A few weeks later;
Morning sunlight spilled across the palace roofs of Kanipura. Ministers moved through the administrative halls with scrolls in hand. Soldiers trained in the courtyards. Servants hurried along polished corridors carrying offerings and reports. The kingdom itself felt peaceful again.
In the Antahpur, Dushala walked beside Subhadra through the inner gardens. She no longer needed guidance to find her way. The maids bowed to her as naturally as they did to the other queens. She knew which pavilion belonged to whom. The timid uncertainty of her first days had softened into quiet familiarity.
Mrinalini had already left before dawn, reviewing reports before visiting the women's battalion. Sumedha sat beneath a shaded pavilion, reading administrative scrolls while teaching a small group of noble girls. Ratnaprabha remained by the lotus pond, feeding the fish in silence. And from the direction of the kitchens came the familiar sound of Dhavani's sharp voice.
Subhadra smiled. "Every morning begins with Sister Dhavani scolding the cooks."
Dushala laughed softly. "But isn't she like the worst cook here?"
Subhadra nudged her, making a gesture. "Shhh… she can get incredibly sulky about that. I was careful when I entered the palace as well. And you do know that Magadha and Kuru have a tense relationship."
Dushala lowered her head. "Sorry. I'll keep it in my mind."
Subhadra linked arms with her as they walked. Sumedha offered a polite smile whenever spoken to, but rarely began conversations herself. Ratnaprabha would nod once and return to whatever she was doing. Dhavani was not hostile—simply awkward, as though she had not yet decided where this new sister fit into her life.
Dushala thought quietly to herself, *When I left Hastinapura, Maharaj said I would gain five sisters. Perhaps… gaining sisters also takes time. But at the very least, I got one.*
---
In the royal court, the atmosphere was entirely different.
Trade reports. Harvest numbers. Road construction. Temple donations. A merchant dispute over delayed goods.
Karna listened carefully to each matter. When the merchant finished speaking, he asked three precise questions, delivered judgment, and moved on without delay. The ministers followed his pace with practiced ease.
Then a palace guard entered and bowed.
"Your Majesty. A messenger from Hastinapur has arrived."
The court fell quiet at once.
The messenger entered, bowed deeply, and first presented Dhritarashtra's official letter. The language was formal and carefully measured. Anga Pradesh was formally transferred to Karna. A royal danda was offered as proof of the transfer of sovereignty. Dowry treasures were listed. Blessings for the newly married couple were recorded in measured words.
As the contents became known, soft murmurs rose among the ministers.
"Hastinapura truly values this alliance."
"They have practically gifted another kingdom."
"Anga's lands are fertile… this is no small gift."
"But isn't Anga too far from us? How do we manage such territory?"
"With Magadha at its border, we do not have to worry about its safety at the very least. However, I do wonder who will be appointed as the Samanta Raja of Anga."
Karna remained calm. He thanked the messenger and accepted the letter with quiet dignity.
The messenger continued. "There are also two personal letters. One from Maharaj Dhritarashtra and Maharani Gandhari. The other from Prince Duryodhana. Both are addressed only to Queen Dushala."
Karna nodded.
Then the messenger hesitated.
Karna noticed at once. "You have something else to report."
The man bowed lower. "Yes, Maharaj… Queen Dushala's belongings have also arrived."
"Why the hesitance about that? You can go and deliver to her."
The messenger coughed lightly. "Maharaj, along with belongings, Hastinapur has sent her attendants as well."
Silence.
Karna raised one eyebrow. "How many?"
The messenger almost whispered, "One hundred and fourteen."
Everything froze. Even the ministers stopped writing. One elderly minister looked up sharply. Another nearly dropped his scroll.
Karna blinked once—not in anger, but in pure surprise.
"One hundred… fourteen? That many?"
The messenger hurried to explain. "They were not selected recently, Maharaj. They have all served Queen Dushala since infancy. Her nurses. Her tutors. Personal attendants. Lady companions. Dressmakers. Jewelry keepers. Hairdressers. Musicians. Our Maharaj is worried that she will have trouble adjusting to Kanipura without them."
A minister muttered under his breath, "That is practically another household."
Another added quietly, "It looks like Hastinapura sent half the palace."
A few soft laughs followed.
Karna did not answer at once. He considered the implications carefully—palace logistics, food, housing, the existing servants, hierarchy, expenses, and the delicate balance of the Antahpur.
If Dushala were his only queen, he wouldn't worry, but there are five other queens living in Antahpur. He cannot make Dushala comfortable at the expense of his other queens' discomfort.
Finally, he spoke.
"The prime authority in Antahpur belongs to Chief Queen Mrinalini. She decides what to do with them."
The messenger bowed. "As you command."
Karna added, "Remain in Kanipura as our guest. I shall prepare replies for Hastinapura."
The messenger thanked him. The court resumed its work, though the ministers continued discussing the astonishing number in low voices.
---
About an hour later, Mrinalini left the palace for official duties. She was dressed for work, wearing her armor as if she were going for a battle, with several female captains walking with her as she reviewed the day's schedule. There was no wasted movement in her steps.
As she reached the outer gate, she stopped.
Rows upon rows of servants stood waiting. Boxes. Furniture. Silk. Jewelry chests. Paintings. Books. Musical instruments. Even flower pots. Everything was neatly arranged. The entire entrance looked like a small noble estate preparing to move inside.
Dushala stood near them, Subhadra beside her. The moment Dushala noticed Mrinalini, her face brightened.
"Elder Sister Mrinalini."
Mrinalini walked over. "What happened? Who are these people?"
Dushala explained politely. "The servants Father sent."
Mrinalini slowly surveyed the crowd—there were dozens of them. She understood the problem at once. There was no anger in her expression, no frustration. Only practical thought.
She spoke gently. "Sister Dushala. Keeping so many attendants inside one household will make our own servants uncomfortable. It will not only make your elder sisters uncomfortable but undermine Kanipura's prestige. Choose five or six whom you trust most and keep them with you. The others should return to Hastinapur."
There was no harshness in her voice. No long explanation either. She was already short of time.
Before Dushala could gather her thoughts, one of the female captains reminded her, "Your Majesty, the women council representatives are waiting."
Mrinalini nodded. She turned back only briefly. "We will discuss everything properly after I return."
Then she left. The female battalion marched after her. The sound of armored footsteps gradually faded, leaving silence behind.
Dushala watched them go. Her smile slowly disappeared. She turned toward the rows of attendants. Many of them had raised her. Some were already smiling nervously, waiting for reassurance. One elderly nurse lowered her head; she had clearly understood what was implied.
Dushala's heart sank.
Subhadra noticed at once. She gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Sister Dushala…"
After several silent moments, Dushala spoke quietly. "Can you… can you speak to Maharaj for me? Like they don't need to serve me exclusively. If we send them back right now, my brother will certainly remove them from their service as well."
Subhadra's expression changed. She knew Karna had deliberately left this decision to Mrinalini. Approaching him now would mean asking him to overrule the Chief Queen's authority.
Although she had a good relationship with Mrinalini, she remained the Chief Queen. Karna might say all the Queens have the same authority, but among themselves there is an unofficial hierarchy as well, with Mrinalini standing at the top, followed by Sumedha. The rest are more or less the same, as they don't have any official postings like those two.
For the first time since Dushala entered Kanipura, Subhadra did not know what to say.
---
Evening came. Court had ended. Karna returned without fanfare—simply tired. He removed his outer shawl. A servant offered water; another took the scrolls from his hands.
Subhadra arrived.
Karna noticed at once. He blinked in surprise. "Queen Subhadra? Isn't today Guruvaar? Is there something you need?"
18 months ago, after the arrival of Subhadra, Chief Queen Mrinalini herself decided on splitting the week so that every queen would have a day to spend with Karna, so that jealousy cannot enter their marital life, and so no Queen can complain that Karna is being unfair to them and favoring someone else over them.
However, it didn't mean they could only see him or talk to him only once a week. No, it only means that after sunset, Karna's private time belonged to them. That is all. During the day, they are free to spend time with him accordingly.
As a result of the agreement, Somvaar belonged to Chief Queen Mrinalini. For that whole day, only she will have the right over Karna's private time.
Mangalvaar belonged to Queen Sumedha.
Budhvaar belonged to Queen Dhavani.
Guruvaar belonged to Queen Ratnaprabha.
And Shukravaar belonged to Queen Subhadra.
The remaining two days of the week belonged to Karna's own decision.
And he agreed to Mrinalini's suggestion as the five of them accepted it.
Later… after Dushala entered the household, she was told the same as well, on the third day after their nuptial night was over. That Shanivaar would belong to her.
Because of the rules placed by Mrinalini, Karna didn't expect Subhadra to enter his room that belonged to Ratnaprabha.
But then again, it is not sunset yet. So, the rules haven't been broken.
Subhadra then calmly explained everything without embellishment—only the facts. Then she added quietly, "She cried after Elder Sister left."
Karna became thoughtful. Not emotional. Simply thinking.
"Where is Dushala now?"
"Still with them."
He nodded once.