Karna and Duryodhan entered inside the palace with Kunti.

The four Pandavas and Draupadi came that time only.
They entered inside and Draupadi hugged Kunti. "How are you?" Kunti asked and Draupadi smiled in return.

"We should enter inside", Nakul said, keeping his hand on her shoulder as Draupadi held her other hand and all of them entered inside.

Of course, not before passing glares to each other.

(Karna didn't care to glare or look as Arjun was absent. Wasn't it so obvious by the way?)

They were greeted by Shishupala and his wives. He didn't say anything fortunately as he knew that he was to set his daughter's marriage and not engage in any enmity. Besides, Krishna was not here.

They entered inside the royal court where Nakul met Karenumati and he was smitten by her. He smiled at her as she smiled at him back.

"I am not interested in his marriage talks. Let's go and take a stroll in the garden mitr", Duryodhan said.

Karna chuckled and nodded.

They went to take a stroll in the garden but Karna had to dash with someone 'again'.

(Vanshika)

Karna quickly held her in his arms before she could fall down. He looked at her as she had her eyes closed.

"You're fine", he said. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He pulled her up and she kept her hands on his shoulder.

"Catch her"

Karna and Duryodhan frowned as the girl gulped. She struggled in his arms and Karna firmed his hold on her. "Why are you behind her?" He asked the soldiers and maids.

"She ran away from the courtesan quarters", a lady screeched. That girl was crying and struggling in his arms. Karna found everything suspicious.

"What is your name?" He asked and she avoided answering. "What's your name?" He asked a little gently.

"Vanshika", she sobbed.

"Why did you run away?" He asked in the same soft tone.

Vanshika looked down hearing it. "If you don't tell me, I will be forced to give you to them, you have to tell me", he said.

"P-please let me go", she stammered. Karna sighed and looked at Duryodhan.

"Show my the chamber of mine and leave them alone", Duryodhan said and the soldiers and maids nodded. They let Karna in a chamber and Karna let Vanshika stand.

"Can you tell me now?" He asked gently.

She looked at him. "I-I don't want to be a c-courtesan. T-the king f-forced me. P-please L-let me g-go", she fell at his feet.

He was disgusted by Shishupala for sure.

"Where is your family?" He asked bending to her level looking at her worriedly.

"M-my parents A-are arrested f-for revolting against t-this decision and M-my little B-brother is also there but i-in another p-prison", she broke down.

Karna clenched his jaw. "I won't let them take you", he said. "I will talk to Shishupala", he wiped her tears.

"H-he won't agree", she said. "Let me go", she pleaded.

"And then what?" Karna asked. "What about your family?" He asked her and she went quite. "Just trust me", he said. He made her stand.

He held her hand and went there in the royal court after getting Duryodhan who was curious seeing Karna so furious.

Marriage talks were being discussed there. The Pandavas, Draupadi, Kunti, Shishupala, his wives, daughters and sons fixed their gazes on them.

Karna ignored the Princesses looking at him. Karenumati and Nakul were too lost in each other to focus at the matter ahead.

"How dare you?!" Karna asked in a raised voice. "How dare you force her to be a courtesan?" He shouted.

"I did?" Shishupala acted oblivious.

"Yes you...why would you stoop this low?" Karna asked.

"Free her this instant, maharaj", Yudhister roared. "You can't insult someone like that, mahraj", Draupadi added. "Free her this instant", Nakul and Sahdev said in chorus.

"This is against every morals and dharm", Kunti said.

Shishupala was cornered. His daughters went too him. Karenumati was with Nakul. She didn't know that this girl was forced. "Pitashree", she said in disbelief.

Other princesses were not good like Karenumati was.

"I will free her", Shishupala said but smirked. "On one condition", he added. "She needs to get married", he said.

The four Pandavas, Karna and Duryodhan narrowed their eyes at him, understanding his play well.

No one would marry her after she was declared a courtesan. That was so obvious.

"Ok...", Karna passed him a challenging look. "I will marry her and she will be the Queen of Anga, provided, her family is also allowed to go to Anga", he conditioned.

Everyone were shocked hearing it.

Vanshika hid behind Karna as she noticed Chedi royals (except karenumati) glaring at her. Karna protectively stood in front of her.

"Stop glaring at her. She's my wife and Anga's queen", Karna said.

"She's the daughter in law of Kuru empire now", Duryodhan said to them.

"Fine", Shishupala said hiding his anger. Karna and Duryodhan smirked and exchanged victorious looks. Vanshika sighed in relief.

"Karenumati and Nakul's marriage is also fixed", Kunti said happily and came to hug Vanshika.

Vanshika smiled and hugged her back.

Karna and she took her blessings. "Be happy always", Kunti smiled at them and caressed Vanshika's cheek. "I am getting two daughter in laws on the same day", she said.

Vanshika blushed hearing it.

"Will your family have a problem with it?" Karna asked Vanshika softly and she nodded in refusal, making him smile.

"Thank you, Angraj", she beamed in happiness.

"No...call him Arya", Duryodhan protested and Kunti and Karna broke into laughter as Pandavas and Draupadi looked amused at this side of Duryodhan while Vanshika got beetroot red.

Chedi royals kept glaring at the scene.

"Arya", Vanshika said happily and Karna pulled her in a side hug.

Karenumati went towards them with the four Pandavas and Draupadi.

"Karenumati and her family will arrive in Indraprastha. After your marriage with Vanshika, we should go", Kunti said and Karna and Duryodhan nodded.

He didn't notice the angry glares he got from the Chedi princesses (Karenumati's sisters)