Destiny or Accident?

Episode: 24 || Sneak-II

"I may be on the side of the angels.
But don't think for one second
that I am one of them."

Karna returned to the palace, his demeanor composed, the turmoil of his earlier emotions having dissipated. The frustration that had gnawed at him earlier—the weariness of navigating the constant political games, the suffocating atmosphere of royal rivalries—had dulled. He'd left his home burdened by thoughts of loyalty and dharma, feeling as if his head might split from the tension of his role in Hastinapur's complex web of alliances. Now, after spending some quiet time with his mother and brothers, he felt lighter. He didn't want those thoughts creeping back, sullying the calm he had reclaimed.

Though he loved Suyodhana and cherished their friendship, he found himself increasingly vexed by the influence of Gandharaj Shakuni. The man's constant machinations surrounded them, filling every conversation with the taint of ambition and schemes. Karna often found himself battling against the tide of Shakuni's persuasions, using logic and a sense of honor to temper Suyodhana's impulses. Yet even Karna himself was not entirely immune to Shakuni's silver tongue—at times, he'd catch himself swayed by the Gandharaj's compelling arguments, only to be jolted back by his conscience.

Shakuni's suggestions, often skirting the edges of dharma, chilled Karna's blood. If left unchecked, they could lead to actions that would horrify even the most hardened of souls. Karna did his best to steer his friend away from these paths, preventing the plans from coming to fruition. But Shakuni always loomed nearby, like an eagle circling above, waiting to swoop down on the unwary. How, Karna often wondered, did the kingdom of Gandhara function if its king spent all his time meddling in Hastinapur?

He pushed these thoughts away, determined to hold on to the peace he had rediscovered. As he entered his chambers, Karna set his crown on the dressing table, the cool weight of it leaving his head. He removed his jewelry one piece at a time, the gold and gems clinking softly as they were placed down. Stretching his arms and rotating his shoulders, he welcomed the release of tension from the formalities of the court.

Karna ran his fingers through his hair, the repetitive motion soothing him as he moved towards the bathing area. But then, he stopped abruptly, his body tensing, senses on high alert. Years of training had sharpened his awareness, and now he caught the faintest sound—deep breathing, steady but strained. It was so subtle that an untrained ear might have dismissed it, but Karna's instincts flared to attention.

He scanned the room, eyes darting from shadowed corners to the softly flickering diyas that cast a dim glow. He checked the area around his bed, the dressing table, even behind the curtains of the changing space, but there was no one in sight. Yet the sound persisted—a breath, followed by a pause, then another breath, this time more labored.

Karna's gaze shifted towards the open balcony. He moved towards it with silent steps, slipping outside into the cool night air. The view was calm—just the changing of the guard below, as soldiers shifted from one shift to another, their voices a quiet murmur in the distance. But that breath—he could hear it again, now coming in irregular, shallow bursts. It wasn't coming from outside the palace walls but from closer, much closer.

He moved to the far left corner of the balcony, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the dark space below. There, hidden beneath the shadow of the balcony's curve, he caught a glimpse of a figure. His breath caught when he recognized who it was.

Advika tried pulling herself up to reach the next decorative slab of the railing, but as her hand slipped, she fell back to her previous position. Frustration simmered within her, but before she could try again, Karna's gaze caught her struggle. The sight ignited something deep within him, bringing back the burning jealousy he felt when he had seen her wrist in Arjun's grasp. His good mood soured in an instant, and he clenched his jaw as he watched her attempts.