When Subhadra returned to the palace from Somnath Mandir, the difference in her mood was so obvious that even the servants walking nearby could notice it without difficulty.
The princess, who usually carried herself with royal grace and restraint, now moved through the palace corridors with lightness in her steps, almost skipping unconsciously while softly humming a tune beneath her breath.
The corners of her lips curved upward again and again, no matter how much she tried to suppress it, and every now and then, she would lower her gaze shyly as though replaying some precious memory inside her mind.
The sea breeze entered through the open palace arches and carried strands of her dark hair across her cheeks, yet even that failed to disturb her mood.
For the first time in days, her heart felt strangely warm.
Not because Karna had said something extraordinary.
In truth, he had barely spoken much.
But sometimes, a calm presence itself becomes enough to disturb a person's heart. Like a quiet lake reflecting the moon, one does not realize when they begin staring too long into it.
Subhadra was still lost in those thoughts when, suddenly, a palace guard approached her and bowed respectfully.
"Rajkumari," he said carefully, "The Crown Prince wishes to see you."
Her steps halted instantly.
The cheerful expression on her face faded slightly.
"Elder brother?" she asked softly.
The guard nodded.
Subhadra immediately changed direction and walked toward the inner royal chambers.
However, as she approached, a strange uneasiness slowly crept into her chest.
The atmosphere near Balarama's chamber felt unusually heavy. The servants standing outside remained silent with lowered gazes, while even the guards appeared more rigid than normal.
Subhadra entered quietly.
Inside, Balarama stood near the balcony with his back turned toward her. His broad shoulders looked stiff, and the moment she stepped inside, she could already sense his displeasure even before he spoke a single word.
"Brother?" she called gently.
Balarama slowly turned around.
The expression on his face immediately startled her.
He was not shouting.
That was what made it worse.
His disappointment sat heavily within his eyes like dark storm clouds gathering over the sea before rainfall.
Subhadra's smile slowly disappeared. "What happened?" she asked cautiously.
Balarama stared at her silently for a few moments before finally speaking. "I did not like your actions today, Subhadra."
Subhadra blinked in surprise. "My… actions?"
Balarama stepped forward slowly. "If you wished to speak to Maharaj Karna alone," he said firmly, "then you should have spoken to him inside the palace. Not outside. Not secretly at a temple courtyard where countless eyes watch, and tongues move faster than arrows."
Subhadra immediately looked flustered. "No… no, brother, it was not like that. I only wanted to thank him properly for saving my life."
But Balarama raised his hand sharply.
"Enough."
The single word immediately silenced her.
"Even though I am your elder brother, Subhadra, I have raised you in our father's place while he was busy uniting the Yadava Clans..." he continued heavily. "Do you think I cannot understand what is happening inside your mind? A person may hide fire beneath ashes for a while, but smoke still rises upward eventually."
Subhadra's breathing became uneven.
Balarama's voice hardened further.
"Your behavior during the feast yesterday was also inappropriate. You constantly spoke to him directly, personally serving dishes, asking whether he liked them, and explaining each preparation with such enthusiasm before everyone. Do you think the court ladies are blind? Do you think the maids do not whisper?"
Subhadra lowered her gaze instantly.
Her fingers tightened over the edge of her veil.
"But brother…" she tried speaking softly.
However, Balarama interrupted again.
"Maharaj Karna is already married," he said heavily. "Not once. Not twice. Four times now. No, if we include his deceased first wife, he has married five times. Five, Subhadra... Five... Chances are, he might marry even more... And today, you called him alone to a temple while his newly married wife stood nearby. Tell me honestly, Subhadra… after you marry him, if another princess, who is interested in him, did this to your husband in the future, would your heart remain peaceful?"
That question struck her harder than anger itself.
Subhadra's lips parted slightly, yet no words came out.
Because deep inside…
She knew her brother was not entirely wrong.
But emotions do not disappear simply because someone points out logic.
A river does not stop flowing merely because rocks stand in its path.
"From now onward," Balarama then declared firmly, "until the day Karna leaves Dvarika, you shall remain inside your chambers."
Subhadra immediately looked up in shock. "Brother!"
"It is my order." His tone carried finality now.
"Brother, please listen to me…" she pleaded softly, taking a step forward. "I truly did not intend any disrespect."
But Balarama merely turned away. "Follow my order and nothing else."
The conversation ended there.
Subhadra stood motionless for several moments before slowly lowering her head. Her chest felt unbearably tight now, as though the happiness she carried moments earlier had suddenly shattered like a clay lamp dropped upon stone.
Yet despite the pain…
She obeyed.
For the next five days, Karna never saw Subhadra again.
Not once.
Of course, Karna himself did not think much about it.
He understood enough about royal households to realize what likely happened after their meeting at the temple. And truthfully, he neither desired unnecessary complications nor wished to disturb Dvarika's internal harmony.
So he simply continued his days normally.
Most of his time now went toward slowly building familiarity with Ratnaprabha.
The Naga princess remained shy even now, but little by little, changes had begun appearing.
At first, she could barely stay away from Karna for more than a few breaths before becoming restless.
Even when servants approached to help her dress or prepare meals, her eyes would instinctively search for him nearby.
If he disappeared too long from her sight, nervousness would slowly return to her expression again.
But over these few days, progress happened.
Small progress.
Yet meaningful.
Now she could remain away from him for nearly an hour before her discomfort returned. She had also begun speaking slightly more with the palace servants instead of hiding completely behind silence.
Though her replies remained short, the fear in her eyes whenever humans approached had lessened.
Sometimes, while walking through the palace gardens, she would quietly ask Karna small questions about human customs.
Why humans lit lamps at dusk?
Why they rang bells inside temples?
Why children touched elders' feet?
Why married women wear certain ornaments?
And Karna answered each patiently.
Not with excessive emotion.
Not with elaborate sweetness.
Simply with sincerity.
For Ratnaprabha, strangely, that sincerity itself became comforting.
Soon afterward, the two departed from Dvarika and journeyed toward the Matsya Kingdom.