" Nakul, what are you doing here?" asked Yom to his Anuj who came out of nowhere with his sword.

" I am appointed as a dwarpal in the royal court jyest. I just came here to inform you. " saying that he took his jyest's blessings and went away.

Soon a maid entered inside Aanyati's chamber. And after that Aanyati came out with her sakhi to go somewhere. Yudhishthir as usual followed her to wherever she was going.

She entered inside the royal court and so was supposed to be done by Yudhisthir but someone pulled him beside.

" Don't go there jyest, pita ma and tat shri are present there" informed Nakul to his brother.

Both the brothers stood outside listening to what's going inside.

" Pranipat pita shri, you called me?" asked Aanyati to her father who seemed a bit tensed.

" Come here putri, meet the king of Hastinapur, Maharaj Dhritarashtr and Gangaputr Maha Mahim Bhism" said Drupad gesturing toward the two person present there along with Satyajeet.

" Pranipat Maharaj, pranipat maha mahim" Aanyati joined her hands wishing them and stood there to encounter her faith.

" Putri" Dhritarashtr came forward toward her " I hope you know about Rajkumar Duryodhan "

Aanyati had no idea who this man was. She observed her surrounding. Gangaputr seemed more confused than Aanyati.

" I apologise Maharaj but I don't have any idea " Aanyati said sincerely

Dhritarashtr let out a chuckle " you will know soon putri. He is the mighty Yuvraj of Hastinapur and I his father has come to your door with his marriage proposal" his eyes enlarged while his face glowed with happiness.

Aanyati on the other hand was shocked and confused. Next few minutes passed in silence. No one said anything. Drupad was tensed, Ganga putr seemed furious.

" It's an honour to recieve a marriage proposal from Hastinapur Maharaj but can I ask where your son is?" said Aanyati in her soothing voice

Dhritarashtr smiled " he is in Gurukul purti. He will return soon and the first thing we will do after that is your marriage"

Now Aanyati was a bit furious. When the hell she said yes to this marriage.

" I apologise again Maharaj but I didn't say yes for the marriage " Dhritarashtr's smile vanished, Drupad became a bit relaxed and Gangaputr....he was still furious. " Indeed this is a great proposal but I can't marry any man whom I don't even know. Even you haven't met him for a long time Maharaj "

" What's the problem in that Durpadkanya? , My son is the best and I know that, there's no need to meet him for this, beside Hastinapur is a wealthy kingdom. You will not lack anything there " he said with a bit seriousness.

" A girl don't marry the kingdom Maharaj, she marries the king and for me, the only thing that matters is love and understanding which can't be developed in a day " said Aanyati

" What are you talking about Drupad Nandini, this is how marriage happens in the whole Aryavrat. No girl meets or know her husband before marriage but still the marriage grows " argued Dhritarashtr. His anger covering his senses.

" I humbly apologize for my behaviour Maharaj but Gandhar Kumari too married like this and now we all know what happened next " said Aanyati in the best and humblest way possible but still angered Dhritarashtr. Gasps could be heard through the sabha.

" You brainless woman, do you have any idea what are you saying. You have lost all your senses . How can you disrespect Hastinapur like this? How can you even reject Hastinapur " shouted Dhritarashtr in vivid anger .

Aanyati tried her best to control her anger and continued" every woman in Aryavrat have the right to choose her husband Hastinapur naresh and I am just presenting my choice, you have no rights to disrespect Panchal or anyone like this " her anger was slowly over powering her as her voice itself became fire.

Dhritarashtr turned toward his back and shouted" Mark tomorrow's day Panchal raj, tomorrow Hastinapur will be present at your door with it's army. And it's my promise, you will beg for forgiveness " his warning was cut off by Aanyati. The calmness which once glowed on her skin was replaced by rage. Her eyes throwing fire. Anyone who saw her was scared to no end

She still tried her best to respect him.

" If I have done something wrong, I am ready to pay for it but if I am not wrong then this student of Bhagwan Parshuram will not think twice before raising her sword" her voice was deep and serious. Her gaze straight and hands joined.

Dhritarashtr left the sabha in anger. Aanyati too calmed down a bit. Maha mahim who stood there throughout the incident with anger dripping from his face finally came forward.

He walked to Aanyati and said in his stern voice "not as duryodhan's wife but you will surely become the kul vadhu of Hastinapur" with those words he left.

Aanyati was confused what he meant but she washed off her thoughts.

" Putri" came Drupad.

" I am sorry pita shri if I said anything wrong" she melted in his embarace.

" My Agnotri can never be wrong putri, never" he hugged Aanyati.

Meanwhile,

" Jyest what all just happened?" asked a shocked Nakul to his jyest.

" It was decided by destiny Nakul, no one can do anything" answered Yom with a bit seriousness but calmness

" Jyest, what will happen if tat Shri came with army tomorrow?" asked Nakul

" That will not happen Nakul, pita ma will never let anything like this happen. Didn't you see his reaction" assured Yudhisthir.

" Even I am sure that tat shri will get good scolding for this. How can he declare Duryodhan as Yuvraj. That's your place only jyest " said Nakul smiling. Yudhishthir did not reply

His heart had a rollercoaster just seconds before so he did no further conversation.

He was happy seeing his pita ma and tat shri after such long time but the thought of them recognising him was there too.

His heart twisted in pain when Maharaj presented the marriage proposal of Duryodhan, not because he addressed Duryodhan as Yuvraj but because he proposed the offer to Raj Kumari. He just brushed off this thought considering it as wrong. Then Raj Kumari rejected the his offer. A peace spread all over his body but the warning Maharaj gave tensed him again.

He was shocked by the way Aanyati handled the situation. At some moments she is like a brain less kid arguing over useless things, troubling others and then at moments she become so mature that he gets shocked. She indeed is difficult to understand.

He walked away with Aanyati as soon as she exited the Sabha. She entered her chamber and didn't come out again. Yudhishthir knew when he can meet her now.

" What do you think rakshak mahoday, did I did something worng today?" asked Aanyati sitting beside the river's bank lost in her thoughts. The sky engulfed by darkness and her mind by thoughts. Her face was shining in the moon light only. She had no ornaments on, only some bangles and earrings. Her long black hairs were open as usual. They have the power to engulf someone in their beauty. The pink and yellow saree shined on her clear skin.

Yudhishthir who was standing beside her all the time, looking at her lost in thoughts finally came forward. He sat beside her and said in his always calm voice

" Did for once the thought of disrespecting Hastinapur came in your mind Rajkumari?"

" No, how can I disrespect my elders?" replied Aanyati

" Were you having any feeling of envy or vengeance toward Hastinapur " he asked again

" No, not at all. Why would I have any such feelings " she asked

" Then you did nothing worng Rajkumari. It is your choice whom you want to marry, no one can challange this . You tried your best not to offend him but he became angry. " he assured with a small smile.

Aanyati was silent for next few minutes.

" Thank you " she mumbled

" For what Raj Kumari " he asked

" Nothing " she replied looking straight" you are from Hastinapur?"

" Yes Raj Kumari "

" Tell me about that Duryodhan " she ordered

" He is a great warrior Raj Kumari...." Aanyati cut him in between

" I don't want to enroll him in my army to know about his valour. Tell me about him as a person " she said

Yudhishthir couldn't lie so he said

" He might not be good as a person but he is good as a warrior"

Aanyati was shocked for a bit " so you don't lie at all" she smirked

" Never" he replied with the same bewitching smile on his face.

Aanyati laughed " how can this even be possible that a person never lies" she got up shaking her head.

Yudhishthir too felt there's no need to turn this conversation into that side as he just smiled and followed her to wherever she was going....