Rewari Kingdom, Khera Vilge, 15th March 1557

  After leaving the soap manufacturing process in the hands of the sarpanch and her daughter, Aditya hurried back to the kingdom's pace.

  As he made his way through the corridors, his heart beat faster. He sighed hard, never imagining he'd be nervous again about entering his own royal chamber.

  Upon reaching his assigned office, his heart skipped a beat at the sight of Meenakshi, who was still waiting for his arrival. She greeted him with a smile and respect, "Greetings, Prince. I thought you wouldn't come for some personal reasons."

  But her eyes betrayed her demeanor. There was a pain of betrayal in Meenakshi's eye that Aditya understood all too well.

  He felt a complicated mix of emotions. Her vibe felt like a betrayal which was akin to a wife waiting before dinner; or a girlfriend waiting at movie hall; or a date waiting at the table, only to be disappointed. That pain was evident in Meenakshi's eyes.

  This made no sense. Aditya knew the stakes were different here. She was a princess, and he was supposed to accompany her on official tours. He had the privilege of personal liberty, but he failed to understand why it was giving him this expectant, betrayed feeling vibe.

  There was silence in the air as they communicated with their eyes without a word. Meenakshi tried hard to control her emotions, but her eyes and silence revealed she wanted at least some expnation.

  At that moment, Aditya decided to listen to his heart. He couldn't get down on one knee and hold her hand, so his brain selected the second best route as he apologized with a slight bow, "Apologies, Princess. I got deyed."

  Meenakshi giggled, and her dampened eyes lit up. She blushed, "What are you doing, Prince? It's alright." She couldn't look at him, but then his next words halted her gaze as she turned back to be certain.

  Aditya continued his apology with a sincere namaste, "I mean it, Princess. Your time matters to me, so here lies my apology." Internally he screamed what nonsense he speaking but continued his demeanour.

  Meenakshi replied with a soft smile, "It's alright, since you're saying it like this." Internally, She was delighted by his words.

  She asked curiously, "So, what is todays schedule?"

  Aditya replied with excitement, "How about an elephant ride?"

  ***********************************

  On an open road filled with sand and pebbles, a beetle struggled to roll a cow dung ball towards its nest. The beetle had been pushing it for a long time to meet its daily needs. Suddenly, it felt a tremor in the ground and stopped.

  Thinking it was a fluke, it tried again, but this time the tremble was real. It was the warning of impending danger. Realizing that staying alive was more important than the cow dung ball, the beetle abandoned it and scurried away.

  Soon, a giant shadow loomed, and the leg of a colossal beast smashed the cow dung ball into a ft cake.

  It was a royal elephant on which Aditya and Meenakshi sat together in the panquin. Five more elephants followed, carrying supplies and few craftsmen, while an escort cavalry of 300 men trailed behind.

  The sight was majestic. The enormous beast, comparable to a modern double-decker bus, exuded a sense of privilege. The gentle sway of the elephant's movement added another yer of comfort.

  However, despite the grandeur, Aditya's mind was troubled as Meenakshi sat beside him, holding his hand. She had confessed earlier that she had never been on an elephant ride and needed assistance, leading them to share the same mount.

  But for some reason the touch of hand felt familiar, smooth and strong at the same time.

  He gnced at her, puzzled. 'It's surprising that a princess of a prominent empire, hasn't experienced an elephant ride before,' he thought.

  Meenakshi seemed to sense his curiosity. She smiled and said, "I've always travelled in carriages or on horseback. This is a new experience for me."

  Aditya nodded, trying to not make it awkward. "The view from up here is quite different, isn't it? You can see far into the distance."

  Meenakshi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes, it's breathtaking. I feel like I can see the entire kingdom from here."

  Aditya smiled, his earlier concerns fading. "I'm gd you're enjoying it. The elephants are well-trained, so there's nothing to worry about."

  Meenakshi smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you, your highness. For your support and for sharing this moment with me."

  Aditya got pleased as he thought. 'She's so simple and yet so beautiful. How does she manage to speak so direct and sincerely?'

  She asked, looking at him, "If you don't mind, I want to ask you something, Your Highness."

  Aditya's curiosity piqued. "What is it, Princess? I suppose something is troubling you."

  She shook her head in denial. "It's not trouble; it's curiosity. I want to know your motivation. Why do you strive so hard? You think for people in ways we aren't taught. . It's as if you're trying to change the very fabric of society. You have the charisma of a leader but accept common folk with no hesitation. You are strong yet so humble at times, not a shred of lust for anything. Sometimes I feel I'm talking with a deity rather than a human. It is unreal in our era."

  Aditya thought for a moment. It was good to receive fttery, but if not handled properly, it could expose him. He replied with his usual copy-paste story. "It's all thanks to my master. He was a great sage. I want to complete his dream of becoming rich and living a peaceful life."

  Meenakshi inquired, "It is contradicting. Those who want money always scheme. Money and peace are two different swords that cannot be sheathed in one scabbard, Prince."

  Aditya expined, "You are partially correct. Money is something that can be earned through better service. And power is something we need to protect what we earn. There is no need to keep them in one sheath when they can be dual-wielded."

  Not satisfied, she asked, "Then why maintain the facade of peace? You have the power to act decisively. I'm not suggesting aggression, but why not strike first when necessary? I know it was your idea, and I fear your empire will be in a difficult situation before it gets to strike." Shifting her gaze down, she confessed, "We have suffered it once, and we know how terrible it feels."

  Aditya mused, "It's unusual coming from someone who asked me to show mercy to traitors."

  She replied by looking back at him, "It's different when it's about your civilians. They are like children who can be angry and should be handled with care, not by wiping out a whole generation who have nothing to do with it."

  Aditya felt a bit of guilt at that mentioning and responded with resolve, "There are no permanent friends or enemies in matters of national interest, Your Highness. Once you cross the line, you are fated to perish and serve as an example. Our reason for not to first strike is just the same line."

  Meenakshi pondered his words, then said , "Why are you so mature beyond your age? A person can be better at one or two skills, but look at you, Prince. Even if you pick a task for the first time, you do it with such practiced ease. Your thinking is almost as if you have lived two different lives. We look to scriptures for wisdom, and you live with experience."

  Aditya got goosebumps from her analysis. But throughout the time, he had also evolved to overcome such situations. Fttery is just the medicine. "Are you jealous, Princess, for getting a match for yourself? Because I don't see you as less than me. And who said I don't have any desires?"

  Meenakshi blushed at the unexpected compliment and withdrew her hand. She looked away unable to comprehend how to react, her cheeks reddening.

  Suddenly, she grasped his hand again for support as the elephant made a sudden move.

  She remarked without looking back at him, "You are good at changing subjects. Your highness."The rest of the journey continued without any talks to avoid the awkward situation but for some reason it wasn't unpleasant.

  By evening, they reached the vilge. The crowd gathered to witness the majestic sight of the royal procession, but none dared to approach.

  After ordering Rudra to handle the unloading, Aditya and Meenakshi made their way to the vilge square, where they received a warm welcome. Under the strict security of soldiers, they proceeded to the office at the vilge square, where Aditya acknowledged and dispersed them. There, he encountered another line of merchants seeking more orders for soap.

  Meenakshi was surprised to learn about the prince's activities earlier that morning and the reason for his absence at the st ceremonial banquet. It appeared that Aditya had successfully developed a soap that had been well-received and tested by many vilgers during their back-and-forth journey. Her curiosity was piqued about his master, but first, comes the soap.

  She tried the soap herself and was astonished by the results. It was better than anything she used before.

  Aditya had already ordered the construction of a permanent stone warehouse and a manufacturing pnt outside the vilge in secured perimeter. His confidence was evident, having received tens thousands of direct orders from merchants of nearby vilges.

  Meenakshi observed him supervising the craftsman with zeal and muttered, "No wonder he talks of money and peace with such skills."

  She was gd she got to have some alone time even though she had to lie about the elephant ride.