Empire of Righteousness ( The Beginning)

Chapter 181 : Krishnapriya

"You cannot say that was fate as well, Maa," Satanika says.

"In medical, if you tell a patient he is going to die, he will die in fear of death sooner. If you tell someone he will live, that person will surely live longer. If you let it happen then say it's fate. That's no less than self harm," Shrutasena supports his elder brother.

The chamber gets completely silent. Pandavas even Karna's face twists in conflict. That's true. Why didn't she? They look at Draupadi expecting an answer.

Draupadi's eyes stops at her sakha and his too. Then Draupadi removes her eyes.

"I can't..."

"You must. How did it take so long for me to realize? Panchali, you aren't a weak woman ever," Bheema frowns thinking, "If you killed Dushsasana on that spot for disrespecting you, things would have been completely different. Why didn't you?"

Draupadi gulps and keeps looking elsewhere. Her face hardening and emotions getting lost from her eyes. She cannot answer them this.

She and her Sakha both gets back to that very day when a very small incident turned the biggest way around.

Draupadi flinches and looks away as the Sudarshana of her sakha beheads Shishupala. End of another unrighteous king she concludes. She is standing beside Yudhisthira. His face hardened.

"Clean the Sabha," Bheema orders soldiers.

"How dare you!" Duryodhana jumps from his seat agitated seeing his friend beheaded.

"You ruined this holy Sabha yourself, Yudhisthira! How dare you!" Duryodhana takes out his sword.

Draupadi gasps in shock. Another rule breaks. And this time it's very serious.

"How dare you point your weapon at us?" Arjuna growls.

The atmosphere of Rajsuya Yagna gets tensed.

"Duryodhana, you have broke a serious rule!" Yudhisthira's voice thunders in the Sabha.

Duryodhana who is seething is anger realizes his mistake about raising weapon. This is only punishable by death. Draupadi looks as Yudhisthira who now appears more conflicted.

Draupadi realizes his hesitancy. How can he order execution of his own cousin? And how can he not follow dharma about righteousness? Draupadi doesn't like the fact that still nepotism comes to him despite being a king.

"Arya," Draupadi whispers, "Taking away weapon from a warrior is equal to death for him. If you don't wish to order his execution, you can..."

"Thank God, Panchali!" Yudhisthira whispers back his face utterly relieved.

So it happens. Duryodhana, Dushsasana, Karna and other Kauravs weapons are taken from them. Their face turns red in humiliation. They are seething in rage.

"Duryodhana, Angraja, you broke a serious rule. This is the punishment I declare for you. Your weapons will be returned safely to you in your kingdom," Yudhisthira says softly.

Duryodhana, Karna leaves the Sabha infuriated. Draupadi sighs looking at the mess of blood on the floor.

Then her eyes fall to her sakha and her face immediately twists in pain.

There's a long, deep cut in his palm. Blood is about to be spilled when Draupadi runs towards him. She forwards her palm and catches the drop of blood not letting it fall on the floor.

"Krishnaa," Krishna's voice turns soft seeing her.

"If one drop of your pure blood falls on the floor of Indraprastha, my home will be reduced to ashes sakha," her eyes fill with tears.