16. Jumping into fire

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"Don't grow soft, Mitra. I am just taking back what is rightfully mine. Even Indra dev did wrong things to keep his spot as the king of gods. Why can't a human like me do it?" Duryodhan reasoned. A loud rumble of lightening was heard outside. Well Indra Dev got offended easily.

"He is a god. Gods do things because they have to. Humans do things to write their own fate. Mitra, this might end up the wrong way...and and....if Shivanya finds out—"

Duryodhan cut off Karna in annoyance, "First Mamashree then you, all of you have gone nuts listening to Shivanya's preachings of Dharma. She is young and is learning, she doesn't understand the depth of what is going on. And those Pandavas, they feign to care about her which leads to her loving them equally as us, her real brothers. She is away at Dwarka and that's better."

"But-"

"Bhrata Duryodhan?" A soft voice called out as loud tinkles of anklets echoed through the hallway outside the Kuru brother's room. Duryodhan's eyes softened for a second. Prakriti, despite looking nothing like her twin sister, did things very similar to her. Despite his initial dislike and reluctance, Duryodhan did end up warming up to his newfound cousin. But she was different. With Shivanya he would be sweating and huffing about everything she did because of her hyper-active and energetic aura. She is a storm like person with infectious happy energy that made everyone around her happy and cheery. But she was also hot headed to some extent, patience running thin among her 105 brothers, which he couldn't blame her for. With Shivanya he had to worry about her and care for her.

But Prakriti was a bit of a contrast. Prakriti  brought around a calm aura with her soft smile. She too was chaotic and quick, talking endlessly about things she loves. She also brought about happiness with her infectious smile similar to Niyati's. But most importantly, she was very evidently the older twin or ....sister. Her aura was authoritative. While Shivanya had to struggle to be heard and listened to, Prakriti demanded attention, head high and confidence upheld, truly a leader. He almost felt obliged to listen to her whenever she spoke.

"Yes?" Duryodhan answered as he watched Prakriti walk towards them.

"Pranipat, Angraj." She greeted Karn who smiled back at her, before turning her attention back to her older cousin.

"I don't know if you are aware of this or not but Bhrata Dushkrit and Bhrata Aditya have continuously been unkind to the normal citizens. I was out with my hand maiden to roam around the city, do not lecture me on that I had Bhrata Dusshashan with me although he walked off midway, I watched them punishing the shop keepers because they wanted to be paid for what they bought." Prakriti informed.

"Princes or not, you are bound to pay for things you buy unless they gift it to you. The money they asked for is their hard earned money. They do not get everything they want like we do. It is unfair on their side." Prakriti explained. Duryodhan rubbed his forehead, stupid, stupid brothers!

"Besides, this gives a bad impression of the royal family and the citizens may revolt or worse, words may reach Pitamaha or Mahamantri Vidur, who will not only punish your brothers but also come after you, and we all know how that ends on their watch." Prakriti sighed, hands on her hips as she stared at Duryodhan, looking as if she was ready to judge him for his next step.

"I'll talk to them. Make sure it does not happen again." Duryodhan nodded with a sigh. "Anything else?"

Prakriti smiled wide, "No, although, I was wondering if Angraj would like a friendly competition of archery with me, you can be the judge."

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