The air in Panchala felt different today.

It was the kind of morning that carried expectation. The sky was clear, the city alive with movement, and the grand halls of the palace buzzed with excitement and tension in equal measure.

Today, the greatest warriors of Aryavarta would gather.

Today, Draupadi would make a choice.

And somehow, Rhea had ended up in the middle of it all.

Rhea walked through the corridors with purpose, but no real destination.

She had barely slept last night. Not after Krishna's words. Not after the quiet weight of everything that was about to unfold.

The swayamvara was meant to be a moment of triumph—a princess choosing her husband, alliances being formed, kingdoms securing their futures.

But something about this one felt... off.

She could feel it, lingering in the air like a storm that had yet to break.

Or maybe that was just her overthinking things again.

She sighed, adjusting the shawl draped over her shoulder as she turned a corner—

And nearly ran straight into Karna.

Karna barely moved as she stopped herself just in time.

"You're up early," he said, not looking up from the cloth he was wrapping around his wrist.

Rhea smirked slightly. "So are you."

"I'm always up early."

She crossed her arms. "So am I."

Karna exhaled through his nose, half-amused, half-exasperated.

She glanced past him, spotting Duryodhana and Ashwatthama in the chamber beyond, discussing something in low voices.

Duryodhana caught sight of her first, his usual smirk appearing. "Rhea. Finally ready to pick a side?"

Rhea rolled her eyes. "I didn't realize attending a swayamvara required political allegiance."

"Everything requires political allegiance," Karna muttered under his breath.

Ashwatthama leaned against the wooden pillar, arms crossed, watching them with mild disinterest. "You don't seem particularly excited about the event."

"Because I'm not," Rhea admitted, stepping further into the chamber.

Duryodhana scoffed. "You should be. This is history in the making."

Rhea gave him a dry look. "Yes, and history tends to be written by people who survive it."

Ashwatthama let out a short laugh. "She's not wrong."

Karna finished securing his wrist wrap and gave her a sidelong glance. "You still haven't asked the question that's clearly on your mind."

Rhea frowned. "What question?"

"The one you always ask."

She tilted her head, considering that for a moment.

Then—"Where's Dushasana?"

Duryodhana let out a mocking sigh. "Of course. You miss my dear brother already?"

Rhea raised an eyebrow. "I'm just surprised. You always drag him everywhere."

Duryodhana shrugged. "He didn't want to come."

Rhea blinked. "What?"

That was... unexpected.

Dushasana, out of all of them, had always followed Duryodhana without hesitation. Wherever Duryodhana went, he was not far behind.

For him to choose not to attend?

It didn't make sense.

"Why?" she asked, curiosity piqued.

Duryodhana rolled his shoulders. "He thinks this whole thing is pointless. That it's already decided."

Rhea frowned. "What do you mean?"

Duryodhana smirked. "He thinks Draupadi has already made her choice."

That... was a bold assumption.

"And you don't?" Rhea asked, studying him.

Duryodhana's jaw tightened. "No. Because I don't believe in fate."

"Neither do I."

He turned to her, eyes sharp with challenge. "Then you know what that means."

Rhea inhaled. "That anything could happen today."

Duryodhana grinned. "Exactly."

But Rhea wasn't so sure.

Because Dushasana's absence, his certainty—it gnawed at her.

And for the first time since arriving, she wondered—was the result of this swayamvara already decided?

Ashwatthama, who had been mostly silent, finally spoke.

"You've been quiet, Karna."

Karna glanced at him, unbothered. "Have I?"

Ashwatthama gave him a pointed look. "You don't usually stand back when Duryodhana makes his declarations of conquest."

Duryodhana smirked. "He doesn't need to say anything. He'll prove himself when the time comes."

Karna didn't reply.

Which was interesting.

Rhea turned to him, studying his face carefully. "Do you actually want to be here?"

Karna's gaze flickered to her, unreadable.

Then, after a long moment—"It doesn't matter what I want."

Rhea knew what that meant.

Duryodhana had asked him to come.

And Karna never refused him.

Even if it meant standing in a place he did not belong.

She wasn't sure what to make of that.

But before she could dwell on it, the doors to the chamber opened.

A servant entered, bowing slightly. "The royal family of Panchala has sent word. The swayamvara will begin soon."

A finality settled over them.

This was it.

Whatever was about to happen—there was no turning back now.