Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Chapter 54: Perils of Yadavas

Yadava Royal Palace, Chandrapur

In the dimly lit private chamber, a bald man reclined on an intricately carved plush sofa. The room, cloaked in shadows and illuminated only by the soft, flickering light of a few lamps, exuded an air of luxury. Two beautiful women, their forms barely visible through the haze of the dim room, attended to him, their hands working skillfully over his body.

The man, savouring the moment, held a goblet of rich red wine, taking leisurely sips between the bouts of indulgence.

This man, known for his ambition and treacherous deeds, was none other than the uncle of Gauri Seuna of the Yadavas, Ravi Seuna. He was the sinister architect behind the assassination of Gauri's brother, Aniruddh Seuna. His actions had plunged the kingdom into turmoil, but for now, he was content to bask in the comfort of the palace.

A sharp knock on the door cut through the haze of relaxation, pulling him from his reverie. His mood shifted slightly, causing irritation across his features as he glanced towards the entrance.

"Enter," he commanded.

The door creaked open, and the Prime Minister of the Yadava Kingdom stepped into the room. The Prime Minister, his expression full of unease, briefly flickered his eyes over the scene before meeting the gaze of Ravi on the sofa.

"Prime Minister," the man said, sitting up and placing his goblet on a nearby table. His voice was sharp, with an almost palpable frustration. "What is it?"

"The assassin has failed yet again to kill the prince," the Prime Minister reported.

"THAT BASTARD!" Ravi roared, his rage erupting as he hurled his goblet against the wall. The goblet shattered into fragments, and the rich, red wine splattered, staining the walls and floor. The women who had been attending to him quickly fled the room at the sight of the commotion.

Ravi's eyes burned with fury as he fixed his cold gaze on the Prime Minister. "Prime Minister, why is it so difficult to kill one man? I have provided you with ample resources for this task. What is your excuse?"

The Prime Minister swallowed hard, trying to steady his voice. "You know how skilled he is. The assassins we've sent are being cut down mercilessly."

"How many times has it been?" Ravi demanded, his voice echoing off the walls. "This is unacceptable! I have been patient, but my patience is running thin."

"I understand your frustration," the Prime Minister said hurriedly. "But his presence within the Empire complicates our efforts and his movements are unpredictable."

Ravi paced back and forth, his anger palpable. "Do you think I care about excuses? Every failed attempt makes me look weak. You assured me this would be handled."

"I'm doing everything I can," the Prime Minister insisted. "But if he's not eliminated soon, we may need to reconsider our approach. Perhaps we need to rethink our strategy or—"

"Reconsider our approach?" Ravi cut him off with a menacing growl. "You had better come up with a solution quickly, or you will find yourself in a far worse position than him."

The Prime Minister nodded vigorously, desperation clear in his eyes. "I will see to it immediately. We won't fail."

Ravi's gaze remained cold. "See that you don't. I want results, not excuses. Now leave before I lose my temper further."

The Prime Minister bowed deeply and exited the room, leaving Ravi alone.

"That bastard can't just die peacefully like the worm he is," Ravi murmured with a deep sigh filled with frustration. "Everyone is useless. They couldn't even assassinate a child when he was young. Now look how he has grown into a menace."

Ravi Seuna, brother to the current king of the Yadavas, was a man who held real power behind the scenes. Though the king was the public face of the kingdom, Ravi controlled the strings from the shadows. His own claim to the throne was gone, a fact that gnawed at him.

The only way he could consolidate his power was through his son, Hari, who had a legitimate claim to the throne. If Hari could ascend to the throne, Ravi's dreams of absolute power, which had eluded him, could finally be realized.

Years ago, Ravi had relinquished his right to the throne, a decision made prematurely. When the previous king and his elder brother passed away,. His younger brother, the current king, had ascended the throne in his place.

Despite this, Ravi had ensured his brother was little more than a puppet, controlling him through drugs and indulgence. The king was now a mere shadow of his former self, consumed by his own desires.

Ravi made his way to his brother's private chambers. As he entered the room, thick, swirling smoke greeted him, mingled with the overpowering scent of perfume and a rancid undertone of drugs.

Seated on a plush sofa, the king stared vacantly at the ceiling, his gaze unfocused and distant. His appearance was dishevelled, and he drooled like a madman, lost to the effects of his addiction. The king's condition had deteriorated so badly that he no longer even recognized his own son's state or the kingdom's affairs.

Ravi's smirked as he took in the sight. His brother's mind was a captive of his own desires, rendered incapable of ruling or even functioning normally. This degradation was exactly what Ravi had orchestrated, a necessary step to ensure that his younger brother's rule remained under his control.

"Brother," Ravi said coldly, slapping the head of his brother tightly. "Do you even know where you are?"

The king merely mumbled incoherently to the strike, his eyes glazed. He took a seat beside his brother, maintaining a careful distance to avoid the foul stench.

"Your son is dead, you bastard," Ravi continued. "Like your wife and daughter, I have killed him as well."

He leaned closer. "You also must die. We cannot afford any more delays," he said.

"What a disgusting bastard," Ravi retorted, looking at his brother drooling uncontrollably.

Ravi rose from the sofa, leaving his brother in his stupor. Slapping his face in disgust, he fell to the floor head-on by the strike. As he exited the room. The time for action was coming to a close; his son's ascension and the consolidation of his power depended on it.