The clouds roamed freely in the sky, casting momentary shadows on the ground, where Dhisana was standing in the centre of the arena, and Manvendra right behind her.
"Archery is a graceful dance of power, precision, and unity with surroundings." He whispered in a rough silk like voice.
His fingers brushed against the nape of her neck, tracing a path along the curve of her spine, awakening a symphony of sensations that played harmoniously within her.
His hands subtly shifted to align her shoulders, as if embracing her. They then wandered delicately from her shoulder to her waist, as he tenderly guided his wife's posture. Each adjustment he made to her stance sent shivers of anticipation coursing through her veins.
Like a sculptor molding clay, he sculpted her posture, gently aligning each muscle and bone so she could find stability and tranquility, as he nestled her closer to him, their bodies aligning with tender cohesion.
Manvendra then gave her his slender bow, crafted from the finest wood, polished to a gleam.
"Hold the bow like so." He told, showing her how to properly hold it.
The bow was rather heavy, its weight a testament to the skill it demands. As her soft fingers encircled the bow's grip, he positioned his hand, like a protector over hers. His eyes, radiant pools of tenderness, rested upon her as he delicately adjusted her grip on the bow, his touch electric and reassuring.
As Manvendra enveloped his wife's hand with his own, he felt a surge of love and coursing through his veins. The warmth of his palm made Dhisana's heart skip a beat, as if his touch was an eternal elixir, infusing with her very being.
Then he placed a feathered arrow into her delicate hand. With a touch as delicate as a whisper, Manvendra guided Dhisana's hand, his fingertips grazing her soft skin, sending shivers of excitement through her veins.
It was as though every touch, however fleeting, created a symphony of affection and desire within their very beings.
"Now we will stretch the bow in a semicircle. The string must be pulled till your ears." Manvendra said, the syllables rolled off his tongue like droplets of honey, infusing sweetness into the air around them.
Each whispered instruction from his lips stirred a fire within her. As he made her draw the arrow, every brush of his hand against hers, a current of electricity dances along their entwined fingers. Dhisana found breath being aligned with the rhythm of his heart.
"Can you see the target ?" He asked, leaning down at her level, so he can see the target from her level.
But as his face drew near, he is enveloped in the enchanting scent of her locks, a mosaic of floral infusions intermingling with the warmth of her spirit. A bouquet of wildflowers and sweet jasmine dances delicately upon his senses, teasing and tempting him with a bewitching prowess. Manvendra momentarily closes his eyes to revel in them.
"Raudra..." Dhisana muttered feeling his breath dancing on her neck, which was making every strand of hair in her body stand up.
"Hmm ?" He hummed in response, still lost in the scent of her tresses.
"W-What are you doing ?" She asked in a shaky voice.
"I know exactly what I am doing." Manvendra said, while slowly opening his eyes. His fingers brushed against the strands of her hair, tugging them behind her ears. It sent shivers down her spine as she took a deep breath.
His gaze locked upon hers, entrancing her and erasing the world around them. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves momentarily.
"Can you see your target ?" Manvendra asked.
"Yes." Dhisana said staring deep in his eyes.
"I meant the target board." He said with chuckle.
"Oh." Dhisana quickly shifted her gaze ahead, focusing on the target as her cheeks got a visible shade of red.
"Now shoot." Manvendra said.
Dhisana let go of the string, and the arrow zoomed past the air and hit the board, it was a little off the bull's eye. Her lips slightly parted in excitement while Manvendra seemed quite impressed.
"It was so close !" Dhisana said as a childish grin appeared on her face.
"Not bad for a first try." He said with smile, a smile that sent fluttery sensations in her heart. Its radiance captivating her once again, causing an indescribable warmth to spread throughout her being.
"Salutations to both of you." A servant came towards them and bowed. He was accompanied by another man, who was carrying a scroll in his hands.
"Greetings to the Kurukumar and Kuru-kulvadhu. I am a messenger from Panchal, and I come with an invitation from Maharaj Drupad."
"Maharaj Drupad ? He is inviting me ?" Manvendra asked raising a brow, remembering the Gurudakshina raid against Panchal.
"It's the swayamvar of the princess, all royalties are invited." The messenger said.
"Oh. I didn't know Drupad had a daughter." Manvendra said.
"How could you not Rajkumar ? The tales of her beauty have spread far and wide. Krishnaa Draupadi is her name, she is Shri herself who emerged from the sacrificial fire in the middle of the altar as a grown woman. Her eyes are like lotus petals, with unblemished features and beauty, youth and intelligence. She is slender waisted, her form is flawless. Her body emits the scent of blue lotuses from a distance of one krosha. There is no one on earth who is as beautiful as her. Such an illustrious lady, whose resplendence is endless, will choose her husband at this Swayamvar." The messenger proudly and fondly told the charms of his princess.
Hearing such description, Dhisana finds herself drowning in a sea of insecurity as her own self-worth seems to be overshadowed by divine qualities of the princess of Panchal.
Dhisana gazed at Manvendra, whose face seemed unreadable. Anyone would be tempted to obtain such a woman as their wife. Wouldn't he also desire her ? Will he bring a co-wife ? Fear gnawed her heart.
"Forgive me, but I'd like to humbly reject this invitation." Manvendra said, the messenger stood surprise while Dhisana looked at him confused.
"Rajkumar, you are denying the opportunity to obtain Rajkumari Draupadi as your wife ?" The messenger asked.
"I am sure whoever obtains Panchal-kumari as a wife will be a fortunate one. But you see, I do have a wife of my own, whom I love dearly. I do not wish for another wife. Hence convey my apologies and my regards to Maharaj Drupad. May the best among men win the hand of the princess." Manvendra said as Dhisana looked at him with parted lips, as a sense of relief washed over her.
"Except the Yadavas, no prince till now had refused to participate after hearing the greatness of our princess, no matter how many wives he already had. You must love your wife dearly." The messenger said.
"I do." Manvendra said with a smile. The red on the face of Dhisana became evident, she pressed her lips in thin line, smiling in a silly manner for she had realized that her worth for her husband extended far beyond her physical appearance.
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A/N
Looks like Pandavas are going to return soon 🌝✨
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𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐇Ā𝐕𝐀
Historical FictionFirst among 11 Rudras is Manyu, the war god, wielder of thunder and Slayer of foes. He is the one who brings wealth and health. Through him Vidur and his wife Sulabha beget a son, named Manvendra, who was fierce, queller of foes, follower of Dharma...
