The Pandavas were all set to leave Hastinapura. Duryodhana and brothers were yet to finish their meal and hence they thought of meeting all Kuru elders and left the arena soon.
" Why did she became nervous?" Karna asked Duryodhana looking at Bhanumati who server sweets to him with shaky hands.
" Who knows?" Duryodhana replied casually having his meal.
Karna raised his eyebrow giving him a questioning look.
" You are talking as if you are a stranger to her then nothing happened between you?" He asked.
" Umm no " Duryodhana again gave a short reply.
" Seriously Mitra? Those Pandavas wife Draupadi may give the heir before you " Karna whispered.
" Why do that affect my position? They are no more a part of Hastinapura so that Mahamantri Vidura could again interrupt saying Draupadisuta is eldest " Duryodhana said sarcastically.
" On top of that I won't force Bhanumati for a heir. Because you now An unwilling togetherness and romance with a corpse both are same. I don't want that life. Until and unless Bhanumati wishes I won't touch her " Duryodhana declared washing his hands.
Bhanumati had tears listening to him. He did forcefully kidnapped her but yet respected her feelings.
" I told you Princess, he is harsh of course but not a beast " Pusti said making Bhanumati to smile.
" Bhanumati must be present near the entrance while bidding farewell to Kaunteyas. Be ready and yeah come like Duryodhana's Queen" Duryodhana ordered and walked away with Karna.
Bhanumati nodded.
Near the entrance all the Pandavas were assembled along with their wife Panchali. Dhritarashtra led by Sanjaya reached the arena with Gandhari.
Yudhishtira took their blessings followed by his brothers too.
" Sukhibhava" They blessed.
Duryodhana along with Bhanumati arrived there to bid farewell to them.
" Ahh " Bhanumati winced as the edge of Duryodhana's Uttariyam touched her eye accidentally when he was adjusting it.
" Oho Wait don't rub it " Duryodhana moved her hands aside and cupped her face. He blowed into her eyes gently comforting her eye. Bhanumati blushed hard.
Bheema gasped looking at them.
" Pinch me someone pinch me " He said shaking Arjuna vigorously.
Bhanumati realising the surroundings slowly removed his palms from his cheeks. Duryodhana turned to see literally everyone watching them.
" What? What's there to stare at?" He asked quickly moving away from Bhanumati.
" Abhootapoorva Dhrishyam" Bheema commented.
" You got a wife?" Duryodhana asked.
" Yes, two actually" Bheema replied with the same tone as Duryodhana.
" They got eyes?" He asked again.
" Yes of course" Bheema replied playfully.
" Then mind your business with them " Duryodhana said making Bheema to frown.
Yudhishtira giggled.
" Stay happy brother. You don't have any trouble from us now" He smiled at Duryodhana.
" Thanks " Duryodhana replied curtly.
Arjuna and the twins took Duryodhana blessings too being younger cousins of him.
" Sukhibhava " He said reluctantly.
Bhishma's arrival brought smile on the face of Pandavas. They all together took his blessings.
" Yashashvibhava" Bhishma blessed them wholeheartedly which made Duryodhana's smile to shrink.
" Yashashvibhava....." He thought for himself throwing a sarcastic glance at Pandavas.
Bhanumati looked at her husband's changing expressions.
" He hates the rest praising them more than living with them it seems" She thought.
" Will meet soon " Bheema said looking at Duryodhana.
" Indeed. Waiting for a duel with you where you will be defeated " Duryodhana smiled.
Pandavas left Hastinapura and headed towards Khandavaprastha and from the opposite direction Shakuni entered the palace premises with his chariot.
" Mamashree" Duryodhana greeted him with a warm embrace.
Shakuni and Duryodhana sat chatting with each other in Duryodhana's chamber. Pusti was massaging her master's feet silently.
" Vah amazing Kumara. Kaunteyas are out now. All the thorns of your way are removed" Shakuni said.
Pusti sighed.
" If I was not a slave na I would have avoided this man's entry only " She thought for herself.
Duryodhana just smiled.
" No one literally no one can stop you now. Neither Gangeya nor Mahamantri can stop your from holding the title of the King of Kurus. " He said again.
Duryodhana smiled again listening to Shakuni.
" Kumara just don't wait for things. As soon as you get the power your first work is to bring those Kaunteyas under your flag.
It's important " Shakuni said pressing his shoulder.
Pusti just cursed her helplessness. Even after being soo close to Duryodhana she didn't had any right of speaking without his permission.
The gaurd informed Duryodhana that Dhritarashtra wishes to see him.
It was already night and mood adored the sky. Duryodhana was surprised as his father wished to see him at this hour. He saw the servant taking food for Dhritarashtra to his chamber only.
He took the food plate from the servant and himself took food for his father.
" Kumara " Dhritarashtra recognised his dearest son by his footsteps itself.
" Haan pitashree " Duryodhana placed the food down on the table and touched his father's shoulder.
Extremely elated Dhritarashtra pulled him to a hug.
" I am soo happy today son. I am soo happy. You will become a King I am soo happy" He cried.
Duryodhana smiled rubbing his father's back.
" Relax Pitashree. Your son will become a Chakravarthy" Duryodhana said making him to sit down comfortably.
He started feeding his father with his own hand.
" None can oppose you anymore Kumara. You are my heir now no one else. My son my blood will rule Hastinapura after Me. I just can't explain my happiness " Dhritarashtra said reaching out for his son's cheek.
" This crown will shine on your head. I wish I had vision to see that " Dhritarashtra sighed pointing at the place where he used to keep the crown always.
Duryodhana smiled and fed his father. He sat hearing to his words until he fell asleep on his father fell asleep on his laps.
He gently placed his head on the pillow and covered the blanket around him.
" Sleep well Pitashree " Duryodhana smiled caressing his head.
He was was about move out of the chamber but the crown caught his eyes. Shakuni and Dhritarashtra's words echoed in his ears.
With slow steps as if there is some trance on him, Duryodhana moved towards the crown.
He caressed it affectionately. He loved it more. In his childhood days he used to wear it while playing with his father that was so normal then but now it was special.
" Kuru Kingdom" He whispered taking the crown in his hands.
Duryodhana walked up to the mirror with the crown. He took a deep breath looking at himself in the mirror and closed his eyes crowning himself. His body shivered once as felt goosebumps.
" Chandrakula Samrata, Akhanda Kuru samrajy Chakravarthy, Ajeya Uragapataka Suyodhana Sarvabhauma " He felt those voices of courtesans praising him in his mind. He felt as if he is a King already.
He opened his eyes to see himself as a King in that mirror infront of him.
" Kurusarvabhauma Duryodhana" He said with pride.
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