A moment later, the war horse began to move. It trotted across the field and then eased into a smooth canter. Subhadra's body stayed relaxed, matching every stride without forcing anything, trusting the horse as much as it trusted her.
More and more soldiers stopped their training to watch.
"…She's good."
"Very good."
Even Mrinalini had turned to look. Her face stayed calm, but her eyes followed every movement carefully.
Subhadra guided the horse through a wide turn and brought it back with only a slight shift of her weight and the lightest pressure of her knees. No hard pulling. No sharp commands. The stallion obeyed as if the two of them shared a private language.
Only when Subhadra returned did Mrinalini walk toward her.
"You ride well, Princess."
Subhadra smiled as she dismounted.
"Thank you, Maharani."
"Have you trained before?"
"Since childhood." Subhadra rubbed the stallion's forehead with real affection. "My eldest brother insisted every member of our family learn properly."
Mrinalini nodded.
"That is a good thing."
Subhadra laughed.
"Though… I actually enjoy chariots much more."
Mrinalini raised an eyebrow.
"Chariots?"
"I've always loved driving them. Managing multiple horses together feels completely different. Every horse has its own nature. Some answer to the reins. Some listen more to your voice. Some pretend not to listen at all until they decide you're worthy of their trust. And when everything comes together…" Subhadra's eyes shone with quiet joy. "…it feels like flying."
For the first time that morning, a small smile touched the corner of Mrinalini's mouth.
"Interesting. I've met many who love weapons. Very few speak about horses that way."
A short silence settled between them.
Then Mrinalini spoke again.
"Would you indulge me?"
Subhadra tilted her head.
"With what?"
Mrinalini glanced toward the open riding track.
"A friendly race."
Around them conversations stopped at once. Several soldiers looked at one another in surprise. Their commander was challenging the Princess of Dvarika?
Didn't the princess arrive just a couple of days ago?
The Commander is not angry at this Princess, right? Or trying to teach her a lesson?
But several got rid of that thought as their Chief Queen never seemed to appear such a person.
Subhadra blinked, then a bright smile spread across her face.
"I'd love to."
Fresh horses were brought quickly. The two women mounted and rode to the starting line.
An officer raised her arm.
"Ready!"
Both riders leaned forward slightly.
"Begin!"
The horses burst into motion.
Dust rose under pounding hooves as they raced across the training grounds, neither willing to give up even a single stride. Mrinalini rode with the sharp precision of long military training — every turn calculated, every command clear. Subhadra rode with pure instinct, letting the horse's own strength carry her through the bends with easy grace.
At the first corner, Mrinalini pulled ahead by half a length. Along the straight Subhadra slowly closed the gap. The watching soldiers began to cheer.
"Commander!"
"Princess!"
Neither woman heard them. Their whole attention stayed on the path ahead.
Another turn. Another straight. The finish line came closer and closer.
In the final stretch, both horses gave everything they had left.
Mrinalini crossed first — but only by the smallest margin. Half a horse's length was all that separated them.
For a heartbeat the field stayed quiet. Then the entire training ground erupted in loud, happy applause.
Subhadra brought her horse to a stop and laughed, still a little breathless.
"I nearly caught you."
"You did," Mrinalini admitted as she dismounted, still catching her own breath. "I underestimated you."
Subhadra climbed down as well and stroked her horse's neck with care.
"No, I probably overestimated myself. I've never lost a chariot race against another woman, you know… I guess Maharani does live up to her legends."
Mrinalini smiled.
"No, I have trained in the art of war since I was a child. But you didn't, yet you came close to the win. In a sense, you actually won this race."
Subhadra laughed.
"I'll accept that as praise."
"It was meant as such."
For a short moment the two women simply looked at each other.
Around them, the soldiers smiled among themselves.
There are three other queens, but none of them are interested in anything that is linked to the military. Atleast, this future new queen can be a great support to their Chief Queen.
***
Following Sumedha's Advice, on Day 3 of her arrival, Subhadra made her way to Dhavani's quarters.
Unlike their first meeting, today she wore a light lavender sari embroidered with delicate silver vines. Her wrists carried several bangles that chimed softly as she walked.
"Princess Subhadra?"
"Greetings, Rani Dhavani."
Dhavani looked genuinely surprised. "I wasn't expecting a visitor."
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"No…" She tilted her head curiously. "But I am wondering why you've come."
Subhadra smiled honestly. "While I spend time with Rani Sumedha, I found out that if I wished to see the finest collection of jewelry in Kanipura, I should come to you."
Dhavani's eyes brightened ever so slightly. "Did she now?"
"She also said… that no one appreciates beautiful things quite like you. So, I couldn't stop myself in visiting you."
For a brief moment, Dhavani tried to keep a composed expression. It lasted all of three heartbeats.
"…Well." She cleared her throat. "She isn't entirely wrong."
After a pause, she turned on her heel. "Come."
"…Hm?"
"If you're already here…" She looked back over her shoulder. "…you might as well see them."
Subhadra followed happily.
The room might be located in the same inner palace as others, but it was decorated according to Dhavani's tastes, and nowhere was it identical to any room in the entire palace. They entered almost resembled a miniature gallery. One wall displayed paintings. Another housed polished wooden cabinets filled with neatly arranged jewelry boxes. Silks of countless colors rested upon carved shelves nearby.
Subhadra couldn't help slowing her steps. "…It's beautiful."
Dhavani smiled with obvious satisfaction. "I know."
She walked directly toward the nearest cabinet and opened it. "This necklace came from Gandhara." A string of brilliant emeralds shimmered beneath the afternoon sunlight. "It was a gift from Father after I drew a painting of him."
Before Subhadra could fully admire it, another box was already open. "This one came from Avanti. And these bangles…" She lifted them carefully. "…were crafted by artisans from Kashi. They were all bought by Maharaj for me..."
Subhadra examined each piece with genuine fascination. "They're all so different."
Dhavani replied matter-of-factly. "Every kingdom has its own craftsmen. Jewelry should tell people where it came from."
Subhadra nodded thoughtfully. "In Dvarika, pearls are far more common than jewels."
Dhavani immediately looked interested. "Really?"
"The sea provides plenty of them."
"I've heard stories… and I even asked Maharaj to bring me some fine jewelry from Dvarika, but he couldn't, because of the circumstances."
"The pearls are actually very beautiful during festivals." Subhadra smiled fondly. "Entire streets glitter beneath rows of hanging lamps."
Dhavani listened attentively. "And the jewelry? Are they used in necklaces a lot?"
"They wear pearls everywhere. In their hair. On their wrists. Around their waists."
Dhavani sighed dramatically. "…Now you've made me wish to visit Dvarika."
"You'd enjoy it."
"I already know I would."
Soon the jewelry boxes had given way to folded silks. Dhavani enthusiastically unfolded one sari after another. "This embroidery is from Magadha. This border was woven by craftsmen from Panchala. This one…" She smiled proudly. "…is my favorite. My father specifically made it for me when he visited Kanipura the last time."
Subhadra gently touched the fabric. "It's incredibly soft."
"I heard it took almost four months to weave."
"I can believe that."