Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Shekhar's family had remained neutral since the tragic death of the youngest prince's mother. They had been discreetly supported by the King of Gajapathy, who was the father of Harsha's mother. However, after her death, the king's support waned.

He blamed the birth of Harsha for his daughter's health decline and subsequent passing, viewing Harsha as a bad omen and withdrawing his support after her death.

Venkat stopped his pacing and turned towards his aide, who stood at the edge of the garden, waiting for instructions.

"When are the Nayakas arriving?" Venkat inquired, his voice tinged with impatience.

The aide, holding a stack of papers and looking slightly flustered, replied, "They should be reaching soon, my lord."

"And who is leading the delegation?" Venkat asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he awaited the answer.

"Bhima Nayaka, the son of the patriarch," the aide answered.

Venkat nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Have you sent a message to the Gajapathis?"

"Yes, my lord. The message has been dispatched," the aide confirmed.

Bhima Nayaka was travelling under the guise of a routine diplomatic visit; his mission was far more critical than mere ceremonial appearances. His goal was to secure the support of the influential Shekhar noble family. The Shekhars wielded considerable influence; their power was largely derived from their close ties with the Gajapathis.

The Emperor had chosen to ignore their sway, believing the Gajapathy king's cowardice would prevent him from challenging his rule.

As Bhima approached the Shekhar mansion, he recalled the specific instructions given to him by the prince. The prince's words were clear and to the point:

"Unlike the Patwardhans, the Shekhars are merely a tool to be used and discarded. Approach them with that mindset."

Bhima had questioned the prince's directive. "Why, Your Highness?"

The prince's response had been revealing: "A person who betrays his own kingdom for power will do it again. Simple as that."

With that understanding, Bhima adjusted his strategy. He knew that securing the Shekhar family's support required a delicate touch. Still, he had been instructed to keep in mind their potential for betrayal. This meant offering just enough to gain their favour while preparing to sever ties as soon as their utility was exhausted.

Arriving at the Shekhar mansion, Bhima was greeted by a meticulously dressed servant, who guided him through the halls to the meeting room.

Venkat Shekhar, the head of the Shekhar family, awaited him in the meeting room. He stood beside a large wooden table set with an assortment of refreshments. His posture was formal, and his face was serious as he extended a courteous welcome.

"Lord Bhima, it is an honour to meet you," Venkat said.

Bhima's demeanor is polite. "Thank you, Lord Shekhar. The honor is mine."

As they settled into their seats, the servants discreetly left the room, leaving Bhima and Venkat alone for their discussion. Bhima's mind was focused on the prince's strategy, determined to navigate the negotiation carefully.

"So, Lord Bhima, what brings you to our family's doorstep?" Venkat inquired, his gaze steady as he awaited Bhima's response.

Bhima leaned forward slightly. "You may have heard about the recent developments with the fight for the throne."

Venkat nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Indeed. We, as the neutral faction, find ourselves in a precarious position, don't we?"

Bhima gave a knowing smile. "Ah, that's true."

Venkat chuckled and added with a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "But doesn't that apply more to the Nayakas, who are so formidable that none of the other factions dare to challenge you guys?"

Bhima's smile remained, though his eyes were serious. "We do value our allies in the neutral faction, despite our position."

Venkat raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Is that so, Lord Bhima?"

"Absolutely," Bhima replied. "Our commitment to maintaining strong alliances is unwavering."

"So, what is the plan?" Venkat asked, leaning forward slightly.

Bhima took a deep breath before responding. "The plan is to support the youngest prince once again."

Venkat's eyes widened in surprise. "Hoo! Have you decided to side with the youngest prince? Why not the third prince?"

Bhima shook his head slightly. "The third prince has aligned himself with the second prince. If we support him for the throne, we risk becoming entangled in their conflict. Instead, if we back the youngest prince, we can position ourselves to take advantage of the situation once the other factions are exhausted."

Venkat frowned, considering Bhima's words. "So, you believe that supporting the youngest prince will allow us to step in and take control when the time is right?"

"Exactly," Bhima confirmed. "By backing the youngest prince, we position ourselves to seize the opportunity once the other factions are weakened by their own battles."

"But won't the youngest prince become a mere puppet under your control?" Venkat asked, his tone skeptical.

"Of course," Bhima said with a slight shrug. "The youngest prince's influence in the Empire's politics is minimal. His role will be largely symbolic, allowing us to maneuver and control the situation from behind the scenes."

Venkat, mulling over the strategy Bhima had presented. "I see. It's quite a bold plan."

Bhima leaned in slightly. "Lord Venkat, think about it. You can also achieve your long-held dream of securing a council seat."

Venkat stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. Let me think it over."

Bhima's smile didn't waver. "Are you worried about the possibility of failure?"

Venkat's brow furrowed as he admitted, "Yes, I have some concerns."

Bhima laughed lightly. "AHAHA, there's no need to worry, Lord Venkat. If you request the support of the Gajapathis, we are certain to succeed. My father's skills are only matched by the Emperor's."

As Bhima spoke, Venkat's eyes began to sparkle with intrigue. His ambition and hunger for power were well known, and the prospect of gaining significant influence was clearly enticing.

With a broad grin, Venkat extended his hand. "Alright then, we will lend our support to the Prince."

Bhima took Venkat's hand in a firm handshake. "Excellent. We appreciate your support."