บท 62: Redefined Relation...

Duryodhana's P.O.V,

It was… marvelous!

Be it his figure, face, clothes, or his voice, everything was so elegant!

Yesterday, Maa (Mother) told me about the son of Aunt Radha and Uncle Adiratha, Karna. Hearing her description, even I felt that a human like that shouldn't exist!

I mean, I had been many mighty figures like my esteemed father, Pitamah Bhishma and wise humans like Guru Kripacharya-ji and Mahamantri-ji. And yet, none of them possess that same charm as that of this boy standing before me.

His posture was fine as that of a trained warrior while he kept emitting a thick aura of wisdom akin to that of a Sage, it created a strange presence.

According to logic, both of these auras ought to clash with each other due to their contradicting natures. Nevertheless, it wasn't the case with this person.

His presence remained stable, not showing any deviation as it should have. And…

It really attracted me to him!

I don't know why, But I really wanted to know him!

Regardless of his age, caste, or any other factor, I am attracted to him! His elegance, presence, and…

"Pranam Little Prince~"

Mannerisms have won me!

For a moment, I lost myself in this feeling as my envy slowly vanished without a trace!

…

Prakriti's P.O.V,

"Putra, where are your manners?" reminded Devi Gandhari to her son, who was in daze for quite some time.

"Hmm?" After being alerted by his mother, Duryodhana moved to touch Karna's feet while speaking," Pranam Bhrata Karna, please give me your blessings~"

Though, it is a good thing to get the blessings of elder brother, more so when Duryodhana-the epitome of egoism was the one doing it. Albeit, being his best friend for decades (In his first life), Karna found it a little difficult to accept this sudden change in status.

Thereby, he stopped Duryodhana and kindly reasoned with him, "Anuja, There's no need to. Though I am elder than you, you are the prince of this great Kuru Kingdom. You shouldn't lower himself for me."

Truthfully speaking, Karna's words weren't wrong in a specific sense if you take away his (Karna's) status as the firstborn of Devi Kunti, Son of Suryadev and the Adopted child of Devi Ganga.

Then, Karna, as the child of Shri Adiratha and Devi Radha was really not someone to whom Duryodhana-the royal prince have to lower himself, despite his parent's relation with his (Karna's) parents.

It's just… Umm…

When he spoke these words, He was standing right in the centre of everyone namely, Devi Gandhari, His Mother, Maharaj Dhritarashtra and his Father.

Most importantly, all of them were aware about his status as the child of Devi Ganga, adopted or not!

Therefore…

"Karna" Devi Gandhari spoke slowly and steadily as she looked (figuratively) towards Karna and asked in a questioning tone, "Were our words lies?"

"Didn't we treat you as our own son?"

"If yes, then, how can your status be lower than Duryodhana?"

Her sudden counters left Karna with a dumbfounded expression. Seeing her current state, he suddenly remembered a quote from previous life, {One should never offend a woman much less a mother.}

At that moment, rather than an elegant Empress, Devi Gandhari appeared akin to that of a hungry lioness, out on hunt!

"But-!"

Before Karna can explain himself, she spoke again, "Karna… Is my dear son unworthy of obtaining your blessing?"

Hearing these words, Karna turned silent and ran his gaze on his mother, Father and even Maharaj Dhritarashtra, thinking that at least one of them will aid him in his predicament!

Regardless of any reason, his memories are refusing to accept Duryodhana as his younger brother!

Sadly, for him, rather than helping him, all of them stepped backwards as if to say, 'Deal with it by yourself.'

Flap~

Even his last hope, his elder brother, the mightiest dove of the whole universe, Aarav flew away from him shoulder and landed on the palms of Devi Gandhari, clearing showing his support to her.

'Sigh….'

Having lost everyone's support, Karna inwardly sighed before turning towards Duryodhana and blessing him in an ethereal voice-existing between reality and virtuality, "Vidwan Bhava~" (May you be brilliant studies.)

As soon as his words escaped from his mouth, the time almost came to halt as the invisible aura surrounding Karna turned frantic before it covered Duryodhana from head to toe, drowning him in its sheer volume.

Swish~

In a matter of moments, it turned into a dot sized sphere and entered the center of the forehead of Duryodhana, excluding an unnatural brilliance!

Unfortunately, aside from a lazy Dove, no one observed anything.

All they saw was Karna giving Duryodhana his blessing, which brought a warm smile on everyone's face.

Unware of the changes that occurred in like, Duryodhana beamed with happiness as he eagerly turned towards his parents and asked, "Maa, Pita-Shri, can I take brother to show him the palace?"

"Haha~ Putra, you can take him anywhere you want. Karna, do you mind accompanying him?"

"Very well, Tau-ji."

"Umm~ Let's go~!"

…

Just like that, Karna experienced his first defeat under the ha- Ahem* words of Devi Gandhari. Against her onslaught, Karna didn't dare to raise his weapon (Words) and (Regretfully) admitted defeat.

Leading his first redefined relation with Duryodhana and getting his rightful status as the elder brother of the Kauravas~

***

To be continued…