She swallowed nervously before continuing.
"In our clan… when frightened during sleep… sometimes our bodies return to serpent form unconsciously. I think I… I... I wrapped around you without realizing."
Her face reddened even more afterward.
The shame in her expression resembled a child expecting punishment after making a mistake unintentionally.
For several moments, Karna quietly looked at her.
Then unexpectedly, he let out a chuckle.
Ratnaprabha blinked in surprise.
Karna slowly lifted his hand and gently held her chin, raising her lowered face until her eyes met his.
"It is fine," he said calmly.
The softness in his tone immediately stilled her nervous breathing.
"Just as I am your husband," Karna continued, "you are my wife too. A relationship is not a road where only one person has rights while the other merely walks behind silently. If a tree gives shade to a traveler, the traveler also waters the tree in return. That is how balance exists."
Ratnaprabha stared at him quietly.
Her violet eyes slowly glistened slightly.
Yet she still whispered softly, "Sorry…"
Karna shook his head lightly. "I already told you it is fine," he replied. "Then let it go."
The simplicity of his words strangely soothed her far more than elaborate comfort would have.
Later that morning, after finishing his prayers and brief meditation, Karna sat near the balcony writing a detailed letter addressed to Dakshina Kalinga. The parchment spread across the wooden table while sunlight streamed through the open chamber windows, illuminating the golden edges of his armor placed nearby.
He carefully explained everything regarding his sudden marriage to the Naga princess. The attack of Narakasura. The underwater kingdom. The ancient customs of the Samudra Nagas. The Syamantakamani jewel.
He knew the news would shock his queens and ministers back home, especially because this marriage had happened so suddenly without preparation or discussion.
Still, Karna believed truth should arrive before rumors.
Just then, soft footsteps echoed near the chamber entrance.
A maid entered respectfully while bowing her head.
"Maharaj," she said carefully, "a letter has arrived for you."
Karna paused his writing slightly. "From whom?"
"Princess Subhadra."
That answer visibly surprised him. "Hmm?"
Karna accepted the rolled parchment and slowly opened it.
Inside, written in graceful handwriting, were the following words:
"Maharaj Karna,
I do not know whether it is proper for me to write this letter, but if I remain silent, my heart feels restless like a river trapped behind stones.
Ever since the day at Somnath Mandir, your music has remained in my mind. And after what happened during Narakasura's attack, I feel even more indebted to you. A person can protect someone because it is his duty, but not everyone risks death itself so calmly for another person's safety.
You once said that dharma is to protect others without expecting rewards. I have thought about those words many times these past days.
There are many warriors in Aryavarta who possess strength, but very few whose strength gives peace to others instead of fear. You are one of them.
If possible, I wish to speak with you once before your departure from Dvarika. Alone. To express the words in my heart that is difficult to describe it in the letter.
I will wait near Somnath Mandir by noon.
Subhadra."
Karna quietly read the letter again.
There was sincerity within the words.
But there was also something else.
Something unspoken.
His eyes narrowed slightly in thought.
At that moment, Ratnaprabha slowly approached from behind him. She had become noticeably more comfortable around him compared to earlier, though she still remained quiet around others.
"Are you going somewhere?" she asked softly after noticing him preparing to stand.
Karna looked toward her.
For a brief moment, conflict appeared inside his mind.
Subhadra clearly wanted to meet him alone.
But Ratnaprabha still had not adjusted to this human world at all.
Ever since arriving in Dvarika, she rarely left Karna's side, even for short periods. Even during his bath time, she would often quietly transform into a small serpent and remain curled nearby, pretending to sleep simply because unfamiliar servants frightened her.
Karna understood her fear.
At the same time, he also saw no reason to hide the meeting itself.
After thinking briefly, he answered calmly, "Yes. I am going out."
Ratnaprabha hesitated before asking quietly, "Can… I come too?"
Karna looked at her silently for a moment.
Then, finally nodded. "Alright."
By noon, the two of them arrived at Somnath Temple.
The temple stood magnificently near the sea, its towering structure glowing beneath the afternoon sunlight while many devotees moved across the massive stone courtyard carrying flowers, incense, and offerings. Temple bells echoed rhythmically through the air alongside the distant roar of ocean waves striking the cliffs below.
Near one side of the courtyard, Subhadra stood waiting alongside several maids.
She appeared restless.
Every few moments, she glanced toward the temple entrance before looking elsewhere again, her fingers unconsciously playing with the edge of her veil. The moment she finally spotted Karna approaching, her eyes brightened almost instantly.
But then…
She saw Ratnaprabha walking beside him.
The brightness in her eyes dimmed immediately.
A complicated shadow crossed her expression before she quickly hid it behind composure.
Karna and Ratnaprabha first entered the temple properly and offered prayers before Lord Shiva. The scent of sandalwood incense filled the air while priests chanted sacred mantras nearby. Ratnaprabha remained close beside Karna throughout, her serpent eyes quietly observing the unfamiliar customs around her.
After the prayers ended, the two walked back toward Subhadra.
For several moments, Subhadra remained silent.
Then, finally, she asked softly, "Can I speak with you alone?"
Karna immediately glanced toward Ratnaprabha.
"Can you wait for a while?" he asked gently.
Ratnaprabha looked around uncertainly.
The crowded temple. Unknown people. Strange sounds.
Reluctance immediately appeared on her face.
Then she quietly looked from Karna toward Subhadra before asking in a small voice, "Is it… an order?"
Karna paused briefly. "Consider it a request."
Ratnaprabha immediately lowered her eyes. "I must obey my husband's orders," she replied softly, "but I do not have to accept requests. And I don't want to accept this request. It's too uncomfortable."
Subhadra blinked slightly in surprise at the straightforward answer.
For a moment, even Karna seemed caught between amusement and helplessness.
Finally, he sighed lightly.
"Fine," he said calmly. "Then it is an order."
Ratnaprabha hesitated visibly.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her sleeve.
But in the end, she slowly nodded. "As you wish… husband."
She then quietly left alongside the maids, though she still glanced back once before disappearing deeper into the temple courtyard.
Subhadra watched that exchange silently.
Something complicated stirred inside her chest again.
Then she slowly began walking beside Karna.
The sea breeze moved gently through the temple pathways while devotees passed around them carrying offerings and chanting prayers softly.
Karna finally asked, "What is the reason for this meeting, Princess?"
Subhadra lowered her gaze slightly.
At first, her words came carefully and politely, expressing gratitude for saving her life.
But slowly, little by little, her emotions began surfacing beneath those words.
Admiration. Respect. Fascination. Feelings she herself had struggled to fully understand these past days.
Karna listened quietly.
However, as she continued speaking, something inside him felt slightly unsettled.
Not because her words were inappropriate.
But because he sensed where this conversation was heading.
And not far away, partially hidden near another corridor of the temple…
Revati had just arrived.
The wife of Balarama silently observed the two of them together from a distance.
And slowly…
A deep frown formed upon her face.