Inside sat Queen Durgawati, regally poised.
Next to her was his mother, Kalyani, whose look was placid and resolute.
Adjacent to her was Rajeshwari in an ensemble that blended chic style with warrior sensibility. Appreciative emotions filled her dark eyes, and she remained quiet.
The room was heavy with something deeper than conflict, a sense of anticipation.
Ayush's golden gaze moved between the women, aware that something significant was about to be said.
He stepped forward, clasping his hands behind his back.
"You wish to see me, Queen Durgawati?" he said, his voice strong and certain.
Durgawati inclined her head slightly as her sharp eyes were fixed on him.
"Yes, Ayush. We have a matter of that we need to discuss today and it concerns you."
Ayush remained silent and patient.
Durgawati relaxed slightly, but her command remained firm. "I have conferred with the royal pandit(priest), and the stars are auspicious, and there's the confirmation that this is a most propitious time to have you betrothed."
Ayush's breath caught.
His fingers ruffled slightly, but there was no change in his countenance. "Betrothed?"
His tone was flat.
Durgawati replied, "Yes, You are to become engaged to Rajeshwari. The decision has been taken, and the right time is in the several weeks ahead."
There was silence.
Ayush looked over at Rajeshwari, who turned her eyes away slightly but did not resist.
His mother, Kalyani, remained quiet, resting her hands neatly in her lap, her face unreadable.
Finally, Ayush let out a long breath and continued, his jaw set tightly."I'm not going to do it."
His words were tight and crisp as they shot through the space like a knife.
Durgawati raised her eyebrows a fraction, but she did not seem surprised.
Rajeshwari's fingers tensed up a bit, yet she said quiet.
Kalyani made an angry face, however. "Ayush, don't you realize this is not an easy situation."
Ayush turned toward her, his tone steady. "Mother, I respect Queen Durgawati's wisdom, and I respect the importance of Rajeshwari's place, but until my father is free from the control of his enemies, I will not entertain any thoughts of marriage."
His golden eyes flashed with determination. "I will not stand before the fire and make vows while my father waits in chains for the end of the day."
Durgawati sighed, and bent slightly at the waist. "Ayush," she said, "I understand your feelings."
"It isn't about feelings alone; it is about building bonds. The Mughals are strong, and we need strength in numbers. Your engagement to Rajeshwari will strengthen the bonds between our teams, and it will give you some credibility in the eyes of courtiers and warriors."
Ayush clenched his hands into fists. "Credibility?"
"A prince's authority comes from his power and deeds, not from an engagement."
Rajeshwari spoke up, her voice firm but calm. "Ayush, I am not against the engagement. I acknowledge it matters to us. But I know how you feel."
"If you don't want to engage now, say so."
Ayush looked at her, the look on his face unreadable.
"It doesn't please you, Rajeshwari;" you are a warrior, a woman who acts with bravery and honor. But I cannot envision a time when I will be able to think of anything else as long as my current situation remains unresolved.
"If I cannot save my father, what right do I have to think of marriage?"
Durgawati sighed again and began to tap her fingers on the arm of her chair. "Ayush, I respect your loyalty to your father, but we must also think about what is next."
Ayush inhaled deeply, keeping his focus on Queen Durgawati and moved to look at his mother, a stare just as locked on her as it could be to another person without being impolite.
His answer was calm as ever, but offered a clarity of acceptance, that, in his opinion, wasn't going to be open to argument. "I know the value of partnerships, trust, and building networks," he said, calmly looking her directly in the eye, "but I'm not going to indulge the idea of marriage until my father escapes the clutches of his enemy and I am no longer just a soldier for someone else, I want to have my own land and empire."
An extremely awkward silence fell around the group.
Rajeshwari maintained her silence, though her eyes flashed feelings that were hard to read.
Durgawati's piercing gaze continued to be focused on Ayush as Kalyani's hands fidgeted a little in her lap. Ayush continued, colder than before, "I cannot stand in front of the holy fire and make vows if my father is still crying out for help as one of his enemies chains him to the very ground he bleeds on and forces him to wait to die."
"I can't even bring myself to smile at a wedding if my heart is focused on battle."
"And even if I marry her, what can I give her as a man? Just false promises that one day I will build a strong kingdom or an empire? I can't do that.
As a man, I have many responsibilities, and as a ruler, Your Majesty, you should understand that better than anyone."
Ayush looked up at Durgawati as he spoke.
Ayush inhaled deeply, his eyes a vibrant gold yet unfaltering as they settled on Queen Durgawati.
"I have less than a month and a half before my father is executed. I cannot lose a moment to distraction, especially in regard to marriage. Every day counts, and I have to place my complete focus on the strategy I'm implementing and on preparation. I cannot spend any time talking about marriage."
His voice was calm, purposeful, resolute.
Durgawati released a quiet breath, with an expression of both support and a lingering hope.
Kalyani his mother, wanted to say something, but refrained.
Rajeshwari, silent and expressionless, gazed upon Ayush.
Ayush straightened his posture and formed a towering presence as he turned away from the women.
"If you truly want what is best for me, then let me fight this fight first. When I save my father, and when I establish a kingdom of my own with my own two hands, I promise, I will do my duty to marry Rajeshwari. But until then, do not make me force."
Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and strode out of the chamber.