Cover credit : @Sassy_Nightangle
Draupadi was a well-known princess of Panchal and queen of Indraprastha, after the great war of Gurushetra she became empress of whole Aryavart.
Was she happy with these positions?
When she came out of the yagna she...
Draupadi's last breath in her previous life had not been one of despair, but of resolution. "If I have done all my duty wholeheartedly, if I have been loyal to my husbands, then in this restart, I wish to be the only one who makes decisions in my life. And Krishna, don't forget your sakhi, even if she forgets you." Her soft smile lingered on her lips as she dozed into the arms of eternity.
A low, resonant voice drifted through the silence, so subtle that no ear could catch it. "Granted." And thus, the wheel of fate turned.
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Draupadi blinked open her lotus eyes. The world greeted her with a gentle breeze, carrying the faint fragrance of blue lotuses. She inhaled deeply, the air mingling with her natural scent, enveloping the riverbank and palace gardens in a serene aura. Her dark doe-shaped eyes, framed with long lashes, reflected both innocence and quiet strength. Her delicate nose and pink lips curved into a gentle smile, her long neck and the soft curve of her shoulders made her an image of perfection, and her cascading dark curls shimmered like midnight silk.
Draupadi was a rare creation, a blend of all things beautiful and powerful, the embodiment of divine grace. She walked toward the rishis who had gathered for the family's morning prayers. Bowing low, she received their blessings. They introduced her to her father, Drupad, and her brother, Dhrishtadyumna. Draupadi stepped forward, bending to touch her father's feet with a deep reverence.
But Drupad recoiled, stepping back as though she were a stranger or worse, an unwelcome shadow. Without a word, he climbed his chariot with Dhrishtadyumna and left, leaving Draupadi stunned in the courtyard. A comforting hand rested on her shoulder. Shikadhini, her elder sister, stood with a soft smile and unwavering assurance. Without a word, she embraced Draupadi and led her inside the palace.
"Childhood you never had," Shikadhini whispered softly, watching Draupadi's gaze linger on the playing children outside, their laughter ringing through the garden. Shikadhini ordered the maids to prepare Draupadi's bath. The maids hesitated, unsure of how the new princess would react. Draupadi broke their tension with a light chuckle.
"Why are you all staring at me? Am I a ghost?"
A maid stammered, "Forgive us, Your Highness-"
"Don't waste the word 'sorry' on trivial things," Draupadi replied calmly.
Her humility and gentleness melted the maids' apprehension. Bathed in sandalwood milk and fragrant oils, Draupadi adorned a golden-embroidered lehenga that complemented her complexion. Jasmine flowers graced her hair, and her soft feet were adorned with delicate golden anklets, gifted by her sister with a whispered, "Perfect."
Draupadi's heart felt light for a fleeting moment of belonging, yet she sensed the weight of the palace's indifference.
Days passed, and the tensions in the palace surfaced once again. Drupad had given Shikadhini's commander post to Dhrishtadyumna, citing his male gender. Shikadhini returned in tears, unable to bear the injustice. Draupadi followed her sister into the royal chamber.
