"Well…" Hamsa murmured, his voice low but steady, "that is more or less what I anticipated."
He raised his eyes to meet his father's, his expression composed, almost unreadable.
"So how, precisely, am I to inherit the Ranga throne?" he asked. "You cannot disown me. And my mother renounced her claim when she married you. Am I to secure it through marriage?"
Though his tone remained respectful, there was clarity in it — a quiet insistence.
His thoughts had already begun aligning themselves.
Given the long and complicated history between the two houses, it was unlikely that either side had embraced my mother's marriage without resistance. A compromise must have been reached. My mother, Savithri would renounce her claim to appease the Rangas. In return, assurances would be given to the Valangars that her son — ME — would one day inherit Ranga.
What neither side may have fully accounted for was that I would stand to inherit both crowns.
The Raja held his gaze for a moment before responding.
"Well, Hamsa, the exact manner of your marriage has not yet been determined."
Hamsa nearly choked on the water he had been drinking and set the cup down more forcefully than intended. As he did not expect that.
"My apologies."
The Raja continued, unperturbed.
"Your late mother, Savithri, was the only child of Raja Vijayadeva Varman. When she renounced her claim, your grandfather was left without a direct heir. Since then, factions within Ranga have begun positioning themselves. The matter is delicate."
He allowed the statement to settle before continuing.
"When your grandfather last visited, he came with a specific purpose — to see you. After observing your growth and your awakening, he proposed a resolution. A marriage between you and your late grand-uncle's granddaughter."
Hamsa remained silent, listening.
"We know little about the girl," the Raja added. "Only that she is two years younger than you."
"I see," Hamsa replied, his tone even.
Silence stretched between them. Then—
"Father, if I may." Hamsa asked.
The Raja shifted slightly, bracing himself for what ever his son would say.
"What is it now?"
"I wish to attend court," Hamsa said. "Even if not formally as Yuvraj. Allow me to sit as a listener."
The Raja exhaled and pressed a hand briefly to his face.
"You will not abandon this request, no matter what I say, will you?"
A faint smile touched Hamsa's lips.
"You would be correct in that assessment, Father."
___________________
Royal Gardens.
In the serene embrace of the Royal Gardens, Hasma lounged on a chair, basking in the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. A glass of sweet, tangy juice rested in his hand, and a grin stretched across his face.
Adi's voice cut through the quiet claim air.I see that grin on your face, and I know something is brewing. What is it that has you so pleased kid?
Hasma took another sip before responding.
You know exactly why I am smiling. I am finally stepping into the court. This is my launchpad. I have legislation I have been wanting to push through.
Adi seated on a sofa, in the familiar empty white room, leaned forward slightly.
Explain kid?
You will know when the time is right. For now, I need to organize my thoughts and gather the necessary men and material. Though in short, I am planning to transform our Agricultural Tax base into something stronger. I want to turn it into a Monetary Tax base. To get to that I first need major financial and statistical reform.
Adi did not let the matter drop.I want a clearer explanation, kid.
Well in simple, I want to collect taxes in actual currency and not agricultural output.
Adi was confused and pressed for a more proper explanation.
As Hasma gathered his thoughts for such, several servants approached. Gopal was among them.
Gopal bowed slightly. "Greetings, Rajkumar. I hope and pray for your continued health—"
Hasma cut him off. "I have said this many times now. Skip the formalities. Most others have understood that by now."
"I ask for your forgiveness, Rajkumar," Gopal replied calmly. "How may I be of service today?"
"How are the orphanages progressing? It has been over three months. I expect measurable results." Hamsa asked as he sipped some juice.
Gopal took a deep breath before answering.
"Most matters are on track, Rajkumar. The smaller houses complied quickly and even offered subsidies. The larger houses have been slower. Though the funds you provided are covering their share for now. As for the numbers. We currently have over 2,000 children. Around 1,000 are teenagers, and approximately 200 show promise in mana. And they are being consolidated in one location as we speak."
"Where are they being relocated?" Hamsa asked.
"To a lord named Hanum, about forty Yojanas from Taxila. He was the closest to Taxila within your faction willing to cooperate."
"Good. Continue as previously directed. And as for the next task, I need Eastern Paper. And if possible, I also want information on its production methods." Hamsa said as he moved on from the juice to fruits.
"Rajkumar, acquiring the paper may be possible. But obtaining the production methods will be considerably more difficult and with our current state, its impossible."
"The production process is secondary. Secure the paper first."
"Yes, Rajkumar. Is there anything else?"
Before Hasma could respond, a commotion erupted nearby. Servants ran through the garden. Moments later, Chotu, the tiger cub, bounded forward and leapt into Hasma's lap, clinging to his shoulder.
Hasma steadied the cub and smiled.
"Did you miss me buddy."
Chotu let out a soft sound while Hasma rubbed his fur briefly before setting him down.
When the servants finally caught up, visibly anxious. They were dismissed without issue.
"There is no issue. Return to your duties." Hamsa ordered without removing his gaze from the cub.
The servants dispersed. Afterwards—
"There is nothing more for now you can return. But don't forget to provide reports bi-weekly reports and monthly summaries."
"As you wish, Rajkumar. I shall take my leave."
Hasma waved him off, the rest of the day open before him as he considered the reforms he intended to implement. And spend some time with Chotu.
----
As Gopal and Hamsa continued their discussion, Otanes entered the gardens.
He had risen early, seeking fresh air before the day began in earnest, as he and Garuda had agreed to meet each day until Otanes returned to Parthian, but Garuda would arrive later, as he visited the temple every morning without fail.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Otanes walked along the stone path, his thoughts steady and deliberate.
I came here to rest, yes, but that is not the true reason. I need to assess the man who is to marry my sister.
The situation at home deteriorates with each passing day.
The desert tribes are growing increasingly bold, pushing deeper into our territory. At the same time, a new power in the far west is disrupting established land trade routes.
The Royal Treasury has suffered significant losses as a result.
Raising taxes is not an option. Father has made that position clear. The nobles are already resistant, and the merchant class is under strain.
Valangar faces economic pressure as well, yet their military strength surpasses ours. If they were ever to consider invasion, we would struggle to respond effectively. That is the reality we face right now.
As such my sister had little room to refuse this marriage. Though some members of the court argued that keeping her within the Empire would provide long-term benefits. I understand their reasoning. Under different circumstances, I might have been named Shah, and she could have served as the first female Grand Vizier or at the least be the Head Adviser to the court.
She even began attending court sessions this past year as an observer. It did not take long for her to involve herself in debates. That is consistent with her character.
Then—
A sudden disturbance interrupted his thoughts. Otanes stopped and turned toward the source of the noise. Servants were moving quickly through the gardens. Without haste, he redirected his path toward the commotion.
As he approached, his thoughts resumed.
Regardless of personal opinion, she will marry into the Valangar Kingdom. She gave her consent, but the decision was shaped by necessity. The alternative was continued instability along our eastern frontier and gradual decline.
Even if I cannot alter the broader political outcome, I can at least evaluate the man she is expected to marry. And establishing a stable relationship with him may allow me to support her in the future.
As for this—
I met Garuda, the Second Rajkumar, yesterday. He matches the reports. We share similarities, having grown up alongside exceptionally capable elder siblings. That common ground made conversation easy. We even agreed to meet again.
His elder brother, Rajkumar Hamsadeva Verman, is more difficult to assess. As I have yet to meet him personally.
He is the youngest individual recorded to have developed a mana circuit. Accounts of him vary.
At the temple, I heard consistent praise regarding his intelligence and discipline.
Though within the palace, the accounts are different. The servants describe him as quiet and reserved. New staff find him intimidating. The senior servants state that he has always been this way and that they neither question nor fear him.
The Grand Vizier believes Hamsadeva Verman is the likely successor to the throne. If that proves accurate, he will also be the one to marry my sister.
So even if I cannot change the outcome, I must meet him personally and form my own judgment of his character and if possible befriend him in the process.
Thoughts flowed through Otanes's mind like a river, swirling and eddying as he approached his meeting with Hamsa. He passed weary servants—faces etched with fatigue—and caught snippets of hushed conversations among another group. For a fleeting moment, he toyed with the idea of veering off, perhaps taking a stroll elsewhere. But Garuda's arrival was still a while away. Retreating now seemed pointless.
So, he pressed on.
Ahead, a young man lounged in a chair, exuding an air of entitlement. The way he was dressed—along with the servants who had come from his direction said he was someone of status.
As Otanes drew nearer, he noticed the boy's cropped hair and the tiny tiger cub nestled in his lap, its soft fur being absentmindedly stroked like a cherished toy.
Hamsa's gaze flicked to him.
Who's this kid? he wondered, a hint of curiosity sparking within.
How would I know? I'm not the palace manager, Adi shot back, a touch of sarcasm lacing his thoughts.
Fair enough... Hamsa shrugged.
Then Hamsa stood, lifting Chotu—his little companion—into his arms as he approached with a calm demeanor.
"Who are you?" Hamsa's voice was steady, devoid of any frills and cold.
Otanes hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing on him. "I am Kavad, son of the Grand Vizier of the Parthian Empire."
"Ah, I see. I am Rajkumar Hamsadeva Varman, first Rajkumar of Valangar," Hamsa replied, his tone smooth. "If I've been rude in any way, I apologize."
"No offense taken, Your Highness. I am just an illegitimate son of the Grand Vizier," Otanes said, inclining his head slightly.
"No need for that formality. This isn't a court," Hamsa gestured to the table beside him, laden with fruit and juice. "The servants brought more than I need. Join me."
"It would be my honor," Otanes replied, settling in.
They sat, and Hamsa placed Chotu down—only for the cub to leap back into his lap, curling up like a fluffy ball of mischief as he dozed off.
"Forgive him. He's persistent," Hamsa said, almost apologetically.
Pouring two cups of juice, he handed one to Otanes. "Tell me about yourself, Kavad."
The conversation unfolded like a carefully woven tapestry. Yet, Otanes in hindsight sensed that Hamsa's questions were not casual—they were methodical. Trade routes, military strength, agricultural output, administrative structure... each inquiry flowed seamlessly into the next.
It felt more like an interrogation than a chat. Though he asked nothing that he deemed too risky to ask.
Before he knew it, Otanes was spilling details, realizing too late how much he had revealed.
Just then, Garuda strolled into the gardens.
"Ota—" He halted abruptly, spotting his elder brother. "Good morning, elder brother. Hope you're well."
"I'm well enough," Hamsa replied, his voice steady. "My mana hasn't stabilized, so training's on hold. Do you and Kavad know each other? I felt you came here looking for someone."
Garuda hesitated, the name lingering in the air, then regained his composure. "Yes. We know each other and planned to explore the capital today. Though we can postpone if you want to keep talking."
"No need. You should go. If you need funds, take what you need from my chambers," Hamsa said, adjusting Chotu in his arms. "I'll be in the baths."
With that, he turned and left, disappearing from view.
Once he was gone, Otanes let out a quiet breath. "Rajkumar Hamsa is… unusual."
Garuda nodded slightly. "Spend enough time around him, and it becomes normal. But what did you discuss?"
"He started off with personal enquiries, but soon probed about the Parthian Empire—trade, administration, military readiness. It felt less like a conversation and more like an examination. I can't tell if he's benevolent or calculating, with the way he went about it all."
"As his brother, I can assure you he's kind," Garuda replied thoughtfully. "But he often thinks several moves ahead. It's like he's playing a game of Shatranj."
They began walking toward the palace gates.
Otanes fell silent.
I can't read him. He's just a kid—barely ten, like my sister—but he carries himself with such poise. First, he established dominance with his directness, then eased the tension. He waited until I felt comfortable before steering the conversation into serious territory. The structure was simple yet deliberate and well executed like he had done this over and over, countless times.
It didn't feel coincidental.
Should I trust him or not?
That uncertainty gnawed at him, a persistent itch in the back of his mind.