Rewari Kingdom, fort of Bawal, night of 5th march, 1557
Aditya was unexpectedly summoned to the fort’s walls by the emperor. An eerie silence filled the night air, with only a few elite imperial guards standing watch. The sudden call felt odd to Aditya, especially since they were set to depart the next day. It was the sa spot where he once interrogated Acharya Sukhdev, and sohow he couldn’t deny it was no coincidence.
Samrat Hemu was looking at the city with hands clasped behind his back. When Aditya arrived, the emperor motioned for his guards to leave them alone. Once they had departed, Hemu, still gazing out over the city, spoke.
"Aditya, tell ... what do you think it takes to be a great ruler?"
Aditya couldn’t believe his ears. It was the ’emperor’, calling him by his ’na’ for the first ti. He replied cautiously, "Perhaps... soone who acts with a deep understanding of the consequences of their actions."
Deep in thought, Hemu asked again without turning. "Do you think I lack that quality?"
Aditya imdiately replied, "No, Samrat. I believe you are the greatest emperor the world has yet to witness."
Hemu continued, "It has only been a month since you arrived, yet I see faces filled with happiness and hope, a sight I’ve never seen before. The subjects who once showed loyalty out of fear now show love, freely given. This level of devotion is sothing usually reserved for gods, not humans motivated by re interest."
He turned to Aditya, his gaze sharp. "Tell , Aditya, what drives you? Why do you go so far for them? You have an army that would die at your command and civilian support that sees you as their leader, regardless of their sovereign. Tell honestly—don’t you wish for the throne?"
Aditya was taken aback. Was this another test of his loyalty? He had been hired to serve the throne, but now, gauging the emperor’s true intention was difficult. He took a deep breath before answering.
"My motivation is the people, Your Majesty. I may have noble status now, but there was a ti when I was counted among them. My actions are shaped by that past. You may not believe , but I’m true to my convictions. As for the throne, I have no reason to worry as long as you, or soone you choose, sits upon it. My service remains unchanged, for my foundation is you, Samrat. I wouldn’t be where I am today without your support."
Hemu felt pleased by his words. "At first, I hired you for your talent and because I had need of your skills. But over ti, I’ve co to rely on you. The fa and loyalty you’ve earned for the Samrajya have surpassed my expectations. I don’t care where your knowledge cos from or if you truly have other hidden secrets, but if you are the man you appear to be, then today, I would like to adopt you as my real son."
Turning to Aditya with emotion in his voice, Hemu added, "I have no doubt this is how it would feel if it were my own flesh and blood. Your na alone brings pride to our lineage. Tell , Aditya—will you accept as your father?"
Aditya was dumbfounded. His respect for the emperor was imnse, but to be acknowledged as his son was beyond anything he had imagined. In his past life, he had been an orphan, never fully recognized for who he was. Could this really be how it feels to be acknowledged by a father? Overwheld, he dropped to the emperor’s feet.
"It would be my greatest blessing to be adopted by you, Samrat," Aditya said.
He felt a gentle hand on his head as Hemu spoke softly, "Then from this day forward, call father."
Aditya stood and embraced him, feeling like a child long deprived of a father’s affection. Hemu patted his shoulder before declaring, "I wish to make you the crown prince."
Aditya was stunned. "But why , Majesty..." he corrected himself quickly, seeing the emperor’s stern look, "I an, Father. I still expect you to marry."
Hemu sighed, leaning against the wall for support as he gazed into the distance. "Once, in my pursuit of power, I lost soone I loved dearly. Her mory is my true strength, the thing that sustains in difficult tis. I cannot lose that by bringing soone new into my life. Before you, I was in a forced situation to marry and bring soone who could carry forward my reign and legacy. But after eting you, I have found new hope."
He paused and turned around and said by eting his eyes." So, as a father, I ask you to grant this selfish wish, to free from the pressures of the future."
Aditya paused for a mont, then stepped beside him, leaning against the wall and gazing out at the city. "Father, I accept your wish," he said thoughtfully, "but I ask that you wait until I return from the south. I want to be certain I’m ready to take on such a responsibility."
A small smile crept across Hemu’s face as any lingering doubts he held were washed away. He nodded in agreent, and with that, both father and son stood side by side, gazing into the distant land, discussing their future roadmap together.
**********
After returning from his eting with the emperor, Aditya was deep in thought. Hemu had revealed troubling developnts in Delhi that had unfolded during his absence. Three major rchant groups operating across the Indian subcontinent were causing significant unrest for the capital.
They were particularly interested in the company model Aditya had introduced and were lobbying within the imperial court for laws that would allow them to establish private armies. Their interest extended to procuring cent, and when they were denied access, they attempted to entice villagers into collusion—only to be thwarted when the villagers reported them.
Aditya’s Hindshakti Company had garnered considerable fa, attracting many workers to Khirki village. However, this influx brought its own challenges. Recent reports of assaults on won workers involved in road construction under Diwakar had ignited panic among the villagers and diminished their trust in the authorities.
In response, the emperor had been compelled to employ won as guards, but the situation remained precarious. Investigations indicated that the rchant groups were linked and sought to create unrest in an effort to infiltrate the village and uncover the manufacturing secrets. This led to the decision to seal it off, allowing entry and exit only under strict supervision.
The situation was further complicated by the lack of a clear leader among the rchant groups, which hindered the empire’s ability to take decisive action. Ironically, the empire relied on these groups for essential supplies and services, making any response to their disruptive actions even more challenging.
As Aditya pondered mulled over these challenges, he crossed the palace garden and spotted Princess enakshi sitting alone, lost in thought.
Their eyes t, and she gestured for him to join her. Sensing an opportunity for a brief respite from the weight of his worries, Aditya approached her, for so light conversation.
He took a seat on the bench next to Princess enakshi, the cool night air gently enveloping them. She was gazing at him intently, the nearby flickering lights reflecting in her captivating eyes.
"You look lost in thought," she observed, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. "Is everything all right?"
"Nothing of great importance," Aditya replied, masking his worries. "I’m just surprised to see you here, enjoying the beauty of nature."
enakshi laughed lightly, her charm, brightening the air around them. "Well, I did invite you to join , didn’t I? It’s peaceful out here."
Aditya nodded, savoring the mont. "It truly is. There’s sothing soothing about being one with nature."
After a pause, he inquired, "How was your stay with us? With our one-month tiline nearing its end, I hope it’s been enjoyable."
Her smile faltered for a brief mont. "It’s been wonderful, but I can’t help feeling sad that it’s only for a month. I’ll miss this place."
Delighted by her sentints, Aditya felt an unexpected comfort wash over him. "There’s no need to rush back, enakshi. You could stay in the capital if you want. I’d love to show you around."
Her face brightened again as she teased, "You’re not getting off that easily, Aditya. I still have two days left, and I won’t leave until the weapons consignnt is sorted."
"Rest assured, I’ll make sure everything is handled properly. I want your ti here to be as morable as today," he promised, his tone earnest.
enakshi nodded eagerly, her excitent evident, but then a shadow crossed her face. Aditya noticed her sudden sadness and felt a pang in his chest.
Before he could say anything, she quickly changed the subject. "I should go now. My maid will be looking for ."
"Of course," Aditya replied, though he hesitated, watching her stand. As she walked away, he couldn’t shake the feeling of sadness that clung to him.
He turned his gaze to the distant stars, each twinkling light a reminder of the fleeting monts they shared. ’why does it feel like I am at lose here.’
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