As the council slowly dispersed afterward, Bhishma remained seated silently for a long time. Something about the atmosphere troubled him. Not the swayamvara itself. Not even Karna's exclusion. It was something else. Something hidden beneath the surface—like hearing dry leaves crack beneath darkness without seeing the serpent itself.
By the time Duryodhana returned from the Ganga enclave exploration alongside Karna, dusk had already settled over Hastinapura. Torches burned along the palace corridors while servants hurried silently across marble floors carrying scrolls, lamps and trays of incense. Outside, the sound of evening conches echoed through the capital as priests performed twilight rituals near the temples.
But inside the Kuru palace… another storm had already begun forming.
The moment Duryodhana stepped into his chambers and removed the dust-covered upper cloth from his shoulders, Shakuni entered quietly with an expression that immediately made the prince frown. Something was wrong. Duryodhana noticed it instantly.
"What happened?"
Shakuni closed the chamber doors carefully before answering.
"The royal council finalised the swayamvara invitations."
Duryodhana sat down casually at first. Then Shakuni spoke the next sentence.
"Karna will not be invited."
Silence.
For one brief moment Duryodhana simply stared, as if his mind itself refused to process the words. Then suddenly the wooden armrest beneath his grip cracked sharply.
"What?"
His voice came out low at first—dangerously low.
Shakuni sighed as if frustrated himself.
"Bhishma opposed it strongly. Vidura supported him. Maharaj also agreed in the end."
The prince rose so abruptly that the nearby oil lamp trembled.
"They decided this…" His chest rose heavily. "…while he is staying here as our royal guest? We planned the whole swayamvara at this moment for Karna himself. There is no point in Swayamvara if they don't invite him."
Shakuni attempted to calm him.
"Nephew, listen first…"
But Duryodhana had already turned.
His footsteps thundered through the palace corridors like approaching war drums. Servants immediately moved aside in fear as he stormed forward with fury burning visibly across his face. His ornaments clinked sharply against his armour while the silk of his royal garments whipped violently behind him.
By the time he reached the throne hall, even the guards straightened nervously.
Inside the chamber, Dhritarashtra was discussing administrative matters alongside Bhishma and Vidura. The atmosphere was calm—until Duryodhana entered. The heavy doors slammed open loudly. Everyone turned immediately.
Dhritarashtra's expression softened.
"Duryodhana," he said warmly. "You have returned. How was the enclave inspection?"
But the prince did not even bow. His eyes burned with outrage.
"Father!" The sharpness in his voice instantly disturbed the room. "What is this I hear?"
The air itself seemed to tighten. Duryodhana stepped forward aggressively.
"You all decided not to invite Karna to Dushala's swayamvara?" His voice rose further. "Even while he stays here under our hospitality?" The prince's jaw tightened visibly. "Even after making such a treaty with Dakshina Kalinga?"
Vidura frowned immediately at the tone. Bhishma's expression darkened. But Dhritarashtra raised his hand slightly, trying to maintain calm.
"Son," he said patiently, "lower your voice." Then after a pause he continued carefully. "Karna already has five queens." The king sighed faintly. "We cannot give the only princess of Kuru to such a man. It is not proper."
Duryodhana looked as if oil had been poured directly into fire. Before he could speak again, Bhishma added firmly,
"And beyond that, his nature itself is difficult." The old warrior's deep voice echoed steadily. "Karna is powerful, honourable and capable, yes. But…" Bhishma frowned slightly. "Kalinga's loosened traditions do not align with Kuru values."
Vidura nodded slowly.
"The relations themselves will become unnecessarily tangled." His tone remained calm but serious. "He is already married to Princess Subhadra, who is Queen Kunti's blood niece." Vidura folded his hands quietly. "Such complicated family ties often become seeds for future conflicts."
Duryodhana listened. And with every word his anger only deepened further. Especially because part of him understood they were not entirely wrong. But another part of him—a larger part—saw only one thing: an insult toward Karna. And perhaps worse… a political disaster.
Shakuni entered shortly afterward, pretending concern.
"Nephew, calm yourself…"
But Duryodhana snapped immediately.
"No!" The entire chamber fell silent. "You all speak as if Karna is some unworthy man begging outside our gates!" His breathing had become heavier now. "He protected Dushala. He escorted her safely. He accepted our alliance. He is building trade routes that will enrich this kingdom for decades." Then he glared toward Bhishma. "And while he sits under our roof as our honoured guest, you plan to hold a swayamvara behind his back and deliberately exclude him?"
Bhishma's eyes sharpened slightly.
"That is enough."
But Duryodhana was no longer listening. For the first time in many months, the frustration buried inside him erupted fully.
"You all speak about tradition constantly," he said bitterly. "But traditions are not gods." He pointed toward the floor. "A stagnant pond also follows the same path every day. That does not make it sacred."
Vidura's brows tightened immediately. Even Dhritarashtra looked displeased. Shakuni quickly intervened.
"Nephew, enough for today." His voice carried warning beneath softness.
But Duryodhana only clenched his fists harder before abruptly turning away. Without another word, he stormed out of the throne hall. The sound of his footsteps echoed long after he left.
Inside the chamber, silence lingered heavily. Dhritarashtra slowly exhaled.
"He grows more difficult every year."
Bhishma's expression remained troubled. But Shakuni… Shakuni remained thoughtful. Because unlike others, he understood exactly why Duryodhana reacted this way.
Later that evening, inside a quieter private chamber lit only by two oil lamps, Shakuni sat beside Duryodhana once again. The prince remained visibly angry. His untouched dinner sat cold nearby.
Shakuni finally spoke softly.
"You are angry because you already decided in your heart that Karna should become your brother-in-law."
Duryodhana did not deny it. Instead, he stared into the lamp flames silently. After a long pause, Shakuni leaned forward.
"Then stop arguing with the elders." Duryodhana glanced toward him. "Go speak with Dushala." The prince frowned. Shakuni's eyes narrowed knowingly. "If the princess herself is not against Karna… then even Maharaj cannot stop this easily."
Duryodhana remained silent briefly. Then slowly he rose.
A short while later he entered Dushala's chambers. The princess sat near the balcony while moonlight spilled softly across the floor. Her long hair rested loosely over one shoulder while a half-finished garland lay forgotten in her hands. The moment she saw her brother, she smiled warmly. But that smile faded slightly after noticing his expression.
"Brother?"
Duryodhana sat beside her heavily. Then, directly, he told her everything—the planned swayamvara, the council discussions, and finally the decision not to invite Karna.
The moment Karna's name was mentioned, Dushala's fingers visibly tightened around the flower garland. A small flicker of sadness crossed her eyes before she lowered them quickly. But Duryodhana noticed immediately.
He gently held both her shoulders.
"Dushala." His voice softened greatly now—very different from the throne room earlier. "Look at me."
Slowly she raised her eyes. Duryodhana spoke seriously.
"Tell me the truth." His gaze remained fixed upon her. "Are you against Karna participating in your swayamvara?"
Dushala froze. Her heartbeat quickened instantly. Duryodhana continued quietly.
"I might desire his friendship and even want him as my brother-in-law. But my desires are not greater than my sister's happiness. If my sister does not want it…" His expression softened further. "…I will never force such a thing upon you."
The room became very quiet afterward. Only the soft sound of night wind moved through the curtains. Dushala lowered her gaze once more. Her cheeks slowly flushed pink. For a very long moment she said nothing. Then finally, almost in a whisper,
"I…" She nervously tightened her fingers together. "…I do not mind it."
Duryodhana stared for one second. Then suddenly laughed softly in relief. His face brightened immediately.
"There." He pointed dramatically. "I knew it."
Dushala became even more embarrassed.
"Brother…"
But Duryodhana was already grinning now. For the first time that day, his anger lessened.