Chapter 42

The hall was filled with kings from various kingdoms. I had expected all the eyes to be on me as I entered and they were. Some were filled with lust, a look I had grown accustomed to before coming to this world. Some were disinterested, which surprised me and then realization sunk in.

They were not here for me. Well, except Duryodhan, maybe whose eyes were boring into me. No, they were here for Dwarka, to create forge an alliance with Krishna, to get him, on their side in case of war.

My stomach sunk at the thought. I was just an object for them, wasn't I? Did I objectify myself by making my hand the price of a competition? Subhadra was right. We were in the same situation. Standing up for myself a little wouldn't make a difference. I had to be bold to be heard. The old rituals which make no sense, need to die.

If Yudhisthir were present, I would have just declared him the winner. God knows where that bastard is right now. I will kill him. Just let him come in front of me.

Well now that everyone's here and he's not. I can actually test my skills. Let's create a grand show. I turned toward Krishna, who was watching me intently. With a subtle nod, I signalled that I was ready.

All the kings and princes were perpendicular to the podium in two rows facing each other creating a rectangular space in the centre. Krishna stepped onto the platform.

"I welcome you all to the Swayamvar of our dear Princess of Dwarka Aarohi, daughter of King Vasudev." He announced, his voice carrying through the hall. I was not biological daughter of King Vasudev, for a second there I wished my own family name to be announced.

Krishna continued, "To win Aarohi's hand in marriage, you must defeat her in sword combat. Victory will be determined when either the opponent loses their sword or finds their opponent's blade at their throat."

A wave of murmur broke out in the hall. Everyone had either had a frown of confusion or bewilderment slapped on their face.

One of the kings got up from his seat and questioned Krishna, "Do not jest, Prince of Dwarka, are you truely asking us to fight a woman?"

"I am not jesting and the woman in question is a trained warrior, just as you, King Jarasandh." Krishna replied smoothly.

So, this was Jarasandh. If I remember correctly, he was Dushala's husband. A very hedonist with several wives but, skilled none the less. I had researched every king in this hall and I even had seen their pictures. Most of them didn't resemble their paintings which looked far better. I pitied the painter who had a sword at his neck while painting.

Jarasandh was quite angry at the statement for some reason. His voice boomed, "Do not compare me to a mere woman. Change the tournament. It is not right for a man of my calibre to fight a woman."

In the entire conversation, I was ignored which angered me a lot. I interrupted the conversation saying, "The tournament will stay the same. If you are not comfortable, you have the right to not take a part in it."

He looked at me from the corner of his eye and then his eyes ran up and down as if checking me out. He fucking has the audacity to check me out in front of my brothers and the entire kingdom.

He then turned towards Krishna not even looking at me as he said, "You are not part of this conversation. Stay out of it."

I bristled, "I am when you are talking about me, in MY SWAYAMVAR."

He then towards me finally giving me his attention. "Princess of Dwarka, if you had already decided whom to marry, why did you stage this swayamvar? To make a fool of us?"

My stomach clenched at his words. How did he know about that? Still, I didn't let emotions come to my face as I lied, "I have not chosen anyone before the tournament."

He smiled as if he got the words out of me which will make him victorious. Yes, looking his posture his smile you could say that his next words would make me eat my previous ones.

"The first man you'd fight will obviously win. Doesn't that seem obvious, kings." He asked the others present there some of whom hummed in agreement.

All that time I was trying hard to hold my laughter in. So, this was the great idea that he had? I decided to play along after all he was playing right into my hands.

I said, "If you actually think that, then I am ready to have my first duel against you."

He answered, "If that is what you wish." As if it was not his plan to go in first. He didn't let me second guess my answer and promptly stepped in the centre with his sword in hand.

I went to the weapons rack where my sword was kept. I lifted it up with my left hand and passed it to my right. This slight second of awkwardness would not be caught by anyone except the exceptional ones, even if my insides burned, I had to accept that Jarasandh was skilled in swords.

I turned and noticed the creepy smile on Jarasandhs face. He was falling in my trap. I went towards the rectangular space in the centre and stood about ten feet away from him. I shook my sword slightly to confirm his false suspicion that I'm not experienced. As I had expected, his hold on sword loosened.

He spoke with arrogance, "If you wished to marry me, you could have just said so. There wouldn't be any need for swayamvar." After a pause he added, "It would be fun to tame you to be one of my perfect wives."

If he even had a slight doubt that he would lose, he'd have never dared say those words to me. After all, even now I was a princess of a powerful kingdom. He was just where I needed him to be.

I knew he was waiting for me to attack first. I obliged, sprinting forward at fifty percent of my full speed. Halfway he held his sword up, not serious at all. So, he was planning to play with me. When he was one step away, I tightened my grip on my own sword and slammed it against his. By the time he realized what happened, his sword was on the ground and mine was at his throat. I had caught him completely by surprise.

I had a slight smirk on my face as I said, "I win." And Krishna's voice boomed after mine declaring me as the winner.

I stepped back, lowering my sword. Jarasandh's face burned with humiliation as he realized, all the incompetence before was just a charade. But we both knew there was nothing he could do now. He stomped back to his seat, seething.

Silence took over the hall. No one had expected King Jarasandh to lose that too in mere seconds.

There were three Kings present here who were as of now renowned in sword fighting- Jarasandh, Virat and Duryodhan. How Duryodhan got famous at it, God knows. If you remember correctly, I was out in gurukul at that time and I haven't collected all the information yet.

The next name was announced, "Prince Madhranjay of Madra, son of Salya." He was related to Nakul and Sahadev in some way.

If I could guess the thoughts of most people in the hall, I'd say they believed what happened was a fluke, beginner's luck. When Madhranjay lost within two minutes, many of them stared to question their perceptions.

The next person whose name was called said it was against his morals to fight against a woman. I nodded in acknowledgement completely respectful and then looked towards the guard and gestured to move on the next name.

I had come here with a plan, obviously. It would be quite foolish of me otherwise. So, the plan was, all of the great swordsmen to be divided and equal number of small fries to be kept in between them. I had expected at max five kings/princes but thankfully only three were here. So Jarasandh in beginning, Virat in middle and Duryodhan last. This meant that the people who were not confident or risktaker would back out and that feeling would be reinforced when I defeat big fishes. This would greatly reduce the number I'd have to duel against and save my stamina which was the biggest concern at the moment.

Fifty minutes and ten people later~

"King Virat of Matsya." The announcement took place. King Virat, known as a kind person and a great king of a major kingdom. Doesn't usually take part in swayamvar even though he has a fighting chance to win in most cases. I don't remember if he has one or two wives, but not more than that, which is genuinely a small number if we compare it to the kings of his calibre.

Again, as usual we were standing ten feet apart. He slightly nodded his head, acknowledging me as a worthy warrior. Not a single person till now had done that. I acknowledged him back with a nod.

As usual I took the lead and made the first attack, but to my surprise he took a few steps forward and our swords clashed in the middle.

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Word count: 1607