Karna somehow took Duryodhan and they set for Hastinapura back.

The three Queens were on the chariot, relaxing after so much drama in the Swayamvara. Karna was handling the chariot with Duryodhan standing beside him.

"Bhabhis won't take it easily, mitr", Duryodhan said. "We have no good relations with Panchal and they are quite wise in terms of royalty. They don't entertain things like this", Duryodhan said.

Karna smiled lightly. He knew that.

"I will make them understand, don't worry. I am sure they will not get angry with me", Karna said.

"Should we stop here? It is a long journey and breaks are required", Karna said.

"You spoke what was in my mind", Duryodhan said.

They stopped there itself and Duryodhan got down. "I will take a stroll around", he said.

Karna knew it was intentional. Duryodhana wanted to leave to give Karna sometime with his wives.

"Sure", Karna scoffed, telling him he caught his lie.

Duryodhan smiled sheepishly and went. Karna turned to his wives. He gazed at Esha who was looking down. She was feeling awkward for obvious reasons.

"Arya, can we see the view and walk too? We will be in front of you only", Abhilasha asked. "Yes Arya, please", Kalyani said.

Now these both wanted to leave him and Esha alone.

"Ok", Karna smiled. "Please me in my view only. This is forest area and is dangerous", he instructed.

They both nodded in agreement and Karna helped them step down.

He climbed back on the chariot after that.

"Esha, are you alright?" Karna asked and she bit her lower lip and nodded.

"I shouldn't have done the task for you. Knowing that you didn't want to marry a charioteer's son", Karna said.

"You are getting me wrong", Esha said instantly but then stopped. Karna raised an eyebrow at her. Then why did she insult him?

Esha felt really emotional. She shouldn't have insulted him like that no matter what. He was her chosen husband and she shouldn't had commented on him no matter what.

Arjun was alive, then what was the need?

She made him feel so inferior in front of everybody. She didn't knew what had caused this, how exactly it was planned, she had zero knowledge. And, she could have confronted him later on or rejected him just like that.

Nobody would have questioned her, not that her overprotective brother would have let them ask her, anyways.

But, she shouldn't have brought his caste. It was not shameful but it was quite mocking by the way, she used it.

She disrespected him and her father too as he wanted her to get married to Angraj.

These thoughts tormented her.

Tears welled up in her eyes and a sob escaped her mouth.

Karna heard it and got worried and panicked. He bent to her level and held her chin. He made her look up.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" He asked her.

"I-I am sorry. I s-shouldn't have...", she stammered.

Karna sighed and wiped her tears.

"It's alright", he whispered.

"No. It's not", Esha said. "I will tell you why I said that. But...first, were you involved in the Varnavrat incident?" She asked.

Karna was taken aback hearing it.

"W-what?" He asked her in a choked voice. He stared at her with widened eyes.

"Were you involved in Varnavrat incident?" She repeated.

Karna stood silent hearing it. His mind messed up again. He couldn't understand what he should say. Was he involved or not?

His opinion was war but his silence was agreement.

"Arya", Esha whined and Karna looked at her. She froze as his gaze fixed on her.

After their awkward moments till now, he really didn't expect to hear Arya from her mouth. He lightly smiled at her flushed face as she looked down.

"Yes", he whispered. "I was involved in the incident", he looked away.

"Why?" She tugged on his hand. He clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, relieving those harsh memories. "Why Arya?" She asked him in tears.

"I...uh...", he stammered.

"Why did you agree to kill someone? Was it not against your morals? Six innocent lives at stake? Why Arya?" She cried.

"It was for my friend", he said in a raised voice as he took a sharp breath. His headache increasing after remembering everything that happened.

Esha flinched by his tone. "Hey", he said as he looked at her hurriedly, keeping his hand on her hair. "I didn't mean to scare you", he said genuinely.

"What exactly happened?" She asked.

"Duryodhan had been planning this conspiracy. When I got to know about it, I protested. I wanted war, to defeat Arjun. I didn't want conspiracy. But, Duryodhan convinced me saying it will bring loads of destruction and the elders will be at Pandavas side. Then, I refused because of Queen Mother Kunti who was innocent in all this, but, he again convinced me saying that she would live in pain of loosing her sons, her only reason to live. So, I did nothing and stayed silent. Speaking even a word, would have meant betrayal to Duryodhan. But...Yes I was involved in the incident", Karna said.

Esha gulped hearing it.

"Arya, silence is the dangerous than doing. You have to stop something wrong from happening", she said.

"I know...I know", he muttered.

"That's why I refused to marry you", she said.

"I understand", he sighed. "And I know that nothing can undo my wrong doing", he added.

"Actually one thing can, you should leave his side", Esha suggested and Karn widened his eyes.

"What are you saying?" He shrieked in horror. "He's my friend", he said. "And then you are being unfair here. It was not only him, even I was involved in it. So, how come I have the right to leave him?" Karna asked.

"Well...", he sighed as she gazed at him, innocently. "I did try to leave", he whispered as his shoulders slumped. "But it was not because he did wrong, I knew I was an equal participant. It was because, the way I saw the palace burning, it brought shivers down my soul and somewhere I thought, archery is my passion, royal politics is not my cup of tea", he said.

"Then why you both are together now?" Esha asked added thinking deeply for a moment.

"Duryodhan tried to burn himself for not having me by his side", Karna said. Esha widened her eyes and looked at him shocked.

"H-he tried to what?" She stammered.

"Burn himself", Karna answered for the second time. "He loves me that much and you are telling me to leave him? How can I leave him?" Karna asked softly.

Esha got silent at this.