~**~

"Kaurvaki, Kaurvaki wake up!" Ashok stated rubbing Kaurvaki's hands and feet. His mind was full of concern and question, 'Did something disturbing happen at Kalinga palace?' After sometime Kaurvaki came into consciousness. She explained all what happened at the palace. Except for one thing, Kaurvaki decided to keep the Sita Ram image in her heart. Ashok understood Kaurvaki's pain, he made her rest and visited his Acharya Chanakya.

Meanwhile with Susheem...

"are you absolutely sure this news is solid?" Susheem questioned one of his spies. The news was deeply interesting it sounded unbelievable. "yes Raj Kumar, it is true Samrat Bindusar is in the process of choosing who will be the next heir to the throne!" Susheem was pleased with this news but not as much as his mother. He gave the spy a small bag full of gold coins. The spy left the chamber and Charumitra had started crafting a new scheme. "Susheem, this explains everything." Charumitra stated realizing the truth. "what ma?" Susheem questioned confused. "think about it the change of behaviour towards you, Ashok and Siamak was because he is to choose his heir!" Charumitra explained. She placed her hand on Susheem's shoulders, "son, in order for you to become Samrat you must be as Ashok is." Susheem became angered. He moved out of his mothers grasp. "ma, you expect me to be like Ashok, do you really believe he will become Emperor?"

Charumitra calmed her son and explained her true intention, in order for Susheem to become Samrat is to earn his fathers trust, his love and earn being his favourite the shall he be Emperor.

~**~