With the rising sun, the quarrels in the kingdom of Hastinapur also arose. Half of which were caused by the 100 teenagers of Dhritrashtra. It was nothing new in the palace, everyone was accustomed to it.

But today, the eldest son of Dhritrashtra, Duryodhan was especially cranky, since morning there was not even a single person with whom he had talked properly.

"How very audacious of a Vaishya-putra to think that he can play with us !" Duryodhan said arrogantly.

"You speak like the ill-minded ones. If you wished to say 'no' then just say it. By insulting me, you are insulting your own father." Said Yuyutsu, turning back on his feet.

This was nothing new, the sons of Dhritrashtra never respected Yuyutsu although he too was their half brother and around the same age as Duryodhan.

This tussle between them was being observed by a fair-skinned, tall boy around the age of 16, Vidur-putra Manvendra, who felt bad looking at the anguished Yuyutsu.

"Yuyutsu, would you care to join me for a round of Chaturang ?" He offered. (Chaturang = Early version of Chess)

The wise one looked at his elder cousin and knew that Manvendra saw all of it, and was offering to play just to make him feel better.

"You don't have to trouble yourself for making me feel good, Taat." Yuyutsu said with a sigh.

Manvendra shook his head, before wrapping his one arm around Yuyutsu's shoulders, walking ahead and pulling him along.

"On one side you're calling me your Taat and on the other side you're urging me to shirk away from my responsibilities ? Don't you think that's a little unconventional, son ?" He asked.

Yuyutsu looked at him, as Manvendra gave him a smile, a rather contagious one was his, extremely pleasant, energetic, and lovable. Yuyutsu too couldn't help but also smile at Manvendra.

"And besides, the servents here are rather dim-witted. And so are those cousins of mine. Hence I have no one to play Chaturang with." Manvendra added, causing Yuyutsu to chuckle.

"Maybe you can play with our cousins who are arriving today. And which reminds me, you won't be the eldest anymore." Yuyutsu gave a teasing remark.

"Oh. So that's the reason Duryodhan is quite annoyed today." Manvendra said.

"What do you mean ?" Yuyutsu asked frowning.

"He now has to deal with one more competitor for the throne. Yudhishthir." Manvendra said.

"But doesn't this mean, even you have a contender now ?" Yuyutsu asked.

"Well, my father says that I am a prince and serving my kingdom is my primary duty. It doesn't matter if I do it by sitting on the throne or serving the throne. So the only one who is agitated is Duryodhan." Manvendra said.

He had deducted it correctly, the arrival of Pandavas had caused Duryodhan to become worried and annoyed at the same time.

"Was that Manvendra any less that now even that eldest Pandu-putra is coming !?" Duryodhan exclaimed.

"Don't worry brother, Mamashree has assured us that only you shall be the king of Hastinapur." Dushashan said.

"I know. But now there are more contenders for the throne and my path is even more obstructed." Duryodhan said.

"Your path is not obstructed anymore, my nephew." Said Shakuni, coming towards his nephews with a sly smile full of deception and trickery was plastered on his face.

"What do you mean, Mamashree ?" Duryodhan asked.

"Nephew dearest, when the Pandu-putras will come, there shall be a high chance that they will have a tussle with Vidur-putra for the throne. After all, Manvendra and Yudhishthir shall be the eldest ones and both can be equally competent." Shakuni said.

"So the tussle shall only increase Mamashree. It's going to be a three way struggle." Dushashan said.

"You still have a lot to learn, eh Duryodhan ? Tell me one thing. Who gets the hunt when two lions fight ?" Shakuni asked.

"The one that wins." Duryodhan said.

"No." The king of Gandhar shook his head.

"Then who ?" Dushashan asked.

"The Jackals. When two lions fight for the prey, it's the Jackals who grab it seeing the opportunity. Similarly, Manvendra and Yudhishthir shall fight for the throne and we shall snatch it. Your contenders themselves shall clear your way to the throne." Shakuni said smirking.

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A/N

Bada accha compare kiya khud ko Jackals ke saath Shakku Mamu 🌝

And also.... This is actually my first OCXOC FF..... Well Incongruency did have Agnimitra and Kalyani.... But this one is the first centered OCxOC 🌝✨

Another thing which makes this book special is that.... ITS THE 30TH PUBLISHED BOOK OF DHARMPORT 🔥