‘I beg your pardon, Your Graces, My Lords,’ Karna replied, ‘but it appears the problem is one of creating a distraction, military strength, and gold. What if…’ Karna looked at Duryodhan, whose face had turned to stone. But if this was the only way to remove Mati from Duryodhan’s life, while also saving the Union, Karna was willing to put their friendship in jeopardy. And from what Shakuni had said of Draupadi, she seemed obedient, dutiful, the perfect person to be Duryodhan’s Queen. A proper lady. ‘What if the Prince was to participate in the swayamvar and win the hand of the Princess? I hear it’s a competition. Prince Duryodhan is best with the mace.’

Shakuni nodded, as if deep in thought. ‘If he wins, we will secure the Panchal forces, which will help us forge a path to Anga. And the gold from her dowry…’

‘And there is no bigger distraction in Aryavrat than a wedding,’ the Queen mused, pondering the suggestion. ‘Marriages have often lifted the Union out of trouble. It could work.’

‘Magadh would think twice about marching North if Panchal was added to the Union’s might,’ the King agreed.

Duryodhan look at each of them before turning back to Karna. ‘It would appear that all of you are forgetting that I am promised to Mati.’

‘A Pirate Princess for the heir of Hastina!’ the Queen scoffed. ‘I even heard that she is slim and snake-hipped. Hardly a good choice to bear the heirs of the Union.’

‘Mother...’ Duryodhan’s voice sounded a cold warning.

‘Prince, you can always wed the Kalingan. No one is asking you to break your betrothal,’ Bheeshma said patronizingly. ‘The pirate can be your second wife. Your uncle Pandu married two princesses. Your grandfather married the twin Princesses of Kosala. I see no issue.’ He rose. ‘So, it is decided. Duryodhan will go to Panchal and bring it into the fold. Before that he, will be anointed as Crown Prince.’

‘You cannot seriously be considering this,’ Duryodhan uttered in disbelief. ‘And anointed as Crown Prince? My cousins have just passed away in tragic circumstances—’

Bheeshma interrupted him. ‘The steps to the throne are not carpeted with rose petals, boy. We cannot send just any Prince to Panchal. It has to be the Crown Prince.’

‘But...I love Mati.’

‘How the Kurus have fallen,’ Bheeshma lamented with a weary sigh. ‘In my day, a Prince was incapable of feeling attraction until instructed to do so by the King.’

The Queen approached Duryodhan and laid a hand on his shoulder. ‘There were no Vachans made, Duryodhan. You are the future of the Union, my son. You have been from the day of your birth. Love is all very well in its own place, but it is up to you whether it will warm your hearth or burn down your throne.’

‘Love does not buy allies, son,’ Dhritarashtra said.

‘I am not trying to buy Mati!’ Duryodhan fumed.

‘But you will pay heavily if you do not consider this course,’ Shakuni interjected.