The entire Hastinapur was feasting at the victory of the princes, they all were hailing Yudhishthir for his leadership, Manvendra for his strategy and Arjun for his valour.

The streets had crowded to catch a glimpse of the princes when they had returned. And right now in the palace a grand celebration was being held to honour their victory.

But away from the lights of the celebration, Dhritrashtra and Shakuni were seated in the king's dark room, illuminated by few lamps.

A great ploy was being woven by the king of Gandhar, to delude the fickle mind of the old blind king.

"Shakuni, I would be lying if I say I don't wish Duryodhan to ascend the throne after me. But Yudhisthir and Manvendra are elder to him." Dhritrāshtra said.

"Yudhishthir is out of question, Maharaj. The throne shall go to Manvendra only." Shakuni said.

"What ?" The blind king frowned.

"Yes. His father is the Mahamantri of Hastinapur. Manvendra's cause can have more support to ascend the throne than Yudhishthir. Don't you think, even Vidur would want his son to become the king ?" Shakuni asked.

"Vidur is a true patriot, Shakuni. He wouldn't do something like that." Dhritrashtra shook his head.

"Maharaj, you are too kind. Vidur shall not let Duryodhan ascend the throne, and when the right time comes, he shall neither let Yudhishthir ascend it. The entire ministry shall stand in favour for the cause of Manvendra's accession." Shakuni said.

"That cannot happen. If the eldest Yudhishthir is there, why will Manvendra ascend the throne ? The ministry shall not accept this." Dhritrashtra said.

"Who better than you know the chameleon like nature of the ministry, Maharaj ? Even you were eldest, but Pandu was crowned the King." Shakuni said.

"That's because they deemed Pandu to be more competent." Dhritrashtra said.

"And Manvendra too is no less competent for the throne. Even though he is cursed, being the son of Vidur, his reputation among the people is a great one. People will not mind him becoming the king. Infact they will want him to become their king." Shakuni said.

Dhritrashtra fell silent and began pondering over the words of Shakuni, who smirked seeing the blind king, easily falling into his trap.

"Maharaj, Vidur loves his son dearly, for Manvendra he can turn the entire politics of Kuru-rashtra upside down. The Pandu-putras are simple-hearted, they can give up their rights. But your sons ? No. Your sons shall try to snatch their rights and if that happens Vidur can very well take their lives to ensure there is no one to challenge the throne." Shakuni said.

"No... No.... This can't be.... I cannot let this happen." Dhritrashtra said.

"Maharaj, you must make Vidur lose in his game only." Shakuni said.

"How ?" Dhritrashtra asked.

"Keep Manvendra away from Hastinapur." Shakuni said.

"How so ?" The blind king asked.

The king of Gandhar smirked, now all he has to do is pull one thread to make his plan succeed.

"We cannot deny that Manvendra has great valour. He made the princes win the battle against Panchal. That's no small thing. Don't you think his valour and strength will be wasted in the palace ?" Shakuni said.

"Say clearly." Dhritrashtra told.

"Maharaj, give him the duty of border security. In that way, a strong warrior shall be our guard but at the same time a worthy contender for the throne shall be away from the capital itself. The chances of Manvendra taking over the throne shall become negligible. And as per Yudhishthir, we'll see what we can do." Shakuni said.

Dhritrashtra thought for a moment, the idea of Shakuni seemed good enough to him. Keeping Manvendra outside the kingdom is the best option.

-----

The great hall was filled with laughter and praises of the princes that had just won the war. The night was young and the feast was ascending into its full glory.

But such splendour wasn't attracting Manvendra, who stood at the big balcony, leaning on the railing, occasionally looking at the wine glass and then at the moon.

He wasn't enjoying the crowd, he was here just for the sake of formalities. He wished there was some way he could escape the feast and go to his room.

Suddenly Vidur came to him. Manvendra touched the feet of his father who today instead of keeping his hand over his head, embraced him.

"I am so proud of you, son." Vidur said.

Only if Manvendra could feel the bliss those words bring. Knowing that you have met every expectations of your parents and fulfilled their desires. Knowing that you have made them happy and content.

Only if he could feel that emotion, his famous charming smile would've appeared on his face. But it didn't.

"You have made ancestors proud, you have made the citizens proud. Due to your battle-tactics, the citizens are praising the princes." Vidur said.

"It's all your blessings." Manvendra said, his face remaining expressionless as ever.

Vidur smiled for a moment, but soon his face became serious.

"Your praises must have reached the ears of Maharaj too. Especially Gandhar-raj." Vidur said.

"And neither of them are present at the feast." Manvendra said, understanding the point his father was trying to make.

"Them not being present at such an important celebration can mean only one thing." Vidur said.

"I know." Manvendra said.

And speak of the devil, it was the very moment Gandhar-raj Shakuni entered the feast. The eyes of Vidur and Manvendra got set on him, as he greeted everyone, congratulated some, and slowly made their way towards them.

Shakuni smiled at Vidur and Manvendra, a sly one which was enough for them to make out his intentions.

"Rajkumar Raudra, Maharaj asks for your presence." Shakuni said.

Vidur and Manvendra looked at each other, their unreadable expressions and incomprehensible gaze, confused Shakuni a little bit. But they seemed to be conversing just by through their eyes.

"It is a very crucial matter, hence he sends me to take you. Now." Shakuni said, trying not to get suspicious.

Manvendra nodded at Vidur and then looked Shakuni, taking sip of his wine.

"Lead the way, Gandhar-raj." He said keeping the wine glass aside.

"Right this way." Shakuni said with a sly smile. He walked ahead with Manvendra following him behind.

Reaching the room of Dhritrashtra, they both entered and saw the blind king sitting on the bed.

"Manvendra ? Is that you ?" Dhritrashtra asked.

"Yes." Manvendra said walking towards the old king and touching his feet. Dhritrashtra kept his hand over his nephew's head, touching his face to examine his features.

"Indeed it is you. It's been so long, that we have talked properly. I must say your well proportioned features indicate, you're a handsome one." Dhritrashtra said.

"How can I serve you Tatshree ?" Manvendra asked.

"Raudra, a king must always look out for near and distant threats. But you know how it is for me. For near threats, I have Mahamahim Bhism, Kripacharya, Yudhishthir, and your father Vidur, ofcourse. But I am unable to see distant threats with these." Dhritrashtra said.

"What do you mean ?" Manvendra asked.

"Border security. Mahamahim Bhishm always inspects the borders of the kingdom, although he surely has more dexterity than me, but he has grown old and as his nephew ordering him around makes me guilty. Also, he cannot always be alert on the borders, he is very much needed here at the kingdom for internal matters." Dhritrashtra said.

"So you want me to take up the duties of border security ?" Manvendra asked.

"Yes. Your valor shall be wasted in the kingdom, behind the palace walls anyways. Let it be used to establish the superiority of Kurus." Dhritrashtra said.

Manvendra looked at him, he very well knew this was a conspiracy to keep him away from the kingdom. And because it was definitely conspired by Shakuni, the reason has to be of succession.

Manvendra pondered over it for a while, and his silence made Dhritrashtra restless. He wanted to get rid of the son of Vidur as soon as possible, as his mind was deluded by the words of Shakuni.

"What do you say Manvendra ?" Dhritrashtra asked.

"I'll agree to this but I have two conditions." Manvendra said.

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A/N

What conditions does Manvendra have ? 🌝🌝🌝