After that, they didn't talk about it anymore but it was clear, that Esha was comfortable with him now.

"Tell me something about our co wives", Esha said. "Let me call those two curious birds too", Karna chuckled.

"Kalyani, Abhilasha, everything is fine. You should come back", he said and they both giggled and nodded as Esha blushed and looked down.

They rushed towards him and Karna helped them on the chariot.

"So, I have four wives as you know", he said and the Princesses nodded.

"My first wife is Vrushali, she's my childhood friend and lady love. She's the eldest and will take care of you all like she's your big sister", Karna smiled.

"Second wife is Kirti. Well...she's totally a kid at heart", Karna chuckled. "She's Paurava princess and we ran away together when her parents didn't agree for our marriage", Karna said.

"I married Vrushali and Kirti, at the same time, in the same mandap. But, I married Vrushali first and then Kirti", he told.

"Then comes my third wife, she's Supriya. I did kidnap her. I admit that. We met in Kalinga during Bhanumati bhabhi's Swayamvara. She's a friend of Bhabhi and in concern, Kalinga's Queen requested us to take Supriya as no one knows bhabhi well than her, so I had to kidnap her as well", Karna said.

"And we got married", Karna said.

(I realised that I didn't add Karna and Supriya's wedding scene. Lmao. So, I added in chapter fifteen)

"However, when we talked on the way, we clicked off instantly. And, didn't face any troubles", Karna added.

"Then, my fourth wife, Arundhati. She's a Vaanar princess and she's so cheerful and energetic. I had just returned to Anga after my fourth marriage when Duryodhan sent a letter telling me to come to Hastinapura as we had to come in your Swayamvara", he said.

"My wives are really kind and sweet. They may take time in accepting you three as I honestly didn't went to participate and even told your brother that. Also, you must be aware the enmity Panchal and Hastinapura share. So, they will surely feel that I am in trouble as Kuru elders already don't like me", Karna said.

"Oh", the three whispered.

"Anyways, I should call Duryodhan. We need to leave immediately", Karna said.

The three princesses nodded in agreement, hearing it.

"Mitr", he said getting down. He shouted in a loud voice again, "MITR!" He yelled so that Duryodhan hears him.

"Coming", Duryodhan said and came back. He got on the chariot with Karna and they drove off. "Everything is fine between me and Esha", he muttered looking at Duryodhan.

Duryodhan nodded, smiling in relief.

Hastinapura

"Why Bhanumati called us back?" Supriya asked in confusion. Vrushali, Arundhati and Kirti shrugged hearing it.

They stood up as the chariot stopped in front of the palace.

"I am sure, we are in for some more drama", Kirti said mocking excitement. "Kirti", the three other wives warned her but they were amused as well.

They got down and went towards the palace stairs. All royals were standing there.

Except Pandavas and Kunti.

They thought and sighed.

This family was totally messed up. This cousin rivalry was known throughout but living among it told how horrific it was.

The Varnavrat incident made them go insane in shock and fear. The way the planning was done and taken forward.

Nobody could believe it.

They saw the royal family with smiles. All were genuine. Kuru elders might be not in favour of Karna but they surely adored his wives.

They were welcomed grandly by Gandhari and Bhanumati. "Rest in your room, Angraj and Arya must be arriving", Bhanumati told the four.

They went in their room and sat on the bed.

"I am still thinking about the fire that lit off from the candle", Arundhati muttered, looking down at her hands.

"Hey", Vrushali said, keeping her hands on her clasped hands. "He will be fine, don't worry", she smiled. "But jiji, the bad thoughts don't go only", Kirti whimpered.

"Just remember him and everything will be positive", Supriya said.

Meanwhile, Karna and Duryodhan reached the palace. 

Shakuni had come just before the Swayamvar begin as he received a letter from his son. Though, he was in Hastinapura only.

"Angrani, Angraj has arrived", Maid told the four. They got excited and stood up.

After the vanquished fire of the candle, they were terrifically worried about their husband. Now, that he had arrived, they were relieved.

They ran outside and in the foyer, only to see Karna climbing with three other girls.

Duryodhan was coming forward than them, excitedly.
He embraced Bhanumati as soon as he came.

Who were these three girls?

Panchal princesses? Of course!

Karna would never marry them!

Especially after the enmity increased to greater extents, right?

"Arya", Kirti said slowly as the four approached him. "They...are not your wives right?" Arundhati asked, hesitantly.

Panchal princesses smiles dropped hearing it.

They instantly realised that these four Queens would not accept them.

"Arya", Supriya asked. "Tell us", Vrushali added.

Karna stared at them as they looked at him with big questioning eyes.

"They are my wives", Karna whispered.

The four got stilled hearing it.

"Arya", Arundhati said. "Are you saying the truth?" She asked. She held his hand in her's.

"Yes", Karna said.

"But...you said you won't participate", Arundhati mumbled. She was looking at him in confusion. Why did he participate then?

"Bhabhi. I will tell you the truth", Duryodhan said.

"He didn't participate. He had told Drishtadyumna to not call his name. But, the Prince called his name as no one was allowed to just view it. Participation was compulsory. Karna was troubled thinking about you and that's why he failed in first attempt but the Dwarakanaresh there, objected that he did the task in distraction and has to do a second attempt. This was also because Karna failed to string the bow with just a breadth of hair so it was visible that he had the capability to do it", Duryodhana said.

"He did the second attempt with complete focus and completed the task. He said that he wanted to wed the Princesses with my next three younger brothers. But, Maharaj Drupad got furious and told that his daughters were not prices. Who has won them will only marry them otherwise he won't send his daughters", he explained.

"He would have won Princess Draupadi if he succeeded in first by the way. Second attempt was for the three princesses", Duryodhan said.

"Bhabhis. He was thinking about you four and he even told about you four on the way to the Princesses. Please don't be angry", He pleaded.

"Raja Drupad is right. If you showed your valour, the Princesses deserved to marry you rather than some princes they didn't knew about", Bhishma said. He had seen how Vichitravirya's sudden death almost destroyed life of the Princes grandmothers.

Everything needed to be taken care of.

Vrushali, Supriya and Arundhati thought deeply but later smiled.

"It's ok Karna", Vrushali said. "I know you would have considered our wishes", she said further.

"And, Arya. You won so you deserved to marry the Princesses. No issues. We were just worried for you because of the soar relations between the kingdoms bit it's not a problem anymore", Supriya said.

"We can welcome them", Arundhati said.

Karna and the Princesses grinned.

"No!" They heard and saw Kirti, who was furious. "They are not allowed here", she said firmly making Karna look at her shaken.

She turned around and went as everybody kept staring at her.

Author's Note

Any Guesses why Kirti is not ready to accept them?