The imperial palace's great hall was filled with morning sun as ten-year-old Sharath Virayan Darsha stood before the Emperor, Empress, and the complete council of veteran counselors. The magical tricycles, the road roller, and the digger machine had been shown around, and the room now lay in wait for his explanation.
The Empress, her face both serious and slightly worried, spoke first.
"Sharath," she said softly, "these inventions are wonderful. But… there is a question that presses hard upon all of us. What will happen to the people whose livelihood is based on horses, carriages, and allied trades? How can we avoid universal unemployment?"
Sharath stiffened, putting his hands behind his back. He replied in clear, slow speech, selecting words with care, eschewing any trace of sarcasm.
"Your Majesties, tricycles and magic equipment do not take away jobs; they redefine them. For instance, craftsmen will now maintain, repair, and assemble tricycles rather than carriages. Infrastructure and roadways will need operators, trainers, and managers for the new machinery. New jobs in logistics, cargo haulage, and magical vehicle operation will be created.".
In addition, tricycles can operate in villages, estates, and marketplaces where horses were not practical, expanding trade, enhancing access, and generating more commerce-related employment. Even horse trades will persist in ceremonial or luxury situations. The innovation does not eliminate work—it redivides and expands possibility.
A whispered buzz swept the council. The Empress nodded in admiration at the succinctness and wisdom of his words. The Emperor leaned forward, talking softly to her, both nodding discreetly towards the council to show their focus.
A number of council members started to express their approval.
"This child has weighed up the social implications," declared one of the older advisors. "The technology does not take people's jobs; it generates jobs we never thought of."
"Yes," said another. "Tricycles and improved infrastructure can boost trade, health, and communication. They're not dangers but instruments of progress."
But a handful of diehards stood firm, their voices growing in protest.
"Change is risky," one exclaimed. "These innovations sabotage centuries of custom. Horse breeding, carriage maintenance, and tried-and-true practices should not be discarded."
Their argument heated up, but in the middle of it, a gentle voice cut across.
"Father," Princess Elenora stepped forward, a smile of determination on her face, "I would marry Sharath. Not for politics, but because I appreciate his inventions. I too have worked on water purification by sedimentation and boiling methods, and have brought health and prosperity to the villages. I appreciate innovation—and I enjoy what he constructs."
The Empress looked at the Emperor, and then questioned Sharath bluntly, "And your opinion, young Viscount?"
Sharath, polite and cautious, replied with typical steadiness.
"Your Majesties, I am flattered, but I am only ten. I will not hear of marriage until I am eighteen. Any suitor will have to respect and share my work, not be a trade item."
The princess's face reddened. Sharath felt a warm flush of shyness well up into his own cheeks. The Emperor and Empress exchanged a gentle, approving smile.
The council recovered from the short flush of embarrassment and got back to business. The Emperor requested Sharath to present the road roller and digging machine again. He did it perfectly, rolling out and leveling the courtyard and digging neat trenches. The Empress and Emperor nodded in approval.
"Excellent," said the Emperor. "These machines will be sanctioned for use all over the empire.
The council united in favor of the road roller and digging machine. Tricycles, however, were still debated by the traditionalists. Sharath, feeling a chance, declared resolutely,
"I will provide the road rollers and digging machines only if the tricycles are sanctioned for general usage."
The Emperor and Empress exchanged discreet smiles, recognizing the negotiation. Even the rest of the traditionalists grudgingly consented to the compromise.
Imperial Orders and Titles
The Emperor now approached Sharath.
"You shall produce one hundred road rollers, one hundred digging machines, and one thousand tricycles for the army and infrastructure projects. Compensation will include noble land adjacent to the Darsha Dukedom."
Sharath nodded, understanding the scale. The lands were barren and lightly populated, but he accepted the title of Viscount, taking responsibility for improving the empire's infrastructure.
The Empress continued, "Sanitation and magical infrastructure also need to be extended across the empire. We will send one hundred laborers to learn your ways for clean water and waste disposal. Payment will be in gold, and you have three years from now to finish this project."
Sharath went through these conditions while seated calmly, ready to depart with his team.
The Emperor spoke once more, stopping him.
"Princess Elenora and her guards will accompany you to your estate. She will assist your inventions and create more favorable relations between your household and the empire."
Sharath nodded reluctantly. Princess Elenora, eager but still reserved, explained her own methods in sedimentation and boiling for enhancing village water supply.
Therefore, Sharath set off from the capital with Princess Elenora, the workers, and his retinue. The princess would help with inventions, acquire sanitation methods, and make the imperial family more closely connected to the Darsha Dukedom.
As the procession departed the palace, Sharath's thoughts were already ahead: new tricycles, road networks, sanitation systems, and a young inventor friend to gauge against his. The empire's infrastructure would soon know the full brunt of his genius.
And yet… at the back of his mind, he could not escape the fact that this was merely the start. Greater challenges, bigger projects, and unexpected political hurdles lay ahead. But for the moment, the Darsha ingenuity was on its way.