Originally posted by: CaptainSpark
I think he always held Karna in high regard because Karna was to him what ARJUN was to Yudhishthir. He did not have a brother as strong as Bheem, and Yudhishthir had 4 brothers ever loyal to him. He only had Dushashana and Ashwathama who were loyal to him while Yudhi had like four people, considering Nakul Sahdev not huge support even then he had two solid people. His 98 other bros play no role and I dont think either gave him any important support as BANS gave Y. Karna fulfilled that place. He hardly had anyone like that and he was also the answer to Arjun - Yudhi's biggest strength along with Bheem. So he naturally held him close.
Nothing actually suggests that the other 98 were not as devoted to him as BANS were to Yudi. Plus we all know Pandavas weren't unconditional either. They stuck together because they had to being hugely outnumbered and not much external support. To be honest I find DuryDushy bond more unconditional than Yudi-Bheem/Yudi-Arjun Bheem-Arjun is love no though❤️
Karna would have been around 5-8 years elder to him . minimum if Yudi was elder to him, and definitely before the DronAshram he didn't matter much to him, maybe a loyal guard/servant or at max a confidant.
I think Duryodhan actually got an elder brother replacement in Karna. Unlike Dusshashan he advised him when needed without being judgemental (something Kuru elders might have done to him like every family elder), would become a close confidant when needed and definitely gave his 100% loyalty and unconditional support to him (at least till then).
In fact if you see texts Karna is the only one in Chandal Chaukdi whose advise he follows. He is the only one who sometimes openly condemns his plans(not as they are unethical like TV shows have but as they are stupid) Would it be possible for some one who was just a second in command for him?
They literally resonated each other's thoughts, as seen multiple times
This kind of relationship building does take time and trust which somehow developed among them. There could be no other reason that Duryodhan didn't even ask Karna about his betrayal at the Gowsha Yatra.