It was the next day.. Pragti was showing all those new dresses to all the ladies.. Sushen was standing in a corner leaning on a wall, and staring at Pragti.. She gestured him to look away, but instead his stare got intense...

Arjun was talking to Ciara when he saw Sushen's actions.. It made his blood boil but he took deep breaths to calm down.. Ciara joined the other ladies while Arjun decided to talk to Sushen.. Alone..

Arjun-" Kumar Sushen would you like to go on a walk with me?"
Sushen-( thought-" Oh! Seems like my future father- in-law wants to walk with me! Well not a bad way to start bonding!") Yes sure!"

Arjun smiled.. Pragti noticed it and chuckled to herself.. Meanwhile, Prathi, Chitra and surprisingly Yudhisthir were talking.. It was such an unexpected sight!

With Arjun and Sushen..

Arjun-( thought-" I brought him till here but how am I supposed to speak with him! His walk, his way of talking is all just like him, I don't hate this kid, unless he gets too close to Pragti, I hate the fact that he resembles Angraj so much!")

Sushen-( thought-" Damn.. I never thought coming up with a topic would be so hard! How should I start? The weather is amazing! Nah that's way too outdated! Indraprastha reminds me of Anga, NAH He will understand its a total lie! Should I talk about Pragti? What no Sushen have you lost it?")

Arjun-" Well Sushen, what's your age?"
Sushen-" I turned 24 not to long ago.."
Arjun-" I see.. So do you have any plans on getting married?"

Sushen-"( thought-" Yes, and too your daughter! Couldn't he find a better topic?! I will still give him an A for effort..)

Arjun noticed the sudden change on Sushen's face.. He regretted asking the question.. He sheepishly scratched his neck.. Talking to young boys is hard.. You cannot tell what's going on in their massive heads..

Arjun-" Well than, how is everyone is Anga? Your brothers? Sister in laws? Angrani And.....( takes a deep breath) Angraj karna.."
Sushen-" Everyone is alright.. My three older brothers have went to Hastinapur along with Pitashree.. As for Mata sometimes she is stressed about her queenly duties, but bhabhi are always there for her.. Especially Snigdha bhabhi.. What about you all?"

Even though Sushen knew everything, he decided to go with the flow..

Arjun-" Indraprastha has no political issues, as for now.. Draupadi is excited for Satanik's baby.. Shrutkarm is planning on visiting Tensen and Tuana, along with Ciara ofcourse.. Well Sushen what do you think about Pragti?"
Sushen-" W-what d-do I th-think?"

Arjun-" Yeah, give me a honest answer."
Sushen( chuckles)-" Words cannot describe your daughter Maharathi!It's true in the beginning I thought she was a rude and prideful royal, but now.. I know she is the kindest and most gentle soul to walk on this earth.. I.. I really enjoy her company.."

Arjun-" I see.. You do know how to use the right words kumar, for a suta its impressive.. "
Sushen( whisper)-" Maharathi Arjun, I actually lov-"

Sushen wasn't able to complete, it seemed that Arjun was lost in his own thoughts.. Whatever he spoke after turning back, shook Sushen..

Arjun-" I Am Seeing A Prince For Her.. Kumar Saarujaan, the third prince of Nepa.. I saw their interactions, Pragti is naive she didn't see his love for her.. I still remember while talking to me, his eyes were fixed on her.. That's when I decided this.. "

Sushen stopped walking, his eyes widened, his fear was turning real.. Arjun was two steps ahead of him.. His heartbeats were fast and he swallowed hard.. His forehead was covered in sweat.. How could he tell his father's enemy that he was in love with his dear daughter...

Arjun-" Kumar Sushen? Do you feel alright? Do you need some water?"
Sushen-" N-no am alright.. It's just too hot here.. "

He quickly wiped his face, and followed Arjun.. Meanwhile Arjun had a smirk, he wasn't worried anymore, he had broke the news of Pragti's future arranged marriage to Sushen, even if he liked her, he would probably try to stay away.. His heart was finally at peace..

Sushen-(thought-" I must stay cautious.. Before revealing about relationship to Maharathi Arjun, I must speak to mata.. She will understand me..")

Both of them stayed silent.. While heading back to the palace, they heard screaming and shouting.. Both of them looked bemused and immediately ran in...

Arjun's eyes widened.. His breathing was heavy.. He looked angry, and it suprised Sushen.. He looked at the unwelcomed guest..

A tall dark, handsome and heavily built man.. His black eyes radiated nothing but hatred, but his face was calm.. A vicious smile plastered his face...

Sauraj-" Seems like the folks in Indraprastha don't welcome their guests? But I wouldn't mind it after all we are family!"
Prativindhya-" Why are you here Kumar Sauraj? Didn't the war answer your question? Can't you just leave us alone!"

Sauraj-" Kumar Prativindhya don't stress yourself! It might slow your recovery.. As for the war, it was your answer to my question, but today am here to talk to someone else and know her views about it..."
Satanik-" Who do you want to talk to and why?"

Sauraj smirked and pointed all eyes directed towards Vatsala.. Chitrasen had a frown, Prathi noticed it and pinched to him to make him calm.. Chitra would rip him to peices.. The name " Sauraj" made Sushen twich his eyebrows.. Wasn't he the same guy who bullied Chitrasen during his Gurukul days? He was already stabbing him in his imagination..

Vatsala gave her husbands a smile before getting up..

Vatsala-" What do you want to talk about kumar?"
Sauraj-" Not here, let's talk in private after all isn't your palace big enough?"
Vatsala-" The main hall itself is spacious for us to talk, we don't need to make any special arrangements.."

Sauraj-" Well than, I am pretty sure you know why the war broke out.. Your first husband ( points at Prathi) says that he cannot marry again because of his vow to you.."
Vatsala-" Yes that's correct..He doesn't want to marry your sister.."
Sauraj-" Are those his thoughts or your your assumptions?"
Vatsala-" What?! What do you mean?"

Sauraj-" Well, don't you have two husbands.. And yet you don't want them to remarry? Do you really think that either of them might be happy when you leave for the other kingdom? It is only fair, when Prativindhya will also have another wife, someone who he can go for comfort, someone who can tend his wounds after war, someone who can completely dedicate her mind and body to him-"

Chitrasen-" JUST STOP! THIS WHERE YOU CLEARLY DRAW THE LINE SAURAJ!"
Sauraj-" Huh, I wasn't talking to you.. why are you even here Chitrasen? Seems like your bad habit of not interfering hasn't gone yet has it?"

Sauraj narrowed his eyes at his childhood enemy... Chitrasen was fuming in anger, he didn't like seeing Vatsala get insulted..

Chitrasen( thought-" Dedicate her mind and body? Huh, does he mean that Vatsala isn't dedicated? We try our best to not touch her when she spending her year with the other one.. And here out of nowhere people come out pointing this! I won't stand still, I won't watch her get insulted by my sworn enemy!)

Draupadi-" Kumar Sauraj, do not FORGET that you are talking to the Yuvrani of Indraprastha and Rajkumari of Anga.. Let me remind you, you are in our territory, and just one sign can get you killed.. So think before you speak."

Sauraj-" Tch.. As you say Maharani.."
Vatsala-" Kumar Sauraj, my arya has no feelings for your sister.. He lost them long ago because of her own karma.. And yes you are no one to judge our relationship.. It's true, I have two husbands but I love them equally.. I won't speak on this any further, as society is here to judge and I cannot go on shutting everyone.."

Sauraj-" I see.. Well than you don't fear the society? Let's make a deal just you and me!"
Vatsala-" A deal?"

Sauraj-" Yes! Kumar Prativindhya could marry my sister while you could marry me! I mean three is better than two! And doesn't the saying go, 'more the merrier'?"

Vatsala was dumbfounded for a moment.. Within fraction of seconds, Sauraj was lying on the floor struggling to get rid of the hand on his neck.. Chitrasen was quick, his eyes were red and his grip around Sauraj's neck tightened.. Sushen was ready to lash out at Sauraj's senapatis, while The Upapandavas grabbed their weapons...

Prativindhya understood what Vatsala was telling him.. People saw her as someone who was having fun with two husbands? Someone who can be treated as an object? He looked at his mother who had teary eyes...

Draupadi understood how terrible it felt.. She had gone through the same once upon a time.. The Pandavas looked at Yudhisthir to order them to kill the prince but he stayed quiet.. Saurvira had many allies, they had already suffered losses due to the previous war.. It was practical to not get involved in any fight right now...

Yudhisthir-" Kumar Chitrasen leave him.. Please I request you to do so!"

Chitrasen didn't here infact he was close enough to kill Sauraj, but Shrutkrit and Satanik pulled him.. Sauraj coughed blood.. He doubted his own skills, he scratched, kicked and bit but Chitra didn't even budge a bit..

Prativindhya-" PITASHREE! HOW CAN WE SIMPLY LEAVE THIS GUY?"
Yudhisthir-" Who said am leaving him?"

The Upapandavas and Pandavas turned their attention at him..

Yudhisthir-" Punch his face till every corner of it is bleeding.. Make sure to kill all his soldiers.. Tie his hands send him alone, if the Saurvira king is intelligent enough he will understand our warning or else I will make sure to behead him all on my own.. And yes.. Last but not least.. Cut his finger with which he pointed at my dear daughter, and keep it in a box, no one shall ever dare to insult her..."

Saying so he turned, and decided to go straight to his room to write a letter to Saurvira kingdom, stating all the things they might have to face if something like this happened again.. Sutsom and Prativindhya were badly injured hence it was hard for them to beat the crap out of Sauraj but their brothers did a fine job..

Vatsala simply stood there trying to absorb what had happened.. she knew people said bad about her behind her back but this was completely unexpected.. As much as Sauraj deserved this treatment, Vatsala didn't like violence or blood..

Chitrasen got up to give the finishing touch up by punching Sauraj's nose.. Madhur stood up and gave his sister a hug cutting her vision.. Chitra used all his strength and smashed Sauraj's nose.. Sauraj felt his legs give up and he fell down, panting.. Yudhisthir was back with the letter..

Sauraj-" I will make you regret this.." His eyes darted at Vatsala.. The guy still had the nerve to talk.. Bheem lost control,he summoned his gadha and gave banged it right on Sauraj's stomach making him fly in air and hit the ground with a thud.. He felt dizzy but was still strong on his ground.. Before Chitra could step in, Arjun kept a hand on his shoulder and gave it a little squeeze..

It was suprising but for some reason Chitra stopped.. Satanik took Yudhisthir's letter and tied it near Sauraj's waist.. He tightened the rope around Sauraj and shoved him away...

Prativindhya-" GO AWAY! DON'T YOU DARE COME BACK! INDRAPRASTHA AND SAURVIRA ARE ENEMIES FROM NOW ON! DON'T SHOW YOUR FACE AGAIN OR ELSE YOUR DEATH IN CERTAIN! GET LOST NOW!!"

Sauraj stumbled, his legs were weak and before leaving he said something..

Sauraj-" Kumar Prativindhya if my sister does something wrong because of her undying love for you, than I will make sure that Vatsala the kid you give birth too shall not spend much time with it's future partner.. I will make your child suffer in the future.. "

He slowly walked outside, Vatsala and Chitra couldn't move a muscle.. They didn't announce anything official about their child.. So how did he know? Chitra felt like he was going to have a panic attack..

Prativindhya-" Listen Chitrasen.. I know you are angry,shocked and worried.. But you need to calm yourself and breathe.. I know what you are thinking right now.. I feel we shall let the people know about Vatsala's pregnancy, it's already her third month and since Sauraj knows about it he might start some other rumor about it so lets announce it.. And yes Vatsala will completely be safe here during her Indraprastha years with me, I will cut all our political and personal ties with Saurvira kingdom.. Nothing will happen to the baby and it's future will be safe.. Believe me.."

Chitra exhaled deeply, his head was aching he trusted Prathi the most, from all the Upapandavas.. Vatsala could completely tell that he needed a talk and a head massage.. She gestured him to go in their chamber..

Prativindhya wanted time, Satanik decided to join him.. While the atmosphere was grim, Madhur took a sleepy Pradyumna to his chamber.. The boy had fallen alseep and gladly woke up after the mess.. Subconsciously he went to pick him up, but Swara remained of his visible baby bump..

Ciara picked Pradyu and took him to Madhur and Satanik's chamber.. In the following hours everything was settled. Though everyone tried not to talk about whatever had happened.. It was still going to be a scar.. Forever..

The following night when everyone were fast asleep.. Chitrasen felt restless, Sauraj's warning kept flashing in his head.. He went close to the window in his chamber, and let the cool breeze hit him..

He looked at Vatsala who was sleeping peacefully.. She was the one too convince him that everything will be alright and Sauraj won't be a threat? Or will he?

Chitrasen just hoped that his daughter's ( atleast that's what he thought it would be) life would be like walking on a bed of roses...

Or was it going to be thorns?

[ Sauraj is going to be the sub antagonist in the upcoming books! By the end of next chapter Vatsala, Chitra and Sushen will be back in Anga! There will a time skip and some fun moments so stay tuned!!]

( AN- In the next chapter it shall be revealed what people think about Vatsala marrying two men.. It will give you a perfect idea of what Vatsala was telling Prativindhya( people making assumptions, talking behind her back and insults) in chapter 71!)