Despair [4]

Rajah's P.O.V.

"Would you look at this, isn't this great? For both of my two sons to bring me such a gift on my fifty-third birthday! I am such a lucky father!"

It was a smile, a big smile that could swallow up oceans. However, that's all he could do. All my life, I always remember seeing him sleeping on one of the top floors of the Mysore palace.

Just seeing that half-burnt face brought tears streaming down my cheeks. However, for my seventeen-year-old twin brother, it made him grin menacingly.

He stroked the white nutrition tank our father was staying in, "Don't worry about it, father. As the King of India, you deserve to have gifts every day."

"Hahaha! That's my boy! You see that, Rajah, you should be more like your brother Gaurav. A man shouldn't cry because of something so minor."

Staring at the small rectangular screen in the middle of his nutrition tank that produced his voice, I couldn't help but clench my fist.

'He wouldn't be saying such things if he saw the smile on Gaurav's face.'

"I will try my best to act like my brother," I lied with my face staring at the ground.

"That you should, my son. Once Gaurav inherits my seat as King of India, I want you to support him in the best way you can."

Tap, tap, tap...

Gaurav hit the back of my head as he pointed at a holographic green circle-shaped life monitor that was floating on top of our father's nutrition tank.

———— King Prithviraj Amar

Systolic pressure — 166 

Diastolic pressure — 111 

Heartbeat — 30 beats per minute. 

Oxygen input — 45% 

Carbon dioxide output — 90% 

Body nutrient capability — 10%

Condition — Critical — May die anytime. 

----

The smile on Gaurav's face deepened, "Don't worry about Rajah, father. I will personally take great care of him when I become king. I will even arrange a marriage for him out of pure kindness. Many young maidens have been captivated by his handsome looks. Not only that, but a few Chinese families have already sent proposals."

"Hahaha! That would be such a nice thing to do! Thanks to his gynophobia, I thought Rajah would die single. It's a good thing that you are the one to organize his marriage."

Hearing father's words, I glanced at the ornate diamond chandelier in frustration, 'Why does everyone want to force me to be married since childhood? It's not like it is the only thing I am good at!'

Clack—! 

The silver-haired man plugged in the eighth tube to the nutrition tank, "All is well, father. I will take care of India in your absence. Furthermore, I will take care of all the chiefs trying to launch a rebellion."

His voice might have sounded kind, but the devilish smile on his face suggested otherwise. He looked similar to the giant snake carving in the king's chamber walls.

'I won't let that happen! I will be the one to be the king of India!' I vowed in my heart.

The rebellious chiefs are the people under my command. Their goal is to liberate the Indian people who are being oppressed by this tyrant brother of mine.

The smile on father's face disappeared, "I don't want any unnecessary bloodshed to occur. Make sure you just take care of the leaders. The people are just being swindled by such fools."

Gaurav placed his hands in the pockets of his Indian suit, "I understand father. I will let Rajah be my witness."

'This bastard!'

Oblivious to the difference in our facial features, the white-haired man spoke, "That's good. You two are excused. Call your mother for me on your way out."

Walking past the large medical room that released the smell of disinfectant, we pulled out our weapons the moment we reached the ornate golden door.

With his silver pistol at my forehead, Gaurav said, "I am sure you heard that. Father told me to kill all the leaders of the revolution army."

"At the end of the day only justice will come out as the ultimate winner," I declared.

A few seconds of glaring at each other took place. I was the first to retract back my black pistol into the back of my achkan.

"I will be the one to be the king of India."

"Try your best, Rajah, but know this. I will let you experience a defeat you will never forget, even in the afterlife."

I ignore my brother's taunting words. He might have half of India supporting him, but I also have half of India backing me up as well.

'What we say now doesn't matter. What really matters is who will come out on top.'

Ting—!

The elevator chimed as my feet stood firmly on the marble floor. Walking straight in, I declared, "Shomi, take me to the Durbar Hall."

A translucent, tiny black fairy adorned in a black sari materialized just above my heart. Its dark, butterfly-like wings caused glitter to form around her.

"Order accepted. Is there something you want from me, Prince Rajah?"

"I want all the chiefs in South India to meet me in the Durbar Hall. I have something to discuss with them."

"They are already gathered there, your highness. It appears the Chief of Andhra Pradesh has grown impatient. Some of her men are already launching rebellions against Prince Gaurav's party."

"Tsk, that wretch!" I cursed out loud, although I couldn't do so in her face. "Please, stop the elevator from moving."

"Order accepted."

"Haa..." I sighed in relief and extended my order, "Tell Charu to instruct her men to fall back and await further instructions from me."

"Shomi glitched a few times, "Sorry, I can't process that order."

"What!? Why!?" I asked in a flustered voice.

Shomi servers have been deactivated for all of Rajah Amar's activities."

Little to my understanding, Shomi vanished from my sight, leaving me only grinding my teeth until they started to bleed.

'Damn it all! I can't believe that Gaurav managed to get his hands on the greatest intelligence in all of India.'

I quickly tapped on the earpiece on my left ear. However, the translucent green rectangular screen that popped up in front of me left me falling on my knees from shock.

____

Chief Charu has announced that all the recent disappearances happening in India are all Prince Rajah's doing. She also stated that Prince Rajah has been sexually harassing her and if she dared to open her mouth he would kill her entire family.

The nuclear explosion that happened in Rajasthan has also been labeled as Prince Rajah's doing.

The current location of the Prince is unknown, and a reward of a hundred billion rupees has been placed on whoever reports his whereabouts. 

The acting King, Gaurav Amar, has sworn to take down his twin brother at all costs, although that may leave a huge hole in his chest. 

____