Tiny hands immediately shot into the air.
"Protect everyone!"
"Listen to the gods!"
"Build boats!"
Laughter spread through the courtyard.
Sumedha smiled before pointing toward her own son. "And you, Vrishaketu?"
The little prince frowned in concentration. "Knowledge should never be lost."
Sumedha's smile deepened. "Very good."
She then looked toward Subhadra. "And what lesson did you hear, Princess?"
Subhadra thought for only a moment. "I think…" She glanced at the children before answering. "…knowledge survives not because it is written…" Her eyes shifted toward Sumedha. "…but because someone chooses to pass it to the next generation."
For a brief second, Sumedha simply looked at her. Then she smiled.
"I couldn't have answered better myself."
The children were soon dismissed, though not before several of Karna's little ones clung to Sumedha's hands, insisting she tell another story tomorrow.
"I promise." She gently brushed one child's hair away from his forehead. "Tomorrow."
Only after the children had run off, followed by laughing maids trying to catch them, did silence return to the courtyard.
Subhadra watched them disappear before smiling. "They adore you, Rani Sumedha."
Sumedha looked after the children with quiet affection. "Children make the best audience, Princess. Unlike adults, who project their views onto others, they absorb the knowledge as it is. They are clean in their hearts, and hence, it is easier to teach them values."
Subhadra then added, laughing softly. "They also ask the questions adults are too proud to ask."
Sumedha nodded in agreement. "That's true."
The two women began strolling slowly beneath the banyan trees.
After a few moments, Subhadra spoke again. "Actually, I have come here for something else..."
"Please go ahead."
Subhadra hesitated. "While I did mention that I will earn acknowledgement from you all, I don't really know how to become part of this family. I've only just arrived. I don't know everyone well. I worry I might accidentally offend someone." Her voice carried no royal pride — only sincerity. "So…" She smiled sheepishly. "…would you help me? Not much, I just need to know about everyone and their interests."
Sumedha couldn't help but smile in return. "You truly are straightforward."
After a pause.
"Very well." She folded her hands within her sleeves. "If you wish to know about the Queens of Maharaj, we start with Maharani Mrinalini… you'll find her mostly at the training grounds or patrolling to meet women citizens and learn their difficulties, not inside the palace. She is happiest there. Put her on a battlefield or atop a horse… and she'll forget the rest of the world. Just express your views on how to empower women more and give them better security and rights, and such, without offending the court."
Subhadra nodded thoughtfully. "I'll remember that."
"And Queen Dhavani…" Sumedha's composed expression finally broke into an amused smile. "Well… she is a bit like a spoiled younger sister to us. She likes painting. And has things her own way. You know, she was after all the daughter of Maharaj Jarasandha."
Subhadra looked uncertain. "…Should I be worried?"
"Well, you can be." Sumedha laughed softly. "Because she loves Maharaj very dearly, like there is a hint of possessiveness to her. Maharaj also indulges her quite a bit. Don't let her feel like you are snatching Maharaj's attention from her or have any sort of competition with her in arts, though. She can get incredibly sulky whether she wins or loses."
After a pause…
"But she is easy to talk to. She loves gossiping and showing off her collection of jewelry and sarees, but Maharani Mrinalini nor I are interested in such topics. So, you can bond with her in that way. She is also easy to please. Give her gifts. Perhaps something from your culture. She will love it usually."
"…Usually?"
"Yes…Usually."
Both women laughed.
"And Queen Ratnaprabha?"
Sumedha's smile softened. "She misses the sea. Sometimes I'll find her simply sitting beside the palace lake for hours. Both of you are from the same region. I'm sure you can find some topics. But honestly, I have no worthy advice. We still aren't close to Rani Ratnaprabha. It hasn't been that long since she married and entered our household. So..."
Subhadra quietly stored each answer away. Then she looked back at Sumedha. "And you?"
"I?"
"What do you enjoy?"
Sumedha considered the question. "Reading. Teaching. The children. …And listening when Maharaj speaks of philosophy. That's all I know."
Subhadra smiled. "Nothing else?"
For the first time since they had met, Sumedha looked almost embarrassed. After a brief hesitation she laughed softly at herself. "…There's one thing I would like to try though."
"What is it?"
"You might think it's silly."
"I doubt that."
"They say…" A faint blush touched her cheeks. "…the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
Subhadra blinked once. "I've heard that saying."
"I've always wished…" Sumedha paused, searching for the right words. "…that I could prepare something Maharaj genuinely enjoyed." She smiled at herself. "The trouble is… I don't know how to cook."
Subhadra looked surprised. "I thought every royal princess would be taught how to cook."
Sumedha chuckled quietly. "I was raised in different circumstances compared to other royal princesses. Maharani Mrinalini is an excellent cook. Her payasam is something Maharaj enjoys dearly. Even Dhavani knows how to cook, although her choices of ingredients somehow make it devastating and bizarre."
Subhadra tilted her head. "Devastating?"
Sumedha covered her smile with one hand. "Let's just say… Maharaj displayed remarkable courage whenever she entered the kitchen. He would rather go and wage a war against Rakshasas than try her special dishes."
Subhadra couldn't help laughing. "And Rani Ratnaprabha?"
"Oh…" Sumedha sighed with admiration. "She cooks wonderfully. The best of us, you can say. Every day, there is always one dish made by her, included in our meals. Because of her cooking, she easily became closer to Maharaj in a matter of weeks." There wasn't bitterness in her voice — only a tiny, almost imperceptible wistfulness. "I've always wondered… how it would feel if Maharaj enjoyed something I made."
Subhadra stopped walking. A bright smile slowly spread across her face.
"I know exactly what we're doing tomorrow."
Sumedha looked puzzled. "…Tomorrow?"
"I'm teaching you."
Sumedha laughed. "Princess… you didn't hear me properly. I truly don't know how to cook."
Subhadra grinned. "Then we'll start with one. I'll teach you a recipe from Dvarika."
Sumedha blinked. "…You would do that?"
"Of course. I'm trying to impress you here, aren't I?"
For a brief moment, Sumedha simply looked at this princess with such a cheerful and easy-going personality. Then, with a smile warmer than before, she gave a small nod.
"…Very well, cousin. I'll be your student tomorrow."
"And I," Subhadra replied happily, "promise you'll surprise Maharaj."
The royal kitchens of Kanipura were already busy and full of life when Subhadra arrived the next morning.
The warm smell of ghee, roasted flour, fresh cream, and crushed cardamom floated in the air. Cooks moved quickly between the blazing hearths, stirring pots and kneading dough with practiced hands. When the Princess of Dvarika walked in without any attendants or grand announcements, many heads turned in surprise.
"You really came," Sumedha said with a warm, welcoming smile as she set aside the recipe she had been reading.
Subhadra laughed softly. "I volunteered to teach you. Why wouldn't I?"
"Thank you..." Sumedha smiled. She gathered her hands to her chest as she murmured. "I hope Maharaj will be happy with the dish that I made for him."