Dressed in yellow fabrics and a morpankh adorning his mukut, he stood in front of her. A smile so beautiful, that charmed everyone, played on his lips. While she, taking a few steps ahead, put the garland around his neck.

Rukmini was suddenly woken up due to the strange yet beautiful dream. Her chest heaved as she tried to compose herself. She got up from her majestic bed and walked towards the balcony to have some fresh air.

The moon shone brightly in the dark sky, and its light fell on the earth, making nature look even more beautiful.

The cool breeze blew, fluttering her long, wavy locks. It teased her skin as she rubbed her arms. Removing the tiny hair with her hand, which was coming on her face, she couldn't help but think of the man she saw in her dream.

Krishna.

The divine man was not leaving her mind from that day itself when she saw him in the arena. Interestingly, she couldn't see his face— still, she could imagine him so well in dreams.

"You've stolen my sleep. What are you doing to me?" She whispered. When she heard the enchanting tune of flute. She closed her eyes, listening to the melodious tune played by the magical, the divine flute player.

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It had been a few weeks since the death of Kansa. Parents of Krishna, Devaki and Vasudev, and his maternal grandfather, the real ruler of Mathura, Ugrasen were finally freed from the clutches of the cruel Kansa, and taken over the throne again. The people of Mathura were happy again.

But it wasn't the end of troubles. Now that, Kansa was dead, a new threat began to surround Mathura. That threat was the Emperor of Magadh, Jarasandh. Kansa's father-in-law.

Sunlight beamed through the large windows of the palace of Mathura. Krishna and Balram, along with their grandfather, father, and mothers, Devaki and Rohini, were in the sabha grah.

"Kansa is no more, but we should not forget that the issue is not over yet." Ugrasen sounded worried.

"Indeed," Vasudev agreed, "It is the calm before the storm."

"Is there no one who would support Mathura?" Devaki expressed her concern.

"Magadh Samrat is so powerful that no one wants to get on his wrong side." Rohini sighed.

Krishna and Balram looked at each other as the former smiled, "Relax, relax."

"Why are you all so worried about the future? We should focus on the present instead."

"Agreed well, Kanha. But even you know how much he's against both of us." Balram pointed out.

"Exactly, Dau, he hates us. In real, his enmity is towards us," Krishna indicated towards him and Balram, "And we'll be leaving for Rishi Sandipani's ashram tomorrow. That means he is not going to do anything wrong to Mathura until we're not here."

"Although, once we would be back, we must prepare for every difficult situation that can arise."

"You understand politics well indeed, Krishna." Ugrasen smiled.

"I've heard the kingdom of Vidarbha also supports him," Devaki asked.

"Their crown prince, Rukmi, does. To be precise. He is Jarasandh's ally." Vasudev answered.

Krishna's lips stretched in a small, pretty smile, as he thought, "The crown prince of Vidarbha may not, but their only princess is definitely related to us."

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Rukmini was sitting in the royal garden with her mother, Queen Shuddhamati, and her dasis, enjoying the beautiful weather of the spring. But there was someone else, more enchanting than the spring, and that was Rukmini, herself— whose youth and beauty was blooming. That's what Shuddhamati noticed.

Her daughter was divine and different from others, right from her childhood, and now when she had come to a marriageable age, Shuddhamati must find a groom who really deserves her.

"Ma, look," Rukmini chirped like a sweet bird. As she showed her mother, the embroidery she stiched.

Shuddhamati smiled, "That's so beautiful. My daughter is more than perfect."

She smiled in return, when the celestial sage— Sage Narad made his entry in the garden. "Narayana, Narayana." He sang.

"Pranam Devrishi," they stood up.

He nodded, smiling, raising his palm in blessing.

"Welcome Devrishi, please have a seat." Shuddhamati requested him.

"Narayana, Narayana. That's fine, Maharani. I was just passing through, so thought to meet you as well." He replied playfully, as usual.

"From where are you coming, Devrishi?" The queen asked.

"Oh, I just met Krishna,"

"You mean, Mathura's prince?" Rukmini bubbled with curiosity.

"That's right, Devi," Narad nodded and continued, "He and his elder brother, Balram, are leaving for Ujjaini— for their education at Sage Sandipani's ashram."

Rukmini nodded, a little disappointed, which didn't go unnoticed by Shuddhamati and Narad too, who smiled mischievously.

Without realising, when, and how, Rukmini had begun to love Krishna.

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