Mandodari, sensing the curiosity and perhaps a hint of wariness, greeted them with a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you," she said warmly. "I've heard so much about Karna's remarkable fiancées, and I look forward to getting to know each of you better."
The tension in the air slowly dissipated as Kamini, Brinda, Kali, and Scáthach exchanged polite greetings with Mandodari. They could sense the sincerity in her words and the genuine warmth in her smile.
Despite the initial curiosity and wariness, they were willing to give her a chance, knowing that Karna valued her presence.
Kamini, being the most outgoing of the group, stepped forward and took Mandodari's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you too," she said with a friendly grin. "We're like a family here, and you're welcome to be a part of it."
The other fiancées nodded in agreement, their expressions softening. They understood that Karna's heart was vast and capable of accommodating many, and they were determined to support him in all his choices.
Karna watched this interaction with a fond smile, grateful for the understanding and acceptance displayed by his fiancées. It was a testament to the strength of their relationship and their unwavering support for each other.
As the atmosphere shifted from tension to warmth, Karna's heart swelled with affection and gratitude for his fiancées. Their willingness to embrace Mandodari and extend their welcome to her demonstrated the depth of their love and understanding. He knew that their relationships would continue to evolve, and he cherished the bond they all shared.
Mandodari, feeling the genuine warmth and acceptance from Kamini, Brinda, Kali, and Scáthach, couldn't help but smile even more brightly. She had expected a certain level of caution and perhaps even a hint of jealousy, but their open-hearted welcome touched her deeply.
"Thank you," she said sincerely, her eyes meeting each of theirs. "I am truly grateful for your kind words and warm reception. I look forward to building meaningful connections with each of you and being a part of this wonderful family."
Kamini grinned mischievously. "Oh, we're quite a handful, you'll see. But together, we make sure Karna doesn't get into too much trouble."
The other fiancées chuckled, and Karna playfully rolled his eyes. "I can handle myself, you know."
Brinda, always the pragmatic one, spoke next. "In all seriousness, Mandodari, we support Karna in all his endeavours. We may have questions and concerns, but we're here to help and protect each other."
Kali nodded in agreement. "That's right. Karna means the world to us, and his happiness is our priority."
Scáthach added with a hint of mischief, "Plus, we're quite the team when it comes to combat. You'll see."
Mandodari couldn't help but smile at their candidness and camaraderie. "I appreciate your honesty and your dedication to each other. I hope to prove myself as a worthy addition to your team."
"Oh, We have one more but she had to return to her kingdom. But you will meet her soon~" Kamini said with a playful wink, hinting at the mysterious fifth fiancée who was currently absent.
"Her name is Draupadi, Princess of Panchal Kingdom," Brinda said while laughing at the face Kamini was making after she(Brinda) defused her(Kamini's) fun-seeking plan.
"Hey, I was trying to make it interesting,"
Kamini protested, though she couldn't help but laugh along with the others.
Mandodari's interest was piqued. "Draupadi? I look forward to meeting her as well," she said with genuine curiosity. The mention of another fiancée added another layer of intrigue to the group, and she was eager to get to know each of them better.
Karna, appreciating the easy camaraderie among his fiancées, placed a hand on Mandodari's shoulder. "You'll find that each of them is unique and remarkable in her own way. Together, we make a formidable team, both in matters of the heart and in the face of challenges."
After that, Karna led everyone into the palace but once again was anticipated by his one and only disciple Eklavya.
Eklavya, Karna's devoted disciple, stood at attention as he awaited his guru's return. His loyalty and respect for Karna were unwavering, and he had continued to train diligently during Karna's absence.
Upon seeing Karna and his companions approaching, Eklavya's eyes lit up with joy. He stepped forward, his expression a mixture of excitement and reverence. "Guru Karna," he said with deep respect, "welcome back. I have continued my training as per your instructions and eagerly awaited your return."
Karna smiled warmly at Eklavya, proud of his disciple's dedication and progress. "Eklavya, it's good to see you. I trust your training has been fruitful?"
Eklavya nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Guru. I have made progress in my archery and combat skills. I am eager to learn more from you and serve you to the best of my abilities."
Karna clapped Eklavya on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "I have no doubt that you've grown stronger during my absence. You are a dedicated and talented disciple, Eklavya, and I'm fortunate to have you by my side."
Eklavya's eyes shone with gratitude, and he looked at Karna with unwavering loyalty. "It is an honour to serve you, Guru."
Karna introduced Mandodari to Eklavya with a warm smile. "Eklavya, this is Mandodari, a dear friend and companion who will be staying with us in Anga. Mandodari, this is my devoted disciple, Eklavya—"
Suddenly another missile interrupted him difference was that this one was larger or you could say 'deadly' than before and hugged him more possessively than his fiancée.
Radha Maa, Karna's mother, embraced him tightly, her maternal affection overflowing. She had been eagerly awaiting her son's return and couldn't contain her joy at seeing him again.
"Karna, my dear son," she said, her voice filled with love, "you've returned safely, and my heart is at peace. If your message didn't come on time then I would have waged war on the Kuru kingdom for keeping you."
Karna returned his mother's embrace, his own affection for her evident. "Mother," he said warmly, "I'm grateful for your love and concern. I've missed you as well."
Radha Maa pulled back slightly to look at her son, her eyes filled with maternal pride. "You've accomplished great things, Karna. Your strength and wisdom continue to grow, and I couldn't be prouder."
Karna smiled, deeply touched by his mother's words. "I owe much of what I am to your guidance and love, Mother. And now, I have someone I'd like you to meet."
He turned to Mandodari, who stood with a respectful and warm expression. "This is Mandodari, a dear friend who has chosen to accompany me to Anga. She is a remarkable woman."
Radha Maa extended her hand to Mandodari with a welcoming smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mandodari. You are welcome in our home. I can see that you hold a special place in my son's heart."
Mandodari accepted Radha Maa's hand with a gracious nod. "Thank you for your kind words and warm welcome. I am honoured to be here and look forward to getting to know you and the rest of the family better."
Radha Maa suddenly looked at Mandodari intensely like searching for something then she asked something which shocked everyone, "Are you the Mandodari—The wife of Demon King Ravana?"
Mandodari's heart skipped a beat at Radha Maa's question. She hadn't expected someone to recognize her by her association with Ravana so quickly, especially in a distant kingdom like Anga. She knew that her past and her connection to Ravana carried a weight of its own, and she needed to address it honestly.
"Yes," Mandodari replied with a calm and steady voice, "I am Mandodari, the former wife of Demon King Ravana. I was abandoned until I met Swami(Husband) again." While looking at Karna.
"Huh!!!" x4
Radha Maa's question had caught everyone by surprise, and the collective gasps and exclamations from Kamini, Brinda, Kali, Scáthach, and Eklavya echoed the astonishment that Mandodari's revelation had brought.
Kamini was the first to recover from the shock, her eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of mischief. "Swami, huh?" she teased, glancing at Karna with a playful smirk.
Brinda chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "Looks like you've been keeping secrets, Karna."
Kali and Scáthach exchanged glances, and Kali couldn't resist a playful comment. "And here I thought we knew everything about you."
Eklavya, who had been quietly observing, couldn't help but smile at the lighthearted banter among Karna's fiancées.
Karna, slightly embarrassed but with a good-natured smile, decided to explain. "It's not what you think," he began. "Mandodari used the term in a different context. It's a long story, and I promise to explain everything to you all."
Radha Maa, who had initially been taken aback by the revelation, now regarded Mandodari with a more understanding expression. She recognized the complexity of the situation and chose to trust her son's judgment.
"Family dynamics can be quite intricate," Radha Maa said with a warm smile. "What matters most is the love and respect you have for each other."
Mandodari nodded in gratitude, appreciating Radha Maa's wisdom and acceptance. "Thank you for your understanding. I truly appreciate it."
"Then finish that story in one sentence." Kamini stood firmly folding her hands and pushing up her ample blossom.
Karna, chuckling at Kamini's insistence, summarized the situation in a single sentence. "I inherited Ravana's Bloodline which came with becoming king of Lanka and husband of Mandodari, Simple as that."
"HUH!!!" x5
"HOW IS THAT SIMPLE???" x5