Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

"So to begin with the candidates. They are personally selected by me since this is the first time." Harsha spoke.

He had decided to make some departments for the Royal Council since its formation was a very hasty process. The major departments were only included as the Empire grows and more departments become necessary. The members in the council shall grow in number.

Harsha looked at Viswa and nodded to proceed.

Viswa came forward onto the stage.

"Before we begin, under His Majesty, the council for now will only contain six members rather than the previous ten members. The members will be leading a department of major branches that hold up the Empire, like military, trade."

Viswa paused for a moment and took a deep breath.

"The council will expand as the Empire grows and new necessary departments will be added." He concluded.

"I shall call the name of the person. Come forward," his voice commanding.

"Rudra Simha Nayaka, the patriarch of the Nayaka Family."

The old man stood up; his figure dwarfed the other men in the royal court, and he held an air of authority.

Everyone in the audience knew that the Prince was supported by the Nayakas in the civil war and for the throne. The help that brought him to this stage.

Nayakas were also known to be a very powerful noble family. Their power stretched across many regions due to the patriarch's competent nature.

"For the achievements in the military field and battles. The House of Nayakas will be a member of the Council as the head of military affairs. Do you accept this position to serve the Empire?"

"I accept the decree of the Emperor." The old man glanced up with a curt bow.

Viswa looked at the servant and nodded.

The servant came to the patriarch with a metal plaque etched with an insignia of the council, which was the trishul (trident) of Lord Shiva.

"This metal plaque shows that you are a member of the council. This means you are allowed to visit the Royal Palace without prior notice, and other benefits are also included along with it."

The old man, Rudra, took the metal plaque with a smile on his face.

Harsha looked at the old man and said,.

"Patriarch, Since the council member should be a member of the House of Nayakas. You may use the heir of Nayakas as the proxy. Since you might have trouble traveling at this age."

"It is an honor that Your Majesty thought of this old man's problems. My son will be acting as my proxy in the council." He declared.

Viswa looked at his papers and began to call the other council members.

"Raj Patwardhan, the patriarch of the Patwardhan Family."

Raj Patwardhan stepped forward dressed luxuriously for the occasion. He was happy about his appointment to the council. He had finally brought his family from imminent ruin to this position.

Although most of it was help from Harsha. He felt accomplished after his family's standing improved in the Empire.

"The House of Patwardhan will be a member of the Council as the head of financial affairs. Do you accept this position to serve the Empire?"

"I accept the decree of the Emperor."

He was also awarded the metal plaque of the council member.

"Asokan Nair, The Patriarch of the Nair Family of Travancore."

Murmurs broke out in the audience. They didn't imagine that a loyalist from the second prince's faction would be appointed as a member of the council.

Harsha included Asokan after his incredible achievements in Travanacore. The law and order situation in the area was excellent by all means. Asokan had maintained absolute law and order in the region. He used to punish crimes severely and justly, which made him feared among criminals and also loved by the citizens.

Coupled with this fact, Asokan had swore absolute loyalty to Harsha at the word of Bhairava. He was incredibly loyal. He was a perfect candidate.

Asokan ignored the murmurs and stepped forward with his head held high.

"The House of Nairs will be a member of the Council as the head of law and judicial affairs. Do you accept this position to serve the Empire?"

"I accept the decree of the Emperor."

"Next, Mithun Reddy. We have chosen him for his exceptional business acumen."

Harsha could see the disdainful reactions of the audiences. Mithun was an illegitimate child of the Reddy family. The Reddy noble family was no more since Mithun refused to lead the family and just used the assets of the family.

"You shall be a member of the council as the head of trade and commerce. Do you accept this position to serve the Empire?"

"I accept." He replied with a slight bow.

His clothing made it evident that he was an extremely wealthy merchant in the Empire. The rumors of his group swallowing businesses did spread a lot.

"Next is Karna."

No information was given on Karna. He was a rather mysterious figure even among the audience as they scruntized the young man. He looked strong, and his demeanor was extremely calm in this situation.

"You shall be a member of the council as the head of internal affairs. Do you accept this position to serve the Empire?"

"I accept."

"Lastly, we have Bhaskara Aryananda. You may have heard of his religious reformation campaigns all around the Empire. He is a great scholar and has a lot of achievements in the field."

Bhaskara nervously stepped forward, despite his earlier speech. It was his first time meeting nobles and royal members.

"His Majesty has decided to appoint him as the head of the religious and cultural affairs in the Empire. Do you accept this position?"

"I accept." He stuttered as he bit his tongue.

He gripped his metal plaque hard as he quickly returned back to his seat.

Viswa stepped back from the stage. Harsha addressed everyone.

"Lastly, my butler shall act as my proxy in case I cannot make it to address the council."

A huge wave of displeasure was etched on the faces of the local nobles in the audience. Viswa was a lower caste individual, and they couldn't believe he was the butler of the Emperor, and now he can also be the proxy of the Emperor.

They didn't express the displeasure publicly. It was evident that they held prejudice the whole time, Viswa addressed the audience.

"The meeting is adjourned. The council shall attend its first meeting tomorrow."