Chapter 20; The talk between Kalyani and Durgawati (2)
....
"I will ask my son. If this is the price you have set to build the alliance between us, then let me tell this matter to my son and discuss it with him first."
Kalyani clenched her fist as she spoke, while her other hands were clutching the hem of her saree. And there was uncertainty in her voice, like she was not confident about this matter.
Durgawati noticed her expression and body language. She knew that Kalyani herself had once run away from a political marriage arranged by her own father. Durgawati knows that, she wouldn't want her own son to face the same fate.
"Good. Then let's see whether your son, Ayush, is willing to take this step for his ambitions."
Kalyani looked at Durgawati with an unreadable expression. She had hoped to form an alliance with Durgawati and Garha Kingdom, through negotiations and words, but now, it had turned into a marriage proposal.
She was aware that her son would not readily consent to a political union. Since he was a little boy, Ayush had been self-reliant and had always fought for his own future. It would be like putting chains on his aspirations to bind him with a marriage alliance at such a young age.
However, Kalyani was unable to deny the situation's actuality. They required this union in order to regain the glory they had lost to the Mughals as well as to save her husband.
All she could think about was whether Ayush would agree to a marriage alliance with the Garha Kingdom.
She sighed, then took a deep breath and replied to Durgawati, "I will give you an answer soon. Wait until tomorrow."
The Next Day
Ayush, Vikram, Maan Singh, and Gaurav were sitting across from each other, in front of the large table between them. While on the table, there was a detailed map of the entire Indian subcontinent, marked with the regions controlled by various kingdoms and empires.
The four of them were deep in discussion when suddenly, Ayush noticed his mother approaching from the door.
However, his sharp eyes quickly noticed her weird expression, and he knew something was wrong.
Kalyani, she looked at Ayush while hesitating, as if she was struggling to say something.
Ayush immediately realized that his mother must have met with Queen Durgawati yesterday, while he had been with Priya when he was looking at the drone.
Softening his expression, he gently greeted her, "Maa, how are you? Have you spoken with Queen Durgawati? How did the discussion go?"
Kalyani took a deep breath before finally speaking.
"Yes, I did meet her and discussed the alliance."
Ayush nodded at her words and patiently waited for her to finish.
"She is willing to cooperate… but she has placed a condition on the alliance."
"What kind of condition?" Even though Ayush didn't understand what his mother was saying, he didn't lose patience and let her finish before asking further questions.
After a little pause, as though he was worried about hurting Ayush, Kalyani spoke.
"Ayush, she desires a marriage alliance. She desires that you wed her niece.
There was a quiet in the room.
Deep in contemplation, Ayush reclined in his chair. He kept thinking about Queen Durgawati's proposal, but for some reason, he kept thinking about Priya. Since he was an adult and not a youngster, his thoughts became a little disorganized.
He murmured to himself,
"A marriage alliance…?" Ayush repeated the words again and again.
"Yes," Kalyani confirmed. "She believes that true cooperation cannot be built on an agreement alone. She wants to bind our families together through marriage to ensure loyalty and stability."
Vikram, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up.
"Your Highness, this is an important matter. If we agree, it could greatly strengthen the political ties between us."
Ayush didn't reply to Vikram immediately. Instead, he looked at his mother and asked, "What do you think, Maa?"
Kalyani looked at her son with an apologetic expression and said, "Ayush, I know you have always valued your freedom and the ability to make your own choices. Once again, I won't force you, but you must consider the consequences. We need allies, and Queen Durgawati is the best one we have so far. She could be extremely helpful, especially since there are ongoing minor conflicts with the Bijapur Sultanate and the Mughals."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "However, if you choose not to proceed with this, I will always stand by your decision."
Then, with a deep breath, she added with a solemn expression,
"Remember, you are not just my son, you are also a prince."
Saying this, Kalyani finally released the emotions she had been holding back.
Ayush took a deep breath before asking with slight doubt, "Whom exactly am I supposed to marry? Do you have any details, Maa?"
"Well… according to what she said, it is her niece. That means she should be the daughter of her brother-in-law. But she insisted on a marriage alliance before finalizing anything," Kalyani replied, shaking her head.
A disdainful smile appeared on Ayush's face. "So, she wants to test me before making the final decision."
At this moment, Gaurav, who had been calmly listening, finally spoke.
"Your Highness, she is being very cautious, which I had already expected. If we truly want clarity on this matter, we need to meet her in person."
Ayush nodded at Gaurav's words and then smiled.
"I see. Before I give her an answer, I need to meet her personally. I also need to understand her true intentions."
Kalyani gazed at him with worry. "Are you certain?"
Ayush grinned. "yes, To take this step, I must view the whole board, not merely the chess pieces set before me.
Maan Singh smiled. "That is our prince, consistently planning for the future."
Ayush let out a faint laugh but soon became serious. "For the time being, let's refrain from making any quick choices." We proceed as intended, but I will organize a meeting with Queen Durgawati shortly. "Until that time, let's concentrate on our preparations."
Kalyani, although still unsure, nodded. Understood. "I have faith in you, my son."
Having finished the intense discussion for the moment, Kalyani decided to depart. As soon as the doors closed behind her, Ayush let out a sigh and faced his men again.
"This has become significantly more complex."
Vikram grinned. "Complex, indeed. It is also intriguing."
Ayush breathed out, his expression pensive. "Queen Durgawati is putting us to the test." This isn't merely about a partnership; it's about power. She wants to determine if we deserve to be her partners or if we're merely another bunch pursuing power.
Maan Singh agreed with a nod. "Next, we engage in the game cautiously."
Ayush grinned slyly. "Precisely."
All three of them nodded.
A few hours later…
"Gaurav, you'll come with me. Vikram and Maan, stay here and gather information; find out when my father's execution where it will take place."
Ayush looked at the three men before him. He trusted all of them, but Gaurav was a product of the system, and Ayush knew his capabilities were no less than those of Chanakya from the Mauryan Empire. His negotiation skills were also exceptional.
As for Vikram and Maan, they would be responsible for gathering intelligence. Ayush understood that no matter the era, those with the best knowledge and power would always dominate. While they currently lacked the power, Ayush had the advantage of information, tactics, and the system's support.
"Yes, Your Highness…!" All three responded in unison.
Ayush left the palace chamber, with Gaurav following closely behind.
Inside the Hall.
Both Ayush and Gaurav entered the hall, when Ayush saw Queen Durgawati sotting on her main throne, with the maid beside her. While there was a girl, beside her.
A striking young lady aged 16 or 17, with a celestial beauty that captivates all. Her eyes are deep and almond-shaped, as dark as the midnight sky, revealing intelligence and steady resolve. Her lengthy, jet-black hair flows in gentle waves down her back, embellished with beautiful jasmine blossoms. A perfect, sun-lit complexion highlights her prominent cheekbones and softly curved brows, imparting an aura of serene elegance. Clad in an exquisitely stitched silk lehenga of deep blue and gold, she glides with natural elegance.
However, as soon as he entered, Ayush first bowed toward the Queen.
"Greetings, Your Majesty…!" Both Ayush and Gaurav spoke in unison.
"Take your seats first," she ordered, gesturing for them to sit.
Ayush and Gaurav nodded before settling into their respective seats.
"I heard from my royal guards that you wished to see me. Is there something troubling you?" Queen Durgawati, seated on her throne, gazed at Ayush with an unreadable expression.
"Yes….your highness..!" Ayush nodded at her.
"Ohh…so tell me your problem…maybe I can solve it." She smiled slightly when she said.
End of the chapter…!