MIRAGE OF HEARTSTRINGS

RESERVE

THE MAHARAJ OF INDRAPRASTHA'S CHAMBER

The night after that remain intact for the elder Pandava. But he slept without dreams.

That alone should have warned him.

Morning came with routine—ablutions, council, petitions—but something had shifted beneath the surface of his discipline. The restraint that once required effort now felt… natural. Like a muscle finally remembering its purpose.

He noticed it when he dressed.

The weight of his angavastram sat heavier on his shoulders, not burdensome, but right. When he fastened his jewelry, his hands were steady, unhurried. He was not bracing himself anymore.

He was settling in.

By the time he entered the inner court, he already knew where Duryodhana would be..

And he was right.

Duryodhana stood near the colonnade, watching Lakshman spar with his tutor. He looked relaxed at first glance—but Yudhisthir saw the truth immediately. The way Duryodhana’s attention flickered at every sound behind him. The way his posture adjusted unconsciously, as if anticipating instruction.

As if waiting.

The elder Pandava did not announce himself.
He simply arrived.

Duryodhana sensed him a heartbeat later and turned, surprise crossing his face before smoothing into something polite. Controlled.

"You’re early," Duryodhana said.

Yudhisthir smiled "So are you"

It was nothing. A harmless exchange.

But the Maharaj of Indraprastha stepped closer as he spoke, close enough that Duryodhana had to tilt his head slightly to meet his gaze. Close enough that Lakshman faded to the periphery.

"Walk with me" He said.
Not a question. But not a command either. The elder Kaurava can deny but Yudhisthir knows, he won't.

Duryodhana hesitated—just a fraction too long.

Yudhisthir noticed.

So did the second elder Pandava, watching from the training yard, his hands clenched around the shaft of a mace he was not using subconsciously. Still having the forged memory printed in mind. But didn't dared to interwine in between.

Duryodhana exhaled "Very well"

They moved through the palace together again, but this time the elder Pandava did not guide with his hand.

He guided with pace.

When Yudhisthir slowed, Duryodhana slowed.

When Yudhisthir stopped, Duryodhana stopped.

Neither acknowledged it.

"You haven’t been sleeping," Yudhisthir observed quietly.

Duryodhana stiffened "That's not—I sleep.......enough"

"Enough for show" Yudhisthira corrected. "Not for real"

"And you would know?"

"Yes," Yudhisthira said, without hesitation "Because I watch"
That did it.

Duryodhana halted abruptly "You speak as if I am-"

"fragile?" Yudhisthira finished gently.

The word was not spoken as a stamp.
It was spoken as a fact to be examined.

Silence stretched.

Yudhisthira turned slowly, giving Duryodhana his full attention. There was no hunger in his eyes. No heat.