Devika was sitting on the bank of river Ganga admiring the view. Duryodhan wanted to visit Sindh and that's why they had to take a whole other route as he was hell bent on taking Kunti there for God knows why .

Since the day Krishna conversed with Devika, she is lost in her thoughts, she don't know about her own feelings, why do she even think about Karna? He saved her and she thanked him too then why is she still thinking about him? With these thoughts his face again appeared in front of her.

She picked a stone from side and threw it in water in anger. As she did so, the water started shining in blue coloured light. That looked magnificent. Devika, out of curiosity went a little near to touch the water.

" Don't go there!!" a voice startled her as she lost her balance and landed in water directly. Her feet stuck in the marsh nearby. She came out of water breathing heavily.

There stood the son of Surya Dev with his always stiff posture.

" You scared me!" she shouted in irritation.

" You will be more scared after knowing you have stepped in a marsh" he said in a tone devoit of any emotion. Devika's eyes almost poped out after knowing this. She tried to move her feet but of no use, she was drowning in more and more.

" What are you looking at? Save me." She shouted in panic.

" Why is it always me who saves you?" Karna said sitting on the stone on which Devika was sitting few minutes ago. His face still emotionless but a hint of mischief was there in his tone. As if he is enjoying this state of Devika.

" Are you even serious? Here I am drowning and you want to argue why you have to save me?" Devika was now both panicked and angry. But that didn't move Karna.

" If you are so irritated with me then I should leave" saying so he got up and left.

Devika stared at him wide eyed. Is he for real? At this moment , she was half immersed in water, her heart beating faster than ever. She closed her eyes praying to God when she found no one is there to save her.

" Hold it tightly" a stern voice made Devika open her eyes. A rope was thrown near her by none other than Karna. He stood there holding the other end of rope, all calm and composed. Devika didn't miss any other second as she grasped the rope tightly. Karna with a strong jerk pulled her out all at once. Devika landed on the ground drained of all energy.

She expected Karna to atleast forward his hand for her but no she was wrong, he was gone again. She stood up with difficulty, a burden on her heart, body trembling in cold.

Then her eyes fell on a shawl kept nearby. She picked it up, covered herself in it and left for her tent. Unaware that a person was watching her every move standing in the dark, the same person who left shawl for her - Karna.

" Pranipat Maharaj!! There's a letter from Kashi" a servant informed handing the letter to Vishwa who read it as fast as he could.

" Rajkumar Bheem has succeeded in protecting Kashi from the war " he announced smiling ear to ear. Every person present in the royal court sighted in relief. " Kashi raj has agreed to make alliance with Indrprast and has invited Maharaj Yudhisthir and Maharani to their Princess Valahandra's wedding with.... Rajkumar Dushasan " a wave of surprise spread over the sabha.

" Kashi raj has played well, he is aware of the fact that Indrprast is marching towards independence. In near future only Hastinapur and Indrprast will be fighting on front ground for power and he is securing alliance with both " Yudhisthir reasoned

" Does this mean we will no go?" Asked Nakul.

" We should Nakul!! We can experience the force of river only by jumping into it " said Aanyati. Yudhisthir thought for a bit before saying anything.

" Vishwa, Arjun! You will be handling the kingdom until we return " announced Yudhisthir" me and maharani will be blessing this new couple by ourselves " although Yudhisthir announced this but there was a feeling of sadness in his heart. They are getting invitation from Kashi but not from Hastinapur. Are they so far away from each other??

" You consider them as yours Dharmraj, they don't " said Aanyati turning Yudhishthir's attention toward the proceedings going on in court.

Vijaya was enjoying her time in Indrprast. She never imagined she will get so much love from these strangers whom she tried to rob. They treat even the servants like family. Vijaya was beyond surprised when she saw Aanyati talking to every maid every soldier by their name. She is sure, even the commander in chief don't have this much idea about his soldiers.

This place is much better then what she had seen before. The starting years of her life were worse than hell. But now she thinks that suffering was worth it.

Moti and Tara have become good friends with Vijaya. She is aware about the fact that Aanyati is keeping a keen eye on her given her previous deed. But she don't fear that. She would happily spend her whole life like this in Indrprast away from the chaos of Madr.

Lost in those thoughts, she was walking towards the kitchen at midnight to bring water for herself.

Suddenly she bumped into someone and lost her balance. She was all ready to hit the mother earth but she didn't. Two strong, rough hands snaked around her tiny bare waist. She opened her eyes slowly to meet her saviour's eyes.

Those brown orbs held mysteries deeper than the ocean. There was a surprise in them. Vijaya for the first time felt this curious to explore the depth of those vast oceans.

" Rajkumar!" She whispered making Sehdev come out of his trance. He helped Vijaya stand still and folded his hands behind his back.

" May I ask what you are doing here at this time?" Sehdev asked with clear motive of investigation. His gaze sharp like sword. He got to know from Arjun what all she did when they went to Shiv mandir. Beside she knows the most confidential information of Marda palace. She surely hides something.

" I came to take water from kitchen" Vijaya answered truly and with confidence. Sehdev nodded and let her go.

" Such confidence is rare in dasis" he whispered to himself staring at the leaving back of Vijaya.

Meanwhile in Hastinapur, an extremely angry Shakuni came jumping towards Duryodhan's chamber.

" Pranipat mama shri. Why are you awake till now? We have to leave tomorrow for Kashi " Duryodhan said walking to Shakuni.

" Mere bacche " Shakuni supressed his anger looking at his dumb bhanja. " Why did you adviced Kashi raj to invite that Aanyati to Dushasan's marriage?"

Duryodhan smirked in the most evil way possible" I want to show that cunning lady, how much smart we are from her. She thinks she and Yudhisthir will make Indrprast independent by gaining support. No. I will never let that happen "

Shakuni face palmed himself internally at the foolishness of Duryodhan" Bhanje! We should not invite lion to herd of goats. That Agnotri is smart enough to turn our own game. It will not take her more time to change that Kashi Kumari's mind given your Anuj's deeds " Shakuni gritted his teeth.

" She is elusive!! Who takes birth from fire? But I am no less mama shri. Kashiraj has given us his words, he can't back off now. This alliance is ours and ours only " said Duryodhan and stormed off his chamber.

" This whole family is full of idiots " Shakuni made a disgusted face" the place where they should make alliance, they don't and where there is no profit, they jump on " Shakuni too left the chamber.

Admist the dirty game of power which spread across whole of Aryavrat, there stood a girl with pure heart and pious motives.

Sitting in the balcony of her chamber, she gazed at the moonless night. Her long curly black hairs falling on her innocent face. Her beautiful crystal like eyes glistening with tears. Her heart heavy with pain. Why is she suffering like this ? Why can't she get what she wants?

Her gaze landed on the pratice ground where her love was practising with his mace. So determined, so innocent.

" Hey Shivji!! What wrong have I done to get this punishment? Why can't I have what I wish for? Why am I supposed to marry a man whom I never met, never saw. Just because my father gave his words out of joy. Why should I suffer for his deeds" a lone tear escaped her eyes. Her sister Bhanumati was not forced to marry anyone even when she is older. Then why she?? " Please give me what I want Shivji, please " she sobbed the whole night behind the doors of her chamber.

She is the unlucky princess of Kashi, Kashi Kanya Valandhra.





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