Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Alfonso was resting his head on Lekha's lap—his lover. He was enjoying his long days of no work. He finished all the work that Harsha had given to him. The cannon production was successful and the other procedures were taken care of by the others.

He didn't have anything else to worry about. He was just wasting time lazing and spending time with Lekha.

Lekha and he grew closer and closer—almost acting like a married couple at this point. They lived together and also did everything together. Alfonso was also thinking of marrying soon. Although he had brought the issues up with his mother and father.

He had no issue with his mother, but it was his father that would be the problem.

'Will he even accept us?' Alfonso thought. 'Oh, there is Bhairava's marriage first too.'

He had to wait till Bhairava's marriage. Alfonso clicked his tongue, knowing very well that his muscle-obsessed brother would take forever to find a bride.

'That guy doesn't even know any women his age…I have to step in as a good brother.' Explore stories at empire

'Ahh... why was I born so talented and handsome?.'

"Alfonso, aren't you too lazy these days?" Lekha said, stroking his hair slowly.

"Hmm... Really?" He poked at her belly for fun.

She slapped his hand off. "Yes, you are becoming too lazy." She sighed. "Perhaps I am spoiling you too much."

"Wait, wait, wait." Alfonso sat up. "I will do some work."

"Will you?" Lekha asked. "I don't want a lazy and good-for-nothing husband." She blushed.

Alfonso got up and stretched.

He declared with a confident smile. "I will become the most hard-working husb—"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Before he could finish, a soldier knocked and shouted.

"Lord Alfonso, the emperor sent a letter for you."

"Hell nah…." He shouted. "How did he find out I was lazy?"

Lekha opened the door and took the letter as Alfonso sat on the bed with a blank stare. He didn't want to work for Harsha. Harsha worked him to the bone and made him do risky tasks.

'He has no mercy for his own brother.' He thought. 'How the hell does he treat his subordinates.'

'I have to scold him next time..' He punched the air silently. Then the events of the civil war passed through his mind.

'I guess that's too risky for my health..'

Lekha unfurled the letter to read while Alfonso was having his mind battle and illusions about the work.

Her expression turned a bit serious.

"Take a look at this; it seems important." Lekha said, pinching his cheek gently.

"Fine, give it to me."

He began to read the letter.

Harsha had instructed him to come back to the palace with Father and Mother. It was odd as the former emperor and concubine were touring the empire for a while. Going around the Empire and doing their own thing.

'Why does he want us to come back at this time?'

"By the looks of it. He is planning something big this time." Alfonso smiled reluctantly.

Lekha sighed. "Looks like it. I think, unlike the last time, he is calling to discuss with everyone."

"I suppose, now." Alfonso looked worried. "Do you know the location of my parents?"

"Huh? You didn't keep track of your mother's letters."

"Please—" Before he could finish. She smacked his forehead.

"Ok…I have the location. Get ready to depart."

"Yes…" Alfonso pouted.

This was a few days ago and they picked up Krishna Deva Raya and Luisa from a nearby city. They were spending their time in the city, exploring and visiting different places.

Now all four of them were in the carriage. Lekha and Luisa got along well despite the differences but Alfonso and his father sat there awkwardly, not communicating with each other.

He just looked out of the window and wondered what the hell Harsha was thinking this time to call all of them back to the palace. It was going to be huge.

The letter also detailed a mission to him. Harsha wanted him to go on a quite risky mission this time. He was supposed to go to Portugal this time. It was almost impossible. The last stunt he pulled made him a big target for the Castro.

The head of the Castro family would send hitmen at him once he knew that Alfonso would be travelling there. This was a risky mission even undercover.

The mission details weren't discussed but he could guess some details about the mission. It would most likely be about the recent deal with the Marathas and gathering information about the movements in the kingdom.

But it was nearly impossible since unless a noble would help him.

Alfonso sighed, as it was Harsha that sent him the letter so it was guaranteed the madman would have some insane plan for this mission.

"Alfonso," Krishna Deva Raya called.

"Yes, Father." He said stiffly.

"Why did Harsha call us?"

"It seems like your dear son is cooking up some huge plan once again," Alfonso said.

"Huge plan?"

Krishna Deva Raya looked puzzled. "Is he going to war again?"

'Ha... Don't make me remember. I don't want another war.' Alfonso screamed internally.

"I think not, if he wanted to go to war. He would have done it by now." Alfonso sighed.

Krishna Deva Raya chuckled. "That's true. He wouldn't wait to discuss and barge in."

"It's likely some reform." Alfonso explained. "He has been changing a lot of things recently."

"Yes, the construction and recruitment in the different cities." Krishna said. "The change is quite evident."

"The judicial reform?" Alfonso asked. "It has a fair share of problems."

"What problems?" Krishna asked.

"His plan is probably to revamp the whole noble system to suit his ideal."

"Huh?" Krishna's jaw dropped. "Is that brat serious?" He sighed.

"He might have a solution already in place for it." Alfonso also sighed. "I wonder why he called us to the Palace explicitly…"

"It must be a similar reason like this."

Lekha and Luisa watched them speak casually now and let out a breath of relief.

Luisa smiled at Lekha.

"Finally, those two talk like normal people."