Subhadra took a deep breath, steadying herself after the absolute disaster that had unfolded.

The first order of business? Hiding the evidence.

With the swiftness of a seasoned culprit, she grabbed the painting and marched over to her secret hiding spot-a small, locked chest tucked behind a shelf. This was where she kept all of her "that man" paintings, a collection that had grown quite concerning over the years. She shoved the newest addition inside, pressed the lid shut, and exhaled deeply.

Safe. For now.

Still, she wasn't about to leave things to chance.

She clasped her hands together and whispered urgently, "Mahadev, if you truly love this devotee of yours, please let Sanjana and Tanvi forget this morning's events. Or at the very least, let them keep their mouths shut."

Silence.

Subhadra peeked up at the ceiling, half-expecting some sort of divine reassurance.

Nothing.

She frowned. So much for divine intervention.

With a sigh, she pushed aside her worries and focused on her morning routine. The cool water helped chase away the last remnants of sleep, but the dream still lingered at the edges of her mind-the warmth of his hand, the strange ache in her heart, the feeling of being left out.

She shoved the thought away. No time for foolish emotions.

After dressing in a deep green saree-one that draped around her perfectly and made her feel the most herself-she reached for her jewelry.

And then-

"Gudiyaaa!"

The doors to her chamber burst open with the force of a small army.

Subhadra barely had time to react before her bhabhis invaded her space, moving with the efficiency of seasoned warriors on a mission.

Rukmini entered first, graceful and composed as always, but with a knowing smile on her lips. Revati followed, looking entirely too pleased, her sharp eyes scanning the room like a mother who knew her child was up to mischief.

Then came Jambavati and Satyabhama, laughing, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

Subhadra knew immediately-she was doomed.

"Where are your maids?" Revati asked, hands on her hips, looking around as if she expected to find Tanvi and Sanjana hiding behind the curtains.

"Did you send them away?" Rukmini inquired, her voice calm, but her raised brow filled with suspicion.

"Oh no, don't tell me you were planning to dress up alone today!" Satyabhama gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her hip like she had just witnessed a crime.

"A rajkumari should never be without proper care!" Jambavati added, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "What is the world coming to?"

Subhadra took a wary step back. "Wait-"

"No excuses, Bhadre," Rukmini said smoothly, already opening Subhadra's jewelry boxes with the confidence of someone who owned the place. "Today, we get to decide."

"I can pick my own accessories!" Subhadra protested.

"Not today," Revati declared, already pulling her toward the cushioned stool in front of the mirror. "Sit."

Subhadra sighed but relented, knowing there was no escaping this.

And just like that, chaos ensued.

Rukmini meticulously sorted through her jewelry, holding up earrings to the light and humming in thought. "These shimmer beautifully-oh, but these match her saree better-"

"She needs something bold," Satyabhama interjected, shaking her head. "Something that makes a statement!"

"She is already beautiful, why does she need a statement?" Jambavati mused as she tested bangles against Subhadra's wrists. "Perhaps something more delicate?"

"What she needs is patience," Subhadra muttered, trying not to get poked in the ear by Rukmini's very determined hands.

"Patience is for those who have time," Satyabhama said breezily, twirling a golden chain in her fingers. "And we do not have time! We have a rajkumari to decorate!"

Revati, ever the strategist, took charge of the necklace selection, holding one up and examining it with the precision of someone planning a battle formation. "This one is perfect."

Subhadra rolled her eyes but let them continue.

It wasn't that she disliked being decked up.

She actually enjoyed the way the jewelry shimmered against her skin, how the kohl made her eyes look bolder, how the flowers woven into her hair smelled sweet.

But her bhabhis? They made a simple act of dressing up feel like an all-out royal event.

"Why do you all look too excited?" Subhadra asked suspiciously as Jambavati placed a delicate nose ring against her face to see how it would look.

"Because you are our little one," Rukmini answered simply, fastening an anklet around Subhadra's foot. "And because we love making you look even more beautiful than you already are."

"Besides, you don't get ready with us as much anymore," Jambavati added with a slight pout. "It's fun dressing you up together."

"She pretends to resist, but I think she secretly enjoys it," Satyabhama teased, poking Subhadra's cheek.

Subhadra scoffed, swatting her hand away. "I do not."

"Then why are you smiling?" Revati smirked.

Subhadra immediately wiped the smile off her face. "I am not smiling."

Her bhabhis all exchanged knowing looks.

"If only one of you would have a daughter already," Subhadra muttered, "then you could play dress-up with her instead of me."

A beat of silence.

Then-

Laughter.

"Ohhh, did you hear that?" Satyabhama gasped, clutching her stomach. "Bhadre wants us to have daughters just so she can escape!"*

"She makes a good point," Jambavati admitted, laughing softly. "We have been blessed with only sons so far..."

"But daughters are a gift that come when they choose to," Rukmini said with a soft smile, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Subhadra's ear. "Perhaps one day."*

Subhadra sighed in relief. "Good. Then you can stop dressing me up and use her instead."

Her bhabhis gasped.

"You think we will stop?" Satyabhama asked, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Even if we have daughters, we will still do this to you!"* Jambavati declared proudly. "In fact, we will bring them with us to help!"*

"You will be their role model," Rukmini added with a teasing smile. "Imagine-our daughters looking up to you and insisting that you must be dressed beautifully."*

"You'll have twice the attention," Satyabhama said gleefully. "No, thrice!, no, even more, soooo much more that I can't count anymore"

"No escape, Bhadre," Revati teased, folding her arms. "Even if we have daughters, you will still be our favorite doll to dress up."*

Subhadra groaned, covering her face. "Mahadev, why must I experience this?"

The sound of her bhabhis' laughter filled the room, warm and full of love, and despite her playful complaints, Subhadra found herself smiling too.

*****

Subhadra barely had time to admire her reflection before her bhabhis grabbed her by the wrists and dragged her out of her chamber.

"Come, gudiya! We must show everyone how lovely you look!" Jambavati declared, leading the charge like a commander on a battlefield.

"This is necessary," Satyabhama added, linking arms with Subhadra as if she was a prized jewel they had just polished to perfection. "A beauty like this must not be wasted in the shadows of your room!"

"I do not mind the shadows of my room..." Subhadra muttered, tugging at the elaborate bangles on her wrists.

"Nonsense!" Jambavati waved her hand dismissively. "You must be admired!"

Revati, walking with an elegant stride beside Rukmini, gave them a look. "I feel like we have stolen a festival idol and are now parading her around."

"A most beautiful festival idol," Rukmini agreed with a chuckle.

Subhadra groaned. She knew she should have hidden the jewelry box before her bhabhis entered her room.

Everywhere they walked, people paused to stare.

Servants stopped mid-task to murmur praises.

"Rajkumari looks divine today!"

"Such elegance!"

"Surely, she looks like she is preparing for a grand occasion?"

"Perhaps a swayamvar?"

Subhadra's eye twitched.

"See?" Satyabhama nudged her. "Everyone agrees with us!"*

"They are exaggerating," Subhadra grumbled, wishing she could melt into the floor.

Jambavati gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "She wounds us! After all our hard work-"

"That is bad bhadre hmph!" Satyabhama joined in, shaking her head. "But no matter! We shall continue our parade until she admits the truth-"

"Wait." A deep voice is heard by them.

Everything froze.

Subhadra felt an immediate sense of doom.

Because standing before them, arms crossed, eyes twinkling, and looking entirely too entertained-were Krishna and Balram.

Krishna's smile widened as he took in the sight of his overly decked-up sister being dragged across the palace like some royal trophy. Balram, meanwhile, raised a single brow, the corner of his lips twitching as if he was trying very hard not to laugh.

There was a long pause.

Then-

"What... exactly is happening here?" Balram asked, his voice filled with deep suspicion.

Satyabhama, of course, was completely shameless.

"Ah, dauji!" she greeted cheerfully. "We are merely ensuring that our dear Bhadre is presented in the best possible light today!"

Jambavati beamed. "It would have been unforgivable to leave her looking anything less than perfect."

Krishna tilted his head, his amusement only growing. "And tell me, ruchi, do you agree with this?"

Subhadra folded her arms, glaring at him. "I was kidnapped."

"Happily kidnapped!" Jambavati corrected.

"Fashionably kidnapped," Satyabhama added.

Subhadra sighed in defeat.

"And tell me, where exactly were you all heading in such a hurry?" Krishna asked, ever the mischief-maker.

Silence.

Revati cleared her throat. "Ah..."

"Oh! I remember!" Satyabhama suddenly exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Subhadra was supposed to be-"

Then she paused.

Her eyes widened.

Jambavati's eyes widened.

Subhadra's soul left her body.

"Ruchi," Krishna said innocently, "weren't you supposed to be in your lessons right now?"

Subhadra felt cold dread seep into her bones.

"Oh no-"

Jambavati gasped. "Oh no!"

Satyabhama gasped louder. "Oh no!"

Revati blinked. "Oh yes. That does seem like something important."

Rukmini sighed, entirely too calm. "It is fine, its ok. We will simply tell the teachers that Subhadra was occupied with... royal matters."

Krishna chuckled. "And what royal matters were those?"

Satyabhama immediately stepped forward, placing a protective hand on Subhadra's shoulder. "The matter of beauty, arya!"

Jambavati nodded solemnly. "It was a necessary intervention."

Balram sighed, rubbing his temples. "So, to summarize-you all spent the morning dressing up Subhadra, parading her around, and completely forgot about her lessons?"

Satyabhama stood taller. "A good trade, I believe!"

Jambavati clasped her hands together. "A noble sacrifice!"

Krishna and Balram looked at each other. Then at the queens. Then at Subhadra, who looked like she was considering sprinting in the opposite direction.

And then-

They burst into laughter.

Subhadra groaned, covering her face. "Mahadev, just take me now..."

To be continued