This story is specially dedicated to my dear friend @Smrtimandhanna, whose wonderful idea inspired its creation

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The sun had just begun its descent, casting long shadows over the sprawling palace of Indraprastha. The evening was alive with anticipation and anxiety, as news of Arjuna's return with his new bride, Subhadra, spread like wildfire. Servants hurried to make preparations, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers and the sounds of conch shells.

In the grand entrance hall, Draupadi stood silently, her face a mask of controlled emotion. She held an aarti thali in her hands, its silver surface reflecting the flickering flames of the diya. Her mind, however, was far from the ritual she was about to perform. Instead, it was consumed by a promise made long ago-a vow she had extracted from the Pandavas, her husbands, in the wake of the complex dynamics of their shared marriage. None of their other wives would ever set foot in Indraprastha, a sanctuary that Draupadi had claimed as her own.

And yet, today, Arjun had returned with Subhadra, the sister of Krishna, a new bride, breaking the vow.

The heavy doors of the palace creaked open, and Arjun stepped inside, Subhadra at his side. Her delicate beauty shone in the fading light, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and trepidation. She wore a sari of the finest silk, its rich blue hue complementing her fair skin, and her hair was adorned with flowers.

Arjun's gaze sought Draupadi's, an unspoken plea for understanding passing between them. He knew the turmoil that his actions had caused, the betrayal she felt, and yet he hoped she would see beyond it. Draupadi's eyes flickered with a thousand emotions-anger, hurt, confusion, and a trace of something softer.

Draupadi moved forward, her steps measured and graceful. She began the aarti, circling the thali in front of Subhadra and Arjuna, her face a study of composure. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm, but the undertone was unmistakable. "Welcome to Indraprastha, Subhadra," she said, her words carrying a subtle weight.

Subhadra's heart pounded in her chest, the tension in the room almost tangible. She had been prepared for this moment, had steeled herself for Draupadi's reaction, knowing well the promise that had been broken. Subhadra had heard of Draupadi's strength, her loyalty, and the deep bond she shared with the Pandavas. To be accepted by Draupadi would be no small feat.

After the aarti, Draupadi placed the thali aside and looked directly at Subhadra. "May you be blessed with a son who will bring glory to our house," she said, her tone firm yet lacking warmth. It was both a blessing and a subtle acknowledgment of Subhadra's new place in their world.

Arjun's eyes met Draupadi's again, silently urging Subhadra to enter the palace.

Subhadra, sensing Arjuna's unspoken request, nodded and stepped forward to enter the palace. As she passed Draupadi, she whispered softly,

"I hope to earn your acceptance, jiji. I have nothing but respect and love for you."

Her voice, though low, was sincere and held a plea for peace.

Draupadi did not respond, her eyes fixed on Arjuna as Subhadra disappeared into the shadows of the palace halls.

Once Subhadra was out of earshot, Draupadi turned to Arjuna, her composure slipping. Her voice was sharp, edged with the pain she had been holding back.

"Why, Arjun? Why did you bring Rajkumari Subhadra here? You know the promise you made. You know what this means to me."

Arjun sighed, his expression a mix of guilt and resolve. He had anticipated this confrontation, had played it out in his mind countless times during his journey back.

"Draupadi," he began gently, "I never intended to hurt you. But this marriage-it was not just about us.
Madhav, explained to me that marrying Subhadra was important for the greater good of Aryavartha."

He stepped closer to Draupadi, his voice softening as he tried to convey the depth of his reasons.

"It was a strategic alliance. With Subhadra as my wife, it strengthens the ties between the Yadavas and the Pandavas. This bond is crucial for Bratha Yudhishthir's claim to the throne. With this alliance, Bratha can become the Samrat, and you, the Samragni in future. This is about the future of our kingdom, our family."

Draupadi's eyes flashed with a mix of emotions-anger, betrayal, and a dawning understanding. She had always known that their lives were bound by the complex web of duty, politics, and alliances. Yet, the personal pain she felt could not be easily dismissed.

"You speak of strategy and alliances Arya," Draupadi said, her voice trembling. "But what about the promises we made to each other? What about my place here? My heart, Arya Arjun, does that mean nothing?"

Arjun's face softened with regret. "Your place here is unshakable, Draupadi. You are the heart and soul of this palace, of our lives. This decision was not meant to replace you or diminish your role. It was to ensure our strength and security. I did not marry Subhadra out of a desire to hurt you, but because it was necessary for the good of all of us."

Draupadi closed her eyes for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. She could see the sincerity in Arjun's eyes, the weight of the responsibilities he bore. The pain of betrayal still stung, but she could not ignore the logic of his words. Their lives had always been entwined with the fate of kingdoms, their personal happiness often sacrificed on the altar of duty.

As she opened her eyes, Draupadi's voice softened, though it still held a note of sadness. "I understand the necessity, Arya. But understanding does not erase the hurt. You broke a vow we made, and that is not something easily forgotten. I will accept Subhadra, for the sake of our family and our kingdom, but the wound will take time to heal."

Arjun nodded, a sense of relief mingling with his regret. "I know, and I will do whatever it takes to make amends, to prove that my commitment to you is unwavering."

Subhadra stood at the edge of the entrance, her heart pounding in her chest as she overheard the conversation between Arjun and Draupadi. Each word that reached her ears felt like a dagger plunging into her heart. She could hardly breathe, her vision blurring with tears. The love she had believed in, the love that had brought her here to Indraprastha, now seemed like a cruel illusion. As Arjun's words echoed in her mind, the reality became painfully clear: her life was nothing more than a move in a grand political game.

Her legs felt weak, as if the strength had been drained from her body. Without realizing it, she turned away from the entrance and fled. Her feet carried her almost instinctively through the grand halls of the palace, past the richly adorned walls and the marble floors that had once seemed to promise a future filled with joy. But now, each step she took echoed the sound of her breaking heart. She stumbled through the corridors, her mind reeling from the harsh truths she had just heard.

The melancholic strains of the song Ye Kaisi Duvidha Hai, filled the air, each note echoing the turmoil in Subhadra's heart.

Memories came flooding back, memories of the time she had first seen Arjun in Hastinapur. She was just a young princess, barely aware of the world's complexities. She had been drawn to his strength, his courage, and the aura of nobility that surrounded him. He was a warrior, a Pandava prince, but to her, he had been so much more. He had been the embodiment of everything she had ever dreamed of.

She remembered the celebrations in Hastinapur, the courtyard filled with the sound of music and laughter. Arjun had been playing the veena, his fingers moving gracefully over the strings. The music he created was enchanting, a melody that spoke of dreams and aspirations. She had stood at a distance, watching him, her heart beating faster with each note. His eyes had met hers, and for a moment, it felt as if the world had stopped. In that fleeting moment, a bond had been formed, a bond that she believed was unbreakable.

*Ye Kaisi Duvidha Hai,

The song's sorrowful notes pulled her back into the present, reminding her of the harsh reality she was now facing. Her memories shifted to the day Arjun had saved her from Kalyavan. She had been terrified, her heart pounding with fear as the ruthless warrior had approached her, his eyes filled with malice. But then, out of nowhere, Arjun had appeared, his bow in hand, his face set with determination. He had stood between her and Kalyavan, a shield that nothing could break. His bravery had filled her with awe, his presence a source of comfort and strength. She had felt safe, knowing that as long as Arjun was there, no harm would come to her.

Tears streamed down her face as she remembered the way he had looked at her after the battle, his eyes softening with concern. He had reached out to her, his hand gentle as he wiped away her tears. "You are safe now, Subhadra," he had said, his voice filled with a tenderness that had melted her heart. She had believed him, believed in the promise that his words held. But now, she realized that those moments were mere illusions, shattered by the cruel truth.

*Apne Hi Apno Ke Sukh Leke Dukhe Dene Adharma Hai
Ya Ye Vidhaan Hai...*

Her mind replayed the day of their marriage, the day she had thought would be the happiest of her life. Arjun had come for her, defying the odds, defying the world, to take her hand in marriage. She had been overwhelmed with joy, her heart soaring with love. The rituals had been performed, the sacred fire bearing witness to their union. She had looked into his eyes, filled with love and devotion, believing that their marriage was the culmination of their love, a bond that would never be broken.

She had thought she had found her soulmate, her partner, her other half. She had thought that their love was blessed by the gods themselves. She had walked around the sacred fire with him, her hand in his, her heart bursting with happiness. She had vowed to stand by him, to support him, to love him with all her heart. And she had believed that he felt the same way, that his love for her was as deep and true as hers was for him.

But now, she realized that her marriage was not the result of love, but only for the benefit of political power Her heart ached as she remembered his words to Draupadi, the cold, hard truth that had shattered her dreams. Arjun had not married her out of love, but out of duty, out of a sense of responsibility to his family and kingdom. She had been a means to an end, a pawn in a game far greater than her own dreams and desires.

*Ye Kaisi Duvidha Hai,
Kaisi Ye Vipada Hai...*

The song's haunting melody enveloped her, matching the despair in her heart.
She reached the chamber and stumbled inside, the heavy door closing behind her with a soft thud. The sound seemed to seal her fate, trapping her in a reality she could not escape.

Subhadra collapsed to the ground, her body trembling as sobs erupted from her chest. She clutched the edge of the bed for support, her fingers digging into the soft fabric. Her sobs were ragged, tearing from her throat as if they had been locked inside her for too long. The tears flowed freely, a torrent of grief that she could not contain.

"Why?" Subhadra cried, her voice breaking, barely a whisper in the vastness of the chamber. "Why did you do this to me, Arjun? Was I just a pawn to be moved for the sake of Aryavarth?"

Her voice echoed back to her, the emptiness of the room amplifying her pain. She had loved Arjun with a purity that knew no bounds. From the moment she had seen him, she had known that he was the one she wanted to spend her life with. She had dreamed of him, thought of him as her husband long before he had ever taken her hand in marriage. Her love for him had been her guiding light, a beacon of hope in a world filled with uncertainty.

But now, all those dreams seemed to crumble around her, like fragile pieces of clay shattered by a cruel truth.

"I thought you loved me," Subhadra whispered, her voice choked with tears. "I thought you chose me because you felt the same way I did. I believed in us, in our love... But now I see it was all a lie."

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, but more kept coming, blurring her vision, soaking her cheeks. Her body shook with the force of her sobs. She had tried to be strong, tried to convince herself that everything would be alright. But hearing those words from Arjuna's own mouth had shattered her last defenses.

"When my marriage was fixed with Duryodhan," Subhadra said, her voice trembling, "I thought my life was over. I couldn't bear the thought of being with him, of living a life without you. I felt as if I was suffocating, as if the walls were closing in on me. But then... then you came for me. You rescued me, you took my hand, and in that moment, I thought all my dreams had come true. I thought you loved me, that you wanted me as much as I wanted you."

She buried her face in her hands, her tears soaking her palms. "But now... now I know the truth. I was nothing more than a pawn in this political game, a tool to secure your position, to ensure Bratha Yudhishthir's rise as Samrat. I was just another piece to be moved on your chessboard."

Subhadra's heart ached with the pain of betrayal. She had always known that the world of politics and power was ruthless, but she had never imagined that her own life would be entangled in such schemes. She had believed in love, in the power of true, untainted love. She had believed in Arjuna.

"Was there ever a moment, Arjun," Subhadra whispered, her voice raw with pain, "when you thought of me, of my feelings? Did you ever consider how I would feel, knowing that our marriage was just a strategic move? Did you ever think about my love for you, or was it always about the greater good, about duty and alliances?"

Her sobs filled the room, her cries of anguish resonating off the walls. The chamber, meant to be her sanctuary, felt cold and empty. The bed she had imagined sharing with Arjun, the room she had dreamed of filling with love and laughter, now seemed like a cage, imprisoning her in a reality she could not bear.

"I was so happy," Subhadra said, her voice barely audible. "I was so happy when you married me. I thought I was finally going to have the life I had always dreamed of. I thought I would finally be with the man I loved. But now... now I know that my happiness was built on lies."

She lay down on the cold floor, her body curling up as if trying to shield itself from the pain. The stone beneath her was hard and unyielding, but it felt more comforting than the reality she faced. Her tears soaked the ground, her sobs the only sound in the stillness of the room.

"I wanted to be your wife, not because of politics or power, but because I loved you," Subhadra whispered. "I would have been happy anywhere, as long as I was with you. I would have lived in a hut, in the simplest of conditions, as long as I had your love. But now... now I don't know what to believe."

Her heart felt heavy, weighed down by the betrayal. She had been so naïve, so foolish to believe that her love could be enough. She had believed in a fairytale, and now she was paying the price for her blind faith.

"How can I live here," Subhadra sobbed, "knowing that I am not wanted, not truly loved? How can I look at you, knowing that your heart is not mine, that it was never mine? How can I face Draupadi, knowing that my presence here is a betrayal to her vows and to my own heart?"

The room felt suffocating, the walls closing in around her. Subhadra's sobs grew quieter, her voice hoarse from crying. She felt drained, her body heavy with exhaustion, her mind numb from the onslaught of emotions.

"Is this my fate?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "To be loved as a strategy, to be desired as a pawn? Is my love for you nothing but a burden, a tool to be used and discarded?"

Her tears had slowed, but the pain in her heart remained, a constant ache that would not go away. She closed her eyes, wishing she could escape from the reality, from the truth that had shattered her world.

"Arjun," Subhadra whispered, her voice filled with a broken plea, "I would have loved you no matter what. I would have stood by you, supported you, even if it meant living a life of hardship. All I ever wanted was your love, your respect. But now... now I don't know what future holds for

Subhadra lay on the cold floor of her chamber, her tears still wet on her cheeks, when a soft knock echoed through the room.

She gasped, her heart racing. Could it be Arjun? Had he come to explain himself, to comfort her, to hold her in his arms and erase the pain he had inflicted? In a flurry of motion, she wiped her tears, smoothed her hair, and adjusted her disheveled clothes.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging inside her heart, and walked to the door, opening it with a sense of hope that was as fragile as a butterfly's wing.

But as the door swung open, the figure standing on the other side was not Arjun. It was a dasi, her expression polite yet devoid of emotion. Subhadra's heart sank, her hope shattering into pieces that were too small to ever be mended. The dasi bowed slightly, her voice soft as she delivered her message.

"Rajkumari, Rajkumar Arjun asked me to inform you that he will be spending the year with Maharani