The Other Princess

Betrayal

The warm hues of sunset bathed the palace gardens in a golden glow as Samyukta wandered through the vibrant blooms, her heart heavy with an unshakeable sense of anxiety. The air was thick with the sweet fragrance of jasmine, yet it did little to ease the knot tightening in her stomach. Two days had passed since Dhrishtadyumna and his brothers had left for war, and each passing hour felt like an eternity. The garden, usually her sanctuary, now felt like a prison of uncertainty. Luckily Drupada and Prishathi left the very night Dhrishtadyumna had left with his brothers to face the Trigartas.

As she meandered toward the lotus pond, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant sound of birds offered no comfort. She found a secluded spot by the pond's edge, the still water reflecting the fiery colors of the sky. It was here, in this moment of solitude, that she allowed herself to imagine the worst. What if something had happened to him? What if he didn’t return? She pressed her fingers to her temples, trying ti chase away those thoughts.

Suddenly, she caught sight of a figure approaching in the distance. It was Nalini, her loyal maid and confidante. "My lady," Nalini called out, her voice tinged with excitement. "They have returned! The warriors are back!"

Her heart leaped, but a pang of unease followed quickly. “Is it really them?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Yes! They’re back! Come!” Nalini urged, pulling her towards the entrance.

Samyukta wiped her tears and hurried along, her heart racing with both relief and anxiety. As she reached the entrance.

The palace was alive with commotion as guards and attendants hurried to welcome the returning warriors. Samyukta's heart pounded in her chest as she reached the entrance, where the rest of the royal family stood: King Drupad, Prishathi, Draupadi, and Priyamvada. Together, they watched as the chariot rolled into the courtyard. Dhrishtadyumna dismounted from his chariot, his strong frame instantly recognizable amidst the throng of soldiers and advisors.

But as he stepped down, a princess followed him, adorned in jewels and wearing a garland of flowers. Samyukta froze, her breath hitching in her throat. Dhrishtadyumna walked confidently towards the entrance - the princess following him. As they approached, Drupad and Prishathi stepped forward, beaming with pride and welcome.

“Welcome back, my son!” Drupad exclaimed, his arms outstretched as he embraced his son.

"Father, Mother! This is Princess Sukanya of the Trigarta Kingdom - my second wife," Dhrishtadyumna declared, his voice echoing through the hall. The smiles of his parents, the reverence in their eyes, made Samyukta's heart plummet. Her world shifted beneath her feet, the ground seeming to slip away.

As the welcoming rituals commenced, with the arathi being performed for the couple, Samyukta felt the weight of the world pressing down on her. She felt unseen, as if she had become a mere shadow in her own life.

“Welcome, my son,” Queen Prishathi said warmly, her gaze briefly turning to Sukanya as she welcomed her new daughter-in-law into the family. "And welcome to Panchala my dear child!."

As the ceremony continued, Prishathi turned to Samyukta with an expectant smile. “Samyukta, dear, will you perform the aarathi for Dhrishtadyumna and his new wife, Sukanya?” she asked.

Samyukta nodded slowly, her heart heavy as she picked up the brass plate, adorned with flickering oil lamps and fragrant flowers. As she approached the couple, she felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her. Dhrishtadyumna stood tall beside Sukanya, his expression a mix of guilt and nervousness, but all Samyukta could see was the distance that had suddenly stretched between them. The sight of her husband standing beside another woman felt like a sharp dagger twisting in her heart.