Returning to Udra

It's already been a month since Aryan and Subhadra's marriage and they have returned back to Udra.

The past month was rather fulfilling for Aryan as he enjoyed his honeymoon period with Subhadra.

And today, after Aryan received an invitation from Panchal kingdom, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

It was the invitation for Draupadi's Swyamvar.

"Looks like the gears of history and destiny are turning. Although I don't want to enter this muddy water but I should go there regardless. After all, because of the Samayantaka jewel, Duryodhan was spared last time. It's just right, let's see how my brother in law is doing."

Aryan smiled maliciously.

* knock * * knock *

"Come in. "

"Your majesty, Anga Raj Karna has arrived and he is asking for your permission to enter. "

The maid said respectfully.

"Allow Anga Raj Karna to enter."

Aryan responded.

As the doors opened, Karna, dressed in regal attire, entered with a dignified demeanor. "Greetings, Udra Naresh Aryan," Karna bowed respectfully.

"Welcome back Karna. So how is it going, being a king and all? Have you gotten used to it yet? "

Aryan acknowledged the greeting with a smile.

"Well, I'm trying my best. But to be honest, I still prefer being your General rather than Anga's King. "

Karna shrugged his shoulders.

"Hahaha, don't worry too much, you'll eventually get used to it. By the way, you came at the right time. I was just planning to go to Panchal for princess Draupadi's Swyambar. Do you want to tag along with me? "

Aryan asked as he flashed the invitation in his hand.

"I.... don't think Vrushali would like me to participate in a Swyambar. "

Karna said a little sheepishly.

And after hearing his reply, Aryan couldn't control his laughter and started laughing out loud.

"Hahaha, don't worry Karna, I'm not asking you to participate in it. Just take it as an outing. And may be you can meet your old rival there too."

"Old rival? Do you mean...? "

Karna reacted immediately and looked at Aryan in surprise.

"You guessed it, the Pandavs are still alive. And according to my sources they are likely to show up in this Swayambar too. But I suggest you keep it a secret for now. "

Aryan answered mysteriously.

"As you wish, your majesty. Then, when are we leaving? "

An eager smile appeared on Karna's face.

"We'll leave tomorrow morning. "

Aryan replied after thinking briefly.

The next morning, Aryan and Karna set forth towards Panchal, their horses galloping along the well-trodden path. The journey was rather bland and smooth.

About two days later, as they approached the grand city of Panchal, the air was thick with anticipation. The news of the upcoming Swyamvar had attracted kings, princes, nobles, warriors, and dignitaries from various kingdoms. The bustling atmosphere of the city revealed the significance of the event.

Upon reaching Panchal, Aryan and Karna were welcomed with due respect. The royal courtyard, adorned with colorful decorations, awaited the gathering of esteemed guests.

Aryan couldn't help but notice the subtle undercurrents of tension and expectation that permeated the surroundings.

As they entered the royal chambers, Aryan saw a few familiar faces. Duryodhan, Dushasan and Shakuni were sitting together in their seats and they were currently chatting with Sindhu's king Jayadratha , Magadh's king Jaraasandh and Chedi's king Shishupal.

Almost at the same time as Aryan saw them, they also noticed his arrival and an unpleasant expression appeared on their faces collectively.

But it was to be expected. After all, every single one of them had a feud with Aryan one way or another.

5here is no need to mention Duryodhan and Jayadratha, for Aryan kidnapped Dushala, their sister and fiancee respectively which caused a lot of damage to their reputation.

As for Jarasandha, Aryan literally took over half of his kingdom after defeating him. Only Shishupal didn't have any direct enemity with him. But now that Aryan is Dwaraka's son-in-law, he can be said to have some indirect enemity with him.

Unfazed by their ugly facial expressions, Aryan walked towards them leisurely, followed closely by Karna.

"Well, well, if it isn't my brother in law Prince Duryodhan. Long time no see. "

Aryan said sarcastically.

"Udra naresh, I don't remember having such w good relationship with you. "

Duryodhan snorted coldly.

"Oh really? Looks like I had a misunderstanding." Aryan pretended to leave after saying this but suddenly turned around after a second and said with a dangerous smile. "Oh and by the way prince Duryodhan, your old friend Takshak sent you greetings. "

"...."

It immediately sent chills down his spine as Duryodhan clenched his fists to control himself.

While others were still confused about what he meant by this, Aryan and Karna walked back to their own seat.

As Aryan and Karna took their seats, the atmosphere in the royal chambers remained charged with tension. The presence of past adversaries and the cryptic mention of Takshak's greetings lingered, casting a shadow over Duryodhan as he exchanged worried glances with Shakuni.

As time passed, more and more people arrived and one of them was Krishna. Seeing his presence, everyone felt a little uneasy but they took a deep breath of relief after he announced that he was only here as a spectator and will not participate in the Swyamvar.

Before long, the Swyamvar ceremony commenced, and the air became thick with anticipation.

Princess Draupadi, resplendent in her royal attire entered the hall. Her beauty and charm attracted everyone's eyes as she stood gracefully on the podium, an embodiment of beauty and poise.

Subsequently, King Drupad himdelf addressed everyone before ultimately, the challenge was presented as he unveiled the tent erected in the center of the court.

At the centre of the court a pole was erected over which there was a revolving wheel. On the wheel was a wooden fish. And at the bottom of the pole there was a pan of water. Beside it was placed Lord Shiva's divine bow Pinaka.

The one, who could string the divine bow Pinaka and shoot an arrow at the eye of revolving fish while only looking at its reflection in the water below, would marry Draupadi.

It immediately caused a stir in the court, because not everyone who gathered here was an archer. But this challenge is clearly heavily biased towards the archers.

But unfortunately, it was not for them to decide so they could only speculate in their hearts the reason behind all this.

And while everyone was guessing, Aryan couldn't help but smile. He knew exactly why such a challenge which favored the archers was set up by Drupad.

To understand this, one had to go back in past.

When Dronacharya asked the Kuru princes to defeat Drupad as his Gurudakshina some time ago, it was Arjun who finally managed to accomplish the task as he defeated Drupad one sidedly.

That defeat became an obsession in Drupad's heart. And thus he decided that he wanted to have a son in law like Arjun marry his daughter Draupadi.

But Draupada who was dreaming of getting Arjun as his son-in-law was very much disappointed when he heard the news that Pandavas perished in the fire, when the Lakshyagriha was reduced to ashes.

However he was later comforted by a rumour about the possible escape of the Pandavas in secrecy.

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