It had been two days since Raja Chandra Verma had opened his eyes. Vaidji had assured Aditya that his father was doing well and would be up anytime soon. Aditya spent his nights in his father's chambers waiting for his father to wake up. His days were spent in training his army for the battle that was yet to come. Aditya had begun losing his patience waiting in silence, feeling helpless about not being able to defend his Kingdom, seeing his father's condition. He had thoroughly investigated the attack and found out that these men had come from the secret passages that connected the palace with the river and forests. These routes were only known to the royals and no one else was even aware of them.
Aditya was utterly confused to figure out who the traitor was. No one, no one knew about this except he, his father and Ranvijay. He knew Ranvijay's loyalty was with the King and Kingdom and he knew that his dad would never be so foolish to let the secrets slip away. But one other person remained who knew about everything.
Maheshwar.
Aditya wanted to chide his mind for even harboring such thoughts. Maheshwar was his best friend. He didn't have any kingdom or an ulterior motto about his visit. Even their first encounter in the forest felt purely coincidental to Aditya. His warning, his trust, saving his life, everything felt natural to him. Nothing felt suspicious. Even though Maheshwar was secretive about his life, Aditya knew that he was not faking anything. Maheshwar could not be Harshavardhan's son. He didn't possess any qualities of a prince and easily adjusted to a lifestyle that was simple and small. Maheshwar never asked him about anything, neither his kingdom nor his history. He only listened to whatever he ranted and gave him advice only when he was in a dilemma. Nothing about Maheshwar looked like a pretense or he was a master at masking himself.
Aditya quickly sent out his soldiers to secretly enquire about him. His study at the gurukul, his parents, his life, his family everything. Guilt gnawed at Aditya for suspecting his friend, but all that mattered right now was his father and his Kingdom. If Maheshwar was not guilty then Aditya would ask him for forgiveness, even if it would take him his entire lifetime. But if he was guilty then,.......
Aditya didn't know what he would do. He prayed hard that his thoughts and actions were wrong. Maheshwar would be innocent and would have no part to play in this entire fiasco.
While his soldiers were away at his orders and he, lost in these thoughts, the news of his father being awake lifted his spirits. Aditya rushed to his father's chambers and a pleasant smile broke out on his face seeing his father awake and alive. Only he knew how the past 48 hours had been to him. Walking up to his father, Aditya sat beside him and hugged him tightly making his father chuckle.
"I am fine beta. You worry too much about this man." His father joked, but Aditya only tightened his arms. "I anyway have another 20 more years to live. I have to become a grandfather to be old right, so I cannot give up on earth so easily." Aditya pulled away from him and frowned at him. His father was getting adamant about his marriage and dropping such not so subtle hints and dialogues along.
"Father, I don't want to get married." He said, unable to meet his father's eyes that would only be filled with disappointment. His father smiled softly at him and lifted his chin and made Aditya face him.
"Who is she? Should I ask for her hand in marriage?" He asked, making Aditya's eyes widen in surprise. Seeing his amused reaction, he chuckled. "I am your father Adi. I was the same when I married your mom, troubled for her, so I know how it feels." He teased. "If she is worth everything, let's go ahead and talk to her about this relationship. Else let's leave things here. But getting married will benefit you in the long run. Personally. I lost a partner, Adi so I know how it feels to be alone all the time. I know you are here to irritate me, but a wife holds a very special position. Do think about it." Aditya nodded, taking in his father's advice. He knew his father was right but he was helpless regarding the situation with Meena. She was stubborn for her own good and was hell bent on not admitting their love or relationship.
"Why are you in your armor?" His father broke his chain of thoughts. Aditya looked at his father, then at his clothes and then at him again.
"We are preparing for war dad. I was waiting for you to wake up so that I could inform you. We shall be attacking Vidhyanagara by dawn." Aditya informed him and rose to leave the chambers.
"War? Why?" His father asked.
"The attack was planned by them. Few of the hundred men who attacked us opened their mouths upon gentle pleading. They took the name of the king. Raja Harshavardhan. We have waited enough. It would be foolish of us to not fight back, at least like warriors, unlike them who decided to be cowards." His words led his father to be lost in deep thoughts, confusing Aditya.
"Dad, what's wrong?" Aditya asked.
"It cannot be Harshavardhan."
"How are you so sure?" Aditya could barely keep his temper in check. His father was injured, nearly killed and his dad was defending that coward.
"I know him well. He wouldn't do this at all."
"Well. I don't think so."
"Why?" Aditya's tone was borderly respectful, but he tried his best not to let it get to him.
"Because, he was once my best friend, not the sworn enemy he is now."
**********
Cliffhanger.
Stay tuned. Next chapter shall bridge the gap.
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