AT INDRAPRASTHA
"Pitashree! Can I please go out to see the animals?"
The small voice broke through the heavy silence of the Right Wing Pavilion.
Duryodhana lifted his gaze from where he sat.
"......Sure. Be careful, though."
"Ji, Dhanyawad."
Light footfalls scattered across the polished floor as the child hurried away, his tiny steps carrying him farther from the pavilion with every passing second.
Duryodhana remained where he was.
His eyes followed the boy until he disappeared beyond the corridor.
Only then did his gaze drift towards the open window.
A few days ago, that window had felt like a breathing source.
A small opening to the world beyond these walls.
Through it came sunlight.
Fresh air.
The distant sounds of the palace.
Occasionally, the laughter of his son.
Now-
It looked like a prison window.
A cruel reminder that there was a world outside that he could see but could not reach.
His freedom had been reduced to a handful of steps surrounding his room.
His movements were watched.
His meals brought by maids who knew nothing about the power dynamics of kingdoms.
His son's activities reported to him by servants because he was no longer permitted to simply walk out and see Lakshman himself.
It should feel Shalom,
But it didn't.
Gibberish,
Infuriating,
Enervating.
Every passing day made the confinement more unbearable.
And what made it worse was the silence of the man who had ordered it.
Yudhisthira
The Eldest Kaurava's dire need to confront the Dharmaraj had been growing for days.
He wanted answers.
He wanted his freedom.
He wanted to return to the Left Wing Pavilion.
He wanted-
Anything that felt remotely like his own life again.
And his patience had finally begun to reach its breaking point.
---------------------------------
Duryodhana was about to turn back towards his room after taking a walk around the room.
Standing at the same spot for too long had become vapid.
Pointless.
He had barely taken a step when-
"Duryodhana?"
His entire body halted.
Slowly, he turned around.
Nakula stood several steps away.
The second-youngest Panduputra's eyes rested upon him with an expression Duryodhana could not decipher.
YOU ARE READING
MIRAGE OF HEARTSTRINGS
Ficción históricaIn the shadow of a legendary feud, where ancient rivalries simmer, a hidden truth awaits. Beneath the surface of animosity and pride, a tangles web of emotions threatens to upend the fate of sworn enemies. As the winds of destiny sweep them towards...
