"When a Royal lady nurtures a potential heir in her womb, it falls upon the rest of the members of the household to act as the sheild and sword against all enemies salivating to strike at any given opportunity. I believed that I didn't need to educate you on this lesson. But perhaps, I entrusted someone who couldn't be bothered enough to see through their duty."

"Jiji!"

"I am sure the Maharani of Indraprastha can find some other responsibilities at which she hopefully doesn't fail."

"Putri Draupadi, Kunti jiji is just terribly upset. She doesn't mean anything..."

"Sulabha, accompany me to the garden, wouldn't you? I wish to personally prepare for a proper ceremony in gratitude for Mata Parvati's graces upon Abhijishya and her baby."

The accusation underlying her mother-in-law's rebuke left blisters in their wake as the same conversation kept ringing in her ears.

Draupadi grasped a nearby pillar blindly through the sheen of tears to support her shaky form. She became distinctly aware of her undignified retreat from Kunti's chamber while she endeavoured to steady her breaths. Her ears burned from the rising shame of losing composure most probably exposed to every pair of prying eyes.

Faint chatter along with distant footsteps descending down the stairway to the right caught her ears. She instinctively curled closer into the lengthy shadow of the pillar- a parting gift from the setting sun as the evening sky slowly lost it's light. Draupadi pressed her forehead on the cool uneven stony surface. It was a reminiscence of her mother's soothing touch. She should really get going. The dasis would be here soon to place earthen lamps to subdue night's darkness. Pulling herself together, she blinked open her eyes. Draupadi hadn't even realized when she had closed them.

The corridor leading to Dhruvi's chamber laid infront of her. After giving herself some more time in the pretense of flattening invisible creases on her attire, Draupadi emerged into the deserted corridor. A spasm of guilt arose immediately as Dhruvi's wide-eyed stricken face swam up in her mind. She should have accompanied her back indoors then.

Making up her mind, Draupadi determinedly walked towards her destination. The jingle of her anklets sounded like a foreigner amidst the heavy footsteps of soldiers pacing along the northern end corridor. Draupadi could feel every minute alarmed look on their faces before they hastily muttered their greetings.

She halted a good distance away from the doorway. Between the guards stationed outside, the doors were now completely shut- most certainly locked from the inside. Her eyes caught sight of a few strings of marigold who had fallen victim to the hurriedly closed heavy hinges. Some others remained half crushed, scattered on the floor just like the flowers that had been crushed under the soles of soldiers' feet who had come marching led by a furious Nakul in the afternoon moments after Parnika's warning.

They had immediately formed a chain around the temple arena blocking anyone from leaving the premises. Arya Nakul had strode directly to Dhruvi and knelt down beside her. Uncaring of the confusion, chaos and barely suppressed panic around him, he had cupped Dhruvi's face tenderly which was a sharp contrast to his demanding tone asking whether Dhruvi had eaten any of the food or not. The sheer relief in his eyes mirrored her own. Draupadi watched as he carefully yet swiftly wiped of the remnants of the kheer from Dhruvi's chin before encircling his arms around her protectively.

She had tugged away her gaze not wanting to intrude on their private moment. Her attempt of shuffling away to give them some space had drawn the couple's attention. Nakul had blinked as if noticing her for the first time. His eyes fleeted over her almost dismissively before turning back to Dhruvi. It was then Arya Bheem and Arya Sahadev had arrived. The later wasted no time in talking to the panicked ladies calmly.

Arya Bheem had simply told Arya Nakul to leave. The unspoken gratitude was clear. Arya Nakul had helped Dhruvi stand up and ushered her back indoors surrounded by a dozen or more soldier. After that, Draupadi only remembered Mata Kunti's hand curl around her arm pulling her upright then tugging her back into the palace as Sulabha Kaki followed them in a hurry.

Draupadi forced away her urge to wipe her hand which still felt sticky after washing them thoroughly. She terribly needed the assurance that Dhruvi and her baby were unharmed.

She moved closer towards the doors but a guard stepped in her path. Draupadi narrowed her eyes at the impudence.

The guard bowed low. "Forgive my insolence, Maharani but we have been ordered to deny entry inside Rajkumari's chambers."

Her lips thinned as anger bubbled inside her. Raised her chin slightly, Draupadi adopted a dangerous tone cautioning the soldier against speaking an unfavourable answer, "And who, pray tell, ordered so that you dare refuse the Maharani of Indraprastha?"

The guard glanced back nervously at his associates before looking back down on the floor, "It was Rajkumar Nakul's orders, Maharani which Maharaj himself seconded. We are not allowed to let anyone enter Rajkumari's chamber in their absence."

Draupadi's dark skin reddened in humiliation. Her eyes stung as she clenched her fists. Did her husbands think so lowly of her that they suspected that she had tried to commit such a heinous act? Her cheat heaved from exertion as she battled against the urge to unleash her fury upon the guards.

"Isn't that Maharani Draupadi?" A whisper sounded not too far away.

"It looks like Maharani is also suspected of poisoning. Well, it is expected. After all, Maharani never liked Rajkumari. If Rajkumari were to bear a son then he would inherit the throne. To prevent this, Maharani would have to bear a son sired by Maharaj but given the circumstance of their unusual marriage it is unlikely," the second's rushed whispering was followed by a yelp and a warning from a third.

"Hush. She will hear us. Do you want to get executed?" The trio of dasis now neared her and loudly proclaimed their salutations.

Draupadi stood frozen. Her physical stillness formed a dam to the churning, coiling, turbulent oceans of righteous rage. The sharp pain from her finger nails digging in her soft palm grounded her. Yet her eyes stayed dry and face expressionless.

It felt like triumph over herself, over everyone that seemed eager to watch her crumple. A faint tremulous sigh escaped her lips as she drew back her shoulders slightly. Her eyes bore into the dasis who flinched and cowered. Pleasure curled inside her at the sight.

'Good,' her lips upturned briefly in satisfaction before she turned sharply on her heels.

Hip swaying in cadence to her arms, for the first time Draupadi's gait exuded more power than grace. The crown glinted in the light of the flames mirroring Draupadi's burning desire to ruin the culprit that dared poison her co-sister using her as a medium, for damaging her integrity before her family and her people.

She walked towards the balcony to oversee the evening court proceedings. Draupadi promised herself one thing in this moment- Everyone would prefer Yamdev's noose over facing Maharani Draupadi's wrath. She would make sure of it.

------------ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ------------

Datura - a potent hallucinogen, sometimes a medicine but worse than poison for pregnant women. It induces uterine contractions leading to untimely shedding of the inner uterine wall. Thus, causes foetal death.

For a woman in her seventh month and the amount of datura extract used in the kheer, it only meant one outcome - loss of the child and in the worst case scenario, a slow suffering death of the mother as her own body became a coffin for her dead baby. Best outcome would be the survival of the mother most probably infertile for the rest of her life. All in all, the death of the baby was the immediate result.

Abhijishya had never felt more afraid in her life - not when she had ended up in a different era, not when she lived everyday thinking she might be burned alive, not when she had lived in the forest amongst Rakshasas, not when she was trapped in illusions and even not when her husband was bitten by a venomous snake.

She tossed aside the manuscript documenting various plants away and watched as it listlessly fell on her bed. Abhijishya cradled her abdomen trying to soothe her frayed nerves but she couldn't find the sense of calm she usually felt once she turned on her logical thinking. Her mind seemed to be stuck on the moment when she had parted her lips to taste the kheer.

The restlessness had driven her out of her bed once her husband left her chambers with a kiss. His eyes promised annihilation of the culprit. It was not enough because Abhijishya didn't find peace from it. She couldn't bring herself to touch another morsel of food or water and Abhijishya knew it would be so until she saw the end of the people behind the poisoning attempt.

Abhijishya walked carefully towards the door and unlatched. The door hinges parted revealing numerous soldiers standing out.

"Rajkumari, you shouldn't be-" the guard snapped his mouth shut at the dark glint of her eyes.

"Are the suspects being presented in the evening court session?" Abhijishya asked but didn't seem inclined to wait for the answer. She stepped over the threshold.

"Yes, but-" the guard spoke again but was harshly interrupted.

"But nothing. Any four of you are to escort me to the court room. Rest may leave," Abhijishya announced already making her way towards the left corridor. A few whispers broke out before four guards left their company and took up the four points around her.

Abhijishya felt her tense posture loosen when she found Draupadi, Mata Kunti and Sulabha Kaki already present on balcony overseeing the Royal court.

Mata Kunti and Sulabha Kaki had taken up seats quite some distance away from Drauapdi which was an unexpected development. A seat was vacant right beside Draupadi's while the rest were arranged at every one meter interval.

"...mean you accuse the Maharani of Indraprastha to have a hand in poisoning Rajkumari?!"

The last words reached Abhijishya's ears as the voice grew louder with ever syllable. A sob resounded the grim court.

"No, no, I didn't mean that. I would never," Abhijishya frowned minutely. The female voice sounded awfully familiar. Hoping to get a proper visual, she walked closer to the stone railing.

To her dismay, it was Parnika crying quietly on the knees in the center of the court.

'What is she even doing here?' Abhijishya tried to dig up any memory of Parnika accompanying her back and found none. Did that mean she had been taken into custody as one of the suspects? But that was a preposterous notion.

"I ascertain you, Advisor Ratnagir, that she only meant that everyone who had entered the Royal Kitchen after sunrise be held accountable," the  pretentious mollifying tone made Abhijishya scowl at the speaker. It was none other than Royal Treasurer Chinmaya in his ever overdressed glory.

His eyes flicked at the balcony where she was standing then somewhere to her left. "In fact I agree with this dasi's statement," he spread out his arms dramatically addressing the court.

Parnika shook her head. She was about to voice her denial but Chinmaya stared her down. His face stretched into a smile before he turned towards Maharaj Yudhisthir. Bowing low, he said, "With all my due respect Maharaj, I believe it would be partiality if Maharani Draupadi is not questioned before the court. Otherwise, I fear your people shall perceive His Highness lets relations in the way of justice."

This was a bold move. Something Abhijishya was sure would not be happening so soon. The court erupted into murmurs, some denials and some incredulous stares. Everyone knew it chafed Royal Treasurer Chinmaya to work under Maharani Draupadi who was also the Finance Minister of the kingdom. He had made his displeasure known subtly before but this was a mammoth shove to disbalance the power dynamics of the court.

Abhijishya pried out an uneasy look in Jyesth Yudhisthir's eyes. He kept glancing at the entrance door. Her husband and Bhrata Arjun were absent which added to the tremulous ambience of the court.

"Royal Treasurer Chinmaya..." The warning rang loud and clear in Bhrata Bheem's voice. He was about to stand up from his seat when Jyesth stopped the escalation, "Yuvraj." His one word had Bhrata Bheem sit down and gather back his patience.

Abhijishya glanced at Draupadi. Her co-sister's gaze was firmly fixed to the floor as she fisted the lehenga over her knees. Before she knew it, Abhijishya was walking towards Draupadi. She took a seat beside her and silently slipped her palm through hers interlacing their fingers.

Draupadi looked astonished at her touch. Abhijishya squeezed her hand comfortingly and turned away out of respect when Draupadi swiped away the tears that had spilled down her cheeks.

"I think we are being led astray by Royal Treasurer Chinmaya, no offence," Abhijishya sighed in relief. There stood Scholar Bhavesh, quite an atypical Vaishya in his early twenties. "If Maharaj permits, then I would like to add another perspective on this situation," he bowed imploringly at Maharaj Yudhisthir who nodded in approval.

Gesturing at Parnika, Scholar Bhavesh addressed the court, "We cannot count out the possibility that this dasi might have added the poison herself and then proceeded to prevent the poisoning. She portrayed herself as a saviour so that she might be rewarded handsomely."

Parnika shook her head vehemently. "Maharaj, please, I swear on Mahadev that I didn't do it," she folded her hands and placed her head on the floor making her appear smaller than ever.

Abhijishya had to swallow the bitter feeling. She couldn't watch this anymore. Slowly untangling her fingers from Draupadi's, she arose from her seat. "Maharaj, forgive my interference, but I would like to say something if it is permissible," her voice was loud enough to reach Yudhisthir's ears. Jyesth looked up at the balcony. If he hadn't expected her arrival, he didn't let it show on his face. Instead he smiled and calmly answered, "You have my permission, Rajkumari. You may descend downstairs and present your opinion to the court."

Draupadi caught hold of her wrist. The worry swimming in the depth of her eyes was unmistakable. Abhijishya smiled reassuringly before tugging her hand free gently. The court respectfully maintained their patience as she slowly made her way down the stairs.

She positioned herself to Jyesth's right, just below Yuvraj's throne. Abhijishya folded her hands and greeted the court appropriately. Then she turned towards Scholar Bhavesh, "Scholar Bhavesh, I would take this chance to remind you and all present that Parnika is one of the dasis whose status was elevated from a dasi to a maid. She is a free woman, my attendant by choice and my friend. She has been with me for nearly ten months during which she would have had plenty of chances to do her deed if she wanted."

Royal Treasurer Chinmaya scoffed softly which was met with her sharp eyes. Settling for an appeasing yet condescending smile, Chinmaya replied, "With due respect Rajkumari, you are too emotional and have been through a traumatic event. Although I completely agree with your defense, we can't forget that servants and maids are prone to shift loyalties to the more powerful. Maharani Draupadi is-"

"Let me stop you there, Royal Treasurer Chinmaya," Abhijishya turned to see an armoured Arjun, with his Gandhiv held firmly by his side, marching in through the entrance door and following him a step behind came a similarly armoured Nakul whose hand was resting on the hilt of his sword. Savyasachi's warm timber tone addressed his Maharaj and eldest, "Pardon us for letting the court's time be wasted, Maharaj. But now I believe we can get started with the real interrogation. The culprit had walked straight in our trap."

Maharaj Yudhisthir sagged a little in relief on his throne. "Well done, Rajkumar Arjun and Rajkumar Nakul. Let them be brought in."

Both sons of Pandu turned sideways at the door. Surrounded by soldiers, walked in a fair skinned woman, a little on the plumper side looking harried and limping slightly. Her face morphed into a vicious scowl as soon as her eyes landed on Abhijishya.

The pure hatred gripped Abhijishya on the spot and instinctively she wrapped her hands around her belly. Her heart beat quickened as she left the spike of fear shoot up within her once again. Under that she nursed an urge, a primal instinct to slit that unknown woman's throat because everything about her screamed malice- malice not only for her but also for the baby she carried. The realization was new. This fear that coiled in her chest was the kind that turned an animal feral and Abhijishya wasn't far off in that transition.

Meanwhile, Draupadi could only stare at the figure who was the supposed real culprit. What was Vasudha, the talkative garland maker doing here?

A.N. - So, now you know who did it.

Honestly, I was suprised but not much surprised that Dussashan got the most votes 😂😂

And those to said Drauapdi, tsk tsk. So little faith on our future Samragyi.

For Parnika, come on! That girl literally saved Abhijishya and her baby's life!!

Those who voted for new character,   don't you peeps know how much I like spinning the plot around the existing characters?! Okay, maybe I also keep adding new characters from time to time but you gotta win this girl's heart by predicting the unpredictable. 😌

And the culprit is "Gossiping garland maker" from chapter "Old Wounds and New Blisters" (in case someone forgot her)

So, the winner is Mystery_Reader_195 ✨✨✨ Dm me your question and I shall answer.

Also, Malvik_Pangavoor voted on this but didn't confirm so I guess I'll let you ask me a yes/no question in dm.

The much needed backstories and explanations will be given in the upcoming chapters so stay tuned.

Vote, comment and recommend my story if you liked it.

You all got a tiny glimpse of what the Royal court of Indraprastha would look like. You got three new characters as well - Ratnagir, Chinmaya and Bhavesh. You can expect more of their appearances in the sequel Vac where I will give an elaborate description of the positions, ranks, characters of the Royal Court. This was just a small cameo.

So, lemme know in your comments what did you think of the chapter.

Until the next time,

Byeee

;")

P.S. again not edited. Feel free to point out my shortcomings. I have viva tomorrow but my writer self was bugging me too much. Had to publish this chapter or else I wouldn't be able to concentrate in studies. *sighs*