"All alert! Yadu Shresht Vadsudev Krishn Yaduvansh Kulvadhu Rajkumari Dhriti are entering the assembly." The sevak announced as Kanha and Dhriti entered the sabha.

A bright smile appeared on Kunti and Sulabha  face as they saw Dhriti walking gracefully towards their seat after greeting Maharaj Dhritarashtra.

"These jewels are not from Hastinapur." Bhanumati's dasi gossiped in her ear.

"Ofcourse! She's Dwarka's Kulvadhu now, Aryavart's wealthiest and most peaceful state." Bhanumati said adoring her.

"Savdhaan! Pandu Putras and Kuruvansh Kulvadhu Drupad Kanya Draupadi have entered the sabha." He announced next as the 6 of them walked towards the place where their Abhishek would be conducted.

"What are you thinking Bachhe Duryodhan?" Shakuni whispered looking at his fallen face.

"How powerful is Dwarka if you announce any attack on them Mamashree?" Duryodhan asked.

"Have you lost your mind? You can't do this in the first place. And if you do that, Balram, Krishn, Dhriti and Dwarka's Narayani Sena would single handedly put an end to Hastinapur's royal throne and Gandhar's as well. " Shakuni said in horror.

"And we can win, if we take Magadh Naresh Jarasandh's help. And just imagine, if we win this. Aryavart's most powerful kingdom in our hands." Duryodhan smirked.

"Bhrata Duryodhan needs a reality check." Kanha laughed.

"He's Dau's favourite student." Dhriti laughed back.

"Putra Yudhishthir, before commencing the ceremony, I want the Pandavas to promise me that, Hastinapur will always be your homeland. You would never, in an attempt to increase the boundaries of your territory, would launch an attack on Hastinapur." Dhritarashtra spoke.

"I am no threat to Hastinapur....... Unless, they cross their limits." Dhriti thought as she put on a smile towards Yudhishthir.

"We agree on this Maharaj." Yudhishthir said as Duryodhan smirked towards Dhriti.

"Hm, this is nice! Hastinapur's Yuvraj can think of planning an attack on Dwarka, but Dwarka's Kulvadhu has to promise she won't counterattack?" Kanha smiled.

"I promised on that condition, which Bhrata Duryodhan will surely cross." Dhriti said smiling back.

"Maharaj, I would like to tell Yudhishthir that he does not know anything about Khandavprasth. Putra, how would you manage by accepting the land, never ruled by anyone?" Bhishma got up.

"This was meant to be discussed before handing them the territory." Kanha said as he repositioned himself on the seat.

"Pitamah, Jyesht Pitashree's words are my orders. And I will follow them." Yudhishthir assured him.

"Putra Yudhishthir, I announce you as the new King of Khandavprasth. But.... " Dhritarashtra spoke.

"What's up with putting ifs and buts at the end of every sentence?" Kanha looked at Dhriti.

"Their insecurity..... Now see how he'll try to take control." Dhriti sadly looked down.

"I would like to see how my Priya would turn the tables." Kanha grinned putting a hand on hers as she smiled back.

"But, its Aryavart's pratha. Until Yudhishthir wins over the confidence of more than 100 kingdoms except Hastinapur, he won't be termed as an independent King.
Until that, all the decrees of Khandavprasth would be taken under the name of Hastinapur, in affiliation of the King and Yuvraj." Dhritarashtra announced as Duryodhan and Dushasan widened their smile.

"All of us agree to this Maharaj." Yudhishthir said pointing at his brothers and Panchali.

"And what about Dhriti?" Dhritarashtra asked as all eyes turned towards Dhriti as she got up from her seat.

"I too agree with my brothers on your statement.
When the Pandavas will win the confidence over the power of 100 kingdoms of Aryavart, excluding your Kingdom, Jyesht shree Yudhishthir would be termed as Samrat of the independent kingdom of Khandavprasth." Dhriti said, very skilfully turning his negative statement into an affirmative one.

"She's back." Nakul and Panchali lightly chuckled.

"Adbhut!" Dronacharya smile at Dhriti's words.

"I'm impressed." Kanha smiled as she sat down.

"Um.. alright then. Kulguru Kripacharya, commence the Abhishek of Yudhishthir." Dhritarashtra orders as Kripacharya nodded.

"Marination!" Dhriti and Draupadi mouthed to each other at the same time as they suppressed their laughs.

Yudhishthir was bathed with turmeric, milk and lastly with rosewater, while Kripacharya put a fresh garland of flowers around his neck.

"Go putra. Take Maharaj's blessings." Kripacharya patted him as the other brothers and Panchali walked with him .

"Putro, I hope you all have understood whatever I said. Afterall Hastinapur is your Mata's home as well." Dhritarashtra wickedly smiled as the brothers stood confused.

"No....." Dhriti mumbled as her eyes brimmed with tears.

"Tatparya Maharaj?" Bheem asked.

"Tatparya, Kunti would be living with me and Gandhari after you all leave for Khandavprasth. After Anuj Pandu's death, Kunti, being the KulVadhu of Kuruvansh, will stay here at Hastinapur. Her saftey is my responsibility." Dhritarashtra spoke as tears started falling down Kunti's eyes while Karna felt guilty for Kunti's tears.

"You see Angraj, you were wrong. No brother can oppose his words. " Shakuni smirked at Karna.

"They definitely can't, but she can." Karna said pointing at Dhriti, now having enough of everyone.

"Wait Jyesht Pitashree!" Dhriti said silencing the entire crowd as she got up from her seat, walking towards Dhritarashtra's direction where her brothers stood.

"What's the matter Dhriti?" Dhritarashtra spoke as she joined her hands in front of him.

"Maharaj, we are well aware that Mata Kunti is the Kulvadhu of Hastinapur. But the place of a mother is higher than the Kulvadhu of a state.
And the Kulvadhu of Kuru dynasty is our mother first. Because of this, either Mata Kunti will go to Khandavprastha with Bhratashree, or will come to Dwarka with us.
In the end, she will live wherever her children are, not away from them.
We all assure you that you should not worry about Mata's saftey and should free yourself from Pitashree's promise. Now, her children are more than able to protect their mother. " Dhriti said as the 5 brothers looked at her in utter shock while Kunti smiled at her words, wiping her tears.

"But, But she's Hastinapur's Kulvadhu. What will everyone say?" Dhritarashtra reasoned.

"I won't mind if anyone of you help me." Dhriti nudged Draupadi and her brothers.

"No one will say anything Pitashree. Even Panchali is Kuruvansh's Kulvadhu, but even she is moving to Khandavprasth. The same can be fair for Mata as well." Arjun said as Shakuni grunted.

"Don't act oversmart and try to change Maharaj's decisions." Shakuni said coming near Dhriti as Kanha stood up.

"I think Mamashree Shakuni wants to say something to everyone present here." Kanha spoke, angrily looking at him.

"Think before you speak Mamashree. Kritavarma has captured all your men, who were 'specially' waiting for us on the outskirts." She smirked crossing her arms.

"Speak Gandhar Naresh." Dhritarashtra smiled.

"Are you blackmailing us Dhriti?" Duryodhan asked, tapping her shoulder.

"If that's what you want to assume." Nakul said, pulling her away.

"Uh- maharaj, I - I think, Putri Dhriti is right. Maharani Kunti should be allowed to go with Pandavas." Shakuni stuttered, fearfully looking at Dhriti.

"Alright, if everyone agrees to this, Kunti shall go with Pandavas to Khandavprasth." Dhritarashtra said, confused with Shakuni's words as the others rejoiced.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"We were supposed to play gilli danda today." Dhriti laughed as all of them sat in the common room, before leaving for Khandavprasth.

"And you were supposed to bring Makhan for all of us." Kanha chuckled.

"Did someone talked about food?" Bheem piped in.

"No. We were talking about a game." Dhriti laughed.

"What game?" Nakul joined in.

"The one where both if you have never won." Kanha said making everyone laugh.

"Enough enough. We'll see who wins. My team is better than yours." Dhriti teased back.

"So what? I'll take Kritavarma in mine." Kanha teasingly challenged.

"I'll take Dau." Dhriti said crossing her arms.

"Satyaki!" Kanha playfully shrugged.

"Enough both of you. One moment y'all are blackmailing Shakuni and turning the tables and the other second, fighting like kids." Yudhishthir said, stopping their team selection.

"We're making you familiar with how to handle little kids." Kanha teased as others laughed.

"I know how to handle kids. I've been handling her ever since." Yudhishthir said.

"Nah nah. I should stop you right there. You are that big, protective brother who does not even laugh on the best jokes and does not even play with his siblings and then showers the younger ones with lectures and you say you know how to handle kids." Dhriti said.

"When did I do that? I have started laughing at your joke, may it be forcefully but still, I do laugh na." Yudhishthir said as it was everyone's turn to laugh on Dhriti.

"And I don't play with you, because you lose everytime, and i'm sure he loses just for your sake. Right Krishn? " Yudhishthir laughed sitting beside him.

"Look Jyesht, don't pull me into this. We have to go back to Dwarka." Kanha said as the room filled with endless laughter.

"Kids, I think Putri Draupadi should take some rest before our leave. Dhriti, take her to her room Purti." Kunti spoke as Dhriti nodded taking Draupadi to her chambers.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Oh my god. Forgive me Rajkumari. I'm sorry." A dasi said as she spilled a brass pot full of water on Dhriti's lehenga.

Dhriti and Draupadi closely looked at her. She was the same one, who was gossiping to Bhanumati about Dhriti and Draupadi's jewels.

"Wait! Bhanumati jiji's Dasi, aren't you?" Draupadi asked stopping her.

"Yes-yes Maharani." She replied as Dhriti read her expressions.

"Why did you spill that on her attire?" Draupadi asked angrily, as Dhriti squeezed her hand, calming her down.

"I-I did not do that purposely um- um maharani." She stuttered.

"That's alright Bhabhi, that will dry soon. Now let's go." Dhriti said picking up the fallen pot, as the the pot automatically refilled itself with water till its brim just by her touch.

"Raj-Rajkumari the water...." The dasi said, looking at the pot with wide eyes.

"Yes, what about that? You were taking the water somewhere. Weren't you?" Dhriti smirked as the ladies took a leave.

"Dhriti, she did that purposely. She saw us coming and yet she spilled it. " Draupadi said resting on her bed.

"I know Bhabhi. Just keep Calm. We want a healthy and smiling baby. Not a frowning one. Now smile." Dhriti replied sitting on the nearby chair.

"What should we do, just sit idle?" Draupadi asked Dhriti.

"Just close your eyes and try to recollect the best moments of your life Bhabhi. That feels wonderful." Dhriti said closing her eyes.

"Alright. Let's do this." Draupadi said as both of them gently closed their eyes.

The pure vision of Lakshmi-Narayan Maha raas appeared in from of her eyes.
She was called the daughter of Samudra Dev, emerging out of the ksheer sagar after Samudra Manthan.
Shri's only world was Narayan. The melodious swars coming out of her mouth, the love she used to shower, her bhakti, her heart, everything, everything was for Narayan.

It has been such a long time. That was Narayan's last Leela with his Shri. Krishn may have made leelas at Vrindavan, but each and every gopi knew about Shri's unknown identity.
They knew there's this one girl, somewhere in this Aryavart, only for whom, Kanha's heart always beated.

"Kanha, atleast tell us about her. Who's she, where is she. And you say she's eternally yours, then why is she not with you?" A gopi asked.

"She's there. She's everywhere. Wherever you want her to be. Look at this pond with clear water. She's here. The beautiful lotus, she's there as well. She's there in Kanha's heart, and she's in the hearts all the gopikas of Vrindavan. And she loves them all." Kanha smiled as the gopis attentively listened him.

"Hey Krishn, you create these Raasleelas, the celebration of holi and the people of Vrindavan rejoice and immerse themselves in it. Then why don't you? " Another one asked.

"Because Kanha's Raasleela is incomplete without Priya." Kanha said closing his eyes.

"So her name is Priya..... Hm... Sakhiyo, let's go and try to find his Priya in all the nearby villages. These eternal souls should be reunited. And the gopis should meet her. Even taking her name pleases the mind soo much." The gopis giggled.

"If only our reunion would have been so easy." Kanha sighed as he smiled at them, starting to play his divine bansuri.

"But now that I'm here with Kanha, where are all the gopikas, who whole heartedly resisded me in their hearts just to see their Krishn smiling?" Dhriti mumbled.

"Dhriti, Dhriti, wake up!" Draupadi asked shaking her out of her visions.

"What were you mumbling?" Draupadi asked smiling.

"Wait was that all audible? What did you hear?" Dhriti asked.

"Gopikas, residing someone in their hearts......." Draupadi said confusingly.

"Anything else?" She said, hoping she heard nothing about Shri's song in Narayan's praise.

"Nothing else. But now I wanna know. What did you see?" Draupadi said getting up.

"Raasleela. Colors everywhere. Holi." Dhriti said closing her eyes again.

"Raasleelas? When did you play them? I never heard this happening in Hastinapur." Draupadi asked.

"Um... Yeah it never did. But-but it happend in ksheer sagar......" Dhriti said lost again.

"What! Where?" Draupadi asked turning.

"Ksheer Sagar? Dhriti! You're talking about Ksheer Sagar. Narayan and Mahalakshmi's residence. How do you know it happend there?" Draupadi chuckled , now squinting her eyes.

"Mate, you're not the best one in hiding things. You speak whatever's going on hin your tender heart Swamini." Narad chuckled.

"Now help me out of this Munivar. Don't laugh." Dhriti replied.

"Dhriti! Answer me..." Draupadi shook her out of her thoughts once again.

"Devarshi..... I'll get to you later." Dhriti said making Narad chuckle.

"Why only me Mate? Even prabhu Narayan, Devi Parvati, Devi Saraswati, Mahadev and Nandi is chuckling right now." Narad said as Dhriti realized everyone's been enjoying this banter the whole time.

"The 7 of you do this everytime." Dhriti said as a smirk appeared on her face.

"Ganeshaaaa......" She sweetly thought.

"Mateeee....." He replied mimicking her.

"Who makes those tasty modaks for you when Sakhi dosent?" She asked now laughing along.

"You Mate." Ganesha replied, laughing around.

"So won't you help your Mata out now?" Dhriti asked finally covering up.

"Ofcourse I will Mate. Tell Yagyaseni that all the celebrations happening on earth, first take place in Ksheer Sagar because my Mata Lakshmi and Narayan are the preserver of that peace on Mrityu Lok. And hence my answer." Ganesha explained as a smile appeared on her face.

"Vinayak once said, all the celebrations happening on earth first take place in Ksheer Sagar, as the Trilokinath and Swamini are the preserver of this balance on this janani." Dhriti answered Draupadi, repeating Ganesha's words as Draupadi nodded.

"You should have waited for some more time to listen to Shri's answer oh Vinayak." Kanha spoke making others chuckle.

"Special modaks for you tomorrow dear Ganesha." Dhriti and Ganesha giggled as a light wave of laughter covered the DevLok and BhuLok.

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