Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Chapter 55: Power behind Shekhar family

Gajapathi Royal Palace, Cuttack

The Royal Court of the Gajapathis was a magnificent display of luxury and history. Stone carvings adorned the walls, depicting the grand epics of their past, while the luxurious marble floor gleamed under the light of grand chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. The room was a sign of the kingdom's rich heritage.

At the center of this, seated upon the ornate throne, was Pratapendra Deva, the current king of the Gajapathis. The wisdom of age marked his appearance; his beard was as white as milk, and deep lines etched his face, each wrinkle a record of years spent serving his kingdom. Despite his advanced years, he maintained a surprisingly muscular and fit physique, a testament to his strength.

His attire was luxurious, reflecting his high status, decorated with rich fabrics and detailed embroidery.

Standing beside him was his son, Lokendra Deva, the crown prince and sole heir to the throne. Lokendra was a handsome young man with short black hair and a talwar (sword) hung with the crest of Gajapathis at his waist. He wore a kurta and pyjamas that highlighted his youthful nobility. His eyes were dark and deep, reminiscent of the midnight sky, and his face carried the fresh touch of youth.

A man entered the royal court, his face etched in urgency. He approached the throne, where King Pratapendra Deva and Crown Prince Lokendra Deva were seated.

"Your Majesty," the informant said, bowing slightly respectfully. "I have come with a message from the patriarch of the Shekhar family."

King Pratapendra Deva looked down from his throne with a solemn expression. "What is it?" he asked.

The informant stepped forward, producing a parchment scroll from within his robes. Carefully, he offered it to the king. The scroll was sealed with the Shekhar family's crest, a mark of importance.

King Pratapendra Deva accepted the scroll and unrolled it. He began to read the message in silence, his expression focused. The room was quiet, the only sound being the soft rustle of the parchment.

As the king read, the informant stood by with an uneasy expression, while Crown Prince Lokendra observed intently. The gravity of the situation was evident in the king's furrowed brow.

After several moments, King Pratapendra Deva finished reading the message. He refolded the scroll and shifted his gaze at the informant.

"Any particular reason to support my grandson again?" King Pratapendra Deva's voice was authoritative as he addressed the informant.

The informant, visibly relieved to have delivered his message, nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. It seems that the Nayakas have pledged their support to Prince Harsha."

"Hmm!! That's interesting," the king mused thoughtfully.

The informant continued, "Additionally, Prince Harsha has lost his memories. The Nayakas, with the assistance of the Shekhar family, are planning to install him as a puppet ruler."

Lokendra, the crown prince, interjected with a concerning look. "But, Father, can we really trust the Nayakas in this matter?"

The king responded. "The Nayakas are a powerful and influential family. Their patriarch is widely respected across the subcontinent. If they commit to a plan, they will likely follow through."

Lokendra's expression remained sceptical. "But, Father, what do we stand to gain by supporting Harsha?"

The king's eyes gleamed with greed. "What else? If we control Harsha, we essentially control the Empire. This would significantly increase our influence and power."

"But is it really enough to beat the factions of the other princes?" Lokendra asked, his expression sceptical.

The informant's lips curled into a wry grin. "Prince, we will bide our time while the others exhaust their resources. When they are depleted, we will move in to claim the prize. We just need to be cautious and discreet in our movements."

"Hmm," the king said, his brow furrowing in thought. "How do you plan to achieve that?"

The informant replied confidently, "I have heard from the patriarch that they have a plan in place. The Nayakas are drafting the strategy, and they are also recruiting lower-level noble factions to support the cause."

"I see," King Pratapendra Deva acknowledged.

"Tell the patriarch," the king continued, "that we will support the cause at our own expense."

The informant nodded with a look of satisfaction on his face. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will convey your message to the patriarch."

With that, the informant took his leave, exiting the royal court.

As the heavy doors closed behind him, Crown Prince Lokendra Deva turned to his father with a hint of doubt in his voice. "Is it really a good thing, Father? Aligning ourselves with the Nayakas and the Shekhar family—won't it stretch our resources thin?"

King Pratapendra Deva leaned back on his throne, his gaze contemplative. "It doesn't exhaust much of our resources," he said thoughtfully. "It's a gamble, certainly, but not one that will drain us. The investment is more of a money sink—a way to place ourselves advantageously in these shifting dynamics."

Lokendra looked pensive but nodded slowly. "I suppose you're right. It's a calculated risk to take if we manage to get something out of it. That's a good investment."

A satisfied smile played at the corners of the king's mouth. "Indeed. And I would relish the opportunity to see the look on that bastard Krishnadeva Raya's face if we manage to seize the throne."

Lokendra's expression hardened as he stayed silent at his father's remarks about the Emperor of Vijayanagar.

The king and Emperor go way back when the Emperor married the king's only daughter, the mother of Prince Harsha. The King had to do this to prevent his kingdom from falling. After the death of his daughter from a disease. He blamed the birth of Prince Harsha and the neglect of the Empire for her death.

Although his cowardice, knowing the strength of the Emperor, didn't allow him to take any steps for his revenge until now,.

The king's voice cut through with a steely edge. "I won't spare Krishnadeva Raya for what he has done. His schemes have caused too much suffering, and he has to pay the price. If we can bring him down and take the throne, it will be a fitting end to his bastard and justice to my daughter."