***

[Chedi Kingdom]

The palace was cloaked in an eerie silence, but this was the famous silence before the storm.

Shishupal stormed into his chamber, without meeting or speaking to anyone.

Then came the sound of shattering glass.

Paintings tumbled to the floor.

Elegant glass ornaments splintered into fragments.

Decorative curtains lay in disarray.

But even this didn't satisfy his anger, so next it was the turn of the windows and doors.

But could it ever be that the prince was so angry, and the king wouldn't notice?
"What is the matter?"

"Your Majesty, ever since the prince returned, his anger has been unleashed upon everything in his chamber."

"I understand!"

The king motioned with his index finger to summon his chief scribe and whispered in his ear.

"Som! Tell that new maid to prepare the finest drink and present it in the prince's chamber!"

The scribe Som ,nodded in agreement, looking at the king with his bowed head. The king then calmly proceeded towards the prince's turbulent chamber with the soldier.

***

»»--•°•𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚊 𝚁𝚞𝚔𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚒 (5)•°•--««

***

[Dwarka]

King Ugrasena, Father Vasudeva, and both mothers had already finished their meals and retired to their respective chambers.

Now, the conversation was taking place among their children. Among them was a beautiful queen, whom the maids addressed as Queen Revati. She was watching the two brothers.

But neither of them was looking at her.

One didn't look because he never did during meals! And when the food is made by the only two hands of his only wife, its taste naturally quadruples.

But the one who wears a peacock feather on his head, today is avoiding his sister-in-law's gaze because he knows exactly what Revati Bhabhi is thinking.

"Do you know, Arya?! My little brother-in-law liked only one painting from the entire festival!"

Even though Devi Revati was saying this to Dau, the target was someone else.

And then an awkward cough from the Lord. Dau Bhaiya's eyes blinked like a tube light between Devi Revati and Krishna.

"My dear Bhabhi! today you did not serve the ambrosial butter you made with your own hands!"

The eyes of the fragrant queen fell on all the dishes, and it's true! Butter was not among them!

Krishna's small lips, like the tiny bud of a rose, the lower petal slightly jutting out and down...!

{If I step out of my Mahadevi Verma-style descriptive enchantment and put it simply,
He pouted.}

His face did not look like that of a cute puppy. His face looked like that of a young mountain lion cub, whose soft and long fur enhanced his adorable and charming pout. Whose deadly claws turned as gentle as butter for his loved ones.

His small assistant Chitra, standing nearby, couldn't stop herself from staring at him. She used all her willpower, but the attraction was strong!

Everyone noticed! ......Krishna did too!

But Krishna said nothing...yet!

How could he? His beloved sister-in-law had just served him a whole mouthful of the butter.

Seeing the Lord, his sister-in-law smiled, and seeing her, Dau Bhaiya also smiled. Thinking that his wife was even more innocent than him.
Their young mountain cub had so easily diverted the conversation, and the queen adorned with blue flowers didn't even notice.

•°•°•°•
[Chedi kingdom]

"Unleashing your wrath on these inanimate objects will achieve nothing."

"Then what should I do? My temples are throbbing with rage, Father!"

He tried to show his father, King Damaghosha, his fiery red eyes in anger, but alongside him stood a young maiden. Judging by her appearance, she must be the new maid.

She placed the drink on the only remaining table and, as per the king's command, left the room.

However, outside the chamber, her steps halted because her entire attention was fixed on the conversation between the father and the son.

Technically, she had fulfilled the king's command. Now, it was time to fulfill the real command!!

"So, Rukmi mocked you again?"

"Yes, Father! And now I am so enraged with him that I can't even describe it."

He gathered all his anger into his fist and struck the door so hard that it couldn't withstand the force. The iron-strong door shattered like paper flowers.

(Perhaps it lacked elasticity 🤐)

"Do you think venting your anger on these lifeless objects will resolve anything?"

King Damaghosha placed his hands on his son's shoulders and whispered as he stood close by.

"The future king of the Chedi kingdom! What do you desire?"

He looked at his father with eyes full of pride, envy, and raging anger. A storm was brewing in those eyes.

"I want them to no longer dare to mock me like this. I want to be respected among them, especially by Rukmi!"

Shishupala remained lost in thought for a while, pondering over what made Rukmi greater than him, and he grasped it.

"Father! Please grant me permission to go to the forest."

The king's eyes did not blink again out of surprise and fear. How could they? He wouldn't have expected his son, who is set to be coronated in three days, to suddenly talk about going to the forest.

No! This must be stopped.

Otherwise, many people are eyeing the throne, waiting for the opportunity to attack. If the crown prince is absent, enemies might perceive the kingdom as weak and attack.

At any other time, he might have begged his son to stay. But why now? He knew that the fish would fall into the net on its own.

"Why do you want to go to the forest, son?"

"So that I too can undertake intense penance and become powerful. Acquire more powerful weapons and divine arms."

His eyes were gleaming with determination. So much so that if Damaghosha's net wasn't cast at the right time to catch the fish, it would burn in the fire of his son's determination.

And the fish would slip away!

"When the ghee comes out with a straight finger, why is there a need to bend it?"

Shishupala didn't understand. The words went over his head. He scratched his head, looked around, and then asked his father.

"Can you explain in a bit more detail?"

The king laughed. He stared into his son's eyes.

"Rukmi may put on all the acts he wants, but he holds his younger sister Rukmini in high regard."

Shishupala could only stare at his father. Today was the first time he learned that Rukmi had a sister.

"Rukmini is Rukmi's sister?"

His father wanted to facepalm but refrained, as it was a matter of his son's dignity.

"Rukmini is Rukmi's sister.
Now, listen to the real plan."

Shishupala's full attention was now on his father and the plans that sounded so reassuring.

"Listen, my son! Exactly three days from now, your coronation is set to take place. Everyone will present you with gifts during the coronation. Rukmi will also come with precious gifts. But you must not accept the gifts.

Imply that there is no need for gifts in friendship. However, he will persist, and so should you. Until he is ready to give you whatever you ask for.

And then you will ask for Rukmini. He won't be able to refuse."

One can only guess at the devilish thoughts running through Shishupala's mind, but he completed his father's unfinished words.

"And when his sister is with me, he won't dare to mock me even in his dreams."

The laughter of the father and son echoed through the chamber walls. So much so that the new maid, standing outside with her ear pressed against the wall, embodying the saying 'walls have ears' , widened her eyes in fear and anger.

She had to leave! Quickly! Otherwise, disaster might strike!

Just as she was about to sneak away, the hem of her sari got caught in the jaws of a decorative roaring lion statue nearby.

A sign!

She tried to leave in haste, but the statue fell, and its pieces scattered all around. The laughter inside abruptly stopped. The woman looked up and sighed deeply.

"Well played! Divine prankster! Well played!"

______________________________________

Radhe Krishna♡