Episode 30: The Life & Exploits of Princess Amodini
Padmapani read the scroll in his hand for the second time before tossing it on a side table.
He sat reclining on his favourite single-seater couch, drumming his fingers on the arms of the velvet-covered chair in deep thought. Veerata stood close by, awaiting the emperor’s orders in silence.
Unlike his fiery young cousin, Padmapani exuded great composure. Any display of emotion or impassioned speech rarely left him; owing to all the strict training he’d received during his school years and his inherent, shrewd nature.
Before he succeeded his late father as the King of Satayu, eight years ago, he’d been an exceptional military commander leading his troops to many victorious campaigns. Two years ago, at the prime age of thirty-one, he completed the Ashwamedha Yajna, and became the first emperor of the continent. Since then, he’d devoted all his focus to keeping the peace in his extended lands.
Like Veerata, his impressive height, dark complexion and muscular build invoked an innate respect from all around him. His obsidian-black eyes, set in a handsome, square-jawed face, looked alert at all times. His thick locks of hair that fell to his shoulders from a golden circlet crowned on his head, and his proud moustache that was curled at the tips to perfection, were dark, reddish-brown in colour. He wore white and gold garments, a red cummerbund and intricate ornaments of pearls set in gold.
Veerata was his favourite warrior and his closest confidante. His six-year-old son, Prince Padmayani, who had been declared as Yuvraj, the crown prince of Satayu, was his greatest pride.
At length, Padmapani spoke. “Has the messenger from Videha left already?”
“Samrat, he awaits your reply,” Veerata answered.
“Ha! Does he indeed?”
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