Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

In the capital city of the Marathas, the preparations were underway for the coronation ceremony. The capital was being decorated for the ceremony. The streets were filled with workers, repairing and preparing the place for the ceremony. They wanted to ensure that the capital looked pretty and confident when the foreign delegations visited the ceremony.

The guards patrolled the city extensively to ensure there were no unnecessary intruders in the capital city. There would be delegates and high-level individuals attending the ceremony.

Read exclusive adventures at empire

The Emperor of Vijayanagara would be visiting the capital as well. So the security was the top priority. The patrols and some army members were deployed in the city and around all the surrounding cities and villages connecting to Karnavati.

It would ensure quick reinforcement to the capital in case of a major mishap during the ceremony.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Meanwhile, Aadarsh was in his study room, finishing up the final documents of the day with Naveen. The palace was also undergoing a renovation for the ceremony. The floor was old; it was being redone and the garden was beautified along with the other things in the palace.

Every nook and cranny of the Palace was being cleaned.

The head priest of the Karnavati's Shiva temple came to Aadarsh to decide the date for the ceremony a few moments ago and confirmed it.

The preparations in the temple were also underway with a purification ceremony, charity works, and other things during the coronation.

"How are the preparations going on?" Aadarsh asked, his gaze focused on the work at hand.

"It's going well. Thankfully we have recouped some funds for the ceremony." He sighed.

"What about the recruitment?"

"It's all fine, Your Highness. We have finished a lot of phases; the training is underway." He exclaimed. "In a few months, we will be back to our original strength."

"That's good to hear." Aadarsh glanced up.

The major city recruitment process for the new soldiers was completed and the numbers in the Maratha army were replenished quickly thanks to the recent tales of Shivaji's reaching a wide audience. It created a sense of patriotism in their minds.

Inspired by Shivaji's heroic acts in the capital, many youths were enrolling for the army recruitment.

"Now, the coronation ceremony."

"We are currently preparing items for the charity, Your Highness." Naveen replied, going through his notes with a tired look.

Naveen was also working day and night to make the ceremony a success. Dark bags were under his eyes.

"Your Highness," Naveen said with a raised eyebrow. "Why have you been stalling the marriage proposal?"

"Um…" Aadarsh quickly turned to his documents, pretending to be busy with work.

"We need you to get married, Your Highness. This is not a joke." He said urgently.

"An heir is necessary for the throne."

"I understand, Naveen."

Aadarsh understood the importance of an heir. He wanted to avoid the nobles vying for power and destroy the kingdom in case of his untimely death. He couldn't fault Naveen for looking long term for the kingdom's prosperity.

"Let's discuss this after the coronation ceremony." He smiled reluctantly.

"This time, please consider it properly." Naveen sighed. "We can't afford to waste time."

"I understand."

"How is the situation with the roads?" He asked.

"It's going well, thanks to those supervisors. It's going smoother than I imagine." Naveen said confidently.

"I never expected them to be precise and that proper about their work, Your Highness."

Naveen watched their work for a brief period of time. Their efficiency was unlike anything he had seen before. They efficiently managed the workers and assigned roles and ensured that every worker was doing it properly.

They were trained to give breaks in the middle to keep the efficiency up. He noticed that the supervisors paid their workers a bit extra than the usual rate of work. It kept them motivated and loyal to the project.

These were unknown things to Naveen. The supervisors motivated the workers, treating them right. The work rate just shot up quickly. Naveen took notes about this and slowly began to implement it in the palace.

It was the right way and the work rate just improved overall.

He just got a glimpse of the power that the Empire really held. They were way behind the Empire.

"Is that so?" Aadarsh asked. "Are they that good?"

"They are excellent, Your Highness." Naveen exclaimed. "I have implemented some of their methods into our workforce."

"Ok, now what about the invitations? Should we start sending them to the others?" Aadarsh asked curiously.

"Yes, yes. The emperor said he would be visiting the coronation personally. We must ensure the best security for him at least."

"I know."

"I will personally write invitations for the Yadava queen and the emperor."

"Will the Queen come?" Naveen asked with a tinge of doubt.

"She might," Aadarsh shrugged. "I will mention that the Emperor will also be coming."

"Yes, but what about the others? Your Highness."

"Extend invitations to all the nobles and the Amir Sultanate and the Dutch as well."

Naveen noted it down. "Anyone else?" he thought out loud.

"Not that I know of," he claimed.

"The Dutch, I will send them a good letter." Naveen said. "They will be inclined to visit the ceremony to show their strength and relation with us to the Portuguese.

"Hmm…just as expected." Aadarsh smiled.

Everything was in place for the coronation ceremony. Aadarsh took his time to draft the letter for both the Emperor and the Queen of the Yadavas.

He handed it to Naveen swiftly. The letter would be rewritten and beautified by a scribe into an elegant scroll and sent to the Empire and Yadavas.

Naveen took the letter and nodded.

"I shall go and prepare the invitations as soon as possible." He left with a curt bow.

Aadarsh looked out of the window towards the Royal Garden; everyone was preparing for the ceremony. The kingdom was safe for now. Aadarsh didn't know the future; he wanted to keep his father's legacy alive.

He looked up at the sky with a sad expression, remembering his father's face.

'Father, please guide me through this perilous path.'