Next Move

Royal Complex, Harsha's Room

Harsha was seated on the plush sofa, engrossed in a book. A gentle breeze flowed through the open windows, softly brushing against him. A knock at the door broke his peaceful reading.

"Enter," he commanded.

Viswa, who had been appointed as Harsha's exclusive butler, entered the room. He had undergone personalized training under Harsha and had been carefully vetted to ensure he was trustworthy. Harsha needed someone he could rely on completely, someone whose actions he could predict with certainty.

Narayana and Varun were deemed liabilities for such sensitive tasks because their past cannot be traced accurately, making Viswa the ideal choice.

"So, they still don't know. You're quite convincing with your acting," Harsha said, glancing up from his book.

Viswa was stronger than what he had shown to the others. This came as a bit of advice from Harsha, as he didn't want the others to know, about the potential of Viswa and try to perceive him as a threat. Although he showed some strength to maintain his appearance, it was not enough to show him as a threat.

"You flatter me, Your Highness," Viswa replied with a slight bow. 

"Regarding your mission, I've identified and vetted two targets. We can arrange to meet them at any time."

"Did anyone see you?" asked Harsha.

"No. The Nayakas have been using Rama Nayaka to influence matters discreetly for us." replied with a smile.

"Who are the two targets you found?" Harsha asked, his gaze fixed on Viswa.

"Your Highness, here is the report," Viswa said, handing over a neatly written document detailing the two individuals.

He continued, "One is the illegitimate son of Raghav Reddy, who was cast out of the Reddy family two years ago. The other is an enigma known as Karna."

"What makes Karna special?" Harsha inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"His family was executed by the Kasim Sultanate's prince because his fifteen-year-old sister refused the sexual advances of the prince," Viswa explained.

"For such a reason?" Harsha's voice was tinged with disbelief.

Harsha leaned back on his plush sofa, the book resting forgotten in his lap as he focused intently on Viswa. The soft breeze rustling through the open windows created a soothing backdrop to their conversation. 

"How did he survive?" Harsha asked a trace of intrigue in his voice.

Viswa took a moment, his expression growing solemn. "He had gone hunting. By the time he returned, his entire family had been executed."

Harsha clicked his tongue in disapproval, the gravity of the situation evident. "And what does he do now?"

Viswa continued, "He has expressed a strong desire to join the military, driven by vengeance against the Kasim Sultanate. He hopes to find a chance to repay them for what they did to his family."

Harsha let out a hearty laugh, the sound echoing through the room. "What a fool. A man is driven by such simple emotions. It's almost laughable."

Viswa remained composed, his gaze steady. "When would you like to meet them?"

Harsha considered this for a moment. "How soon can you arrange it?"

"As soon as you wish, Your Highness" Viswa replied promptly. "I've arranged for them to operate a shop in the capital as a cover. They're well-integrated into the city's fabric. Don't worry about any potential threats—they've been meticulously vetted. Over the past two months, I've cross-checked every detail of their stories with the assistance of the Nayakas and verified their backgrounds thoroughly before bringing them to the capital."

Harsha nodded appreciatively, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "That's quite thorough. Your attention to detail is commendable."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Viswa said, his voice reflecting his dedication. 

Harsha leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. "What about the old man Nayaka and the heir?"

Viswa's expression remained calm as he responded, "I have a report on that as well." He began to explain the current situation. "Bhima Nayaka, after the prince's interference, has grown into a significant force within the Nayaka family. He has inherited his father's military skills and has been rigorously trained by the patriarch."

Harsha's lips curled into a smirk. "If only the old man weren't so soft, he wouldn't have to deal with these issues at his age," he chuckled.

Harsha continued, "Indeed. However, I still don't fully trust the old man. Despite the useful information he's provided and the facilities he's made available to us, he's not a true ally. His support comes without conditions, which is quite suspicious and he's not gaining anything substantial from supporting us."

Viswa's gaze sharpened as he considered the implications. "We need to be cautious with him. His support could shift if circumstances change. I will keep a close watch on him and continue to gather information, Your Highness,"

Harsha's gaze shifted to the window and asked. "What about any information regarding Rukmini?"

Viswa's face remained impassive as he answered, "None, Your Highness. I searched everywhere, and it was as if her existence was erased from the world. No one knows anything about her."

Harsha leaned back in his chair, fiddling with his book. "So, we're dealing with a significant threat,"

"Anything else to report?" Harsha asked, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.

"Yes, Your Highness," Viswa responded, maintaining his composure. 

"There have been notable movements of military forces in the Cochin-controlled territories. Large quantities of steel and weapons are being procured. The spies within the Nayaka's network have confirmed these purchases, indicating that preparations for significant conflict are underway."

Harsha, his gaze thoughtful. "So, it seems a civil war may be on the horizon. The question is whether the Emperor will choose to observe from the sidelines or if he will decide to intervene."

Viswa nodded, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. "Unfortunately, we can't predict the Emperor's course of action with certainty. He has a reputation for making impulsive decisions, which makes his future moves hard to anticipate."

Harsha's lips curled into a wry smile. "Impulsiveness can be a double-edged sword. It may work to our advantage or present new challenges. We must prepare for all possibilities."

"Prepare the location and schedule for the meeting with the two individuals you found," Harsha instructed, his voice commanding.

"Understood, Your Highness," Viswa responded, offering a slight bow before turning to leave.

As Viswa exited the room, Harsha remained by the window, lost in thought. But his focus was on the new opportunities and challenges that lay ahead. He began to methodically plan his approach, considering every detail and potential outcome.