After weeks of rigorous study and training, Subhadra finally allowed herself a brief holiday.

A rare luxury in her structured life, this day was hers alone-no lessons, no obligations, no formal courtly matters.

And certainly, no thoughts of marriage.

She had heard the palace servants whispering about the flood of marriage proposals that had arrived for her, but she had paid them no mind.

There were always rumors, always voices carrying news from one corridor to another.

Today, she had something far more important to do.

*****

The soft afternoon sun bathed the palace gardens in warm light as Subhadra sat beneath the shade of a large Ashoka tree, her delicate hands carefully working over a smooth, gray stone.

It was small, no taller than her forearm, but what it represented meant everything to her.

A depiction of herself, Balram, and Krishna-the three of them together, as they always had been.

Balram on her right, his figure sturdy and protective.

Krishna on her left, captured with his ever-mischievous, knowing smile.

And herself, in the middle, standing with quiet confidence.

Her brothers had always been the pillars of her world, guiding, teasing, and protecting her at every step.

Painting had long been her chosen medium of expression, but today, she had wanted to try something new.

Something that would last-a carved piece of stone, unmovable, like their bond.

As she worked, her two maids, Tanvi and Sanjana, sit near her, occasionally fanning her gently while keeping themselves entertained with hushed conversation.

They had long since given up teasing her about "that man" she used to paint.

Though, every now and then, they still exchanged knowing glances.

But today, their attention was fixated elsewhere.

"Rajkumar Arjun," Tanvi murmured, glancing around as if someone might overhear them.

"Yes," Sanjana nodded eagerly, lowering her voice. "I heard that his exile is still ongoing."

Subhadra's chisel stilled-just for a fraction of a second.

Exile.

"It was such an unfortunate thing," Tanvi sighed. "He had to leave everything behind-the palace, his wives, his family, his people..."

"And all because he had to retrieve his bow," Sanjana added sympathetically.

"But that was the law," Tanvi reasoned. "The Pandavas have always followed dharma above all else."

"Yes, but even so... twelve years is a long time." Sanjana comment.

Subhadra remained silent, her hands continuing their careful work on the stone.

Twelve years.

It was a punishment Arjun had willingly accepted-an oath to uphold the laws that bound the Pandavas together.

He had not left out of choice, nor out of neglect.

Draupadi, Ulupi, and Chitrangada... all three of his wives were waiting for him.

None of them had spoken ill of him. None of them had resented his departure.

They only waited.

Subhadra wondered, briefly, where he was now.

The last she had heard, he had been in Manipur. Then, he had vanished once more, continuing his journey.

Would he possibly come to Dwarka? At least met her brother, his dearest bestfriend.

Her fingers pressed slightly harder against the chisel, a quiet exhale leaving her lips.

"Perhaps he will come here next," Sanjana mused aloud, half-jokingly.

Tanvi laughed, but Subhadra remained silent, her mind wandering far away from the stone in front of her.

*****

The sun had climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the courtyard where Subhadra worked tirelessly.

She wiped a fine layer of dust from her hands, leaned back slightly to admire her work so far.

The stone sculpture was slowly taking form-three figures standing together, side by side.

It had taken hours to reach this stage, but she refused to stop.

She wanted to finish it today itself.

"Tanvi, Sanjana," she called, dusting off her hands.

The two maids immediately turned to her, awaiting her instructions.

"Bring my meal here. I don't want to leave this unfinished."

The maids exchanged a glance.

"Rajkumari, you should at least rest for a while-" Sanjana began, but Subhadra waved her hand dismissively.

"No no, I want to complete this today."

Her voice was gentle but firm, leaving no room for argument.

Tanvi sighed but smiled. "Very well, Rajkumari. We shall bring your lunch here."

Subhadra nodded approvingly, then paused as she remembered something important.

"And don't forget to bring extra makhaan," she added, a small smile gracing her lips.

"Kalindi bhabhi promised to make a special makhaan for me today."

She had been looking forward to it all morning, and the thought of the soft, sweet delight brought a sense of warmth to her heart.

The maids smiled knowingly.

"Of course, Rajkumari. We shall not forget."

With that, they hurried off, leaving Subhadra alone with her sculpture.

She turned back to her work, picking up her chisel once more.

But as much as she tried to focus, her thoughts wandered.

Rajkumar Arjun.

That name had settled in her mind, unshakable.

How could he marry while in exile?

The Pandavas had strict laws, a dharma that bound them.

And yet, Arjun had married twice during his exile-first Ulupi, then Chitrangada.

Had he not been bound by his punishment?

Her chisel paused for a moment against the stone, her grip tightening.

She had never asked Krishna about it.

Perhaps she should.

A gust of warm wind blew past her, carrying the scent of flowers and salt from the distant sea.

Subhadra sighed.

For now, she had a sculpture to finish.

Everything else could wait.

To Be Continued...

Note : hy I update 4 today bcs, I don't know. If I could upload everything I would but I can't. I didn't mean to yapping here and there but, to all writers in the world, you guys are awesome. It's get harder and harder for me to write as I kinda realize why professional writer have editor and lots of other people on the team, bcs damn the more I read my own story, the more I feel unsatisfied. So I'll upload as soon as I feel satisfied rather than keep holding it up. Shout out to all my readers here too, I love you guys, I hope this is fun and doesn't cringe you. I hope you find it interesting and lovely and I also hope it brings you happiness❤❤❤❤❤. We get closer to Arjun subhadra meeting so I hope you wait patiently but excitedly ✌😍