Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One-Chapter 191: Postponed meetings Part -2

Purana Qila, Prince chamber, afternoon of 9th April 1557.

After the lunch session, nobles began to gather in the prince’s chamber as visitors. The first to enter was a 54-year-old Muslim nobleman, dressed in an angarkha, a long tunic with a kurta style, paired with tight pajama-style pants. His outfit was completed with a printed coat and a Persian-style turban atop his head. He walked in with a broad smile, and at first glance, Aditya knew this man meant serious business.

With the formal greetings exchanged, Aditya gestured for him to take a seat.

The man revealed his identity, "I am Azhar Ali, cousin of Ali Barid Shah, Sultan of the Bidar Sultanate. I am here to discuss matters of mutual interest with you, Sehzade of the Samrajya."

Aditya’s expression briefly faltered at the mention of the Bidar Sultanate. However, maintaining his facade with a polite smile, he inquired, "What a pleasant surprise to receive a visitor from such distant lands. I trust your journey was comfortable?"

Azhar Ali grinned. "It was, indeed. I was already staying in Agra when your Samrat launched his sudden attack and claimed the head of Agra’s ruler. So, my journey here was quite convenient, thanks to the pigeon post."

Aditya’s smile stiffened momentarily at the mention of Agra, but Azhar Ali quickly added, "Worry not, Prince. I’m also a distant relative of Agra’s first queen and the uncle of the current king, who beheaded his own father for his misdeeds. I’m rather grateful your Samrat showed mercy and chose not to punish the entire family for the previous ruler’s foolishness."

Aditya’s smile returned, though he remained cautious. "I’m glad we share similar sentiments, messenger of Bidar. So, tell me, what does the Bidar Sultanate seek from me?"

Azhar Ali smiled, placing his hands on the table, clasping them together. "I wish to become your second client, much like the Sultanate of Ahmednagar... if the Sehzade has no objections, of course."

Aditya’s worries instantly melted away, and his smile widened in welcome. "Certainly, why would I object? Let’s discuss the details."

Azhar Ali listened carefully as Aditya laid out his strategy to counter the Dutch, focusing on weapons procurement and military training. Intrigued, Azhar expressed a keen interest in these plans.

Seeing an opening, Aditya proposed, "Messenger, as much as I would like to engage with you on the matters we’ve discussed, there’s a pre-condition. You must have heard of our peace alliance, where we sign non-aggression pacts with all existing members, along with specific trade laws applicable to all. If we are to proceed with the plan, we will need you to sign the alliance. Otherwise, it would be meaningless given the distance between our regions, as other kingdoms would need to be involved."

Azhar Ali frowned, carefully considering his response. "I understand, Sehzade, but isn’t this alliance about sharing embassies with the Samrajya and allowing your diplomats permanent residence in our courts?"

Aditya nodded. "Yes, that’s part of the condition."

Azhar Ali sighed, his expression tense. "Then, I must decline. The Sultan has specifically instructed me not to accept such terms."

Before Aditya could respond, Azhar continued, "But I have something else—something I believe the Sehzade would find mutually beneficial."

Intrigued, Aditya asked, "And what might that be?"

With a sly smile, Azhar Ali revealed his offer. "I have permission to negotiate a non-aggression treaty exclusively with the Bhargav Samrajya. We will ensure that any Bhargavian citizens within our borders will not be persecuted and will be granted diplomatic immunity, unless they challenge the throne. In the most extreme cases, they will be deported back to your region, where we expect justice under the same arrangement you have with Ahmednagar. Additionally, we will provide a secure trade route through our territories, allowing passage from Ahmednagar to Vijayanagar," he grinned ," as we are fully aware of your growing ties."

Aditya returned the smile but didn’t yield completely. "That’s a beneficial arrangement for the Samrajya, but not entirely for the Company."

Azhar Ali frowned in confusion. "So, you don’t want access to our trade channel?"

Maintaining his calm demeanor, Aditya replied, "We do want access, but we must add some conditions. We will sell arms to you, but not those of the Company, to avoid conflict with our allied members. Additionally, we won’t be training your soldiers, but we can absorb your surplus citizens as permanent Company officials, similar to our arrangement with Ahmednagar. This is the best offer I can extend within the empire’s restrictions."

Azhar Ali pondered for a moment, realizing that while the deal wasn’t perfect, he was still getting what he wanted on key terms. Finally, he agreed.

As the acting foreign minister of the Bhargav Samrajya, Aditya finalized the contract with Azhar Ali.

After Azhar departed, Aditya couldn’t shake a sense of unease. The situation was delicate, but the strategic trade channel was too important to pass up. However, there was little time to dwell on it as another visitor in mid twenties soon arrived.

This time, it was Dravya Shah, the newly crowned ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom. Though Gorkha was a small kingdom in western Nepal, Aditya understood that it would one day play a crucial role in unifying Nepal under one banner.

Aditya was curious about Dravya’s early rise to power, as the Gorkha Kingdom’s emergence was expected around 1559. He wanted to know what had driven Dravya to act ahead of that timeline.

In contrast to his descendants’ average stature, Dravya Shah was tall and lean. Aditya estimated that the man must have been at least six feet tall, a striking height for someone from the region, where most Nepalese men he’d encountered rarely surpassed five foot five.

Despite his curiosity, Aditya maintained a composed expression as he welcomed Dravya Shah into the chamber, prepared to uncover the motives behind the king’s unexpected visit.

Dravya Shah took his seat with grace. "It’s a great honor for me to meet the living legend in person, Prince Aditya. I must say, I want you to become family."

Aditya’s expression turned quizzical as the king continued, "I believe I sent a request for marriage with my sister. Since you weren’t present, I came myself to ask for it. Please, consider a marriage alliance with us."

Aditya was taken aback. He recalled that this was the same Nepali kingdom that had persistently sent marriage requests. Leaning forward, he stated, "I appreciate your praise, Majesty, but it feels awkward when you’ve already sent a request to my father, and he rejected it. Isn’t this like an invitation for my would-be mother, had my father accepted the proposal?"

Dravya found himself caught in a web of words, unable to counter Aditya’s logic. He had hoped to flatter the prince and forge a connection, but the situation was becoming increasingly complicated.

Composing himself, Dravya added, "It was indeed a mistake on my part. Being in the hilly region, we receive very little information about the mainland. I was unaware that the emperor had a hidden gem like you, Prince Aditya. Isn’t it right to forget past mistakes if they can be corrected? I assure you, you won’t be disappointed with my sister. She is incredibly beautiful, and through her, we can form a strong marriage alliance."

Aditya came to the point. "If it’s an alliance you seek, why go through the trouble of marriage? We could establish a peace alliance , or if you prefer, you could merge with our empire."

Dravya looked desperate, searching for answers yet feeling hesitant. Aditya didn’t sense any suspicion; after all, it was expected for a king from a remote, hilly region to seek a marriage alliance, but what lay behind this request?

Dravya tried once more, "It’s not that I don’t want to be allied with you, but there are matters that need to be assured. There is danger looming over my sister, and I want her to be in capable hands. The legends of your empire have reached us, and I am certain she would be safe with you. I earnestly plea with you, Prince Aditya, not as a king but as a brother: please take her, even if it means she becomes a concubine."

Aditya’s expression turned serious as he straightened up. "That is a bold statement, Majesty. Since you trust me enough to offer her protection, wouldn’t it be prudent to reveal the true nature of the danger?"

Dravya let out a heavy sigh as he recounted his past. "Just a year ago, I was the youngest prince of Lamjung in western Nepal. A prince from the northern border region of the Kumaon Kingdom came to our kingdom on diplomatic matters. He set his sights on my sister, who was only seventeen at the time, and demanded her hand in marriage. My father politely postponed the proposal, which the prince initially accepted.

However, that night, as a guest in our home, he attempted to assault her. In a moment of desperation, I killed him to protect my sister. The Kumaon Kingdom sought revenge for his death.

To ease the tensions, my father banished me, hoping to mend ties. Forced to move east, I found myself unexpectedly rising to power after winning a duel against the local nobility. I began establishing my own settlement, gradually uniting the eastern regions under the Gorkha Kingdom.

It was during this journey that I reunited with my sister, who had been in refuge. She revealed that the Kumaon Kingdom had invaded our lands after my father’s banishment. He fought valiantly to protect her but ultimately perished during the siege while sending her to me through secret tunnel.

I understand that the prince’s death in Kumaon is only a part of a larger conflict. This new alliance poses a threat to neighboring kingdoms, but since we are clear enemies, my best hope for saving our lineage lies in securing a marriage alliance with you and my sister. Right now she is with me as royal guest."

Aditya considered Dravya’s request, finding it reasonable, yet he was uncomfortable with the idea of taking someone as a concubine. He proposed, "Your Majesty, I don’t believe in forced marriages. Your sister deserves to live her own life. Instead, I suggest that you join us in a merger and become a member kingdom of our empire. In this way, you could appoint her as an ambassador here. Not only would we ensure the safety of your sister legally, but we would also protect all the people in your kingdom. With our soldiers residing in your region, no one would dare threaten your kingdom."

Dravya was taken aback, shocked to hear, "Merger? With a small hilly kingdom like ours? Do you really not want anything in return?"

Aditya chuckled, anticipating the king’s skepticism. Regions like Dravya’s were often considered useless, given the harsh living conditions and scarcity of fertile lands, leading even plain-dwelling kingdoms to avoid them. Yet, he knew their strategic importance. He reassured him, "You have no idea, great King of the Gorkhas, how crucial your area is. Your merger would be highly beneficial."

Feeling immensely grateful, Dravya’s chest lightened, and he earnestly pleaded for at least a brief visit with his sister, which Aditya found difficult to deny. Soon, they formalized their agreement for the merger, and Dravya was escorted to the Prime Minister’s chamber for further protocols and arrangements.

Afterward, delegates from other parts of the Indian subcontinent arrived to discuss marriage and business matters, but nothing particularly noteworthy emerged. However, as Aditya prepared to leave for his chamber at dusk, his butler, Hari Singh, interrupted him with an urgent message.

"Your Highness, a few scholars wish to meet with you," he said.

Exhausted, Aditya waved dismissively. "Give them a date for next week; I’m very busy right now."

But he halted mid-way when Hari Singh added, "But Your Highness, they claim their concerns are related to Nalanda."