Time flowed through Dwarka like the waves of the ocean—ever-moving, ever-changing.

The golden city thrived under Krishna’s lead, with Balram as his pillar of strength and Vasudev as a guiding voice of wisdom.

Though the attacks of Jarasandha persisted, they had become little more than routine struggles. The Narayani Sena stood undefeated, the Yadav warriors stood proud, and the people of Dwarka prospered under Krishna’s divine leadership.

And amidst all this, our Rajkumari Subhadra had grew.

She had once been the youngest of her family, the cherished child of Dwarka. But now, she was no longer just a princess—she was a woman of standing, she was young, but now she too, is an adult.

She had learned the art of governance, the art of combat, the art of words from, and the art of grace.

Yet despite all she had mastered, there was still one thing she had not considered for herself.

Marriage.

And today, the royal court of Dwarka would receive the first proposal for her hand.

*****

The grand court of Dwarka was alive with discussion. The minister of trade presented his reports, the Senapati of the army gave their updates, and the elders of the Yadav clan voiced their concerns.

At the head of the assembly, Krishna sat upon his throne, listening with calm attentiveness.

Beside him, Balram lounged comfortably, his presence alone commanding authority.

Seated among the respected elders, Vasudev listened carefully, his face lined with wisdom. His wives, Devaki and Rohini, observed in silence.

Then—

A royal messenger stepped forward, bowing deeply before presenting a sealed scroll.

"Dwarkadeesh, a proposal has arrived for Rajkumari Subhadra."

A hush fell over the court.

Krishna, ever unreadable, accepted the scroll with an amused smile. He broke the seal and read the contents carefully.

Beside him, Balram peeked over his shoulder, curiosity lighting up his face.

Across the hall, Vasudev stiffened, his expression darkening.

"A marriage proposal?" he muttered, his voice laced with disbelief.

Balram slightly chuckled, crossing his arms.

"Of course, Pitashri. What is so surprising about it?"

Vasudev frowned.

"Subhadra’s birthday was just a few months ago!" he snapped. "And already they dare to speak of marriage?!"

His voice echoed through the court, making some of the ministers glance at one another.

Krishna merely chuckled, rolling up the scroll.

"Isn’t this normal, Pitashri?" he said lightly. "Subhadra is of marriageable age now."

Vasudev scoffed, his frustration clear.

"That may be so, but she is still our youngest! My little girl! Do they expect me to just hand her over now?"

Seated beside him, Devaki nodded in agreement, her brows furrowed.

"I agree with your father kanha. Our gudiya is still young. There is no need to rush into this."

Across from them, Rohini sighed, shaking her head.

"Arya, Devaki… This is completely normal," she said gently. "Subhadra is a rajkumari of the Yadav clan. Suitors will come, whether we like it or not."

Balram smile.

"Exactly." He leaned back against his chair. "This is not something to be angry about, Pitashri. It is a sign that our Subhadra is now seen as a woman, not a child."

Vasudev groaned, rubbing his temples.

"I thought I had a few more years before this madness began."

Balram let out a booming laugh.

"You had years, Pitashri. You just never accepted them."

Krishna, meanwhile, remained silent, simply watching the exchange with amusement.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"The question is not whether the suitors will come, Pitashri." His voice was light, but there was something deeper beneath it. "The question is… what will Subhadra choose when the time comes?"

The court fell silent at those words.

Vasudev exhaled heavily.

"I will not force her into anything," he declared. "She will marry when she is ready—no sooner."

Krishna smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Of course, Pitashri. But readiness… is often not about age."

Vasudev frowned but said nothing.

For now, the matter was left unsettled.

The royal court moved on to other discussions, but in the back of everyone’s minds, one truth remained—

Rajkumari Subhadra was no longer seen as a child.

*****

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months.

Yet, there was no end to the marriage proposals flooding into Dwarka’s royal court.

At first, Vasudev had dismissed them, thinking it was only natural for a few suitors to show interest. After all, Subhadra was of age now, a princess of great beauty and lineage.

But as time passed, the sheer number of proposals became absurd.

Every few days, a new scroll arrive.

Vasudev had never been this irritated in his life.

"Another one?!!"

The sound of Vasudev’s frustrated voice echoed through the halls of the palace.

Balram and Krishna sat beside him in the council chamber, watching in amusement as he angrily unrolled yet another marriage proposal.

Vasudev gritted his teeth.

"How many proposal had arrive this month only?!?!" he growled, slamming the scroll onto the table. "What is wrong with these people?! Do they think we are running a marriage bureau?!"

Krishna chuckled, leaning back.

"Come now, Pitashri," he said with a teasing smile. "You should be proud. This only proves how precious our bhadre is."

"Proud?! Am I supposed to be proud kanha?, I am annoyed!" Vasudev snapped. "My daughter has barely stepped into adulthood, and these men are circling like vultures!"

Balram smirked, arms crossed.

"I understand what you feel pitashri, but Subhadra is of age. And we cannot lock her away forever."

Vasudev glared.

"I am not locking her away bal! I just… I just…" He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "This is happening too fast."

Balram exchanged a glance with Krishna before leaning forward.

"Then why not let her decide?"

Vasudev frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Balram shrugged casually.

"A swayamvar."

The room fell silent.

Krishna smiled, clearly amused, while Vasudev looked at Balram as if he had lost his mind.

"A swayamvar?! Are you out of your mind, Bal?!"

Balram’s expression didn’t change.

"Why not?" he countered. "My gudiya is a princess. A swayamvar is the best way to ensure she chooses for herself."

Vasudev shook his head furiously.

"Absolutely not!"

"And why not?"

"Because—" Vasudev hesitated before bursting out, "Because I do not want a court full of arrogant men parading themselves in front of my daughter like she is a prize to be won!"

Balram rolled his eyes.

"Pitashri, that is exactly what these proposals are doing already. At least with a swayamvar, Subhadra gets to decide instead of us having to reject them all!"

Vasudev scowled.

"I said no, Balram!"

Balram, however, was not one to back down easily.

"Fine, then," he said, standing up. "Let us at least ask Subhadra what she wants."

Vasudev’s expression hardened.

"She is too young to make such decisions."

"She is young, yes," Balram agreed. "But she is not a child." He crossed his arms. "Would you rather she be married off without having a say at all?"

Vasudev opened his mouth to argue—but then closed it.

Balram had cornered him.

Across the room, Krishna chuckled softly.

"What an interesting debate," he mused.

Vasudev sighed, rubbing his forehead.

Balram only grinned.

Because he had no doubt—if Subhadra was given the choice, she would take it.

To Be Continued…