Not yesterday but now

Chapter 7 : Smile Among Strangers

They broke their hug as they heard their prince's voice.

"Draupadi, come here, father is looking for you," called Drishtadyumna from the balcony.
She nodded, her anklets jingling as she ran towards the chamber, leaving behind a trail of innocence and warmth.

This entire scene was witnessed by Karn. His heart throbbed with a strange, new feeling. It was now clear to him, she was the fire-born princess of Panchal. And the swayamvar that had drawn kings and princes from across Aryavarta... was for her.

He returned to his chamber with a smile so uncharacteristic of him. The moment he entered, he removed his crown and placed it gently on the side table. He sat on the couch, resting his elbows on his knees, his thoughts spiraling like never before.

"How can someone be this beautiful?" he whispered, pressing his forehead with his hand. "Not just beauty of form... but beauty of soul. A princess treating her maids as sisters, comforting them, crying with them, laughing with them without pride, without distance. Humble, kind, innocent, pure. Is such a woman truly walking this earth... or am I lost in some dream?"

He pinched himself lightly. The sting told him it was no dream.

But soon another thought darkened his mind. "Am I worthy of her? She is fire-born, the daughter of a king, the jewel of Panchal. And me... I am just a charioteer's son. Even if I were to win her hand, would she... could she... accept me?"

Before he could sink deeper into his thoughts, a familiar voice boomed at the door.
"Karn! Mitra, what are you doing here brooding alone? Come, let us go to the famous market of Panchal. They say it's unlike any other in Aryavarta, I want to see what's so special about it!" Duryodhan entered with his usual infectious energy, flashing his confident smile.

Karn quickly stood up, but Duryodhan's sharp eyes caught the unusual softness in his expression.
"What happened, Karn? You... you seem happy. And that is rare. You're not the type to wear your emotions on your face."

Karn hesitated, struggling for words. His silence made Duryodhan narrow his eyes in playful suspicion.
After a long pause, Karn finally asked, carefully, "Duryodhan... tell me truly. Do you... wish to win the hand of the fire-born princess?"

Duryodhan blinked, then burst into laughter. "Do you want me to be dead, Karna? Bhanu will kill me herself if I so much as glance at another woman!" He shook his head, chuckling. "Do you know how possessive she is? If she even hears me admiring someone else, I won't hear the end of it for weeks."

Karn raised his brows slightly, amused. "You make it sound like she rules you."

"She does!" Duryodhan declared proudly. "Bhanumathi is my lover, my strength, my mirror. She knows my heart better than I know it myself. Karn, she isn't just my lady of love, she is my heart. The only woman I could ever want." His expression softened, his pride glowing.

"Aryavarta may see me as a prince, but to me, Bhanu makes me a man."
Karna's gaze softened at his friend's sincerity. Duryodhan, still smiling, suddenly leaned closer, studying his face.

"But why do you ask?" His eyes twinkled with mischief. Then, as though the pieces clicked together in his mind, his lips curled into a wide grin. "Mitr! Do you... do you wish to be married?"

Karn looked away, embarrassed, his warrior's heart suddenly shy like a boy's.

"Tell me," Duryodhan urged, nudging him, "who has stolen Karn's guarded heart?"

Karn inhaled deeply, searching for the right words. "I saw her today... the princess. Draupadi. She is unlike anyone I have ever seen. Not just for her beauty, Duryodhan, but for the way she carries her soul. She did not see her maids as servants, but as friends, she wept with them, comforted them, embraced them. No arrogance, no distance. Such purity of heart... such warmth... it is impossible not to fall in love with her. For a moment, I forgot she was a princess. For me, she was just... a divine woman, beyond castes and titles."