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Karna was left with no option, rather accompanying Duryodhan along with Shakuni and Dushasan.

As decided with Karna, Ashwatthama joined him too.

They had entered in the Panchal palace already. While his friend, his friend's uncle and younger brother were busy admiring the beauty of the grand palace— Karna was least interested.

When he was attracted by a divine smell. He wondered from where the enchanting fragrance came from.

"My friend, let's go inside," Duryodhan said.

"You both go inside with Mamashri and Dushasan. I'll be there after a while." Karna looked at Duryodhan and Ashwatthama.

"Shall I accompany you?" Ashwatthama asked.

"Yes, anyone of us?"

"No need, I'll just come."

"Okay, we'll be waiting for you inside." Duryodhan smiled, Karna smiled back nodding.

★

Karna kept on following the fragrance and end up in the palace garden, where he saw a breathtakingly beautiful, a handsome man. Dark in complexion, eyes playful, charming smile on his lips, dressed in yellow clothes and a beautiful peacock feather in his crown.

The personality standing over in front of him, appeared entirely godly to him. And the attracting smell was coming from the Dark Lord only.

"Pranam Angraj,"

Karna smiled courteously at the salutation, "Pranam,"

"May I know who you are–" he asked, however he had almost guessed who this charming man could be.

"Vasudev Krishna," the Dark Lord smiled.

"Dwarkadhish Shri Krishna!" Karna smiled astonished and found himself fortunate enough.

"Oh yes, Angraj and perhaps you almost recognised me,"

"Who don't know you, Vasudev," he smiled, "But how did you know me?"

"You're no less Angraj! Your valour and generosity have been the talk of Aryavart, ever since you've become the king of Anga. And if one wants to understand the King of Anga, then he must focus on the Karma of Karna. Because Karna's existence is because of his Karmas!" Krishna smiled.

"This is the first time, when someone is appreciating me only on the basis of my merits."

"Even though if you are a Suta by your caste, you're a Kshtriya by of your merits!"

"Wonderful!" Karna said impressed "I never came across such beautiful thoughts."

"Meeting you was indeed a pleasure, Vasudev."

"For me as well, Angraj." Krishna smiled.

★

Later, Karna went to the arena where the swayamvar was about to begin, and took the seat beside Duryodhan.

Krishna made his entry along with Balram. Duryodhan also stood up and payed his respect to the latter, as he was Duryodhan's teacher. Balram nodded as he and Krishna took their seats beside Drupad. Krishna and Karna smiled at each other with respect.

After a while, Drupad announced Draupadi's arrival.

Draupadi entered there walking gracefully. Her dusky complexion and sharp enamored features shone under the sun gracefully.

All the kings and crown princes of Aryavarta were present there, namely— Shishupal, Jarasandh, Rukmi, Jaydrath along with the princes of Hastinapur, and many more, who were drooling like fools, over Draupadi's immense beauty.

Draupadi's lids were down though, she could sense their lustful gazes. With elegance, she walked like a tigress till her seat. She bow to her father, and then her gaze met with Krishna and Balram. Her palms joined by itself. While Balram smiled, Krishna raised his palm, blessing her.

Looking at Krishna, she didn't feel like she had saw him today for the first time. Krishna's one smile, she felt her mind relaxing, and smiled back.

No sooner, the Pandavas, disguised as Brahmins arrived there as well. They stood at the corner, along with other Brahmins. Looking around, they noticed many familiar faces. The next moment, Arjun's eyes met Draupadi's. As he looked in her dark orbs, she bashfully lowered her lashes. He himself felt his cheeks heating, as he looked here and there, trying to compose himself.

Arjun eyes landed on Krishna, and he immediately joined his palms, and bow to him. Krishna smiled.

"Why did he bow to you?" Balram whispered.

"Who knows, Dau." Krishna whispered back mischievously.

"Why don't you give straight answers?"

"Your questions are never straight, Dau."

Annoyed, Balram ignored him, "Let me hear, what Dhrishtadyumn is saying."

Krishna shook his head smiling.

Dhrishtadyumn announced the task for the swayamvar. The suitor had to lift and string the bow of mighty Lord Rudra, and shoot the arrow to pierce the eye of a golden fish above, only by looking at its reflection in the water below.

The swayamvar started off as all the suitor one-by-one came and tried but failed each time.

Draupadi was getting anxious, impatient, she looked at Krishna, who asked her in a soft tone, "What's wrong, Krishnaa?"

She smiled, as he addressed her with the name, 'Krishnaa'. "O Madhav, my father has arranged this extremely difficult task, keeping Arjun in his mind. No one but only Rajkumar Arjun will be able to fulfill this task, right?" She shared her worry.

"No Krishnae," Krishna smiled, "There are actually two warriors who can do this. One is Arjun and other is Angraj Karna."

"Angraj Karna?" Draupadi asked, "Who is he?"

"Over there," Balram pointed without anyone's notice, "The man who is as radiant as the sun." He smiled.

Draupadi took a good look at the handsome warrior. She agreed that he was good looking indeed but her heart was set on Arjun.

Next, it was Duryodhan's turned, Balram smiled at the arrival of his student, but the former failed as well. Fuming, he walked back to his seat. 

All the suitors sat defeated. Drupad shook his head in disappointment. Shakuni looked at Duryodhan displeased, "What the point of being dejected now? Hastinapur has been ashamed!"

"No Mamashri, I would not let Hastinapur to be ashamed." Karna immediately replied, and stood up. He bow to Drupad, who smiled nodding, allowing Karna to participate in the swayamvar.

And the anticipated moment was finally arrived when Karna was able to pick up the divine bow.

All gasps in shock, while Duryodhan looked at Karna with proud. Krishna and Balram smiled, giving a look to each other and then looked at Karna. Arjun too smiled impressed with Karna. As warriors, both respected each other.

Draupadi carried a nervous frown.

"Vasudev," Drupad called in a low tone.

"Yes, Maharaj?" Krishna asked, Balram and Draupadi too attentively listen to the conversation.

"I'm indeed pleased with Angraj Karna, but I'm a little worried as well, as he's a Suta."

"One should not judge any person on the basis of his or her lineage! Whatever a person is— that by his Karmas and Karna is a mighty warrior." Krishna replied, Drupad nodded satisfied with the answer.

Draupadi looked at Krishna nervously. He knew her heart was completely set on Arjun. Thus he said, "But a girl has the whole right to choose whom she wants to marry. It's her choice! So if Draupadi wants, she can deny marrying Angraj."

Now the decision was completely in her hands. But she couldn't think of— how she should stop him.

There was only one option left.

The strong woman dressed as bride, made her mind to do so. She suddenly stood up and screamed, "Stop!"

Karna, for whom the test was not any big task and about to shoot the arrow, immediately stopped and his attention went towards the fire-born princess.

All the eyes, including Krishna, Balram, Drupad and Dhrishtadyumn attention went to Draupadi.

"I won't marry a Sutputra!" She said.

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