The journey from Dwarka to Panchal was long, but for little Subhadra, it was the most exciting trip of her life. She had never left the grand walls of her beloved home before. Now, riding in a magnificent chariot with her two elder brothers, Krishna and Balram, she felt like an adventurer, ready to explore the world.

"Baldau, how far is Panchal?" Subhadra asked for what must have been the tenth time that morning.

Balarama sighed, his strong arms holding the reins of their chariot. "It is still far, little one. If you keep asking, we might reach there slower."

"That’s not true!" she pouted, crossing her arms. "Baldau, I think you are just saying that because you do not want to answer me."

Krishna, who sat beside her with his usual knowing smile, chuckled. "Bhadre, you have asked this question so many times that even I am beginning to wonder if we will ever reach Panchal in this lifetime."

Subhadra turned to Krishna with wide eyes. "So you do not know everything, Bhrata Krishna?" she teased.

Krishna placed a hand on his heart, pretending to be deeply wounded. "Alas! My little sister has discovered my greatest weakness—I do not, in fact, know how to stop her endless questions!"

Subhadra giggled, but before she could respond, Balarama spoke in his firm voice. "Enough, both of you. We will be reaching a Shiv temple soon. We will stop there and offer prayers before continuing."

Subhadra’s playful expression turned serious. "A temple of Mahadev? Oh! I will pray very hard!"

Balarama raised an eyebrow. "Will you now? Or will you just rush through the prayers as you always do?"

Subhadra gasped, offended. "I do not rush through prayers! I—"

"Yes, you do." Krishna and Balarama said at the same time.

The little princess huffed and crossed her arms but said nothing more.

*****

As they arrived at the temple, Subhadra was the first to jump down from the chariot. The stone steps leading to the sanctum were cool against her bare feet, and the scent of burning incense filled the air. Inside, devotees prayed with folded hands, some offering flowers and others deep in meditation.

Balarama and Krishna entered the temple with slow, respectful steps. Subhadra, however, hurried forward, quickly whispering her prayers.

"Mahadev, please bless my journey. Please make me as strong as Baldau and as wise as Kanha Bhai. And also... I hope I get to eat lots of sweets today. Thank you!"

With that after everything done, she dashed out of the temple, excited to return to the chariot.

But in her rush, she did not see the figure standing near the steps.

Thud!

Subhadra stumbled, nearly falling backward. Strong hands reached out and steadied her before she could hit the ground. She looked up—and her breath caught.

The person who had caught her was a young Brahmin, clad in simple yet elegant saffron robes. His dark curls framed his face, and his sharp, kind eyes studied her with gentle amusement. He was... breathtaking.

For the first time in her life, little Subhadra forgot how to speak.

"Are you alright, Rajkumari?" the Brahmin asked, his voice deep and soothing.

Subhadra stared at him for a long moment. Then, before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "You are very handsome!"

The Brahmin blinked. Subhadra blinked.

A second passed.

And then—realization dawned on her.

"Oh no!" she gasped, covering her mouth with both hands. "I did not mean to say that!"

The Brahmin’s lips twitched as though he was holding back laughter. "I shall take it as a compliment, then."

Subhadra’s face turned red. She quickly bowed her head. "I-I am sorry! Please forget what I just said brahmin ji!"

Then, without waiting for his reply, she spun around and ran as fast as she could toward the chariot.

She did not stop until she was safely inside. Her heart pounded in her chest. "What just happened?!"

She peeked out cautiously, but the Brahmin had already turned away, walking toward the temple as if nothing had happened.

"Oh, Mahadev, please make him forget what I said!" she muttered, burying her face in her hands.

*****

By the time they reached Panchala, Subhadra had almost managed to push the embarrassing encounter out of her mind. The grand city was decorated in gold and silk in celebration of Princess Draupadi’s swayamvar. The air buzzed with anticipation as kings and princes from all over Bharat had gathered to compete for the beautiful Panchal princess.

As honored guests, Krishna and Balarama sat near Maharaj Drupada and Princess Draupadi. Subhadra, however, was given a seat in a more private area—where she could see everything, but no one could see her.

She did not mind. She was happy to watch.

As the competition began, mighty warriors stepped forward to attempt the impossible task set by Maharaj Drupada. A great bow had been placed in the center, and above it, a golden fish. The challenge? To lift the bow, string it, and shoot an arrow through the eye of the fish—without looking at it directly. Instead, the archer could only rely on the reflection of the fish in the water below.

Many tried. Many failed. No khsatriya there able to do that, so the King of Panchal announced that brahmin can also try to do the challenge.

Then, a new competitor stepped forward.

Subhadra leaned forward, curious.

It was... him.

The Brahmin from the temple.

Her heart skipped a beat. "What is he doing here?"

The court murmured in confusion. A Brahmin? Competing in the swayamvar of a princess?

But then—he lifted the bow with ease.

The murmurs turned into gasps.

He strung it effortlessly.

Subhadra’s breath caught.

With perfect grace, he released the arrow. It soared through the air, striking cleanly through the eye of the golden fish.

A stunned silence filled the hall.

And then—cheers erupted.

He had won.

Subhadra’s hands clenched into fists, an unfamiliar feeling blooming in her chest. Why... why do I feel sad?

She did not understand it. She only knew that the moment she saw Princess Draupadi walking toward him with the victory garland, something inside her ached.

And for the first time, the bubbly, carefree little princess did not feel like laughing.

To Be Continued.