Chapter No.3 Prince of Sindhu Kingdom

[Aditya's POV]

'That's quite an experience, hmm~ what's th—"

Ahhhhhh!!!

Just as I thought everything settled up, as if on cue twenty years' worth of memories flushed into my brain like a flood, leaving me breathless and overwhelmed. I clutched my head as a sharp pain shot through my skull, every memory forcing itself into place with vivid clarity.

Me...Prince of Sindhu?!

Jayadratha the former king killed by Taksaka?!

Raised by Mahamantri?!

Draupadi Swayamvara?!

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I was no longer the boy who once lived a simple life, blissfully unaware of my origins and the monumental destiny awaiting me. No, I was now Aditya—The prince of Sindhu because I was the only one alive in the royal family of the Sidhu kingdom after Taksaka's poison.

Due to Jayadratha's refusal to form an alliance and threat to attack the Khandava Forest, Taksaka got angry and decimated the royal family of Sindhu, leaving only me—Aditya, the lone survivor.

Mahamahim Bhishma, a good friend of my father protected me and placed me under the wing of Mahamantri of Sidhu, who had raised me in secrecy, away from the prying eyes of enemies and rivals.

Sigh~

"System, couldn't you give me a simple background? Why complicate it this much?"

[...]

"So you are a non-sentient system huh! well, this also works too I guess."

When I opened my eyes for the first time, I almost had a heart attack. Only the Acting Mastery saved me from embarrassing myself.

As I blinked away the disorientation from the rush of memories, the grand hall of Kampilya came into focus. The bright colours of the festival, the ornate decorations, and the eager faces of the crowd flooded my senses. My heart raced, not just from the memories but from the urgency of the situation unfolding before me.

Karna, King of Anga and the supposed son of Charioteer, was gripping the Kindhura bow with the kind of confidence that demanded attention. The air crackled with anticipation as the audience held its breath, completely captivated by his poised stance. The golden fish shimmered in the pond, oblivious to the monumental stakes that hinged on the next moment.

[Ding! a new task generating...]

[Please wait...]

[Task successfully created!]

[Name: Marry Me]

[Description: Draupadi Swayamwara, a monumental event in the history of Mahabharata. Draupadi the epic center of the bloodiest war in the Mahabharata, stands at the center of this grand spectacle. As the reincarnated one, changing the fates of those around you, your journey begins here. Win Draupadi's hand in marriage to not only secure your legacy but also forge alliances that could impact the future of kingdoms.]

[Objective: Compete in the Swayamvara and demonstrate your skill, charm, and worthiness to win Draupadi's affection.]

[Rewards: 5 Fate Points]

(A/N: 1 Fate point = 1 Gacha Draw.)

I sat there internally stunned, but outside poker face, I remained calm and collected. This was my chance—my opportunity to redefine my destiny in ways I never thought possible.

Karna released the arrow with fluid grace, the bowstring singing as the arrow soared toward its target. but the fish remained elusive, slipping beneath the surface of the water at the last moment. The crowd gasped, a mixture of surprise and admiration rippling through them.

"Hah! You are a Sutaputra. Do you think you can marry Princess Draupadi? You're just a charioteer's son!" one of the other princes shouted, his voice dripping with disdain.

"What He is Sutaputra? but isn't he the king of Anga!" another prince interjected, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"No, that is the grace of the Crown prince of the Kuru empire—Duryodhana, who pitied him and gave Anga kingdom to this Sutaputra out of mere sympathy!" the voice sneered, igniting further murmurs in the audience. The tension escalated, with a palpable mix of envy and ambition coursing through the crowd. It was evident that many were eager to undermine Karna's confidence, viewing his humble origins as a weakness in this grand game of power and prestige.

Duryodhana's face turned ugly from anger but he simply took Karna back to his sit not wanting to engage in an open confrontation at the moment. He needed to maintain his image and strategize; the Swayamvara was not the time for petty disputes. However, the tension hung thick in the air, a silent war of wills brewing beneath the surface.

"Hahahahahaha!!!"

"Haaaaaaaaahhaaaa!!!"

"Sutaputra aiming for princess~ Hahahaha!!!"

The laughter from the crowd echoed in my ears, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to center my thoughts. This is your chance, Aditya. Don't let the noise distract you.

"System, show me your functions," I commanded inwardly, my anticipation rising as I awaited the response.

[Ding! Gacha System Functions:]

[Storage(System use only)]

[Tasks]

[Gacha]

"Damn, not a status profile. Now if I want to see my abilities and skills?" I said inwardly. "Forget it, I already drew 'Apollo's template', 'Primordial Warrior's Legacy' and 'Acting Mastery(Master) from gacha before reincarnation, So I should be much stronger."

As the chaos of laughter faded into the background, I felt a wave of determination wash over me. This was my moment, and I wasn't about to let it slip away. I glanced around, taking in the faces of the crowd, my fellow princes, and the esteemed guests gathered to witness this pivotal moment in history.

As I was preparing to make my move, a sense of clarity settled over me. My gaze immediately focused on the one who also is looking at me with a teasing yet mischievous smile on his handsome face.

'He knows!'

Who else but Lord Krishna is looking at me with a knowing glint in his eyes? The very embodiment of wisdom and mischief, Krishna had always been a key player in the grand tapestry of fate. His presence here was no mere coincidence; he was the architect of destinies, often stirring the pot to guide events toward unforeseen outcomes.

'This task is already a failure... Lord Krishna wouldn't let me alter the fate of the Swayamvara so easily,' I thought, my mind racing with the implications.

But just as I thought that I saw him nod at me with encouragement motioning me to make my move. There was a glimmer of mischief in his eyes as if he believed I could twist the threads of fate in my favor despite the odds stacked against me.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle on my shoulders. "I can't hesitate. I'm Aditya, the last prince of Sindhu. I will not let this chance slip through my fingers."

As the crowd's chatter faded, I stepped forward, drawing the attention of everyone present. The moment was mine. I raised my chin, projecting confidence, and called out, "I, Aditya of Sindhu, wish to participate in this contest!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by whispers. Who was this prince, this mysterious newcomer? How dare he declare himself among such esteemed contenders? But my resolve remained unshaken.

"Liar! The entire royal family of the Sindhu kingdom fell years ago, how dare you try and usurp their legacy!" a voice shouted from the crowd, tinged with disbelief. The tension in the air thickened, the eyes of the onlookers scrutinizing me as if I were an imposter daring to challenge the status quo.

"Is he even a prince?" another murmured, skepticism lacing their tone.

"Shut up, How dare you all try to insult the last descendant of Sindhu?" Duryodhana barked, stepping forward, his voice a commanding presence that silenced the crowd. "Aditya, if you claim to be a prince, then prove it! Show us your worth!"

His words hung in the air, a challenge that ignited a fire within me. Duryodhana was cunning; he knew that calling my legitimacy into question would push me to respond fiercely. But I would not allow him to bait me into rashness. Instead, I smiled, letting my calm demeanour speak for my resolve.

My Acting Mastery came into play, grounding me as I faced the scrutiny of the crowd. I knew that this was a moment of significance—not just for me, but for the legacy of the Sindhu kingdom. I could feel the weight of history upon my shoulders, but I refused to buckle under its pressure.

"I am Aditya of Sindhu," I declared again, my voice steady and resolute, echoing through the grand hall. "I stand before you not just as a prince, but as a man ready to reclaim my family's honor."

The crowd's murmurs grew louder, a mixture of intrigue and skepticism. They were not convinced, but I could see the flickers of curiosity in their eyes. With my heart pounding, I took another step forward, my gaze locking on Karna. His earlier failure with the target was still fresh in the minds of the onlookers.

"I will compete in the Swayamvara and demonstrate my worth," I continued, directing my challenge not only at the assembled crowd but also at the bow that lay before me.

The court was alive with chatter now—some expressing doubt, others urging me on. Duryodhana's expression was a mix of contempt and surprise, clearly not expecting me to rise to the occasion.

"Very well, Prince Aditya," Duryodhana said, his tone dripping with condescension. "Show us what you can do. If you succeed, perhaps we will allow you to compete for Draupadi's hand."

With a nod from the Mahamantri overseeing the Swayamvara, the spotlight shifted to me. I approached the target—a grand replica of a golden fish suspended over a pond, gleaming under the bright lights of the sun.

'This is my time to shine like a sun in the sky...'

.

..

...

[To Be Continue]

***

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