Empire of Righteousness ( The Beginning)

Chapter 184 : Treasured in her Heart

"Sakha..." Draupadi enters his chamber.

"Krishnaa,"

Draupadi notices both her sakha and Arjuna inside.

"Why can't I ever find my Sakha alone? Why must you be everywhere?" Draupadi huffs.

Arjuna smiles but Draupadi notices that hasn't reached his eyes.

"Krishnaa, come," Krishna calls his Sakhi fondly.

Draupadi sits on his other side as Arjuna sits on the other. Krishna in the middle.

"Sakha, can the children not participate?" Draupadi goes to the point straight.

Krishna and Arjuna both looks at her.

"Was Mata Gandhari finally able to soften you?" Krishna jokes.

Draupadi explains, "It's not it, sakha...their fathers are at fault. Why must they suffer? They can be out of this war."

"It can be, sakha. Jyesht Karna's sons has vowed to fight alongside Kauravs. I don't blame them. They grew up together. But if possible, I don't wish to paint my hand red by my own blood," Arjuna says as well.

Krishna turns serious, "Krishnaa, you are aware of Gandharraj Shakuni 's life. Why is he so bent about his revenge? It's because his family was harmed. Who says Kauravs child won't seek revenge as well? You might not know but this unnecessary and foolish path of compassion might cost eternal war between Kauravs and Pandavas."

Draupadi and Arjuna looks at each other. Krishna's words sinking deep in their mind.

Krishna softly raises Draupadi's chin, "My Krishnaa, if a tree doesn't give good fruits, cutting the fruits won't make it better. You must uproot that tree to plant a good one. Kauravs won't have a single person of their bloodline alive."

"I... understand.." Draupadi sighs.

Noone speaks for a long time. Draupadi might not have taken the answer well if she didn't find Arjuna's shoulder brushing against her's to give her comfort.

"Come outside now, Sakha! Shouldn't you bid farewell to your daughter?" Draupadi smiles.

"We were talking about that, Panchali. Sakha wishes to keep Shrutasena here along his daughter," Arjuna scoffs.

Draupadi looks at their flustered Sakha and decides to tease him.

"How can that be, Govind?" Draupadi exclaims in fake horror, "Nandini has so much work to do in Devapath. Your beloved Pandavas have more than 80 thousand pupils. Who will take care of that? Who will take notice of Brahmins who comes for every meal in Devapath? Who will assist my son? And I am getting old. I need someone to take care of me now. If I leave emy daughter in law here, who will I look for late at night to bring me water? Who will press my tired feet?"

Arjuna purses his lips as Draupadi goes on a detailed description of works waiting for Nandini. That's a lie. Still now Draupadi works in every field without rest. All her daughter in laws have their responsibilities. But Draupadi has assigned 500 maids for each. They barely have to lift a finger. All are spoiled rotten by their mother in law. Nandini will be the same especially because she is beloved to Draupadi from childhood. But seeing his Madhav pale in fear, Arjuna understands Draupadi's reason.

"Don't you have maids in Devapath there? Why... Nandini..." Krishna stutters.

He becomes restless. His only daughter. She must work so much after marriage, isn't it?

"Are you seeing this Arjuna? Sakha flaunts about his love for me always. Saying no one cares for me more than him and what not. I have been working this much over decades. He didn't care nor asked. Now it's his daughter on spotlight, his face fall," Draupadi teases.