Some responses were polite.
Some were cold.
And some carried open resentment.
From Matsya came a respectful refusal. Their messenger bowed deeply before the court and explained that the distance between Matsya and Dakshina Kalinga was too great, and the preparation time before the wedding was too short. King Virata sent blessings for the couple and apologized that his kingdom would likely not reach Kanipura before the auspicious date ended.
Karna merely nodded calmly after hearing it.
But the replies from Chedi and Kosala were far harsher. And more troublesome still, they arrived on the same day.
The messenger from Kosala looked visibly uncomfortable while delivering the response before the court. Sweat gathered near his forehead despite the cool morning breeze entering through the palace pillars.
"Our Maharaj said…" the messenger hesitated briefly before forcing himself to continue, "that while he respects Maharaj Karna's valor in taking away the bride by winning the battle — which falls in line with Kshatriya dharma — he still felt that it is an insult to Kosala's prince, as the deed was done after the announcement of the swayamvara."
The assembly hall grew quieter. Several ministers frowned. Nearby guards tightened their grips on their spears slightly.
After a while, the messenger from Chedi stepped forward. He looked even more nervous than the one from Kosala as he read the message aloud.
"From our Maharaj…" He swallowed dryly. "Thank you for the invitation, but we have displeasure against this wedding. If Maharaj Karna truly was interested in taking away the bride, he should have done that before the announcement of the swayamvara. And if not, he should have participated in the swayamvara and won the bride's hand fairly. But doing such a thing not only insulted our ally, Dvarika, but also us as well. And we were also unhappy with Maharaj's code of conduct. From our scouts we heard that Maharaj used divyastras to render soldiers unconscious and restrain Prince Balarama, instead of fighting like a true warrior. We deemed it a cowardly act, something we did not expect from Suryaputra."
A few ministers looked visibly angered by the insult. One even muttered under his breath.
But Karna himself remained entirely calm. Not a single flicker of anger crossed his face. Instead he simply leaned slightly against the armrest of his throne and answered quietly,
"Many kings live in the guise of false kshatriya dharma, where righteousness is not the foundation but their ego is. We do not have to waste our time and emotions on such ignorant individuals."
His voice carried neither arrogance nor mockery — only simple truth.
The messenger instantly lowered his head in relief.
The next day, a much gentler reply arrived from Mathura. The aged King Ugrasena personally sent blessings but explained through a written letter that due to his old age and weak health, he could no longer travel such a long distance. Since he lacked suitable heirs to represent Mathura, he would instead send his Prime Minister along with gifts for the wedding.
From Magadha came a far more forceful answer.
"Maharaj Jarasandha himself shall attend with his Queen."
This was not surprising to the court officials. Magadha was a close ally of Dakshina Kalinga through Queen Dhavani, and Maharaj Jarasandha himself was often considered one of Karna's closest friends despite their differences in ideology.
From Kashi came another respectful response. Their king — Karna's brother-in-law — explained that the sacred city currently overflowed with pilgrims and devotees during the peak holy season, making it impossible for him to leave personally. However, he promised to send high ministers and royal representatives with gifts and blessings.
And finally… from Dvarika came the most important answer of all.
King Vasudeva himself would attend the wedding as the father of the bride.
However… Prince Balarama would remain behind to govern Dvarika in his absence.
When that message was read aloud in the court, several ministers exchanged meaningful looks. Everyone understood the hidden truth behind those formal words.
Balarama was still angry. Perhaps too angry to even look at Karna right now.
Still… the fact that Vasudeva was attending meant that Dvarika had accepted the marriage publicly.
And that alone held immense political value.
***
Meanwhile, far away in Hastinapura, an entirely different storm had erupted inside the royal palace after Karna's invitation arrived.
The grand royal assembly hall remained unusually tense that day. The invitation scroll bearing the royal seal of Dakshina Kalinga rested open in the hands of Dhritarashtra. Ministers, elders, princes, and attendants all waited silently for his decision.
The blind king slowly ran his fingers over the seal thoughtfully before finally speaking.
"Yudhisthira," he said heavily, "you will attend as the chief representative of Hastinapura."
Yudhishthira immediately bowed respectfully.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
His tone remained calm as always.
Yet before the matter could settle, another voice rose from the balcony where the royal ladies sat behind the curtain.
"I also wish to attend."
All eyes turned toward the balcony. Kunti stepped forward slowly.
"Maharaj, Subhadra is the daughter of my brother Vasudeva. Since the wedding is happening at Dakshina Kalinga, there needs to be proper representation from the bride's side as well," she continued softly. "As her aunt, it is only proper that I attend her wedding and bless her."
For a moment, silence followed.
Then Vidura nodded calmly.
"Sister-in-law speaks correctly."
Nearby, Bhishma remained silent, though his thoughtful gaze lowered slightly as if already considering the political implications behind such a visit.
But before anyone else could speak, a chair scraped loudly against the marble floor.
Duryodhana stood up at once.
"Why must Elder Brother Yudhisthira attend the wedding," he declared firmly, "when I was going as well?"
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Duryodhana continued without hesitation.
"Karna is my friend. I personally negotiated the trade agreement with him. If I do not attend his wedding, it would be an insult. So I might as well represent Hastinapura."
Bhishma's brows furrowed immediately.
"Duryodhana," the grandsire said sternly, "when a Crown Prince is present in the court and not busy with other important affairs, no other prince can be sent as a representative. And secondly, sending the Crown Prince himself is already sufficient honor. Sending both principal princes of Hastinapura to a kingdom that is not even our ally would appear excessive."
Vidura supported him at once.
"Uncle speaks wisely. A kingdom must maintain dignity in diplomacy."
The words instantly irritated Duryodhana. His jaw tightened.
"What dignity?" he shot back sharply. "I am not going there as Hastinapura's prince, Mahamantri Vidura. I am going as Karna's friend. Is friendship also tied to politics in the matters of a wedding now?"
The hall grew more uncomfortable. Several elders exchanged glances.
And throughout it all, Shakuni quietly smiled from his seat. Only after enough tension had built inside the room did he finally speak in his smooth voice.
"My nephew is right, Mahamantri," he added casually. "Moreover, if the Crown Prince himself is attending, then surely Prince Duryodhana accompanying him for support is not unreasonable."
Bhishma's sharp gaze immediately turned toward him.
"And will Gandhar Raj also attend this wedding?" Bhishma asked coldly. "Did the Gandhara kingdom also receive an invitation?"
Shakuni only smiled faintly without answering directly. That silence itself became the answer.
Duryodhana stubbornly crossed his arms.
"It is my right to take whoever I want to my friend's wedding," he insisted. "And I want Uncle Shakuni to come with me. Neither Hastinapura's court nor Gandhara has anything to do with this, Grandsire."
The hall fell quiet again. Bhishma frowned at Duryodhana's firm response. Dhritarashtra looked troubled. As always, he appeared trapped between authority and attachment.
For several long moments he remained silent while lightly gripping the armrest of his throne. Then finally the blind king sighed deeply.
"Very well."
Bhishma frowned slightly.
Dhritarashtra continued.
"Duryodhana and Shakuni may also attend." He then added heavily, "Yudhisthira will lead the delegation."
At those words, Yudhisthira quietly closed his eyes for one brief second. A silent discomfort passed across his face — not because he feared Duryodhana's presence, but because he already sensed this journey would not remain comfortable at all.
Still, he said nothing.
Just as the discussion seemed finished, another voice suddenly rose.
"If both my brothers and mother are going," said Arjuna, "then I will also accompany them."
Everyone looked toward him. Arjuna's eyes remained serious.
"To ensure the safety of Hastinapura's Crown Prince and Mother Kunti."
This time Bhishma slowly nodded approvingly. Because unlike the others, Arjuna's reason sounded the most sensible of all.
Dhritarashtra clenched his fists, then released them.
"Fine. One more prince does not make any difference now. You may go, Arjuna. But no one else is permitted to go."
He slightly turned in the direction where Duryodhana and Shakuni sat.
"Duryodhana, you claimed to go as a friend of Karna and not as Hastinapura's representative. So this is something I am reminding you as your father and not as a king."
"Father…" Duryodhana bowed. "Please tell me."
Dhritarashtra smiled.
"Nothing important, son. When you visit a friend's wedding, you hope to present a gift — something that can forge your friendship stronger, not weaker. Ponder on which wedding present you should give."
"Understood, Father." Duryodhana smiled at his father's words. He knew that he had his father's support.
His happiness even doubled when Dhritarashtra followed it up with:
"And Yudhisthira… you are representing Hastinapura. So whatever present you choose will represent us. However, Dakshina Kalinga is not our official ally. Hence you cannot give a present that is above that relationship."
"Understood, Your Majesty," Yudhisthira said quietly.
Meanwhile Bhishma clenched his fists, seeing Dhritarashtra's open support for Duryodhana. But he could do nothing about it except maintain silence.