Kritavarma finally returned, his steps steady but slightly heavy from dealing with the commotion at the festival. As he approached the saree stall, he saw Subhadra sitting quietly, her hands neatly folded on her lap. The couple beside her greeted him warmly, and the old man chuckled.

“She is a well-mannered child,” he said, nodding toward Subhadra. “Sat here patiently, didn’t fuss at all.”

Kritavarma offered a polite smile before turning to Subhadra. “Rajkumari, did you enjoy the festival?”

Subhadra forced a small smile and nodded. “Yes, Kritavarma,” she said, her voice soft. “It was fun… but I’m tired now.”

Kritavarma frowned slightly. Usually, she would be bouncing with excitement, eager to recount every little thing she had seen. But now, there was something off in her tone—something subdued.

Before he could press further, the shopkeeper’s wife leaned in, curiosity shining in her eyes. “Forgive me, but you are not ordinary cowherds, are you?”

Kritavarma hesitated for a moment before sighing. “No, we are not.” He glanced around, ensuring no one else was listening, then lowered his voice. “She is Rajkumari Subhadra, and I serve the Yadava royal family.”

The couple’s eyes widened in surprise. The old woman gasped and touched Subhadra’s cheek gently. “Oh, little one, we had no idea you were a princess!”

Subhadra forced a smile again. “It’s okay. It was nice being treated like everyone else.”

The shopkeeper’s husband bowed his head slightly. “Thank you for trusting us with this. We will not speak of it to anyone.”

Kritavarma nodded in gratitude. Then, turning to Subhadra, he asked gently, “Are you ready to return to the palace?”

Subhadra nodded quickly. “Yes… I want to rest.”

Kritavarma studied her for a moment. There was a slight tremble in her fingers, and her eyes, though still bright, carried a weight that had not been there before. But if she said she was just tired, he wouldn’t press further—not yet.

With that, they left the festival behind, walking through the quietening streets as the night deepened.

*****

Balram sat in his chamber, waiting. The last document was signed, sealed, and placed in a neat stack on the desk. His responsibilities here were finished, and he had already decided—they would return to Dwarka tomorrow.

But first, he wanted to hear about the festival.

It had become something of a tradition: every time Subhadra went out, no matter how exhausted she was, she would come straight to him afterward. She would chatter away about every small detail, sometimes falling asleep mid-sentence while curled up beside him.

Yet tonight, she hadn’t come.

Instead, it was Kritavarma who arrived at his door alone.

Balram immediately straightened. “Where is Subhadra?” he asked, his deep voice steady but tinged with mild concern.

Kritavarma saluted respectfully before answering. “She was too tired, Shriman Balram. She went straight to her chambers to rest.”

Balram narrowed his eyes slightly. “Too tired?”

“Yes.” Kritavarma hesitated for a fraction of a second before continuing, “She did enjoy herself, but by the time we left, she looked exhausted. She is likely already asleep.”

Balram leaned back in his seat, nodding slowly. That wasn’t entirely unbelievable—after all, festivals could be overwhelming, especially for a young girl. But still…

It was unlike Subhadra.

Even if she was exhausted, she would usually at least peek into his chamber, smile sleepily, and say something like, “Dau, I will tell you everything tomorrow, I promise.”

But tonight? Nothing.

Kritavarma proceeded to give his report about the chaotic incident at the festival, explaining how he had to intervene. Balram listened carefully, nodding at the right moments.

Once Kritavarma was finished, Balram exhaled. “We will return to Dwarka tomorrow,” he said. “I will request permission from the king in the morning.”

Kritavarma nodded. “Understood, Shriman Balram.”

As Kritavarma bowed and left, Balram remained seated, drumming his fingers on the wooden table.

Something was off.

It wasn’t the festival, and it wasn’t the so-called exhaustion. Something had happened—something that made Subhadra retreat into silence instead of coming to him like she always did.

Balram made a mental note: Tomorrow morning, I will ask her myself.

*****

The next morning, Subhadra woke up feeling as though a heavy cloud loomed over her. The cheerful energy from last night had faded, replaced by a quiet melancholy.

But she didn’t want her dau to worry.

So, she forced herself to move, washing her face and getting dressed as usual. The maid entered just as she was finishing.

“Rajkumari,” the maid bowed. “Shriman Balram and Senapati Kritavarma are having a private breakfast with the king. They have instructed me to bring your meal here.”

Subhadra simply nodded.

“They also informed me that you all will be returning to Dwarka today,” the maid continued. “I will assist you in packing your belongings.”

Returning to Dwarka?, Her Home.

That should make her happy. But for some reason, an uneasy feeling still lingered in her heart.

Still, she sat down and ate quietly, taking small bites of her meal, barely tasting anything.

Afterward, she focused on packing, instructing the maid carefully. She made sure the gifts she had bought were wrapped properly—bangles for her mother, a hairpin for Rukmini bhabhi, and sweets for her friends.

It was something to keep her mind occupied.

*****

Once everything was ready, Subhadra stepped out of the palace entrance, where Balram, Kritavarma, and their attendants were already waiting. The morning air was crisp, and the palace guards stood in formation, bidding them farewell.

The king smiled at Balram. “It has been an honor to host the Yadava royal family. I hope your journey back to Dwarka is peaceful.”

Balram nodded. “Thank you for your hospitality, Maharaj.”

Kritavarma also bowed politely, while Subhadra clasped her hands together in a respectful farewell.

Soon after, they climbed into their chariots and horse , and with a final wave, they set off.

*****

The chariot ride was smooth, the golden fields stretching endlessly around them. Birds chirped, the wind rustled the trees, and everything seemed calm.

Subhadra sat beside Balram in the chariot, while Kritavarma rode on his horse nearby.

For a while, there was only silence between them.

Then Balram turned to her. “So, tell me about the festival.”

Subhadra blinked, then quickly forced a cheerful tone. “It was wonderful! The music was so lively, and the dancers were beautiful. I dance with the group of dancer too.”

Balram raised an eyebrow. “you danced with them?”

Subhadra giggled. “Well, i tried.”

Balram chuckled at the thought, shaking his head. “And what else?”

“I played games—though I kept losing,” she admitted. “But it was fun anyway. And there were so many sweets! Oh, dau, I should have brought more for you!”

Balram smiled at her excitement. But there was something… off.

It wasn’t the usual sparkle in her eyes.

He let her keep talking, listening as she described the market stalls, the gifts she bought, and the performances she saw. But something still didn’t sit right with him.

Then, after a pause, he finally asked, “Why didn’t you come to see me last night?”

Subhadra stiffened slightly.

But then she quickly smiled again. “I was just tired.”

Balram narrowed his eyes slightly. “Really?”

Subhadra hesitated for just a moment before nodding. “Yes.”

He didn’t believe her.

But he didn’t press her.

Instead, he leaned back slightly. “my gudiya must have been very tired if she didn’t even want to tell me about the festival.”

Subhadra looked down at her hands. “I heard some people talking about our family,” she admitted after a moment. “That’s all.”

Balram’s brows furrowed slightly. “And it made you sad?”

Subhadra shrugged, trying to seem indifferent. “Not really,” she said. “I was just thinking about it.”

Balram studied her quietly.

He didn’t know what exactly she had heard, but he could see that it had affected her.

Then, suddenly, he reached out and attacked.

Subhadra yelped as his fingers dug into her sides, tickling her mercilessly.

“Dau!” she shrieked, trying to wriggle away, but Balram was too strong.

“What’s this? My little sister looks too serious!” he teased. “That won’t do!”

“Dau, stop!” Subhadra gasped between laughter, kicking her legs as she tried to escape.

“Not until I see a real smile,” Balram declared. “Not a fake one like before!”

Subhadra was laughing so hard her eyes watered. Finally, after what felt like forever, Balram relented, allowing her to catch her breath.

Subhadra pouted at him, still giggling. “That wasn’t fair.”

Balram smirked. “What’s not fair is you keeping things from me.”

Subhadra huffed but leaned against him slightly, still catching her breath.

Balram ruffled her hair. “Whatever it was, don’t think too much about it, hmm?”

Subhadra nodded slowly.

The sadness wasn’t completely gone.

But at least, for now, she felt a little lighter.