Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Harsha was close to the capital of the Marathas. He and his little army were given easy access to enter the kingdom as they were now allies. He could see the atmosphere in the neighboring cities and towns of the upcoming coronation ceremony.

It seemed like a huge celebratory atmosphere as they made their way. Isabel and Maria looked out of the carriage window at the huge walled city approaching in the distance.

During the travel, Isabel and Maria were spending their time visiting places, cities in the Empire and the Maratha kingdom. As part of their agreement, Harsha allowed them to visit the places under his supervision while he got someone to relieve his boredom.

He also learned a bit about the Spanish noble circles, their lifestyle, and Isabel's life. They were apparently stranded for 2 months in Goa due to ship trouble.

"The atmosphere is way different from back home." Isabel exclaimed.

"Is it?" asked Harsha.

"Yes…" Isabel turned to him with a pout. "Are all the coronations like this?"

"Usually, I guess." Harsha glanced out of the window. "Mine was a lot bigger than these."

"A lot bigger?" Isabel looked curious. "Tell me more."

"Well, it was done under the father's discretion, so it was bound to be flashy." Harsha said and began explaining his own coronation ceremony to the curious duo of Isabel and Maria.

Maria was just as curious as Isabel but she was shy so she never expressed her feelings to the strangers and distant people. As she got used to Harsha's demeanour, her curiosity showed underneath her shy behaviour. She would eagerly listen to his stories.

"Wow…You must have spent a lot of money." Isabel exclaimed with a gasp. "Also so much charity work,"

"Well, it's the way here; the king is the father of the nation and he must provide for his children."

"Oh…. So are you married or planning to get married to give your Empire a mother?" Isabel asked with a giggle.

"I am not married and probably sooner or later, I have to get married since I have to mate and create offspring for the Empire." He replied with a serious expression.

"Mate??" Isabel blushed, imagining. "What a vulgar thing to say to a lady!"

"Vulgar? It's human nature." Harsha looked puzzled. "It's not wrong to want to mate with the right person to strengthen your lineage."

"Stop." Isabel yelled with a red face.

'Is he crazy, damn it.'

Taking a deep breath, Isabel turned back to him. "Are you sure they will let us into the ceremony?"

"We can leave if it's a burden."

"I am sure they would allow you in," Harsha shrugged nonchalantly.

"Won't it cause issues for you to be seen with a foreign woman in your ally's coronation ceremony?" She asked nervously.

"Why?" Harsha tilted his head in confusion. "Hm...issues? Probably none I can handle."

'Is he still not getting it?' She sighed. 'Leave it,'

Isabel played with her hair, occasionally stealing glances at Harsha, who was reading a book with a calm expression.

'So ha—'

Maria whispered. "Sister, don't stare too much." She giggled.

This jolted her. She pinched the cheeks of Maria. "You dare say that."

Maria had an amused expression. "I won't say it again, Sister."

The carriage of the Emperor entered the city, and a few minutes later, Isabel gasped at the sight of the capital. It was filled to the brim with vibrant colors and decorations. There were hymns of devotion filling the air.

The atmosphere was different than in the other cities; she looked out at the vibrant streets along with Maria and Harsha, who also looked out as they were headed to the Palace.

Isabel's curiosity piqued as she saw a statue of a young man in the center of the stone plaza, decorated by the locals living there.

She turned to Harsha and asked. "Who is that?" She pointed at the statue.

Harsha also looked at the statue. He heard of Shivaji's statue in the Maratha capital.

"It's the statue of the young warrior who defended the capital in the previous war." Harsha explained. "His name was Shivaji. He passed away on top of a mountain of corpses of his enemies."

"He fought till his last breath even after losing his limbs. A true warrior." He remarked genuinely.

Isabel fell silent and just replied. "I see…"

"He died young…"

"It is the way of the warrior. He died an honorable death, one that would cement him as a hero for generations to come." Harsha assured with a smile. Even he could appreciate the valor of Shivaji.

Standing and fighting for your motherland in the face of a losing battle was a mark of a hero.

They reached the Royal Palace moments later; they were allowed in by the guards as soon as they saw the crest of the Royal family of Vijayanagara.

Harsha got out of the carriage in front of the huge door leading to the inside of the palace. It was a well-protected place, although much less extravagant than the Hampi Palace.

Naveen came out to greet Harsha and guide him to his accommodation.

"Your Majesty," Naveen huffed. "I welcome you to the Maratha Kingdom."

Harsha smiled. "Thank you, Lord Naveen."

Isabel and Maria also got out of his carriage just behind. Naveen's eyes widened at the sight of two beautiful foreign women coming out of the emperor's carriage. He glanced back at the Emperor.

"And this is?"

"That's Isabel Silva and Maria Silva. I picked them up during my travel. Please accommodate them; they are nobles from the Spanish Empire." He smiled.

Naveen looked awkwardly at the Emperor and internally screamed. 'Picked up? What the hell do you mean, picked up? How do you pick up nobles that too foreign ones on your way?'

"Alright, Your Majesty." He bowed.

Dhruv came forward to Naveen and said,. "Lord Naveen, I presume. We need to inspect the quarters of the Emperor and the Ladies first as per protocol before we let the Emperor in."

"I hope you would cooperate."

Naveen nodded and said okay to his request.

Dhruv and Naveen left to check his room.

"Is it done?" Isabel asked, tugging at Harsha's sleeve.

"Yes, we got you in." He smiled back at her.

Meanwhile, in the corner of the hallway, far away. Gauri and Naiki peeked from behind the pillar. They watched Harsha interacting with a foreign beauty with a smile.

Naiki watched Gauri with a nervous look.

'What will she do?'

"Naiki, Is that the Emperor's type? She looks so beautiful and feminine, unlike me." She mumbled with a disappointed look.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor is different. He may not have feelings towards her." Naiki assured her.

It didn't convince Gauri.

"Um... Your Majesty."

Gauri had a cold, deadly look on her face as if she was ready to rip the other lady apart.

"I will ask the Emperor personally."