Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Chapter 53: Prince?

At the border with the Yadavas, the forest floor was littered with bodies. The once lush green was now marred by the dark stains of blood, and a heavy, metallic scent lingered in the air. The rotting bodies were swarmed by flies and crows, adding to the grim scene.

A man, drenched in blood and with his clothes stained a deep crimson, wiped his hands with a look of weariness. "How many times has this happened in the past few months?" he muttered, frustration evident in his voice.

Naiki, standing close by, answered, "This is the seventh time. Our location has been less compromised recently, but the frequency of these attacks is alarming."

Sachin and Hansraj returned from their patrol, their faces set with grim determination. "Your Highness," Sachin reported, "we've checked the perimeter. It's clear."

Prince Aniruddh Seuna, who had been the target of these repeated ambushes,. His exiled status had put him at the centre of a deadly power game. His uncle and the prime minister, desperate to eliminate him, had stepped up their efforts. Their desperation had led to stricter border patrols, and the Yadava nobles were beginning to notice the shifting tides.

"What about the plan, Naiki?" Aniruddh inquired.

Naiki responded with a reassuring nod. "The plan should be ready in a few months. The old man is preparing for a coup and gathering support while everyone focuses on you, Your Highness. They're so preoccupied with trying to eliminate you that they're not paying much attention to his movements."

Aniruddh's face showed a flicker of relief. "Good. We need every advantage we can get."

Sachin, looking worried, spoke up. "Your Highness, we should leave the Empire soon."

Aniruddh raised an eyebrow. "Why is that, Sachin?"

Sachin shifted his stance, clearly troubled. "The battle for the throne is intensifying. Our intelligence, with the help of the old man, suggests that there might be a major conflict soon."

Aniruddh frowned. "The Emperor won't let that happen."

Sachin shook his head. "Maybe, but we can't be too sure. The economic warfare between the First and Second Princes is already underway."

Aniruddh leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Who seems to have the upper hand?"

Sachin answered, "Right now, it's the second prince. He has the support of the third prince as well."

Aniruddh's expression darkened. "That could spell trouble."

Naiki nodded and added. "We can't go to either of the Sultanates. It's too risky. Unlike the Empire, the Prince's uncle has influence in the Sultanates."

Aniruddh sighed. "We need to be cautious. Let's prepare for all possible scenarios."

"Let's leave after I bathe and change clothes," Aniruddh said, his voice calm. He turned and began walking towards the river as he moved away from the grim scene of the skirmish.

Naiki, standing nearby, nodded in acknowledgement. "Yes, Your Highness. I'll stand guard."

As Aniruddh disappeared from view, Sachin and Hansraj huddled together, their voices low.

"Brother, the Prince insists only Naiki standing guard when he bathes," Hansraj said, his frustration evident. "There's so muc-"

"Quiet, you fool," Sachin interrupted harshly, his fingers pinching Hansraj's ear painfully. "Don't talk so much."

"Ouch! I won't do it again," Hansraj yelled, wincing and rubbing his ear as Sachin released his grip.

"Your Highness, should we reveal this to both of them?" Naiki asked, her voice carrying concern.

"Not yet," Aniruddh replied, shaking his head. "It isn't the time."

As Aniruddh spoke, he began to undress, peeling off the blood-soaked garments one by one. Each removal revealed scars and marks from numerous battles, etched deeply into his arms and back, a witness to the struggles faced over the years.

A distinct bandage wrapped tightly around the chest was the last to come off. As the bandage was unwound, the truth behind the disguise was laid bare, revealing the true form beneath. The turban was set aside, and long hair cascaded down like midnight silk, shimmering in the fading light.

At that moment, the disguise was fully shed. The prince was, in fact, a girl who had been posing as a male all along.

"Ah, my breasts are finally free." She sighed with relief as she slipped into the cool, clear water of the small spring near the river. The water enveloped her, washing away the grime and blood from the day's skirmishes.

Gauri Seuna had long been hiding her true self. After the assassination of her twin brother, Aniruddh Seuna, she took on his identity to avenge his death. The loss had been devastating; she was too late to save him, though she had managed to kill the assassin responsible.

Her brother had bled out in the forest, and Gauri knew why he had been targeted. In a society that valued men above all else, she felt politically powerless to act as a woman, so she chose to assume her brother's role.

The transition wasn't easy, but Gauri was determined. She was a skilled swordswoman, her talent in sword arts matched by her imposing height. At six feet tall, she stood head and shoulders above most men her age, making her disguise as a prince more believable.

As she submerged herself in the spring, she took a moment to reflect. Her brother's death had set her on this path of vengeance, and every battle was fought to reclaim their lost honor.

As Gauri immersed herself in the spring, her thoughts were consumed by a deep rage. "That bald bastard," she muttered through gritted teeth. "I will pluck each one of your teeth and eyes before I kill you."

Her anger was palpable. The journey towards her goal had been long and arduous. Now, nearing her destination, she felt a strange emptiness inside her. The thought of her revenge, while consuming her every waking moment, left her with an unsettling void. What would her life be like after the revenge was complete? What would fill the space once it was occupied by her obsession?

Gauri had always been fiercely determined. She had hunted down every assassin involved, showing no mercy. Her methods were brutal; she would extract every piece of information from them, torturing them relentlessly until she uncovered the truth about her brother's murder.

Gauri, lost in her thoughts, didn't fully grasp the extent of her obsession. She had always lived with a driving force that pushed her to extremes. Her maiden heart sought something special, something that would fill the void and give her life a new direction. Yet she struggled to identify what that could be.