Far away in Dakshina Kalinga, the atmosphere inside the royal palace felt entirely different.
The evening lamps had already been lit throughout the palace entrance. Their golden flames flickered gently against polished pillars while flower garlands swayed softly beneath the night breeze flowing through the royal courtyard.
There, waiting together near the entrance, stood Karna's four queens.
Mrinalini stood quietly at the center with her usual composed dignity, while beside her, Sumedha looked thoughtful and calm. Nearby, Dhavani folded her arms with visible dissatisfaction written across her face, while Ratnaprabha stood slightly behind them all, nervously glancing around with uncertainty.
Dhavani finally clicked her tongue lightly.
"Not even a few weeks passed," she muttered, "and now another queen arrives."
Ratnaprabha immediately looked left and right awkwardly after hearing that, though she stayed silent and avoided eye contact.
Sumedha sighed faintly before looking toward Dhavani.
"Sister," she replied patiently, "if I remember correctly, it was you yourself who explained to Maharaj the path of attachment without possessiveness."
Dhavani's face instantly twitched.
"Yeah," she groaned helplessly, "and now I feel like I should not have enlightened him at all."
Even Mrinalini's lips almost curved slightly at that.
Dhavani continued dramatically.
"I was perfectly fine with both of you," she complained while pointing between Sumedha and Mrinalini. "Sumedha is practically family already, and Mrinalini is my closest friend. We lived together peacefully." Then she looked toward Ratnaprabha quickly and raised both hands defensively. "And Sister Ratnaprabha, I truly mean no offense. I understand your circumstances completely."
Ratnaprabha blinked quietly before giving a tiny nod.
Dhavani exhaled heavily.
"Moreover, you even brought the Syamantakamani into the kingdom," she admitted honestly. "The mani has solved all the financial troubles for the kingdom. Your contribution to the kingdom than what the three of us combined in the past three years."
Ratnaprabha lowered her head shyly.
"But Princess Subhadra…" Dhavani frowned deeply now. "I still do not understand this one. Maharaj challenged an entire kingdom because of letters." She stared upward toward the night sky in disbelief. "Would he now ride across Bharatavarsha collecting every princess who falls in love with him?"
Sumedha could not help laughing softly at that.
Even Mrinalini finally smiled faintly.
But after a moment, Sumedha answered seriously.
"Dvarika is one of the strongest kingdoms in the west," she said calmly. "And until now, Dakshina Kalinga lacked a true western ally. Maharaj already met Prince Duryodhana and built goodwill with him, but he clearly does not wish to tie our kingdom's future completely to the Kurus."
Dhavani crossed her arms tighter.
"I still remain unconvinced," she muttered stubbornly.
Then slowly…
Her expression changed.
Concern quietly replaced annoyance.
"And also…" she added more softly now, "I heard Prince Balarama is nearly undefeatable."
The courtyard became quieter.
Even the servants nearby slowed their movements slightly.
Dhavani looked toward the distant palace gates anxiously.
"I know Maharaj is powerful," she whispered, "and I was confident before… but still…" Her fingers tightened around her sleeves. "Do you think he is alright? I'm slightly worried."
This time…
Even Sumedha did not answer immediately.
Because despite all their confidence in Karna…
The man he challenged today was Balarama.
The moment Dhavani voiced her worries aloud, the atmosphere near the palace entrance became slightly heavier despite the glowing lamps and flower garlands decorating the royal courtyard of Kanipura.
The evening breeze carried the fragrance of sandalwood smoke and lotus petals through the marble corridors, yet beneath that calmness lingered tension that none of the queens could completely hide. Even the servants standing nearby quietly lowered their eyes, because everyone knew the same thing.
Today, their Maharaj had challenged an entire kingdom alone.
And not just any kingdom.
He had gone against Balarama himself.
For a few moments, silence lingered between the queens while the torches crackled softly against the stone walls. Then finally, Mrinalini spoke in her usual calm tone, though there was still concern hidden beneath her composed expression.
"Maharaj said he will bring back Princess Subhadra with him," she said slowly while looking toward the dark horizon beyond the palace gates, "and if Maharaj says something, then he will accomplish it."
Her voice carried absolute certainty.
Not blind faith.
Not worship.
But the confidence of someone who had watched Karna walk through impossible situations again and again.
"Prince Balarama may be strong," she continued, "but our husband once forced even Lord Indra himself to bless a land with the rain." Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully afterward. "Defeating Dvarika is not what worries me."
Dhavani folded her arms tighter.
"Then what does?"
Mrinalini exhaled slowly.
"The aftermath."
The others looked toward her quietly.
"I only hope," she murmured, "that he would not cause too much destruction to the point Dvarika will treat us as enemies, not as relatives."
That sentence alone caused everyone to fall silent again.
Because none of them doubted Karna's strength anymore.
That was precisely the problem.
Just then…
One of the palace guards suddenly pointed upward toward the skies.
"Maharaj!"
Instantly, all heads turned.
Far above the palace, golden light emerged between the drifting clouds like a miniature sun descending from heaven itself. The divine chariot slowly appeared from the twilight, its radiant wheels illuminating the palace grounds beneath it while the seven celestial horses neighed thunderously enough to shake the surrounding air.
The servants immediately rushed forward.
Conches echoed through the palace.
Temple bells rang in celebration.
And as the divine chariot slowly descended into the center courtyard, flower petals began raining from the upper balconies where maids and attendants gathered excitedly.
Dhavani unconsciously let out a relieved breath she did not realize she had been holding.
"He really came back safe and sound with the bride…" she whispered.
The chariot touched the palace grounds smoothly.
Then Karna stepped down first.
Despite the long battle and the journey afterward, his posture remained upright and steady, though faint exhaustion could still be seen hidden beneath the calmness of his face. Behind him, Subhadra slowly descended from the chariot while holding the side rail carefully, her jewelry softly chiming beneath the torchlight.
The queens immediately stepped forward with decorated silver plates.
Aarti flames danced before Karna and Subhadra while sacred chants echoed gently through the courtyard. Mrinalini applied a tilak upon Karna's forehead first before doing the same for Subhadra, while Sumedha welcomed her politely with flower petals.
Ratnaprabha stood slightly behind the others at first, quietly observing the new princess with her deep violet serpent-like eyes.
Karna looked toward them all calmly before speaking.
"I brought Princess Subhadra as promised, but I have not married Princess Subhadra yet, due to circumstances."
That immediately surprised several attendants nearby.
Even Dhavani blinked once.
Karna continued in a practical tone as though discussing court matters instead of bringing home another future queen after fighting an entire kingdom.
"Rani Dhavani," he said, turning toward her, "please take care of Princess Subhadra's arrangements and accommodation in the inner palace."
Dhavani stared at him for two seconds.
Then she sighed dramatically.
"Of course," she muttered. "Bring another princess after defeating an army and then hand her to me like a festival responsibility."
Karna completely ignored the complaint.
Instead, he turned toward the elderly Rajguru standing nearby.
"Rajguru," he said respectfully, "prepare her kundali based upon her birth details. We will look for an auspicious date afterward."
The Rajguru nodded immediately.
"So be it, Maharaj."
After that…
A slightly awkward silence spread through the courtyard.
The four queens stood on one side.
Subhadra stood on the other.
Even the servants quietly slowed their movements while pretending not to watch.
Subhadra herself clearly sensed the tension.
For a brief moment, nervousness crossed her face.
Then slowly, she stepped forward.
She joined her palms gracefully before all four queens and lowered her head respectfully.
"I know this must be difficult for all of you," she said softly.