"Ha... I am so nervous," sighed Aadarsh.
It was his first high-level meeting since he became the regent. He was pacing around the room in a huge mansion in Surat. The rebuilding efforts were underway in Surat from the carnage left by the Portuguese ships.
The mansion was near the gate of the port city, which left it almost unscathed from the battle.
He was using that mansion as the meeting place with the Young Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire, Harsha Deva Raya.
Beside him were his trusted aides, Naveen and Vasant. He brought some company to guide him during the meeting. He also brought a translator in case the emperor didn't speak the same language as him.
"Calm down, Your Highness." Naveen assured him. "It will be ok."
"Yes, Your Highness." Vasant also jumped in. "Hold your head high. We are the Marathas."
"You are right." He clenched his fist.
"Isn't the Emperor late?"