In Kunti's chamber...
"Rajmata Kunti, Angraj Karna wishes to meet you. Should I give him permission?" a maid informed quietly.
Kunti looked up from her seat. Her hands trembled slightly, but her voice remained steady.
"Of course. Let him in. And from now on... if he ever comes, you don't need my permission."
As the maid left, Dhatri raised an eyebrow.
"How long can you hold it in, Rajmata?" she asked softly."The truth won't stay buried forever. One day, it will rise — maybe when you least expect it."
"I know,"Kunti whispered. "But I need a little more time... just a little more courage."
Just then, the door opened.
"Pranipat, Rajmata," Karna said, stepping inside.
Kunti smiled, relieved and anxious. "No, putra. Come in. What brings you here?"
"If you don't mind, Mata... I'd like to speak with you. Alone."
Dhatri quietly bowed and left the room.
Once the door closed, Karna remained silent for a moment. His eyes scanned the chamber, then rested on her face.
"I was only thinking of your comfort," he said, his tone gentle — too gentle.
Kunti nodded, but the hairs on her neck stood up. Something was different today.
"Speak freely, son," she said.
He gave a bitter smile.
"I just wanted to share something... amusing," he said. "Turns out... my parents revealed to me today that I'm not their real son." He laughed hollowly. "Isn't that funny?"
Her heart dropped.
The words she dreaded had come — not with fury, but with that broken, mocking laugh.
"Karna... they are still your parents. The ones destiny chose for you. That doesn't change—"
"Exactly!" he interrupted, voice sharpening. "They are my *real* parents. And you? You almost qualified, Rajmata. Oh, wait — forgive me. That must sound offensive to someone of your stature."
"Karna..."
He looked away, then chuckled bitterly again.
"But tell me something, Rajmata. What do you think of a woman — a *mother* — who abandons her child in a river? Do you hate her?"
Kunti swallowed hard. "Yes... I do. And I hope her karma finds her. But you must not let hatred poison you, Putra."
"No, no," he said. "I don't hate her. I'm only... disappointed. A little heartbroken, maybe."
Her tears fell quietly. But Karna's expression didn't soften.
"Why are you crying?" he asked. "Unless... you know something?"
Her silence was answer enough.
He stared at her, eyes narrowing.
A long moment passed.
"I should leave," he said abruptly.
But just as he turned toward the door, her voice stopped him.
"Karna... could you stop being rivals with Arjun?"
He froze.
Of all things she could have said.
He turned to her — face calm, unreadable. And then, without a word, he walked out.
Outside, his steps quickened.
'So your five sons are all that matter to you, Rajmata? Let them be. I am not turning back.'
Unknowingly, his feet carried him straight to Duryodhana's chamber.
To his past. To his pain. To his loyalty.
And to his war.