Chapter 94: Chapter 92: Chance Of Instability... Sharing The Tandav Decision...

(A/N):

Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.

Guys I hope you put more comments and power stones... Which will encourage me...

I was thinking about adding local deities too to the story. Any thought about This idea.

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Next day...

Royal Palace....

The following morning, the royal palace of Trivenivrata awakened earlier than usual.

Servants moved briskly through the halls carrying scrolls, ceremonial fabrics, jewelry cases, and lists related to the approaching coronation.

Outside, temple bells echoed faintly through the cool dawn air while preparations for Maha Shivaratri continued growing across the kingdom.

Inside the royal meeting chamber, however—

The atmosphere carried quieter importance.

Bhishma and Vidura were already waiting.

"...."

"...."

Positioned carefully before them atop a carved stone table rested a large ceremonial plate draped completely beneath rich blue velvet cloth.

Neither man touched it yet.

Bhishma stood with his arms folded calmly, though faint traces of satisfaction lingered beneath his composed expression.

Vidura meanwhile checked several scrolls regarding the coronation arrangements one final time before finally hearing approaching footsteps.

Devara entered the chamber shortly afterward.

The moment he arrived, his eyes immediately shifted toward the covered object on the table.

A faint smile appeared on Vidura’s face.

"It has finally arrived," he said.

The crown.

Crafted over days by several master artisans working together simultaneously after reviewing and refining the designs approved by Bhishma and Vidura personally.

Bhishma stepped forward first.

Then slowly lifted the velvet covering away.

Golden light shimmered across the chamber instantly.

The crown resting upon the ceremonial plate looked magnificent.

Its overall structure followed the traditional Bharata royal style worn by ancient kings—but elevated into something grander, more refined, more commanding.

Intricate golden engravings spiraled across its surface like flowing sacred geometry.

Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, and moonlike pearls had been embedded throughout the crown with astonishing craftsmanship.

At the center rested a radiant lion-shaped crest forged from polished gold.

The symbol of Trivenivrata.

The roaring lion beneath the star.

The crown did not merely look expensive.

It looked authoritative.

Like something meant to sit upon someone destined to rule.

For a few moments, the chamber remained silent.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Then Devara stepped closer still looking at the crown.

Bhishma carefully lifted the crown and handed it toward him.

The weight surprised Devara slightly.

Not physically. Symbolically.

Because this was no longer preparation.

The kingdom truly awaited its king now.

Devara slowly placed the crown upon his head.

The gems caught the morning light beautifully as he adjusted it slightly before giving his head a small movement side to side, testing the balance and fit.

The crown remained perfectly stable.

Vidura immediately nodded approvingly.

-Nod!

"The craftsmen exceeded expectations."

Even Bhishma’s stern gaze softened faintly.

Because the crown fit Devara astonishingly well.

The golden design contrasted naturally against his dark hair and calm features while the lion crest seemed almost made specifically for him.

For a brief moment—Neither Bhishma nor Vidura saw merely a prince before them.

They saw a king.

Not future tense. Present.

Devara eventually removed the crown carefully and returned it onto the velvet-lined plate.

"It fits properly,"

He confirmed calmly that he is comfortable with it.

"There are no issues."

Vidura visibly relaxed hearing that.

One less problem among the endless preparations.

Bhishma meanwhile looked toward the crown thoughtfully before speaking quietly.

"Once this rests upon your head before the kingdom..."

His voice carried unusual weight.

"...Trivenivrata’s fate will truly begin."

After the matter of the crown was settled, the atmosphere inside the meeting chamber gradually shifted toward the next major concern looming over the kingdom.

Now the topic moved to the next discussion which is needed.

Maha Shivaratri.

Tomorrow.

The very thought of it seemed to change the weight of the room slightly.

Outside the palace walls,

Trivenivrata was already preparing itself for a celebration unlike anything the kingdom had ever witnessed.

Pilgrims continued arriving in massive numbers, sages filled temple courtyards, merchants crowded the markets, and devotional chants already echoed through the city from dawn till midnight.

Seated near the ceremonial table, Vidura unrolled another scroll calmly.

"The preparations are progressing smoothly,"

He informed Devara camly.

"The temple arrangements are complete."

"The priests have finalized the ritual sequences."

"Food distribution for pilgrims has been organized. And made sure the rations were arranged enough to feed twice the crowd currently we have estimated as arrived."

"The harbor districts and market security have also been reinforced."

Devara nodded while listening carefully to the each report.

-Nod!

"...."

Everything sounded stable.

But Vidura’s expression did not fully relax afterward.

And Devara noticed it immediately.

"There is another concern,"

Vidura continued quietly this was his guess.

Now even Bhishma shifted his attention fully toward the discussion.

Vidura tapped lightly against the scroll.

"The spies."

The room became noticeably more serious.

"We expected them,"

Vidura said calmly with a narrowed eyes.

"And now they are undoubtedly inside the kingdom already."

He did not sound angry about it.

Only realistic it was only natrual for them to be attracted to this kingdom as it was a rare opportunity to infiltrate the kingdom during the festival.

"By now,"

he continued he was sure,

"most neighboring kingdoms likely possess approximate reports regarding our fertile lands, economic potential, strategic river position, and military organization."

Bhishma folded his arms.

"And the coronation approaching only increases their interest."

Vidura nodded his head seriously.

-Nod!

"Yes."

He then pointed toward another section of the scroll.

"My greater concern is not information theft."

"It is instability."

That made Devara narrow his eyes slightly.

Vidura explained further.

"The kingdom is still young. Most citizens arrived recently. Communities are still adapting to one another. Trust between different groups has not fully deepened yet."

The implications became obvious immediately.

A kingdom still forming its social foundations was vulnerable.

Especially during massive festivals where crowds, emotions, religions, trade, and outsiders mixed together.

Vidura’s voice lowered slightly.

"If hostile forces wish to weaken Trivenivrata early ...then creating public discord would be the easiest route."

Religious arguments. Caste tensions between peoples.

Fights between immigrant communities.

Rumors.

Economic panic.

Even small sparks could become dangerous in a kingdom still establishing unity.

Devara remained silent for a few moments, thinking deeply.

"...."

Bhishma finally spoke sharing his idea.

"Strengthen patrols. Especially around marketplaces, inns, harbor districts, and temples."

Vidura nodded immediately.

-Nod!

"I have already begun increasing night rotations."

"Plainclothes observers have also been positioned among crowds."

That earned a small approving look from Bhishma.

The old warrior clearly appreciated Vidura’s foresight.

Devara meanwhile walked slowly toward the chamber balcony overlooking parts of the kingdom below.

Even from there, he could see the growing festival crowds moving through the streets.

Torchlights. Music. Prayer. Trade. Life.

And somewhere hidden among all that—Enemies.

Or at the very least—Kingdoms waiting to see whether Trivenivrata would truly rise...

Or collapse beneath its own rapid growth.

Devara finally spoke calmly shaking his head.

"Do not create fear among the people."

Both Vidura and Bhishma listened carefully.

"Increased patrols are necessary,"

Devara continued to share his view on this issue,

"but the kingdom must still feel welcoming during Shivaratri."

He turned back toward them.

"If citizens begin feeling watched more than protected, we damage trust ourselves."

Vidura’s eyes sharpened slightly in approval hearing that.

"...."

Because balancing security and public confidence was something many rulers failed terribly at.

Devara spoke in a calm tone with a serious expression as his green eyes glemmed.

"Rotate trusted soldiers through public service. Have them assist pilgrims. Help children, travelers, and merchants. Let the people see our guards protecting the festival—not merely searching for threats."

Bhishma gave a slow nod afterward as he added softly.

-Nod!

"A kingdom becomes strongest, when its people themselves begin protecting it."

Vidura closed the scroll carefully then declared.

"Then until the coronation, Trivenivrata shall remain fully alert."

The discussion regarding security and spies gradually settled.

For a few moments, only the distant sound of temple bells and the rustling of scrolls filled the meeting chamber.

Then Devara calmly spoke again.

"There is one more thing."

Both Bhishma and Vidura looked toward him immediately curiously.

"...." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"...."

Devara’s expression remained composed.

But the next sentence spoke by Devara nearly shattered the calm atmosphere of the room.

"Tomorrow night, during Maha Shivaratri... I will perform a Tandava in honor of Shiva and Parvati."

Silence. Complete silence.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Even Vidura stopped midway through rolling a scroll.

Bhishma’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

For several moments neither of them spoke.

Because what Devara had just casually announced was not a simple cultural performance.

The Tandava was sacred.

A dance carrying symbolism tied to cosmic balance itself.

Creation. Destruction. Stillness. Rage. Liberation.

To perform it publicly during Maha Shivaratri before sages and Shiva devotees from across Bhulok1—

That carried enormous spiritual weight.

Devara, meanwhile, continued calmly as though he had not just dropped a divine mountain into the discussion and added.

"An official announcement should be made, Any devotee who wishes to witness it may attend."

That finally snapped Vidura out of his silence.

The wise minister slowly lowered the scroll from his hands before staring directly at Devara.

"...You are serious."

"I am."

Another silence followed.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Bhishma looked thoughtful now rather than surprised.

Vidura eventually exhaled slowly.

"King..."

His tone turned careful.

"The Tandava is not merely a dance. It requires intensity. Control. Devotion. Presence."

His eyes sharpened slightly.

"And the expectations tomorrow will be immense."

That part was undeniable.

The temple grounds would contain wandering sages, ascetics, yogis, priests, and countless devotees deeply devoted to Lord Shiva.

Some had spent entire lives immersed in spiritual practice and sacred arts.

If the performance lacked sincerity or depth—It would not merely disappoint them.

It could be viewed as disrespectful.

Vidura continued seriously.

"The Tandava must embody multiple states at once. Wrath. Stillness. Destruction. Balance. Transcendence."

"It cannot appear shallow before Shiva devotees."

His voice softened slightly afterward.

"And they must leave satisfied."

Not entertained. Satisfied. Spiritually should have a feeling Lord Shiva was happy with the tandav.

That distinction mattered deeply.

The chamber quieted again afterward.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Then both Vidura and Bhishma turned fully toward Devara.

Waiting.Testing.

Wondering whether he truly understood the scale of what he proposed.

Devara listened patiently to every concern.

Then—He nodded calmly. Confidently. Not arrogantly. Simply certain he can do it.

-Nod!

"I understand."

There was no hesitation in his eyes.

No uncertainty. Only steady resolve.

Vidura studied him for several long moments afterward.

And strangely—The more he looked, the less doubt he felt.

Because Devara did not resemble someone recklessly chasing spectacle.

He looked like someone who had already decided something internally.

Bhishma noticed it too.

A faint shift passed through the old warrior’s expression.

Almost recognition.

Finally, Vidura closed his eyes briefly before giving a slow nod in low voice.

-Nod!

"...Very well."

"If you possess this much confidence, then I will trust your judgment."

The decision settled heavily into the chamber afterward.

Outside the palace, the kingdom still buzzed with ordinary festival excitement.

None of the citizens yet knew that tomorrow night—Their soon-to-be king intended to perform the sacred cosmic dance of Shiva himself before all of Trivenivrata.

And somewhere high above the mortal world—

A few divine beings had just become extremely interested in attending.

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(Author note:)

I hope you guys give me your opinion and idea’s.

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Don’t forget to review guys...

Guys I have a new fic which named: Karuppan: King of Openings.

Mortal realm: Earth