Aditya was surprised by the turn of events that followed that day. He had received a letter from Raja Harshavardhan as the King of Vidhyanagara and as the father of his daughter, requesting for an alliance between the kingdoms. He had mentioned that his kingdom was in danger and the only way to strengthen the kingdom would be through a political alliance as no other options seemed feasible. He also wanted to put behind the enmity and join hands to bring peace and harmony like the early days between the kingdoms. Aditya was quite skeptical with the letter and went to his father to ask for his suggestion.
"I don't know what he wants now, father. A marriage, out of nowhere?" He asked, frustrated with the happening around him.
Meenakshi filled his thoughts day and night while the toll of administration took his energy and efforts. Aditya was keenly working on developing and improving security of his kingdom, fortifying the palace and the borders, increasing security checks, hiring more personnel into the military and the army, working on political aspects and trying to lead a fair life as a king. A marriage was the last thing on his head.
"I think it's a fair deal, Aditya. For him it could be political, but for me, for us, it could be a chance of redemption. Imagine a woman, a girl coming into our lives, she would be the Lakshmi of our home. She could bring the happiness and warmth we need Aditya. And maybe this time, we can take care of a girl from their family properly, the way she deserves." Aditya knew that his father was thinking about his first love, Chitra.
(Lakshmi : Goddess of wealth. Women are generally considered to bring wealth, peace and prosperity into the family.)
"Father, you are not at fault for what happened to Chitra aunty. You were trying your best to avoid everyone the pain and things happened unknowingly papa. You never asked her to take her life on her own will and no one is responsible but herself. If it pleases you and puts you at ease, then I shall agree to this alliance father. But I shall have my own conditions for this marriage." Aditya said, holding his father's palms in his own. Regret was evident on his father's face and he would do anything to lessen the guilt his father carried over years. Aditya loved his father to no end and if marrying Raja Harshavardhan's daughter would bring him peace and happiness, then he would gladly agree.
"Marriage is something that is very sacred, son, I don't want you to do something you don't want to. I know that you are in love with someone and I recently heard some tales of your adventures near the Sindhi river. If your heart beats for her, then go to her. Don't spoil your life and another innocent life, son." Aditya was surprised to know that his father was aware of his secret meetings with Meena by the river. Seeing his shocked face, Aditya's dad laughed. Patience his son's face like a kid, he spoke again, "I am your father, son, I know you well. I used to pine the same way when I was away from your mother. After all, you are my son too."
"Father, I shall be agreeing to this alliance. And about my love, I don't think we have any chance, father. She doesn't want me and doesn't want to fight for me, fight for us. It shall be of no use waiting for her." Aditya walked out of his father's chambers before he could convince him of something else.
Aditya wrote a letter addressing his consent for the marriage as well as the terms and conditions for him to agree to this.
He had retired to his chamber after a long day of meetings and discussions on his kingdom and people. A knock resounded on his door and a guard informed that his informers were at the doorstep. Aditya guided them to his study asking them to speak up about their findings. They were sent by Aditya to find out more about Maheshwar after the attacks had happened.
"Sir, we tried our best to find out everything about Maheshwar, but it seems that there's a lot of mystery surrounding him sir." One of the four soldiers spoke. Aditya furrowed his brows in confusion as he heard him.
"What does that mean? I clearly gave you all the details." Aditya was pissed now.
"Sir, Maheshwar was spotted in that region of the village during his schooling at Guru Dandapani sir. He was a relative of the Guru and was there for a short span for training. He lived separately and led a very secretive life. We tried to find something from the boys who studied with him, but even they know very little about Maheshwar. The address where you send the letters is a small temple near the gurukul and the letters reach the students or people through the sage. We tried to ask the sage about Maheshwar, but he had clearly denied answering personal questions saying that it's important for him to preserve the identity of his students, else their lives could be in danger."
"We also couldn't find anything about his family sir." Another guard spoke up, adding to his companion. "There are a couple of tribes in the forest and they speak a quite different language sir. We tried our best asking about Maheshwar, but I think that conversation was of no use sir. Some people have seen him in the forests and in the villages occasionally, but nothing else sir." Aditya quietly processed this information. All of this information was too hard to digest. It began to affect Aditya in a way he could never understand.
"Also sir," Aditya looked at him, wondering what else was left to hear. "The hut you mentioned sir, was also very minimalistic sir. I don't think anyone could survive there for days. A couple of clothes, hardly a few utensils, some books and weapons were the only things we found sir. Either Maheshwar really lived a very simple life or that hut was just a façade sir." Aditya nodded and rewarded them with a pouch full of gold coins and sent them away. The feeling of betrayal crept in, seeping like a monster clawing his insides as he proceeded whatever he heard. He recalled the moments spent with Maheshwar and wondered if any of those were fake. He couldn't help but berate himself for being foolish and naïve about making friends and trusting people. He wondered if their friendship was real, or if anything they shared was real.
Aditya had implemented a lot of strategies and policies based on Maheshwar's advice. Now he wondered if that was why it was easy for the intruders to sneak in so easily. Maheshwar could have guided them easily after all, he had a great influence on his own kingdom. Aditya decided to test the waters one more time and send a letter tomorrow, requesting Maheshwar to meet him urgently.
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Oh no, Maheshwar.
Aditya is betrayed? What's happening here?
Team Aditya or Team Maheshwar?