Magadh's declaration of war !

In the end, just when Dronacharya was about to leave the court in disappointment, Arjun took the lead and agreed to accept Guru Dronacharya's demands. 

Subsequently, Duryodhan, who didn't want to be seen as a coward compared to the Pandavs also came forward. And finally, everyone started to prepare for the war. 

But this had nothing to do with Aryan. After all, Dronacharya had clearly stated that only his own disciples can participate in this war and no one else. Besides, Aryan didn't think he had anything to gain from this war so he also decided to mind his own business. 

Anyway, he had already promised Bhanumati that he would accompany her to Kalinga put their marriage proposal in front of her father King Chitrangad. But since they were already here, both of them decided to explore Hastinapur, with Karna acting as their guide. 

Hastinapur, a city rich in history and culture, had much to offer. The couple wandered through the bustling bazaars, where merchants peddled exotic goods from all corners of the land. Aryan and Bhanumati marveled at the vibrant tapestries, intricate jewelry, and aromatic spices on display.

Their tour also took them to the palace gardens, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the bustling city. There, they strolled hand in hand, surrounded by lush greenery, colorful blossoms, and the melodious songs of exotic birds.

The Kauravs and Pandavs also left Hastinapur the next day and departed towards the Panchal Kingdom.

The days passed swiftly, and soon it was time for Aryan and Bhanumati to bid farewell to Hastinapur. They had thoroughly enjoyed their time in the city. 

Aryan, always a man of action, was determined to fulfill his promise to Bhanumati. They would travel to Kalinga, where they would approach King Chitrangad with their marriage proposal. Aryan knew that this journey was a significant step in their relationship, and he looked forward to facing it together.

Karna, who had been busy tending to his parents' needs, also joined them as they set off from Hastinapur. His loyalty and friendship with Aryan had grown stronger during their time together.

As they left Hastinapur behind, the Kauravas and Pandavas had already departed for the Panchal Kingdom, setting the stage for the epic events that would unfold in the days to come.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°

It's been a day since they left Hastinapur and they have already left Hastinapur's boundaries.

Currently they were camping in the outskirts of a forest as Aryan and Bhanumati sat around the dining table. 

As for Karna, well, just a few hours ago Aryan received a message from the Udra kingdom that taking advantage of his absence, the King of Magadh - Jaraasandh had launched attack on Udra as a revenge for his friend Paundraka's death. 

But when Aryan was preparing to change their course from Kalinga to Udra, although she didn't say anything but Aryan keenly noticed that Bhanumati's face dimmed down a lot. 

And that's when Aryan had an idea. Instead of going there himself, he asked Karna to go back to Udra alone and lead the army to fend off Jaraasandh. After all, he was now his Senapati. And Aryan had full confidence in Karna's strength that aside from some selected people, very few people can defeat him. 

So now, while Udra and Magadh were at war with each other, the king Aryan was travelling with his girlfriend Bhanumati to ask parents for their marriage.

Under the clear canopy of stars, Aryan and Bhanumati sat around the campfire, the flickering flames casting a warm glow upon their faces. The night was serene, the forest around them alive with the sounds of nature. 

Aryan couldn't help but notice the unease that lingered in the air. Bhanumati's initial enthusiasm for their journey to Kalinga had waned upon hearing of the conflict in Udra. Although the fact that Aryan abandoned his duty as a king for her sake made her very happy and feel blessed, but the guilt weighed heavily on her heart, and Aryan sensed it.

He reached out and gently took Bhanumati's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Bhanumati, I know you're concerned about Udra. I promise you, Karna is more than capable of leading the army. He's a formidable warrior, and I have complete faith in him."

Bhanumati nodded, finding solace in Aryan's words. She leaned in closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. They sat in companionable silence for a while, watching the dance of flames in the fire.

In the distance, the sounds of nature's nocturnal symphony continued to serenade them—the chirping of crickets, the hooting of owls, and the rustling of leaves in the gentle night breeze.

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the forest canopy, Aryan and Bhanumati prepared to continue their journey towards Kalinga. Karna had left during the night, leading a contingent of Udra's forces back to their homeland to confront Jaraasandh.

Two more days passed, the andscapes changed from dense forests to rolling hills, and finally, they caught sight of the magnificent city of Rajapura, the capital of Kalinga in the distance.

The city's grandeur was evident from afar—the towering palaces, intricate architecture, and bustling streets painted a picture of opulence. Although it was not their first time coming here and Bhanumati even grew up here, but this time was different. Aryan and Bhanumati's hearts swelled with anticipation as they entered the city.

Their first destination was the royal palace, where they were received with utmost hospitality. King Chitrangad welcomed them warmly and soon they were sitting in the Royal Palace's meeting hall. 

Taking a deep breath

Aryan didn't want to overcomplicate the things so after taking a deep breath, he presented their marriage proposal, detailing their love and commitment to one another.

Upon hearing this both King Chitrangad and Queen Queen Chandramudra exchanged glances before laughing out loud. 

They had already known about the special feeling Aryan and Bhanumati had for each other. In fact, they were just waiting for this exact time when they put forward the proposal for marriage. 

Controlling his laughter, King Chitrangad's face turned solemn as he looked at Aryan and Bhanumati. 

"Aryan, Bhanumati, I am honored by your proposal and I can see the love you share. Your union has my blessing. Let your marriage not only bring happiness to both of you but also strengthen the bonds between our kingdoms."

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