Third person's POV :
The next day was hectic, to say the least. On the very first day in the royal court, the atmosphere was already tense.
The respected courtiers had divided themselves into two factions.
One group stood firm in their desire to see Duryodhana declared as the Yuvraj of Hastinapur.
The other group, led by Mahamahim Bhishma and Mahamantri Vidur, insisted that Yudhisthir be crowned the rightful successor—the Dharma-putra, the eldest son of the King.
Yudhisthir, as always, remained silent. Calm and composed.
Maharaj Dhritarashtra, on the other hand, tried very hard to maintain the illusion of neutrality. But it was obvious—he leaned toward his beloved son, Duryodhana.
---
Arjun's POV:
The entire time, only one thought kept echoing in my mind:
> "None of them are the rightful heir to Hastinapur."
Because the one who truly deserved the throne was standing right there in front of all of us.
Yes, I'm talking about Angaraj Karna.
But of course, I couldn't say that out loud.
I had already decided—I'll try to avoid Angraj Karna from now on.
Ignore him. Erase him from my focus.
But he better not mistake my silence for weakness.
As for Duryodhana… I was completely against the idea of him becoming the Yuvraj. He would only tarnish the legacy of the kingdom that Atjun's father had worked so hard to preserve.
If anyone deserved to rule after Karna, it was my Jyesth, Yudhisthir.
And I knew my other three brothers agreed with me.
But Jyesth... he didn't seem interested at all. Not even today, when the entire court argued over his right.
It's not that he fears responsibility. He's simply too peaceful to chase power.
He wants unity. Reconciliation.
He dreams of ending this feud between us and our cousins.
So much so, he's ready to sacrifice his own birthright for that peace.
But I won't let him.
Yes—I have come here to end the rivalry between us. But not by supporting the wrong side.
Not by standing with injustice.
That's not what I trained for. That's not who I am.
---
The court session ended with no conclusion. No resolution. Just whispers and glances and rising tensions.
And just when we were about to leave the grand hall, Guru Dronacharya arrived.
His presence cut through the air like a sharpened arrow.
> "Such ungrateful students you all are," he declared, his voice echoing through the pillars.
> "I trained you for years. I shaped you into warriors. And yet, you've all forgotten your gurudakshina."
We immediately surrounded him, humbled, eager to fulfill our debt.
And I already knew what he would ask.
I had not admired the Mahabharat all these years without remembering this moment.
> "The King of Panchal, Drupada, once humiliated me in front of his court," Guru Drona continued.
"I want you to march to his kingdom. Defeat him. That will be your gurudakshina. Prove to me that my teachings were not in vain."
We agreed without hesitation.
I stepped forward and touched his feet for blessings.
> "Ayushman bhava, putra. Make me proud."
And I will.
I've carried the name of Arjun long enough.
It's time I lived up to it.
---
Karna's POV :
I heard his voice.
I knew this moment was coming. I had expected it since the first day I stepped into the world of weapons.
But I also knew...
This war wasn't mine to fight.
Guru Drona never acknowledged me as his student.
He never asked me for gurudakshina.
Because to him—I was never one of his own.
> "Still, if I were asked, I would've given everything. Even if it was just a token of respect."
I saw Arjun touch his feet. I heard Guru's blessing—"Ayushman bhava, putra."
The words I never got to hear. The name I was never called by.
It stung, even now.
But I didn't let it show.
Instead, I stepped back quietly, my eyes meeting Duryodhana's just once.
He looked at me, proud and defiant, as if telling me silently—You don't need them. You have me.
And for now, that was enough.