WHEN THE STARS ALIGNED / A Mahabharat AU

30. who is the real problem?

Unexpected things were happening in Hastinapur. After years of Mahamahim Bhishm praying to all gods possible, Gandhar Raj was finally returning to Gandhar.

"Did my biological father die?" Shivanya asked, way too happily for someone talking about their father.

"Er..." Vikarna scratched his neck, flustered by her casual attitude.

"Unfortunately not." Shakuni answered, looking up from his scrolls in amusement. "He has gone missing, according to mother. But on the brighter side, I will be taking over again, appoint your cousin brother, Uluka as Yuvraj and acting King when I'm not there." He said.

"Maybe, Mamashree, with all due respect , for once, you should abide by your responsibilities as the King of Gandhar." Shivanya pointed out sharply.

Duryodhan's eyes widened in shock, but he said nothing. They haven't spoken to each other ever since her return. She didn't even glance his way, which broke his heart into pieces.

Shakuni opened and closed his mouth for a good minute before deciding he was too old to argue with his niece on something he knew deep down she was right about.

Shivanya sat on the swing in the middle of the room, legs lifting up every now and then with a jingle of her anklets.

"Shivu, why are you wearing only one anklet?" susshala pointed out.

Shivanya stopped abruptly and looked down at her feet, her sister was right. Due to her constant insistance of dismissing servants during dressing up and showering, she hadn't noticed this either. Then she remembered her little adventures in the forests of Panchal and how she lost one of them one day.

"It must've fallen somewhere around the castle. The way she runs around, it isn't impossible." Vikarna sighed.

"It's okay, we'll get you a new one." Duryodhan said, trying to catch her attention.

"Yeah...not everything can be replaced." She answered curtly. The room went silent abruptly.

"Shivu..." Vikarna tried.

"Let it be." Shivanya huffed, plopping off the swing before walking out of the quiet room.

"Shivu. Shivanya. Please Shivu... listen to me!" She heard Duryodhan's voice behind her.

"What more do you have to say, Bhratashree?" She snapped, turning around.

Duryodhan almost sighed as he heard her acknowledge him after ages.

"Shivu, I know you don't trust me...and you have every reason not to....but, trust me sister, I did not cause their death. Yes, I admit I did plan on it, I did conspire with the help of Mamashree and order Purochan to make the castle of lac but...when Madhavi said she'll go with them...the reality of the situation hit me." Duryodhan explained. Shivanya glared at him slightly.

"I... thought how she is my sister and I can't let her face such a situation...I also realised that....choti maa is my mother too....I thought of Sahadev, who when he was small would hide from me in the library and never ever spoke to me disrespectfully, he was a tiny child when I first saw him..and so was Nakul who would tease me about my choice in silk and still help me with the one I will look best in. About Arjun who had always been so kind to all my other brothers. Of Jyesth who has been nothing but kind and loving to all of us despite the humiliation and....even Bheem who I hate with my whole heart but...who will I fight without fear of loosing my kingdom if not him?" Duryodhan explained, voice breaking as he spoke, chest heavy.

Shivanya frowned, she scanned her brother's face carefully trying to detect the lies in his words, and she found none.

"So I sent a word to Purochan,ordering him not to go ahead with the plan." He explained.

"What?" Shivanya stared at him.

"Yes! Believe me please. You can ask Mitra Karn aswell. You know he wouldn't lie to you. I honestly don't not understand what caused the accident otherwise. After getting to know that they were supposedly spotted in the outskirts of the city, I have appointed people to actively looking for them." Duryodhan explained himself.

'oh, so those are the people they'll constantly run from and reach Panchal.'

Shivanya's face softened, "I...do believe you." She said "But that doesn't mean I will always. I still have not forgiven you for your intentions either. You've broken my trust...you are my brother, Bhratashree..." She sighed, "I am supposed to look up to you, learn from you, bot school you into becoming a decent person, that is the bare minimum. Whatever decisions you make now is what writes the future. And you choose who you want to be..." She paused, looking at him, "The hero, someone who is loved, understood, respected and admired or....the villain everyone will despise beyond the shackles of time." With that she turned and walked away, leaving Duryodhan alone in the quietness of his own thoughts.

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A/n
I'm working on the next chapter as we speak.
Sorry about the delay😭 author sou has like...two part time freelance jobs and a small business while author shiro is busy with RJ-ing, hosting and college.

2nd year is college is tough gng.

Next chapter is a step closer to draupadi swayamvar hddjsksk.

Thank you for the comments!

Love,
Author Sou (Shiro just hypes me up at this point)