The Red String Of Fate

Episode 127

Third person pov___

The night after the confrontation with Jaydharath was heavy with silence, yet the echoes of pain lingered. The brothers had escorted Rani back to their temporary shelter in the heart of the forest, but her cold indifference cut deeper than any wound they had sustained in battle. She had not spoken a word, not even a glance directed at them. Her quiet fury loomed like an invisible wall they could not breach.

Rani sat by the fire, her back turned to the brothers. The golden light danced across her face, but her heart felt shrouded in darkness. Her mind replayed the moment Jaydharath had grabbed her wrist, the terror she felt, and the moment the brothers appeared. But her relief was fleeting. Their presence no longer felt like comfort, only a reminder of the trust they had shattered.

**Rani's pov**

*"Arya..."* The word felt foreign now, like a title she no longer wished to speak. These men-her husbands-had always been her strength, her family. But now, they felt like strangers. She had forgiven their pride, their ego, their insensitivity, time and again. But how many times could a heart break before it refused to mend?

Her hands clenched around the soft shawl she had draped over her shoulders. For so long, she had buried her pain to keep the family together, to keep the illusion of harmony alive. But tonight, she felt a spark of rebellion. She was done sacrificing her happiness for the sake of their pride.

Yudhishthir, sat apart from the others, his usually steady hands trembling as he clasped them together. As the eldest, he felt the weight of responsibility more than anyone. *How had it come to this?* He had prided himself on his fairness, his wisdom, but he had failed to see Rani's silent cries for help.

"Bhratashree," Nakul's soft voice broke through his thoughts. "Do you think she'll ever forgive us?"

Yudhishthir sighed deeply. "Forgiveness is earned, not given freely. And we've done nothing to deserve it."

Arjun sat closer to the fire, his bow resting beside him. He couldn't shake the image of Rani's terrified face when Jaydharath had grabbed her. Her fear wasn't just for Jaydharath-it was for *them*, for the way they had hurt her.

"She deserves better than us," Arjun murmured, his voice laced with guilt. "We've failed her in every way."

Duryodhan, standing nearby, snapped, "Then why don't you fix it, Parth? You're so good with words, so quick to charm her-why don't you heal what you broke?"

Arjun's eyes narrowed, but instead of arguing, he looked back at the fire. "Because words aren't enough anymore."

Duryodhan paced like a caged tiger, his fists clenched. He hated how helpless he felt, hated how he couldn't undo the damage. But more than that, he hated seeing Rani ignore him, as if he no longer existed in her world.

"She's punishing us," he growled to Bheem. "And she's right to."

Bheem, who rarely showed emotion, nodded grimly. "I'd take every punishment she gave if it meant earning her trust again."

As the brothers sat in heavy silence, Ashwathama emerged from the shadows, his expression grim.

"Bhratashree," he said, addressing Yudhishthir, "we need to talk."

The tone of his voice drew everyone's attention. He looked directly at Yudhishthir but glanced uneasily at Rani, who had shifted slightly to listen.

"I found tracks near the river," Ashwathama continued. "Jayadhrath wasn't alone. Someone else was watching us, someone far more dangerous."

Rani's breath hitched, but she kept her gaze on the fire.

"Who?" Arjun asked, his tone sharp.

Ashwathama hesitated. "I don't know their name, but their presence was... unnatural. The forest itself feels tainted by it. I fear we've only seen the beginning of this darkness."