Afghan Princess

As Aditya emerges from the king's chamber in the old fort of Panipat, he is met by a butler named Hari Singh, 

Hari Singh" Ah, Prince Aditya, pleased to finally make your acquaintance. I'm Hari Singh, here at your service. I've been in Emperor Hemu's service for quite some time."

Aditya Respectfully nods "Hari Singh, the pleasure is mine."

Hari Singh boasts of his years of experience in handling Shadi Khan's brother.

Hari Singh continues, "I must extend my condolences for the loyal retainer of the previous emperor who lost his life in battle. A truly tragic loss."

Aditya expresses his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Hari Singh. His sacrifice will always be remembered."

Hari Singh, with a sense of duty, responds, "Under Emperor Hemu's orders, I am tasked with ensuring your comfort and well-being during your stay in the old fort."

Aditya appreciatively replies, "That is most kind of you, Hari Singh. I truly appreciate your assistance."

At first, Hari Singh offered Aditya a chance to change, but Aditya insisted on completing the formalities related to his position as prince before he could enjoy a peaceful, solitary bath.

Following his instructions, Hari Singh led him through the maze-like corridors of the old fort.

They soon arrive at the office of Jeetendar Singh, the current military in charge. Jeetendar, a stern-faced man with a no-nonsense demeanor, greets Aditya with a nod of acknowledgment.

He briefs Aditya on the fort's defenses and the strategic importance of its location, emphasizing the need for vigilance in these uncertain times.

After their meeting with Jeetendar Singh, Hari Singh leads Aditya on a tour of the fort, showcasing the various areas where his retainers are stationed. They pass by barracks filled with soldiers preparing for duty, their disciplined ranks a testament to the fort's readiness for any threat.

Eventually, they reach the section of the fort where Aditya's friend, Bheem, is stationed. Bheem was drenched with sweats for being engaged in hard training. With friendly gaze he greets Aditya. They exchange a few words before Hari Singh urges them to continue the tour.

As they explore further, Hari Singh explains the layout of the fort and the roles of each of Aditya's retainers. Aditya takes in the sights and sounds of the bustling fort, feeling a sense of pride and responsibility for the men under his command.

Before he can fully absorb everything, Hari Singh pulls him away, reminding him of pending bath before the upcoming banquet and the need for etiquette training. Aditya follows reluctantly, his mind still lingering on the fort and its new experiences.

As Aditya settles into his new surroundings, a heavy and hectic session of etiquette training ensues.

Hari Singh, with his impeccable manners and attention to detail, guides Aditya through the intricacies of courtly behaviour, ensuring that he is well-prepared to navigate the complexities of imperial politics.

**At the Banquet**

Aditya enters the banquet hall, clad in a churidar pyjama adorned with intricate designs and a striking red turban and robe, exuding an aura of royalty.

Accompanied by Hari Singh and his new attendants, he gracefully moves through the crowd, noting the presence of numerous distinguished guests, likely nobles rather than mere military personnel.

Recognizing the absence of the emperor, Aditya acknowledged his role as the main host for the evening as he greeted everyone influential present with the guide of his bulter.

He discreetly observed the surroundings as he exchanged polite greetings with the attendees and expressed his concerns in diplomatic way as urgent need of the hourt.

Unbeknownst to him, his casual talk, goofy demeanor, and unwavering confidence in public speaking skills that he inherited from his past life, had earned him a charming presence at the banquet and won the approval of the emperor's agents, which he took as nothing out of the ordinary.

Once again, the wheel of fortune smiled upon him, as if it were another hidden test set by the emperor, one he passed with flying colors, unaware of the danger that would have followed had he failed.

Amidst the opulent surroundings of the imperial palace, Aditya finds himself engulfed in a whirlwind of political intrigue. The air is thick with tension as rival factions vie for power and influence within the empire.

Aditya observes the subtle machinations of the Rajput and Afghan factions, each manoeuvring to curry favour with Emperor Hemu and gain control of strategic territories.

He realized that his own position within the court is precarious, and he must tread carefully to avoid becoming entangled in their web of deceit.

At the banquet, Tejpal Singh of Amber, a charismatic and young nobleman in early twenties, approached Aditya, pledging his loyalty and support, and proposing to form a third faction under his command.

However, Aditya sensed a hidden agenda behind Tejpal's flattering words, prompting him to maintain a cautious distance.

Aditya graciously accepted his proposal, but deflected the further discussion by citing the need to mingle with other guests.

He also offered an empty promise to meet Tejpal at a later, more convenient time and place.

Aditya finds little comfort in the company of Afzal, the Mughal emperor held hostage by himself also enjoying the banquet alone.

As the lively atmosphere of the banquet continued, a striking figure made her entrance into the hall.

Amira Khan, the Afghan princess, immediately captivated attention with her bold demeanor and radiant presence.

The young beauty carried a cheerful disposition and stood at five feet three inches. Though petite in stature, she held a haughty attitude, as if she owned the place—yet surprisingly, her presence gave off no negative impression.

Her attire, a ghara adorned with intricate designs befitting her noble status, accentuated her youthful charm. A subtle hint of cleavage marked her transition into womanhood. Apart from her average height, she looked every bit the image of a modern-day model.

With each step she took, the soft rustle of her robes, followed by the gentle chime of her payal (anklet), echoed through the hall, drawing the eyes of everyone in attendance.

Amira confidently approaches Aditya and Afzal, with shining eyes filled with grattitude. "Greetings, esteemed Guests.

Allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude to you, Your Highness. For your valiant efforts in securing my father's freedom, this humble servant shall remain forever in your debt. I am Amira Khan, daughter of General Shadi Khan, the ruler of Lucknow."

Aditya responds with a humble nod, acknowledging the princess's gratitude. "Princess Amira, it was my honour to play a part in ensuring your father's safety."

Amira's tone takes on a spark of defiance as she expresses her disbelief. "Indeed, and how fortunate we are that the Mughal emperor proved to be a mere shadow of his title.

What manner of ruler surrenders his land without a fight, cowering at the mere hint of confrontation. If I were a ruler ,I would....?"

As Amira began blabbering her self-righteous opinions of heroism and mocking the Mughals, both Aditya and Afzal were shocked by her bold personality.

Aditya summed her up in two words: daddy's fairy—the kind of girl oblivious to how the world truly works, thinking everything beyond home is just as safe and simple. In short, she was a necessary trouble he had to handle carefully because of her father's connections.

Though initially taken aback by Amira's audacity, Aditya watched her with a keen interest, amused by the dramatic tales she wove with her expressive hands. Surprisingly, the one who should have been most offended was the calmest—or rather, seemed genuinely amazed by her theatrics.

Afzal appeared visibly captivated by her spirited remarks, choosing to remain silent as she continued her verbal assault. However, as her criticism dragged on, he realized she had crossed the line, and he felt compelled to intervene and bring the little fairy back to reality.

"Princess, while I understand your sentiment, it's important to consider the broader context. The emperor's decision might be driven by a desire for peace, to spare his people from the ravages of war. We all know that war may seem tempting if it promises a final resolution, but I don't see this conflict ending anytime soon," Afzal interjected diplomatically.

 "Peace? Or perhaps a lack of courage to defend his realm? I fail to see the wisdom in surrendering to the whims of our prince without a struggle.", Amira's scepticism is evident in her response.

Aditya panicked, not wanting Afzal to doubt his carefully constructed lie. The more they talked, the higher the risk of the truth slipping out—something that could change the young Badshah's perception and jeopardize their budding relationship. Amira had already said enough.

He stepped in firmly, speaking in Afzal's defense with conviction."Princess, the path to peace is often paved with difficult decisions. Sometimes what we see from afar isn't quite as it appears. The emperor actually made the right choice by ending generations of enmity and opening the door to ceasefire and peaceful border negotiations."

Amira let out a small "hmm" as she listened to Aditya's view. Her chatter had been an attempt to impress him, but seeing him not acknowledge her stance made her feel there was no point in provoking him or standing against his words.

Afzal, on the other hand, felt a slight warmth in his heart at Aditya's support. Seeing the prince speak up for him, he decided to wrap the matter on a lighter note.

"My ammi(mother) taught me, It is easy to destroy but hard to create. The dead don't come back , be it enemies or allies, do they? "

Amira, surprised, remarks, "Your perspective offers a wisdom I hadn't considered. What brings someone of such insight to these halls?"

"Yes, I am that pitiful emperor you see me as, Princess. My apologies for not meeting your standards of courage and conquest.", Afzal replies with a sardonic grin. 

The revelation elicited a gasp of surprise from Amira, her eyes widening in shock as she realized that she had been speaking candidly with the very person she had been criticizing.

Amira, in disbelief, gasped, "Ya allah!!. but you hardly look older than 13 or 14! Forgive me, Badshah, I mistook you for Aditya's rumoured friend, Bheem."

Aditya and Afzal burst into laughter at Amira's blunder, prompting her to playfully scold them for their amusement.

Amira, feigning indignation, accuses in meek voice, "You two are such meanies! I only spoke my mind."

Afzal taking the lead, responds teasingly, "Speaking one's mind requires courage, young lady. We are rather amused by your theatrics."

Amira scoffs at Afzal's attempt to compliment her, "Look at you, so young and already calling me 'young lady'."

Aditya, teasingly, interjects, "Perhaps 'old lady' would have been more fitting."

"Old lady?!" Amira protested, eyes wide. "I'm only sixteen!"

This time, it came as a shock to both Afzal and Aditya. Neither of them had expected her to be younger than eighteen. Perhaps it was her mature physique or her bold demeanor to blame, but they kept their thoughts to themselves and continued to tease her as she was quite fun to talk.

Their playful banter carried on, filling the air with laughter and light-heartedness. Amira's presence brought a burst of vibrant energy, not just to them but to the entire gathering. Unknowingly, she had become the center of attention at the banquet.

As the hours passed, they became lost in conversation and companionship. Though the banquet eventually came to a close, their enthusiasm to learn more about each other still lingered.

The only disappointment was the food. Despite being rich in spices, it tasted rather dull to their palates. However, Aditya had an idea in mind, an adventure that could satisfy not just their curiosity but also help with the task at hand. He proposed, "How about a secret trip around the city? Me, Afzal, and the Princess?"

"Oh really?" Amira's eyes lit up with excitement.

"I am in," Afzal chimed in with a grin.

This way they decided to embark on an adventure together the next morning.

Following this they schemed to sneak away to explore the market in Panipat before venturing into the nearby forest for an exhilarating hunting trip. While Aditya had to take the mettle to handle it as host.

Now, the only thing left was to end the prolonged dark night."