In the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the chamber's windows, Draupadi's eyes fluttered open to find herself alone in the expansive bed they shared. Confusion clouded her mind for a moment before the realization struck as Karn was not beside her.

A sudden pang of worry gripped Draupadi's heart as she sat up, her silken sheets pooling around her. She glanced around the dimly lit room, the shadows playing tricks on her senses, amplifying her unease.

"Arya?" she called out softly, her voice barely a whisper in the stillness of the night. But there was no answer, only the faint rustle of the curtains dancing in the breeze.

Fear began to gnaw at Draupadi's insides as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, the cool touch of the marble floor sending a shiver down her spine. She wrapped herself in a sheer shawl, the delicate fabric offering little comfort against the chill that seemed to permeate the air. With a furrowed brow, she stepped closer to the window, her heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and concern.

Pushing aside the heavy velvet curtains, Draupadi peered out into the night, her gaze drawn to the source of the light. There, on the upper floor of their chamber, she saw a soft, inviting glow seeping through the windows. A sense of relief washed over her as realization dawned that he must be in upstairs. 

Basically, their chamber was a sanctuary of tranquility, designed with meticulous attention to detail to provide comfort and elegance. Nestled within the heart of their palace, the chamber boasted a double-storey structure that reflected their refined taste and status.

The ground floor of their chamber served as a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. Beyond the corridor leading to their personal study, one would find the snanaghar, a lavishly adorned bathing area where fragrant oils and perfumes filled the air. A large, intricately carved marble tub sat at the center, surrounded by lush ferns and flowering plants, inviting them to indulge in moments of leisure.

Adjacent to the snanaghar was the dressing room, a space adorned with ornate mirrors and exquisite silk draperies. Here, Draupadi's dazzling array of sarees, lehenga and Karn's regal attire were meticulously organized, each garment a testament to their refined taste and opulent lifestyle.

At the far end of the ground floor, a small hall awaited, furnished with plush cushions and intricately embroidered rugs. This cozy nook provided the perfect setting for intimate gatherings and quiet moments shared between the couple, away from the hustle and bustle of palace life.

A set of grand double doors led to the outdoor terrace, where a tranquil pond-like setup filled with lotus blossoms glistened under the moonlight. A swing, adorned with delicate floral garlands, usually, will be swayed gently in the breeze, invite the young couple to while away the hours in each other's company, surrounded by the serenity of nature.

Ascending the staircase to the upper floor, one would find their personal study, a sanctuary of knowledge and reflection. The room was lined with shelves filled with ancient scrolls and texts, each containing a wealth of wisdom and insight. A large oak desk occupied the center of the room, where Karn often retreated to ponder matters of state and strategy, where his thoughts illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight.

As she ascended the staircase, Draupadi's heart fluttered with anticipation. Each step brought her closer to Karn, filling her with a sense of longing and reassurance.

Reaching the top of the stairs, Draupadi entered their personal study, where Karn sat amidst a sea of scrolls and parchments, his figure illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight. Relief flooded Draupadi's being as she beheld him, her worries dissipating in the warmth of his presence.

"Arya," she breathed, crossing the room to stand beside him. "I was worried. I couldn't find you."

As Draupadi approached Karn, a cool breeze swept through the open windows of the study, causing her to tremble slightly. The soft fabric of her tunic brushed against her skin as her loose hair danced in the gentle wind, adding to the ethereal atmosphere of the room.

Karn looked up from his work, his expression momentarily startled as he beheld Draupadi standing before him. For a brief moment, he wondered if he was caught in a dream, the sight of her seeming too perfect to be real. But as she drew closer, her presence unmistakable, he realized she was indeed there, standing before him in the flesh.

"Draupadi," he said, his voice laced with surprise. "What brings you here at this hour? You should be sleeping."

As Karn's concerned gaze met hers, Draupadi found herself unable to articulate the depth of her worry. Instead, she stood before him in silence.

Karn's eyes softened as he extended his hand towards her, a silent invitation. "Come, my love," he said, his voice a tender whisper. "Sit with me."

A blush stained Draupadi's cheeks as she complied, her hand trembling slightly as she placed it in his. With a gentle pat on his thigh, Karn gestured for her to sit, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.

Draupadi's heart swelled with affection as she settled herself beside him, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of love and longing. In that moment, surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight and the comforting warmth of Karn's embrace, she knew that she was exactly where she belonged.

His question lingered in the air, prompting her to search for an explanation. Yet, despite the comforting intimacy between them, she hesitated to reveal the true extent of her restlessness.

"I..." Draupadi began, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words. "Arya," she began, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "I was sleeping, but...but I woke up suddenly, and you weren't beside me."

A furrow formed between Karn's brows as he processed her words, concern flickering in his eyes. "You were worried?" he asked softly, reaching out to gently cup her cheek.

Draupadi nodded, her lips forming a trembling smile. "Yes," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't bear the thought of being alone. I needed to find you."

Karn's expression softened at her words, his thumb tracing circles on her cheek in a soothing gesture. "Forgive me, dear," he murmured, his voice filled with remorse. "I did not mean to cause you concern.

As Draupadi poured out her heart, Karn's expression softened with understanding. He inhaled deeply, savoring the delicate fragrance of blue lotus that surrounded her, a scent that was uniquely hers and filled him with a sense of comfort and home.

Without a word, Karn drew her closer, his arms enveloping her in a warm embrace. She remained seated on his lap, her head nestled against his shoulder, her soft breaths mingling with his own.

In that intimate moment, surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight, Karn held Draupadi close, cherishing the warmth of her presence and the depth of her love. And as they remained entwined in each other's arms, they found solace in the simple yet profound connection that bound them together, a bond that transcended words and spoke directly to the depths of their souls.

As Draupadi nestled against Karn's chest, her gaze wandered to the table littered with scrolls and papers, a silent testament to the weight of responsibilities he bore. With a soft sigh, she spoke, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Arya, may I ask what work is keeping you occupied?" she inquired gently, her eyes flickering with a mixture of empathy and genuine interest. "If there is a lot pending, perhaps I can help you. We are partners, after all, and I wish to share your burdens."

Karn's smile widened at her inquiry, touched by her willingness to lend a helping hand. "It's nothing, my dear," he reassured her, his voice tender. "Just some matters of state that needed attending to. "It's done," he said softly, his voice filled with gratitude and affection.

After a few moments of silence, Draupadi nestled closer to Karn's chest, seeking solace in his embrace. With a gentle sigh, she voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind.

"Arya," she began softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are you always like this? Working tirelessly, never taking rest?"

Karn's embrace tightened around her, his hand soothingly running through her hair. With a tender smile, Karn gently lifted Draupadi's chin, meeting her gaze with warmth and affection. "My dear Draupadi," he began, his voice filled with playful affection, "I have told you before, I can sustain without sleep. You needn't worry so much about me."

As he spoke, Karn leaned in to place a soft kiss upon her sharp nose, adorned with a single stone nosepin. The gesture was both playful and tender, a reassurance of his love and resilience.

Draupadi couldn't help but smile at his response, feeling the warmth of his affection wash over her. She nestled back into his embrace, content in the knowledge that while Karn may work tirelessly, he would always find solace and strength in their love.

"And what about you, my dear Draupadi?" he asked, his gaze searching hers with genuine interest. "You seem to sleep so peacefully, undisturbed by the worries of the world. How do you manage to find such tranquility in your slumber?"

As he spoke, Karn reached out to gently tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his touch tender and affectionate. He awaited her response, eager to hear her perspective on the matter and to share in the intimate exchange of thoughts and feelings that bound them together.

Draupadi chuckled softly at Karn's question, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she pondered his inquiry. With a playful smile, she shook her head slightly.

"You know, Arya," she began, her tone light and teasing, "I'm not entirely sure. It's just become a habit for me, I suppose. I've always been a light sleeper, never needing more than a few hours of rest."

She leaned into his touch, savoring the warmth of his hand against her cheek. "Maybe it's something I carried over from a previous life," she added playfully, her eyes dancing with mirth. "Who knows? Perhaps I was a night owl in another lifetime."

Karn chuckled at her response, his affection for her evident in the softness of his gaze. "Whatever the reason, my dear Draupadi," he said.

Draupadi ask him to sleep and mimicked him " Even though I know that you survive without sleep for days". Karn's smile softened at Draupadi's playful remark, yet beneath the surface, a subtle suspicion lingered in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Draupadi's light sleeping habits than mere coincidence. Still, he pushed the thought aside, choosing to focus on the warmth of their shared moment instead.

As he gazed into Draupadi's eyes, her affectionate insistence broke through his thoughts like a gentle wave, soothing his lingering doubts. With a tender sigh, he relented, his heart warmed by her concern and care.

"You have a point, my love," he conceded, his voice gentle as he leaned in to press a soft kiss against her forehead. "Perhaps it is time for me to rest, if only for a little while."

Draupadi smiled contentedly, a sense of satisfaction washing over her at Karn's willingness to heed her advice. With a loving gesture, she guided him to recline beside her, enveloping him in the warmth of their shared embrace.

They settled into the soft embrace of their bed, the room bathed in the gentle glow of moonlight streaming through the windows. The air was filled with a serene stillness, broken only by the sound of their quiet breathing and the faint rustle of fabric as they shifted into a more comfortable position.

Draupadi nestled closer to Karn, her head resting gently against his chest, his heartbeat a comforting rhythm beneath her ear. She traced lazy patterns on his chest with her fingertips, a gentle reminder of the love that bound them together.

As Karn closed his eyes, allowing the weight of the day to melt away, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. In Draupadi's arms, he found solace and sanctuary, a refuge from the tumult of the world outside.

Memories of his past struggles and relentless dedication flooded his mind. He remembered the countless nights he had spent tirelessly practicing archery, pushing himself to the limit in pursuit of perfection. Even after ascending to the throne, his commitment to his subjects remained unwavering, driving him to work tirelessly to ensure their well-being.

Yet, amidst his noble intentions, Karn couldn't shake the nagging concern that he was neglecting his own well-being. He realized that he had become so accustomed to sacrificing sleep for the greater good that he had neglected to consider the toll it was taking on his own health and happiness.

As he glanced down at Draupadi, her head nestled gently against his chest, a pang of guilt washed over him. Karn couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude and relief that he finally had someone who cared for him as deeply as he cared for others.

Murmuring to himself, he whispered softly, his voice barely audible in the quiet of the night. "Perhaps it's time I started taking better care of myself, for Draupadi's sake if not my own."

With a gentle sigh, he wrapped his arms around Draupadi, holding her close as he drifted into a restless slumber, his mind filled with thoughts of love, gratitude, and a newfound determination to prioritize his own well-being for the sake of those he held dear.

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The next day, after a hearty breakfast with Adhirath and Radha, Karn and Draupadi bid their farewells, seeking the blessings of their beloved foster parents as they prepared to depart for Hastinapur. With warm hugs and well wishes exchanged, they set out on their journey, the road ahead filled with anticipation and possibility.

Upon their return to Hastinapur, Karn and Draupadi wasted no time in attending to their duties. As they entered the court, they found that there were not many issues to be addressed, for Karn had already resolved most of them the day before. Draupadi couldn't help but feel amused at how efficiently Karn had handled everything single-handedly, marveling at his ability to navigate the complexities of governance with such ease.

After the court session concluded, Karn and Draupadi retreated to the privacy of their chamber for lunch. As they enjoyed their meal together, they reflected on the events of the day and the departure of Adhirath and Radha. Draupadi admitted feeling a tinge of sadness at their absence, but quickly added, "But with you by my side, I cannot help but feel happy. Your presence brings me comfort and joy beyond measure."

Karn's heart swelled with happiness at her words, his love for her shining bright in his eyes. Taking her hand in his, he squeezed it gently, a silent vow to always be there for her, through joy and sorrow alike.

After their leisurely lunch, Karn and Draupadi retreated to the other wing of their chamber, where a swing gently swayed and a pond-like setup provided a serene backdrop. Karn laid his head on Draupadi's lap, finding comfort in her soothing touch as she ruffled his hair tenderly. The tranquil atmosphere enveloped them like a warm embrace, offering a moment of respite from the demands of their duties.

As they lingered in the peaceful ambiance, Karn gently lifted his head from Draupadi's lap, his expression thoughtful as he glanced up at her. "Draupadi," he began softly, "I have a short meeting to attend shortly. Would you mind resting here for a while? And are you free this evening?"

Draupadi smiled warmly, her fingers trailing lightly through his hair. "Yes, I am free this evening. There's not much on my agenda."

Before leaving for his meeting, Karn turned to Draupadi with a tender smile. "Then let's go out today," he suggested, his eyes alight with excitement. "And later, be prepared in a light dress princess."

Draupadi's eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation at his suggestion. "Where shall we go Arya?" she asked, a playful grin tugging at her lips.

"It's a surprise," Karn replied with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "But I promise you'll enjoy it for sure."

With a nod and a smile, Draupadi agreed, eager to spend the day exploring with her beloved husband. As Karn leaned in to bid her goodbye, his affection for her overflowed in a steamy kiss, leaving her breathless and longing for more.

With a soft sigh of contentment, Draupadi watched Karn depart for his meeting, her heart filled with love and anticipation for the evening ahead. She couldn't wait to see where their adventures would take them and to bask in the warmth of their shared love once more.

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Am I dragging the story? If yes means sorry dears! I hope you all enjoy this chapter, comment your thoughts guys!

Goodnight!