded eyes focusing on the sound of the voice.

After that, the other staff approached the center of the Raj Sabha, where Bhishma, Pandu, Dritharastra, Vidur, and the rest of the court were seated. The head cook cleared his throat to get their attention. "Rajkumar Pandu ordered us to bring these sweets to the Raj Sabha," he said in a clear voice. "He had them specially prepared for everyone."

Pandu, who had been deep in thought, heard his name and snapped to attention, his eyes widening in shock. "What?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion. "When did I-?" His words stumbled as he tried to process what was happening. It didn't make sense-he'd never ordered the sweets, and he certainly hadn't mentioned anything about them being "specially prepared." It took him a moment to realize what was unfolding.

The head cook continued to distribute the sweets, oblivious to Pandu's confusion. Other court members leaned forward, curious to see what Pandu was going to say next, expecting a formal explanation. Pandu stood, raising his hands as if to stop the distribution, but the staff continued, seemingly unaware of his confusion.

Pandu's mind raced as he pieced together the situation. He remembered his earlier conversation with Aditya about pranking Vidur, and the realization hit him like a wave. Pandu tried to stop them, shouting, "Nooo!!!! Don't eat!!!!" But it was too late-the damage had been done. Several members of the court had already taken a bite of the bitter sweets.

The reaction to the sweets was swift and dramatic. As the court members took their first bite, the expressions on their faces changed almost instantly. Eyes widened in shock, some started coughing, and a few made faces of sheer disgust. The bitterness was unexpected, and it spread through the room like a wave, catching everyone off guard.

Dritharastra, seated among the other royals, frowned deeply, his sense of taste alerting him to the sudden change in the expected flavor. Vidur, who was already suspicious, spat out his mouthful, his eyes narrowing as he glanced around, trying to understand what had just happened. Even Bhishma, who was usually calm and composed, grimaced at the unpleasantness.

Pandu, who had been caught off guard by the announcement that "Rajkumar Pandu" ordered the sweets, felt a chill run down his spine. He sensed someone glaring at him and looked around, meeting Bhishma's intense gaze. Bhishma's glare was sharp, as if saying, "What is this?" and "This is your fault." Pandu gulped, his throat suddenly dry.

"Tatshree, I didn't do anything," Pandu said, his voice laced with nervousness. He knew he needed to explain quickly before things got out of hand. "I just talked to Aditya about playing a prank on Vidur. It was supposed to be only on Vidur, I don't know about this!" He gestured toward the room, hoping Bhishma would understand.

Vidur, who was rubbing his mouth with his sleeve, looked at Pandu with disbelief. "Bhrata, why me again?" he asked, clearly annoyed. It was as if he was the DEFAULT TARGET for all their pranks.

Pandu shrugged, trying to play it off as if it wasn't a big deal. "Anuj, you're an easy target. That's why," he replied, his voice almost casual.

Vidur frowned, his irritation growing. "Why am I always the easy target? Just because I don't retaliate, you think you can prank me all the time?" he said, crossing his arms.

Pandu smirked, not taking Vidur's complaint seriously. "Well, you know, you're just so-" He was about to say something witty when Bhishma's voice thundered through the hall, interrupting their bickering.

"Enough!" Bhishma shouted, his voice carrying authority and annoyance. The entire court fell silent, startled by the sudden outburst. Even the servants stopped in their tracks, unsure of what to do next.

Bhishma stormed toward Pandu, who was still standing in shock, and grabbed him by the ear like a misbehaving child. Pandu winced, letting out a low groan. "Tatshree," he said, trying to wriggle free. "I didn't-"

But Bhishma cut him off, his grip firm. "So this is your 'secret'?" he said, referring to the earlier whispering between Pandu and Aditya. "You were planning this in the Sabha? Disrupting court with your pranks?"

Pandu tried to explain, wincing as Bhishma's grip tightened. "No, no, Tatshree. It was supposed to be during the family dinner, just on Vidur. Not on everyone in the Sabha!" His tone was desperate, hoping to avoid further punishment.

Bhishma released his ear but didn't soften his glare. He looked at the staff and ordered them to gather all the plates of bitter sweets and place them in front of Pandu. The staff quickly obeyed, collecting the trays and arranging them on a small table directly in front of him.Pandu's eyes widened as he saw the growing pile of bitter sweets.

"You're responsible for this chaos, Pandu. If you want to play pranks, you have to face the consequences. You have to finish all the sweets," Bhishma said, nodding toward the tray filled with bitter treats. His voice was stern and left no room for argument.

Pandu backed away, raising his hands defensively. "Tatshree, I-I don't think I can eat all of that," he said, his eyes darting around the court, hoping for a way out. "I already ate, I'm quite full."

Bhishma's expression didn't soften. "Should I bring the cane?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, his voice carrying a hint of warning.

Pandu's eyes widened, and he shook his head quickly. "No, no, that's not necessary," he replied, his hands in a gesture of surrender. He hesitated and stepped forward and picked up one of the sweets from the tray. As he took a bite, the intense bitterness hit him, causing his face to contort in disgust. He coughed and squinted his eyes, trying to swallow the unpleasant taste. He glanced around, desperate for help, but everyone else was too busy laughing or soothing their burning mouths.

Aditya stood at the entrance to the Raj Sabha, watching the unfolding chaos with a mischievous grin. He was quite enjoying the scene he had orchestrated, particularly the sight of his Chote Pitashree becoming what some might call "Bali ka Bhakra"-a sacrificial lamb.

As Pandu, defeated and unable to avoid the punishment from Bhishma, started eating the bitter sweets, Aditya laughed loudly, his laughter echoing through the room. It was the infectious laugh of a child, filled with joy and delight at seeing his prank play out as intended.

Everyone in the Raj Sabha turned toward the sound of Aditya's laughter. They saw him standing at the entrance, his hand covering his mouth as he laughed, unable to contain his glee. Despite the discomfort from the bitter sweets, the sight of the young prince laughing brought smiles to everyone present.

Pandu, though he was tasked with eating all the bitter sweets, couldn't help but smile genuinely at Aditya's laughter. In his mind, he thought that if his nephew's happiness meant enduring a few unpleasant bites, then it was worth it. He loved Aditya like his own son, and he knew he could face any punishment if it brought a smile to his nephew's face.

Bhishma, noticing that Pandu had stopped eating, gave him a stern look. "You have to finish all of them," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Pandu looked down at the tray of bitter sweets, then back at Aditya. He sighed and picked up another sweet, preparing himself for the bitterness. But just as he was about to take a bite, Gandhari, who had been listening from her seat, came forward. She carried the plate that was given to her earlier, filled with normal sweets.

"Pandu, you don't have to eat those," she said softly, offering him the plate. "Eat these instead. They're normal ones." Her voice was gentle, and her blindfolded eyes seemed to sense the turmoil in the room.

Pandu took the plate, grateful for her intervention. He set down the tray of bitter sweets and took a bite from the plate Gandhari offered. The sweetness was a welcome relief after the bitterness. "Thank you, Bhabhi shree," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.

Sakuni, watching the scene unfold, commented with a chuckle, "Aditya did a prank on everyone but his mother. He loves his mother so much that he made sure she wasn't part of the prank." His words hinted at the bond between Aditya and Gandhari, the love a son had for his mother.

Sakuni's comment brought smiles to everyone in the Raj Sabha. It was a touching reminder that for Aditya, his mother Gandhari was the most important person in his life, more than any prank or joke. The warmth of the moment helped to ease the earlier tension and showed the court the special bond between mother and son.

Meanwhile, Pandu, who had just escaped the ordeal of eating the bitter sweets, turned his attention to Aditya, who was still watching from the entrance, laughing at the chaos he'd caused. Pandu's expression shifted to one of mock anger, his brows furrowing and lips pursing, as he stalked toward his nephew.

"Aditya!" he called out in a low, playful growl. "You know you're in big trouble, right?" His voice had a playful edge, but there was enough feigned seriousness to send a message that the prankster might not get away scot-free.

Aditya, seeing Pandu coming toward him with that expression, felt his laughter falter for a moment. "Oh no..." he said, realizing he might need to make a quick escape. He took a step back, his eyes darting around for an escape route, already preparing to run from his Chote Pitashree. His mischievous grin returned as he began to back away, knowing that he could turn this into another game of chase.

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To be continued....

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Precap:

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A boy dressed in prince attire dashed into another boy his age. "Who are you?...." he asked, curious yet cautious.

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So first karna tried to tell about his vision to sakuni but could not and now when he tried to tell others still he could not say anything about his vision to anyone 🤔 I wonder why???🤔

I know my updates are sometimes slow, but I'll try to update regularly when I can. --- Are the chapters worth the wait?

Should I skip directly to the coronation or Pandu's marriage, or is the story pace good as it is? Would you like to get to the main plot faster, or is the current pace enjoyable?

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