"Mysteries are not meant to be solved, but to be felt; for in their silence, they reveal more about us than any answer ever could."

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"Bhadra, wake up! We're going to be late!"

I opened my eyes at the sound of Arya's voice. The first thing I saw was him standing by the mirror, fully dressed in his angavastra, ready for the assembly.

I yawned and sat up, my left hand automatically reaching up to brush my hair behind my ear.

"Good morning, Arya!" I muttered, still half-asleep.

"Good morning, Bhadra!" He whispered, his voice warm with affection.

It was almost a moment later that my senses started to return and I noticed something strange. I had raised my left hand- the one I had injured the day before but wait... injured?

I blinked several times in confusion. There was no sign of a wound on my wrist. Shocked, I gasped at Arya, who was now going through some scrolls in a drawer.

"Arya, where's my wound?" I asked, as though I had lost some jewelry. He lifted his gaze to meet mine, his brows furrowing briefly.

"What are you talking about? When did you get hurt?" He asked casually.

"Yesterday! I almost cut my wrist. How could you forget?" I asked, my voice rising in disbelief.

"Bhadra, why didn't you tell me?" He replied, looking flustered as he dropped the scroll and rushed to me. Taking my hand in his, he searched for the wound, and then narrowed his eyes at me.

"Okay, but where's the wound? I don't see anything!" He said, letting out a tiny chuckle. I tossed my head, staring at my hand before I felt him lightly peck my forehead and return to his work.

"I'd love to give you more time and attention, Bhadra, but the ministers from Trigarta are here and we cannot afford to be late. And did I not tell you yesterday? Panchali is sick and Brata has instructed us to make sure that they feel welcomed in Indraprasth."

"But.." I whispered, my words fading as I saw him whisper something to himself, as though analyzing something in the scroll.

I slowly got out of the bed, my mind still preoccupied with everything that happened the previous night- those green eyes, my injury, and also how I could barely move my left hand because of the pain.

"And listen, I bought a new dress for you. It's on the table. You'd look really beautiful in it." Arya said, gesturing towards the table. I followed his direction and nodded absentmindedly.

"I will have to leave now, Bhadra. Meet me in the court." He said, quickly leaving the room with one scroll in his hand.

I now turned to look at myself in the mirror. I looked fine, like every other day. As my eyes mundanely stared at my reflection, my mind processed Arya's words.

I had to quickly leave to the court where he was waiting for me. I knew I had to make a move but I just stayed there, silently staring into the mirror.

Suddenly, something changed and I blinked twice to register what was happening. My reflection- it was changing. I didn't know how but the brown color of my eyes were replaced by a deep unnatural shade of green. A green that screamed an unsettling fear. Almost like those pair of eyes etched in my mind.

I gasped in fear and before I could stop myself, staggered behind, knocking over a flower stand beside.

As the vase fell to the floor, breaking into pieces, I shook my head, trying to dispel the image I had just seen. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself and with trembling hands, found myself look at the mirror once again.

This time, it was my own brown eyes that stared back at me. As I wondered what was wrong with me, a maid walked into the chamber.

"Princess, the Prince has called for you." She said, before her attention shifted to the broken vase on the floor.

"Princess, is everything fine?" She asked and I found myself nodding. "Clear this immediately. I'll go and get ready." I said and she nodded obediently.

I turned my attention towards unwrapping the lehenga on the table. It was a dark green lehenga, its borders detailly embroidered with gold. The piece was no doubt beautiful but... the color!

I closed my eyes, the flashbacks of everything rushing back all at once- those haunting eyes, the dream of being dragged across the floor coupled by the distant yet fearful screams of Jiji.

"Focus, Bhadra! Focus!" I mentally repeated before walking into the inner chambers for my morning routine. As I finished dressing and returned back to the chamber, the floor had been neatly cleaned up and the vase had been replaced.

I ran my fingers against the lamp and turned towards the mirror to glance at myself. And before I could take a step out of the chamber, I heard a soft, clear whisper in my ears.

"You look beautiful Princess."

"Thank you." I whispered, turning around to find nobody behind.

Wait, who said that?

* * *

"Bhadra! What took you so much time?" The first thing I heard was Arya's distant voice when I walked into the court.

I looked at my dress and he slowed down in his tracks as he glanced at me up and down. A small smile played on his lips as he twinkled at me, extending his hand towards me.

"How do I look?" I asked, as I took his hand and we both began walking towards the centre of the court where the guests had gathered.

"I was wrong. You look more beautiful than I imagined!" He whispered warmly, making me blush.

"The guests are waiting, you can praise me later!" I said, giggling and he smiled, with a nod.

"Pranipat, Mantri. This is my wife, Subhadra." Arya began, his voice soft yet proud as the five ministers from Trigarta turned around to face us. I folded my hands to greet them and they smiled, returning the greetings.

"Thank you for coordinating with us, Princess Subhadra. We had absolutely no problems in reaching your palace." One of them began and I smiled, "It's my duty, Mantri. I'm glad you had a smooth journey." I replied.

"I must say Prince Arjuna, you have the most capable queens in your kingdom." Another minister interjected. Arya smiled at them before glancing at me proudly, "It's our blessing."

I smiled at him, before I heard a cold whisper.

"Oh, Princess! Tell him that you are mine, not his."

I felt a cold shiver race down my spine, though I managed to have a smile plastered on my face. Arya was speaking something to the ministers, but none of it reached my ears. Instead, that voice again echoed in my mind, sounding more crude than ever.

"Believe me, Princess. Nobody here deserves you. Only I do."

I shut my eyes, trying to fight the voice in my mind when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Looking up, I found Brata Nakul smile at me. I clenched my fists and forced a smile at him.

He blinked once before saying, "You seem different today."

"I hope that is a compliment." I whispered softly at him and he chuckled teasingly. "Since when did I start complimenting you?"

I playfully narrowed my eyes at him and stepped on his foot on purpose. He almost let out a loud yelp, hopping onto the other feet, trying to balance himself.

Brata Sahadev who happened to stand behind us, quickly stepped forward and steadied his twin. I chuckled as Brata Nakul shot me a confused look before turning to his twin.

"Sahadev, better take me away, before Bhadra breaks my feet." He said, his tone light though there was a tinge of discomfort in his voice which I happened to ignore.

Brata Sahadev suppressed a smile, before pulling his twin towards the pillar nearby.

"Why are you dragging your leg?" Brata Sahadev asked and Brata Nakul shrugged. "I don't know but I can't seem to move my leg." He said, confused.

"It seems like the ministers of Trigarta are pretty much impressed with our welcome!" I heard Arya say before he slipped his hand into mine.

I looked at the Trigarta ministers now conversing with Brata Yudhishthir and nodded, "I have done my part well. Now it is up to Brata Sahadev to negotiate and convince them to accept the deal."

I said, and Arya nodded, his eyes searching for his brother who was still by the pillar. I noticed his brows furrow and tapped his shoulder, "What happened?"

"I don't know why, but feels like something is wrong there!" He replied and I glanced behind at my cousins.

Brata Nakul was staring at something in his hand and Brata Sahadev too seemed lost in his thoughts. "I'll just check with them." I said before excusing myself and walking towards them.

"What's this, Nakul?" I heard Brata Sahadev's confused voice and gasped to find blood in his hands.

"How did you get hurt?" I asked, and Brata turned to me casually saying, "I guess I just stepped on my something sharp."

The logic had gone down the drain but before I could voice it out, Brata Bheem began. "And can you tell us how you hurt the upper part of your leg by stamping on something sharp."

"Was it because of my stamp?" I wondered before glancing at Brata Nakul who stammered to provide a right answer.

"Come on, Brata Bheem! Its just a small wound, not that its fatal."

"Now, who is going to tell him that it is fatal!"

I heard that voice laugh and froze. Now, what did that mean?

* * *

PS: Hey guys! Here's the next chapter. I hope you guys liked it. I just penned this down in around 20 minutes, hence there may some errors. I'd proofread it afterwards.

Now, where has the wound disappeared? Was it all a dream?

Arjun doesn't remember anything and why is that?

Whose voice is Subhadra hearing? And what does he want from her?

Nakul is hurt. And the voice claims its fatal. What are the odds?

I'd update soon! Till then, take care guys!