[Timeskip - A Friday Morning After 3 Days]

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𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚 -

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜 : 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙙𝙞 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙙𝙤𝙢

Capital City, Suktimati

Paush, Krishna Paksha, Prathama

Shishupal, the heir to the Chedi Kingdom, will assume his succession today. According to the royal astrologers, an auspicious moment like this won't come soon.

The atmosphere is festive across all the states. Numerous participants have come from far and wide to compete in various contests, and many kings and monarchs are present to partake in the celebrations.

Art exhibitions are enchanting everyone with their incredible displays. Whether it's dancers, musicians, or a remarkably beautiful rangoli adorned with vivid colors, everything is mesmerizing.

The Alpana artists have painstakingly created their designs, gathering colors themselves.
No assistance from the administration, but never mind!
The festivities are expected to be grand and splendid.

King Damghosh declined an interview because he got too emotional. He almost cried, though no tears actually fell.

But that's irrelevant. Let's skip that part!

Let's hear what the common people have to say about this.

°•°•°•°

Don't mind their words; their emotions are genuine. These people have gone mad with joy.

Now, let's hear the thoughts of the ministers.

So, by now, you must have understood how much the Chedi Kingdom and its people adore their future king.

Even my eyes and nose welled up seeing such profound love.

Alright, dear readers, that's all for today. We'll meet in the next publication!

Until then, have a good day/night!

****

"Why are there swords on the ministers' nec-
"Hey Fool! Don't print that!!"

***

[Dwarka]

The lord closed the pages of the 'Confidential Information,' rested them aside, and took a deep breath as he sat on the recamier, closing his eyes.

The sweet aroma of buttermilk wafted through the vessels, and Chitra couldn't help but ask,

"What troubles you, Dwarkadhish? Has someone bothered you?"

"It's the writer!"

😳😳😳
Excuse me.......
Um.... ... Huh?
Is my story glitching....!
Nooo!!! wait....!!!!

"The writer?"

"Krishna!"
"She sent the confidential information like a newspaper!"

Gosh... For a moment, I felt my soul leave my body. Haha...😅 So the Lord was talking about Krishna.

What a relief!

"Newspaper?"

Chitra scratched her head.

"Forget about it!"

Just then, another spy entered and bowed before the lord in the manner one bows before an emperor.

"Glory to Dwarkadhish!"

Dwarkadhish, enjoying his buttermilk, remained seated.

"Speak, Vyom! What's the matter?"

The spy with ebony-colored eyes began speaking in his usual manner.

"Dwarkesh! The last sighting of the two was near the Narmada River. It is suspected that they have headed southwest from there, although we have no concrete evidence."

As he finished speaking, a smile grew on Krishna's face.

"Good news!"

Krishna gazed towards his golden city.

"Everything is happening as it should."

Chitra and Vyom exchanged puzzled glances and looked at the lord.

The lord's words, as always, were inscrutable!

***

»»--•°•𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚊 𝚁𝚞𝚔𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚒(7)•°•--««

***

The capital, Suktimati, was adorned with such diverse beauty today that, if Dwarka were not encrusted with priceless gems, Chedi could stand in its competition.

Exquisitely rare and extraordinarily beautiful flowers encircled the royal palace, much like serpents coiling around a sandalwood tree.

The sunlight filtered through the glorious history of the victory banners, bathing in the pristine blue waters of the river.

Once upon this desolate land, Chidi had sown the seeds of the royal dynasty, but their story remains untold.

Those seeds were destroyed by Vasu Uparichara, who came from Pururava, and it's his lineage alone whose history is etched upon these hallowed pages.

The chronicles of the Chidi may have been torn asunder, their legacy obliterated!

The might was such that without Indra's intervention, the kings of Pururava could not even cast their gaze upon this land.

But now, the Vasu dynasty is the sole ruler of this territory.

It is their history!
It is their present!

Seated upon the glorious throne, Shishupal would now be the bearer of this empire. His gaze fell upon the gathered guests.

It lingered on the priceless gifts,
his allies,
his father,
and the sea of people.

The Kuru, The Salwas, The Madreyas, The Kalingas, The Mallas... and the list goes on.

But his searching eyes rested on one in particular. His ears resonated with the future sound of victory, and his lips curved upward.

"Welcome, friend! Welcome!"

He rose from the throne and approached Rukmi. His father, standing nearby, signaled to him, and Shishupal nodded slightly. He spread his arms to welcome the approaching friend.

But Rukmi passed by.

He bowed to Damaghosha. Rukmi's servants placed a platter laden with diamonds, pearls, and other gems.

"You should learn more from your father, Shishupal!"

Rukmi joked. He expected Shishupal to be annoyed, but the opposite happened.

Shishupal, smiling, instructed the servants to take the platter back. Rukmi's brows furrowed in confusion.

«Has his intellect been corrupted by the weight of the crown?»

"Do not insult our friendship with such trivial gifts."

"Insult? But it is a gift from me."

Shishupal placed a hand on Rukmi's shoulder.

"I know, my friend. But I too have my principles."
"I cannot accept this."

"But why can't you?"

"Because you are my friend."

"But you haven't returned
anyone else's gift."

Rukmi's eyes narrowed.

"Because they are allies, friends, but you are a dear friend."
"I cannot accept this gift."

Shishupal glanced towards his throne.

"You are putting me in a moral dilemma, Shishupal! This is akin to an insult to Vidarbha."

"Understand my irony too, my friend!"

Rukmi looked at him, but his mind was lost in thoughts where everyone had given him gifts except the great Vidarbha. This was a blow to his pride, which he could not accept.

«Whatever the cost, I will remain the greatest.»

Suddenly, an idea came to his mind.

"If you don't want to take the gift, then fine, don't take it! As you wish!"

Shishupal's eyes widened at the possibility of this event.

«Is he really going to leave?»
«Is the plan failing?»

"But I want to give you a promise instead."

Now, the father and son both felt relieved. They looked at each other with a glance that said, 'The plan did not fail'.

"So tell me, my friend, what do you want?"

Shishupal made a face that Rukmi could not understand.

"Although this was not necessary, if you insist, so be it."

Shishupal held his hand and averted his gaze. Rukmi was still unable to understand!
Unaware!
Uninformed!

"I... well... friend!"

These were the only words he uttered before he disappeared.

«Was he feeling ashamed, but why?»

Now Damaghosha took charge of the situation.

"If I were in his place, it would have been difficult for me as well."

"But why? Why is it so?"

"Yuvraj... your younger sister is the reason for this embarrassment."

"My sister?"

For a moment, he was left dumbfounded. Now, Rukmi began to understand.

«What nonsense!»

But he looked again at the King of Chedi to verify his suspicions.

"Your Majesty, what exactly do you mean?"

The King chuckled softly.

"Age has caught up with us! The children have grown up! Don't you think your sister needs someone to keep her happy forever?"

«So, my suspicion was absolutely correct!»

Though he was not entirely pleased with the proposal, it would be untrue to say that he was not at all troubled by his sister's behavior over the past few days.

At any other time, he would have made a mockery of it.

But now was not the right time.
Moreover, he was bound by his own promise.

"And as a capable ruler, you must understand that this would not only strengthen our bonds but also advance our trade relations."

Rukmi did not say much, only nodded.

"I will first discuss this with Rukmini, and if the answer is positive, a message will be sent from Vidarbha."

With these words, he moved towards his guest chamber.

Once again,

Vasu had emerged victorious!

And once again,

Chidi remained powerless!
Buried in defeat!

______________________________________

Radhe Krishna ❣️