The council chamber was deathly silent, the air heavy with expectation as I scanned the faces of the gathered ministers and officials. "So, gentlemen, let's begin," I said, my voice firm, yet calm. The weight of authority settled over me like a mantle, one I was determined to wear with distinction.
Achariya Radahn, the Rajguru, an older man clad in a saffron dhoti, was the first to speak. Bowing low, he replied with feigned humility, "Of course, Your Majesty. We all are your humble servants, and—"
I interrupted him sharply. "Is that so, Rajguru? Then prove it. Start by telling me about the situation in the empire."
Radahn's face faltered slightly, a flicker of nervousness crossing his features. Still, he pressed on. "Your Majesty, the entire empire is preparing for the grand celebration of your coronation. Every city is being adorned as though it is Diwali itself."
Again, I interrupted, leaning forward with a cold, penetrating gaze. "The entire empire, you say, Rajguru?" My tone was low but carried an edge that sliced through his composure. He hesitated, his eyes darting around the room as though seeking support.
"Yes, Your Majesty," he finally managed, though his voice was noticeably weaker.
"So, you are telling me," I began, my voice rising with controlled fury, "that this council of incompetent fools has been squandering resources on decorations and festivities for my coronation, while blatantly lying to me about the state of the empire? About how a foreign military force dared to invade our mainland? About how our protectorate has fallen under Chinese occupation, and how our people are being slaughtered?"
The room plunged into a suffocating silence. The council members shifted uneasily in their seats, exchanging furtive glances, but none dared to meet my gaze. When the murmurs of hurried excuses began, they were swiftly interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Enter," I commanded, already anticipating who it might be.
The door opened to reveal Vijay, the royal butler, escorting my younger siblings, Surya and Tulsi, into the room.
(Flashback)
As Vijay had been preparing to leave the council chamber earlier, I had stopped him. "Once all the members of the council have arrived, bring Surya and Tulsi here," I had instructed. Though confusion flickered across his face, he bowed and departed without question.
(Flashback ends)
Now, as my siblings entered the room, I saw the nervousness in their young faces. Their hesitation was palpable, but I offered them a warm smile. "Don't worry," I said softly, reassuring them before turning my attention back to the council.
"Well," I said, my voice now laced with sarcasm, "are you not going to introduce yourselves to my brother and sister?" I raised an eyebrow, and the startled council members scrambled to comply.
Each rose and bowed deeply, their voices trembling as they introduced themselves.
"I am Achariya Radahn, the Rajguru, Your Highnesses."
"I am Jeet Pratap, the Grand Admiral of the Navy, Your Highnesses."
"I am Raghav Singh Rajput, the Field Marshal of the Army, Your Highnesses."
"I am Harichandra Puram, the Minister of Defense, Your Highnesses."
"I am Rajgopalan Iyer, the Minister of Agriculture, Your Highnesses."
"I am Mithun Reddy, the Minister of Infrastructure, Your Highnesses."
"I am Arun Shinde, the Head of Imperial Intelligence, Your Highnesses."
"I am Harish Chobe, the Minister of Mining and Iron, Your Highnesses."
"I am Jayprakash Shah, the Minister of Finance, Your Highnesses."
"I am Damodar Shani, the Minister of Trade, Your Highnesses."
"I am Gautam Singhania, the Minister of Education, Your Highnesses."
As the introductions concluded, I turned to Tulsi and Surya with a faint smile. "Now," I said, "tell me—who was the stupid person saying those stupid things?"
The room grew unbearably tense. My siblings hesitated, their eyes flicking nervously toward the council members. Finally, they both pointed toward Radahn.
The Rajguru's eyes widened in outrage, and he opened his mouth to speak, but I silenced him with a single, withering glare. "Thank you," I said to Tulsi and Surya. "You may return to your lessons." I nodded to Vijay, who escorted them out of the room.
As the door closed behind them, I turned my full attention to Radahn, my expression now icy and unforgiving. "You are fired. Get out."
He stared at me, stunned, before recovering his composure enough to protest. "No, you cannot remove me!" he exclaimed, his voice rising with indignation.
I stood abruptly, slamming my fist onto the table with such force that the room seemed to shake. "So now," I said, my voice a dangerous growl, "you will tell me what I can and cannot do? I knew you were incompetent, but now I see that you are not just incompetent—you are a traitor."
"Guards!" I bellowed.
The doors burst open, and six armed guards entered, their weapons ready.
"Arrest the former Rajguru," I commanded, my tone brooking no argument. "Send him to the prison. I will deal with him later."
The guards moved swiftly, seizing Radahn as he sputtered protests. He was dragged out of the room, his cries echoing down the corridor.
When I turned back to the council, the remaining members were visibly shaken. Pale-faced and sweating, they avoided my gaze, their earlier arrogance shattered.
"My father was far too lenient with you all," I said, my voice cold and measured. "And he paid the price with his life. That era of weakness and complacency ends today. From now on, you will serve this empire with the dedication and competence it demands—or you will face the consequences."
I let my words hang in the air, the silence amplifying their weight. The council members nodded fervently, their fear palpable.
"Now," I continued, taking my seat once more, "we have much work to do. The challenges before us are immense, but this empire will not falter under my reign. It will rise to greater heights than ever before, and you will either rise with it—or be swept aside."
As I looked around the room, I saw not just fear in their eyes, but also a flicker of determination. Perhaps, just perhaps, they would rise to the occasion.
But if not, I was more than prepared to find others who would.
The silence that followed my outburst was deafening. The council members sat frozen in their seats, their faces pale and eyes cast downward, as if the polished marble floor beneath them would offer salvation from my scrutiny. The air in the chamber was thick with tension, a palpable weight pressing down on every soul present.
I sat back in my chair, deliberately allowing the moment to stretch. My fingers drummed lightly against the polished surface of the council table, each tap echoing in the stillness of the room. "Now," I said finally, my voice calm but as sharp as the edge of a blade, "if any of you wish to follow Radahn's example, speak now. Otherwise, I suggest you start proving your worth to this empire."
They exchanged nervous glances, each man gauging whether silence was truly the safer path. Not a single voice dared rise, and I allowed myself the faintest of smirks. At least they understood the gravity of the situation, though I was far from convinced of their competence.