Chapter 187: Marriage Conditions
Purana Qila , Delhi, 7th April 1557.
Unaware of the turmoil in Kashmir, Delhi’s atmosphere was rather lively. Samrat Hemu returned with only ten thousand of his forces, leaving the rest stationed as reinforcements in Rewari and Amber.
The people rejoiced at Prince Aditya’s return, but many were puzzled by Hemu’s unexpected presence at the grand ceremony. He was supposed to remain in the capital, yet his unannounced attendance only added to the event’s grandeur, as crowds flocked to the streets in overwhelming numbers to cheer and pay tribute to their sovereign.
For Aditya, this day held special significance as he shared the emperor’s seat on his favorite elephant, Hawai. The message was clear: the prince was soon to be declared heir. This inevitably boosted Aditya’s reputation and influence among the masses, with the emperor’s indirect support , which was already at its peak.
Adding to the intrigue was the arrival of a southern princess. Many in Delhi were unfamiliar with the Vijayanagar Empire, but Princess Meenakshi’s arrival, escorted by Maratha soldiers, stirred curiosity and rumors that would soon attract unwanted troubles for Aditya.
Princess Meenakshi, however, was thrilled by the people’s warm reception. Witnessing the stability and joy of the empire’s subjects filled her with confidence. She saw this as a hopeful sign, a positive omen for the future of her own empire, as the alliance with Delhi seemed ever more promising.
Upon arriving in his quarters, Aditya was bombarded with visit requests. Many nobles, traders, and officials had sought meetings, most related either to his company or marriage proposals. He was dumbfounded to see several repeat requests, even from those previously rejected by the emperor himself. One particularly persistent proposal came from the kingdom of Nepal.
Aditya postponed all these requests and arranged a meeting with his intelligence chief, Jaydev Patil, to get the latest updates on the city’s and court’s political affairs. Once briefed, he summoned Balwindar and outlined his plan to expand the imperial spy network by establishing local inns across the empire. He asked Balwindar to cooperate, offering in return the intelligence chief’s help in training their units in espionage and providing the necessary resources.
As Aditya returned to his quarters, hoping to read some historical records, he was surprised to find Princess Meenakshi at the door, accompanied by the royal butler, Yashpal, who was in the middle of showing her around the palace.
Aditya invited her in, and she accepted eagerly, as if she’d been waiting for the invitation. He chuckled as Yashpal mentioned that Meenakshi wanted him to fulfill his promise of a city tour.
Meenakshi, on the other hand, was taken aback by Aditya’s quarters. Though neat and clean, it was unlike any room she’d seen before, filled with unfamiliar interiors designed more for work than comfort.
Aditya felt slightly awkward, aware that his room was filled with custom-made furniture, more modern in style. It looked more like a storage space, cluttered with small desks, tables, chairs, and wardrobes packed with his secret designs and experiments.