Kirtidev's aching joints trembled but he kept his knees firmly planted on the ground.
Raja Indraneel brought his feet out of the boat-shaped soaking bowl which was made fully from gold. Two female attendants rushed to wipe his feet and help him wear a pair of slip-ons made out of soft wool.
Without any further ado, everyone left the room quietly, leaving the two men behind.
"Why are you kneeling, Minister? You are not young anymore and must take care of your health. We have heard that there is a big celebration organised for your upcoming birthday tomorrow?" The emperor's words were only making Kirtidev more and more nervous.
He was well aware of Raja Indraneel's temperament. The man didn't believe in making small talk and wasting time with his inner circle of people. Kirtidev believed that he belonged to that inner circle.
The allusion to the Southern kingdom was especially frightening. Having worked in close proximity with the emperor for so long, Kirtidev clearly knew the 'dislike' which Raja Indraneel held for his powerful in-laws.
Despite being a vassal country, Bharani's royal family's behaviour was far from being subservient towards Mandhaar.
From their interference in the emperor's harem to trying to influence Mandhaar's relation with other kingdoms, the royal family of Bharani had their fingers stuck in every issue.
But Mandhaar was dependent upon the Southern army for defending its borders, not to mention the presence of the Bharani kingdom females in the emperor's harem which helped balance out the power games both inside and out of Mandhaar.
"Begging your highness for mercy, this old servant doesn't know his faults. Seeking enlightenment and benevolence of the wise emperor," Kirtidev stayed in his crouched position.
By now, he knew that something was really wrong and it was better to beg for leniency beforehand.
The emperor's countenance changed with the blink of an eye and he shed his amiable facade. "Your sin is that you have failed to live up to the glory of your ancestors. Not only has there been a leak regarding the private army, you have also not managed to educate your sons well enough. Had it not been for your long years of loyal service to the throne and your dead son's meritorious deeds, your clan would have been exterminated by now. Tell both your children to stop walking so closely with the royal princes. We don't want to see your family perish in the political chakravyuh*. As for the leak, We wish to hear your thoughts on countermeasures next week."
Kirtidev nearly expired on the spot after hearing the accusations from Raja Indraneel's mouth. For a second, he couldn't care about the leak. His focus was on the second part of the emperor's sentence.
Not only had he mentioned both his sons, he had used the word 'princes'. This meant his family was trying to ride on different boats and had been found out. This action was clearly inviting the emperor's wrath.
He put his hands in front of his body and touched his head on the mosaic floor. "This servant is ashamed. If not for the responsibility to carry out the emperor's order and teach those errant sons of mine, this lowly one would have killed himself right here. This old man is eternally grateful and indebted to the monarch for sparing the Bali clan from gaining ignominy otherwise even hell wouldn't spare a place for this sinner."
The emperor stood up and walked to the old man. Lifting him by his shoulders, Raja Indraneel looked straight at Kirtidev's quivering eyes. "We know that you are loyal to us and We have not forgotten your sacrifice. Take this as Our way of repaying that act. Go on, take your seat. We would hate to see you fall ill before tomorrow's event."
Kirtidev lowered his eyes and stood up. "The emperor is benevolent! Long live the emperor!"
His throat was parched but he dared not look at the pitcher kept next to where his seat was.
After a few excruciating seconds of silence, Kirtidev was slightly more composed and wondered if he should seek to withdraw from the room when the emperor's voice rang out once more.
"Tell Us more about the grandchildren in your household," said Raja Indraneel.
Kirtidev was taken aback at the change of topic. He became jittery once more due to the mention of his grandchildren. But all his grandkids were too young to have offended the monarch in any manner.
Suppressing his chaotic thoughts, he started talking about the five children. Subconsciously, his voice became softer when he mentioned Katyayani. He was careful enough to just give out the basic information about the kids since he didn't know the purpose of the emperor's motive behind this inquiry.
He knew it well that the emperor disliked making polite talk!
Raja Indraneel smiled and said, "It seems that you are blessed to have such good descendants, especially your second son's offspring. We have been told that she lives in the Mandh Mountain and is quite devoted to the memory of her deceased parents."
Kirtidev felt a sliver of unease pass through his spine at the emperor's singular attention towards Katyayani. He was well aware of the monarch's superior intelligence network but what was his purpose in pinpointing towards the young girl who was far removed from the rest of the civilisation?
Kirtidev thanked the emperor humbly but the disquiet in his mind kept increasing with every passing moment.
Even after sitting in the carriage, Kirtidev hadn't fully recovered from the aftermath of the visit to the emperor's chambers. He pressed his chest uneasily, trying to regulate his heartbeat.
"Oh Moon God! Have mercy on my family," he muttered to himself softly, subconsciously rubbing the rudraksh* beads' bracelet on his wrist, which had been gifted by Katyayani.
*Chakravyuh - is a military formation used to surround enemies. It resembles a labyrinth of multiple defensive walls
*Rudraksh - refers to a stonefruit, the dried stones of which are used as prayer beads by Hindus, as well as by Buddhists, Sikhs, and Muslims.