The private strategy chambers of the Kauravas were thick with the scent of heavy wine
Duryodhana has a joyful face because of what happened in the arena ,Sitting cross-legged on his opposite was Shakuni.
” did you see that uncle, They cannot believe their eyes ,there was someone who can match Arjuna in archery,they always believed Arjuna was the number one ,now their reality would be destroyed
”
Duryodhana spoke with a malicious grin “Twelve long years.
Twelve years they spent at Guru Drona’s ashram, and they truly believed they would return to Hastinapur as undisputed masters.
But today, the grand arena showed everyone the truth.
I completely dominated them!”
Shakuni let out a low, dry chuckle.
“A grand spectacle, nephew.
Truly grand.
You proved your raw might with the mace against Yudhishthira, Nakula, and Sahadeva.
Even Bhishma cannot find fault with you .”
Duryodhana’s grin soured slightly, his fists clenching.
“Bheema was a nuisance, and Arjuna…
Arjuna almost had the crowd chanting his name.
But then my Mitra (friend) Karna stepped in!
He stood before Arjuna like a sun.
He matched every single celestial weapon arrow for arrow.
He saved our pride.
Shakuni’s eyes narrowed into slits , he whispered “And that is exactly the shield you need, Duryodhana.
A warrior who can neutralize Arjuna completely.
We have to let him understand the pandavas are our enemy and we need him be our sword and shield.But not this time ,now you have go see Your father and mother, they have left the pavilion and are now seated in the formal royal court, surrounded by the ministers , They have not held you as a grown man in twelve years.
Go.
Take your ninety-nine brothers and your sister Dushala.
Walk in there and claim your victory before the Pandavas try to minimize what happened.”
The main royal court of Hastinapur was fully assembled and buzzing with the energy of the day’s tournament.
On the central throne sat King Dhritarashtra, beside him was Queen Gandhari, whose eyes were bound by her permanent silk veil.
Surrounded by Prime Minister Vidura, Bhishma, and the other ministers,
Gandhari were desperate to meet the children who had left for the Gurukulam as young boys and returned today as full-grown warriors.
The heavy iron doors flew open.
Duryodhana marched into the hall, leading his brothers .
Behind him walked Dushasana, his ninety-eight other brothers, and their sister, Dushala.
“Father!
Mother!” Duryodhana’s voice echoed off the high ceilings, drawing the attention of every minister present.
“Your sons have returned from the Gurukulam, and we bring you the ultimate glory from the arena!”
Dhritarashtra leaned forward, his voice trembling with emotion.
“Duryodhana!
My son!
Come to me.
Let me touch your arms.
Today, from the royal pavilion, my ears drank in the roars of the crowd.
I heard the strength in your strikes!”
Duryodhana stepped up to the dais, his voice filled with arrogant thunder.
“The twelve years of rigorous training have borne fruit, Father!
Today, before the entire city of Hastinapur, kauravas established its absolute supremacy.
In the matches, I single-handedly defeated four of the Pandavas.
Nakula, Sahadeva, and even Yudhishthira could not stand against the weight of my mace.
I brought them down to the dust.
So what if they are children of devas ,i still defeated them with human effort”
Dushasana stepped forward with a boastful laugh, addressing the court.
“The crowd cheered for the Kauravas!
Only Arjuna managed to hold his ground against our brother Duryodhana through mere trickery.
But then, King Karna!
He challenged Arjuna openly and matched him arrow for arrow, weapon for weapon.
The match ended in an absolute draw!
The Pandavas are no longer invincible!”
A grand murmur ran through the rows of ministers.
Dhritarashtra smiled broadly, his chest swelling with massive pride for his hundred sons, deeply satisfied by the display of power he had verified with his own ears during the tournament.
“Your words carry more illusion than truth, Duryodhana.”
The clear voice of Arjuna shattered the Kauravas’ celebration.
The doors had opened once more, and the five Pandavas entered the court, guarding Queen Kunti.
his eyes burning with a fury.
Bhima stepped forward, his massive frame towering over Dushasana.
“You claim victory, Duryodhana?
You defeated us in a friendly exhibition, yet you leave out how my mace nearly killed you and how Arjuna’s final astras left you completely defenseless before the charity King stepped in to save your life!”
“Enough of your excuses, Bheema!” Duryodhana shouted back.
“The entire court knows the truth!
You lost, your brothers lost, and your precious archer Arjuna found his match who was my friend !”
“Silence, Duryodhana!” Arjuna roared, stepping past Yudhishthira, his fingers twitching near his weapons.
“You elevate a charioteer’s son to a throne so you can hide behind his armor.
If the laws of this court did not bind me, the arrogance you display after twelve years away would be buried under this marble floor!”
The tension in the room snapped.
Several ministers stood up in panic.
The Kaurava brothers reached for their weapons, and the Pandavas braced for a chaotic, bloody brawl right in front of the throne.
“SILENCE!”
The roar came from King Dhritarashtra.
He slammed his hands against the golden throne , the heavy vibration echoing through the silent court.
“Are you princes of the Kuru dynasty, or are you common barbarians fighting in the streets?” Dhritarashtra breathed heavily, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and anxiety.
He knew that a physical fight right now would destroy the joy of his children’s return.
“Arjuna !
Duryodhana!” the King commanded, his sightless face turning from left to right.
“Step back, both of you.
Today, from the pavilion, I praised the strength of all my sons and nephews.
I heard—great martial prowess from both sides.
I will not have my court turned into a bloody battlefield on the very day of your homecoming over an arena match!”
Dhritarashtra turned his head toward the ministers, trying to regain his composure.
“What happened in the arena was a magnificent display of Kuru might.
King Karna proved himself an equal warrior and a valid guest of the crown, and I praised his archery alongside Arjuna’s.
Furthermore, The Pandavas are princes of this realm.
I will hear no more of these insults.”
In a single sentence he said he didn’t like the insults of karna and also said Pandavas is also his family
He raised a heavy hand, cutting off Duryodhana who was about to speak back.
“The matter is closed.
We are here to welcome you all home as brothers, not enemies.
Take your seats, or leave the assembly at once.”
Yudhishthira took a deep breath, bowing his head in submission, and pulled Bheema and Arjuna back.
Duryodhana stepped back toward Shakuni, his eyes still locked onto his cousins with absolute malice.