When the news of the Emperor leaving for the Tempest Manor spread, the Nobles living in the Ujjain province where the Tempest manor was located started to get busy.
They had to welcome the Emperor who is coming to their land in more than 5 years.
"Make sure everything is prepared, summon every magician and knight to ensure the safety"
Marquis Tharanatha Nanda instructed his aid as walked busily through the hallway.
Although the strongest troop of the empire, the Royal escort knights will be escorting the Emperor in person, if any problems were to happen in the land under his jurisdiction, his head would be the first flying in the air.
Besides, it wasn't only the Emperor visiting the Tempest Manor.
Along with him, the prime minister Chanakya, Sage of Diligence Vyasa, Royal physician Pingala, Queen mother Helen Francis, queen Charumitra, and Royal concubine Chandralekha including the children of the emperor was coming to the Tempest Manor.
'Why the f*ck are they gathering like it was a family reunion? and why does it have to be in here.'
Almost all the royals would be gathering in the Ujjain province which gave Tharantha quite a headache.
He somehow understood why the children of the Emperor, the queen, and the concubines are gathering since they were a family as it was hard to find a chance like this when the Emperor would be free.
But he couldn't understand why the 'old fox', Chanakya, and royal Physician Pingala would tag along with them.
'And the timing couldn't be any worse.'
Tharanatha thought as he hurriedly ordered his closest confidants to move a massive pile of weapons to the secret storage.
***
"Everyone bearing the name of Maurya must gather at the Tempest manor, except for those working on the Emperor's orders"
The Queen mother, Helen's command spread around the Mauryan Empire like a pulse.
All the royals who bore the name of Mauryan gathered in the tempest manor without delay.
"What is going on? Why is everyone being summoned like this?"
The Empeor's third son, Dasha Maurya, had returned from the continent's northern region, where he had been mowing down the monsters.
"Did the guardian knights stationed at the Tempest Manor mention anything?"
The Emperor's fourth son, Vigor Maurya. He had to suspend his duty as the vice general on the southern war front to visit the tempest manor today.
The General would most definitely be displeased, but he had no other choice.
Unfortunately for him, the royal summon was the most important thing for the Mauryans unless they are working under the direct command of the Emperor.
"Nothing at all. Seems like it's a confidential matter. Well, I'm not surprised. Even his majesty is personally coming…"
The Emperor's 5th child, Mithili Maurya. She had been dueling and defeating powerful warriors in the western region making name for herself.
And so, including the six children living in the tempest manor, Nine of the Emperor's children assembled at Tempest manor, along with a total of more than 200 knights and aides who had been assisting them.
With this many members, they could destroy an average city in a mere 10 minutes, and an average dukedom in a single day.
When the news that the Emperor had begun to move spread around the world, various rumors began to spread within the ruling class.
'Why is the Emperor making a move? Hast it been 4 years since he left the capital?'
'Are the royals finally planning to dominate the world?'
'Did the dukes show any reaction to this?'
There were all kinds of rumors.
The Emperor and the royals bearing the name of Maurya.
The ripple effect of these names was huge.
The Emperor's children and the royal guardian knights were standing in two rows on both sides of the stairs leading up to the tempest manor.
Under the heavy rainstorm, the look in everyone's eyes was serious. They all appeared determined as if they were about to go to war.
"Glory to the great Mauryan! Long Live the Emperor"
"Glory to the great Mauryan! Long Live the Emperor"
As the Emperor arrived at the Tempest Manor's entrance, they simultaneously raised their swords in the air. The mountaintop shook with their resonating voices as if landslides would occur everywhere.
"Mhm."
With a slight nod, Bindusara who was escorted by the Royal Escort knights and his closest aid, Justin began ascending the stairs.
Despite the heavy storm, not a single drop of water was touching Bindusara's body.
A white energy-like shield was covering him entirely preventing him from getting wet.
Just behind him was the queen mother Helen and the prime minister, Chanakya walking side by side.
And behind them were other important figures like the Sage of Diligence Vyasa, Royal physician Pingala, queen Charumitra, Royal concubine Chandralekha, and Marquise Tharanatha.
'The Emperor's mood is odd. Is something extremely important about to happen?'
The Emperor's children exchanged glances, sharing their thoughts without any words. As Bindusara passed by them, they slowly followed in his footsteps with serious expressions.
The guardian knights remained behind and guarded the tempest manor's gates.
However, none of them were aware of the truth.
The reason the Emperor had come to the Tempest Manor was simply to see his youngest children, the genius twins.
* * *
"Sharath, Hayara."
"Yes, your majesty."
Bindusara summoned the bully brother first. The sick brothers knelt before their father as their runny noses caused snuffles to resound in the throne room.
Although Bindusara was their father, except for his first Daughter and his first son, no one was allowed to call him father.
Every child was to address him respectfully as the Emperor.
"Tell me what mistake the two of you made."
Ashoka and Sudhatta were waiting inside their room with their nanny Hema, so they couldn't hear the conversation.
The brothers hesitated to answer. As seconds passed, Bindusara's eyebrow twitched slightly.
"I asked you to tell me what mistake you made."
"Th-That's…"
Though they wanted to answer their father, they were just 8-year-old brats.
The pressure Bindusara was giving off was more than what they could bear.
They were at the age when their strict father terrified them. Moreover, the word 'strict' couldn't do their father justice.
Not only that, their father had asked for their mistake.
They had gotten pummelled by their younger brother. If they had to blame something or someone, it was Ashoka.
The brothers seemed to have forgotten how they had harassed their brother before.
As they reached this conclusion, they made up their minds.
"We haven't made any mistakes."
Sharath gathered his courage and answered. Bindusara propped his chin on his hand as if he were waiting for his son to finish speaking.
"Ashoka and Sudhatta ambushed us and used some underhanded methods to beat us."
"That's right. He used something like black energy!"
Hayara intervened as he accentuated the second half of his sentence.
'A black energy'.
Bindusara fell deep into thought as a serious expression presented on his face.
There was only one thing he remembered when he thought of Black energy.
'Is it perhaps...!'
Bindusara's face contracted with anger thinking about it but he managed to calm himself.
He looked towards the two brothers.
"My sons."
A gentle tone resounded.
"Yes, your Majesty!"
The brothers answered brightly as if they were criminals who had found a loophole to take advantage of. Besides, it was the first time the emperor called them his sons.
Realizing that their father's voice was gentle, they believed that they had a chance to seize victory.
However, Bindusara completely ignored the brother's excuse and spoke in a mellow voice.
"I shall give you two a piece of advice that you should engrave in your hearts. If you keep behaving like this… you will never survive in the battle for the throne."
"Ah…"
"W-We apologize, your majesty."
"Go call the twins for me."
---***---