Rewari Kingdom, Inner palace of Bawal, evening of 7th March 1557.
Aditya, seated beside Crown Prince Randeep in the front row, stood up and gave the prince a reassuring pat on the shoulder. As he made his way to the stage, the room fell silent, every eye turning to him.
He bowed respectfully to King Todar Mal before addressing the assembly. "Your Majesty," he began, "the answer lies before us. In my view, we should consider allowing the people to participate in governance and alleviate the burden on the monarchy. Let them choose their own leaders who can voice their concerns, ensuring they do not feel alienated and that such situations can be avoided."
The suggestion was met with immediate scrutiny. The room's tension was palpable as delegates exchanged uneasy glances.