The King sat on his royal throne with the weight of all the Chalukaya empire on his shoulders. His principal advisor nervously stalked the throne, back and forth, back, and forth.

"Do you agree with the High Council?" The King's words cut through the air.

"Maharaj, I hold my reservations, but your word is the word of God if you say he is ready to lead, he is," Ramgupta, the principal advisor to King Bhojraja, croaked. Bhojraja rose from his royal seat, "Summon The crown Prince".

Bhojraja walked slowly away from the throne. He was old. He had aged much beyond his years trying to keep his huge empire safe from chaos.

Bhojraja had been childless for years. His 3 queens and several concubines had failed to sire an heir for him. He had given up the hope of getting his heir and declared his half-brother's son Prince Devburman as the crown Prince when a sudden stroke of good luck fell over him. His youngest queen bore him a son, Prince Shivaditya then after few years princess Kamakshi was born to the same queen.

Bhojraja was well into his 40s by that time and he left no stone unturned to shower love on both his children. The Prince and the Princess were carefully groomed to rule the Great Chalukaya Empire.

Unfortunately, Prince Devburman was no longer a crown Prince, his place was taken by Shivaditya as per the customs, but he was no less important for him. He was in the council of advisors and would make an excellent ally for Shivaditya. Bhojraja was assured of that.

Prince Shivaditya walked briskly towards the court. He paid no attention to the splendour and attendants who fell to their knees in respect as he walked. He was tall, muscular with years of battle practice behind him. He had sharply chiselled features that accentuated his bronze sun-kissed skin.

He had been born to be a warrior. He had been at wars since the age of 18. Huge empires had more enemies.

Now 24 he had just returned from his southern expedition.

The chief attendant announced his arrival as he bowed deeply paying respect to his father, the chief advisor, and his uncle Shubhraj who was sitting on his usual seat towards the left tapping his fingers on his cane.

Shubhraj was the older half-brother of Bhojraja. Born to a concubine he was third in line to the throne.

Bhojraja even though younger surpassed him because he was the son of the chief queen. Shubhraj was in the council of advisors. Did he feel cheated over the unfairness of this? he never revealed so.

"Welcome my son" Bhojraja smiled at Shivaditya and hugged him "You have made me proud by crushing the southern rebellion."

"I was just doing my duty father" Shivaditya bowed humbly.

The King walked over to the window and searched the streets of the capital, "Chalukaya has reached a pinnacle of influence and power that my father's fathers could only dream of. No country on Earth would dare challenge us in war. We have taken the right spot as the leader of the world. There is no external threat to us. The same cannot be said internally" The king paused.

Shubhraj raised his eyes to look at the King, his interests suddenly piqued.

"We are in the midst of a civil war." The King paused to lower his eyes to his hands and draw in a breath, "I cannot deny this war any longer. If something is not done, Chalukaya will split into two and lose its great power and prestige. We cannot let this happen."

"What do you want me to do father ?" Shivaditya asked.

"There's news that trouble is simmering in the north, the reports say they are bandits, but I feel its much more sinister. These are rebels who are gaining support from some local landlords and generals. They are hiding in the Dandak forest" The king paused.

"Dandak forest borders with Prathihars. Is it possible these rebels are being supported by them?" Shivaditya asked.

"That is a possibility, but it is a far cry, the king of Navsarika Raja Kirtiveer is very docile and humble. He would not provoke us unnecessarily."

"Your majesty! if I may intervene" Shubhraj spoke up.

The king turned towards his brother "Of course brother".

"Ever since the great war we have had hostile relations with the Pratihars, Navsarika is a vassal state of Gurjar-Pratihar and their princess is engaged to the Crown Prince of Pratihars, with such close bonding it's very much possible that Kiritveer might be planning something with Maharaj Vallabhdev."

Bhojraja looked thoughtful "Hmmm, you are right brother. This cannot be ruled out. In that case, the threat is not just internal. It's also external."

He turned towards Shivaditya and said "Son, I want you to take the imperial army and start for Dandak as soon as possible. Decimate the rebels."

"Father, I hope you forgive me, but I have another plan. A direct attack would alert the enemy and give them an undue advantage. That terrain is harsh it will not be easy to crush the rebellion without proper planning. Please permit me to go there incognito. I want to investigate before taking any action."

"But why do you want to do this yourself? We have an excellent spy network; they can investigate for you."

"I know but I want to handle this personally, I have a feeling there is more to this" Shivaditya said firmly.

Shubhraj narrowed his eyes and stared at Shivaditya. The Prince was outstanding! much smarter than his expectations.

The King reluctantly agreed "You have my permission son. Do as you see fit."

"Father, I will not disappoint you." The Prince said and bowed down in respect.

In Navsarika Princess Chitrangada was preparing for the night. Poonam was gently combing through her long silky hair as Chitra admired the pearls and diamond neckless which Prince Vikram had gifted her.

"It's lovely your Highness" Poonam gushed.

"Yeah, Vikram gets really good things in Patan. I wonder why those merchants do not visit Navsarika. I must ask the father to invite them."

"Your Highness! you will be living in Patan anyway after the wedding, you can buy whatever you wish, after a few months.

Chitra felt a tinge of sadness "I don't want to leave. I will ask Vikram to let me continue living with my father and mother after the wedding. He can visit me whenever he wants."

Poonam giggled.

"Why are you laughing? Did I say something funny ?" Chitra sulked.

"Forgive me your highness but it doesn't work that way. A wife must stay with her husband. Besides once you are married you won't miss Navsarika at all" Poonam grinned.

"How can you be so sure?" Chitra asked.

"His Majesty will love you as a husband should. You will be so .... how to say happy, that you won't miss anyone."

Chitra's eye grew wide "Really? is that what happens? But Vikram loves me already. I don't feel that way."

Poonam smiled "When you are alone with the Prince don't you feel something? a strange warm feeling inside, doesn't your heartbeat increase?"

Chitra shook her head "No, I don't feel such things with Vikram. Is it necessary to feel so?"

"Your highness men have certain needs. You will understand these things once you get married" Poonam said and wondered how the naïve Princess would deal with conjugal duties.

Chitrangada pondered over Poonam's words. She was aware of the marital duties, she had seen and bred enough horses in the stables to know about birds and bees. Just that she had never felt these desires for anyone.

Not even Vikram, he was more of a friend than a lover. Her heart did not go racing when he was around. She was not too worried, she was sure Vikram would always care for and keep her happy.

Meanwhile, in Badami, the capital of the Chalukaya empire a father and son were having a meeting.

"You were sure that the crown Prince would not be able to crush the southern rebellion."

"I know son, I underestimated the Prince" He replied thoughtfully "But I have another plan, things are going as expected. Shivaditya is leaving for Navsarika tomorrow, he will be dealt there."

To be continued ....