MIRAGE OF HEARTSTRINGS

FEIGNING

IN COURTYARD

The afternoon sun lay warm and patient over the palace grounds, turning the marble corridors pale gold. The training courtyard beyond echoed with the sharp, delighted sounds of wood striking wood, punctuated by laughter too young to be cautious.

Lakshman circled his instructor with fierce seriousness, small hands gripping the practice staff as though it were a weapon of legend. His movements were clumsy but earnest, each correction met with a nod too grave for his age.

Duryodhana stood at the shaded edge of the courtyard, arms folded, watching his son with an expression that softened despite himself.

He knows well enough that he should be still thinking of the escape routes but after interacting with Nakula, he couldn't help but to think if running away is a good decision?

Maybe Lakshman's comfort and laughter already gave answer.

Maybe he is just thinking too much on his own.

Maybe Indraprastha can be said as safe place-

"He is improving" Sahadeva said quietly beside him.

Duryodhana glanced at him, surprised only briefly. Sahadeva had a way of appearing without announcement, as though he had always been there and one had merely failed to notice.

"He does," Duryodhana replied ".....Too stubborn for his own good"

Sahadeva's lips curved, just faintly. "That runs in his blood"

There was no judgment in it. No teasing either. Just an observation, delivered the way one might comment on the weather or the turn of the seasons. And Duryodhana neither ignored it nor acknowledged it.

They stood together in companionable stillness, the space between them unclaimed and unguarded.

Sahadeva did not crowd him. Did not angle his body closer. He remained slightly turned toward the courtyard, attention ostensibly on Lakshman - but every shift in Duryodhana's posture, every breath drawn too sharply or too slow, registered quietly in his awareness.

Lakshman laughed as he nearly lost his footing, the instructor steadying him with a hand to the shoulder.

Duryodhana exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing.

"He forgets himself when he's happy" Sahadeva said.

Duryodhana's gaze lingered on his son. "I don't want him to forget too much"

Sahadeva did not answer immediately. When he did, his voice was low, careful. "You won't let him"

Not we.....

You

The words settled gently, affirming without binding. Duryodhana did not realize how much he leaned into that distinction - only that he felt understood without being examined.

For a time, that was enough.

Then footsteps approached from the far corridor, light and unhurried.

Arjuna emerged into the courtyard's edge, bow slung loosely across his back, expression open and unguarded as his eyes found Duryodhana.

"Ah," he said easily. "I thought I would find you here."

Duryodhana turned, surprised but not displeased. "You're done with practice already?"

"For now" Arjuna's gaze flicked briefly to Sahadeva - not hostile, not warm enough to be brotherly. Simply aware. "Lakshman?"