Royal Residence: Baths
"Alright, buddy, time for a scrub," Hamsa said as he entered the bath chamber, carrying a still-asleep Chotu in his arms.
Hamsa stepped in and stood, while the accessories he was waring were removed.
He turned to the servant who was removing his accessories.
"Is everything I asked for prepared?"
"Yes, Rajkumar. Everything has been procured and arranged."
"Good. You may leave. Keep the doors locked until I say otherwise."
"As you command, Rajkumar."
The servant bowed and exited, securing the chamber behind him.
Afterwards-
Bathing Chotu proved to be an ordeal. The cub wriggled and splashed in protest, but eventually exhaustion won. By the time Hamsa finished rinsing and drying him, Chotu was completely spent.
After handing the cub to the attendant outside, Hamsa stepped into the bath himself and lowered into the water.
Hey, Adi.
What is it now? I am watching something interesting from your memories for once. So unless this is important, do not disturb me, Adi replied is an dismissive tone.
You are inside my head, using my memories for your own entertainment.
You do not get to refuse me.
Ugh. Fine. What do you want? Adi's irritation was clear with his tone.
Do you think that Kavad kid was telling the truth? About being the Grand Vizier's illegitimate son?
I don't care either way. But why do you think he lied?
You did hear us talk right.
He claims to be illegitimate of the Grand Visier no less, and yet he speaks with detailed knowledge—as if he has direct access to state matters.
And why on earth would the Grand Vizier bring an illegitimate son on a foreign diplomatic visit?
Who knows? And why are you so concerned? He will be here for at least another week. You can observe him yourself. Or use your brother to gather information.
Hamsa leaned back slightly.
That is reasonable. I will do that. For now, I will set it aside.
He exhaled slowly.
And enjoy this bath.
Hamsa remained in the water a while longer before rising, drying off, and returning to his chambers to spend the rest of the day in idle rest.
_________
Later That Day
Garuda and Otanes had finished touring the capital and returned to the Royal District. They now sat across from one another at a shaded pavilion where lunch had been arranged.
"Rajkumar Garuda, if I may," Otanes began.
"Kavad, there is no need to be reserved with me. Speak freely, as you have been," Garuda replied, maintaining the pretense of Otanes's assumed identity.
"In that case, I appreciate it. I had a question. I was told that your people abstain from meat. Yet during my stay, I have seen meat served in the city—and even here in the palace."
Garuda nodded slightly.
"You are correct that our teachings discourage the consumption of meat. However, it is not an absolute prohibition. There are exceptions. Warriors, for example, are permitted to eat meat when necessary for maintaining physical strength. Additionally, in certain regions, plant-based food is not available year-round. In such cases, the teachings allow meat consumption if there are no viable alternatives. So while meat is discouraged, it is not entirely forbidden."
As he finished explaining, servants approached and began placing dishes before them.
They ate in relative silence.
After the meal, they visited the temple briefly and later resumed walking through the Royal District.
After some time, Otanes spoke again.
"Rajkumar Garuda, may I ask about your brother?"
Garuda's expression shifted, though only slightly.
There was an unspoken restriction regarding Hamsa—particularly concerning his mana and how he used it. Outside the royal family, only select guards and certain temple agents were aware of the full extent of his capabilities he has thus far displayed.
Hamsa himself deliberately avoided public displays that might attract unnecessary attention.
Garuda understood immediately what Otanes was attempting to inquire about.
"You may ask," Garuda said evenly. "But do not expect the complete truth."
His tone made it clear—there were limits, even between those who could be considered friends.
"Well for some one who is the youngest on record to awaken and have a fully developed mana circuit,.." Otanes slightly hesiated before he sopke agian. "I couldn't sense much mana from him. I sense more from your then him. And me and my sister are very scencitive to mana since our respective awakenings."
Garuda was silent for a moment, choosing his words carefully.
"To be honest, he possesses more mana than anyone I know," he said at last. "And he has been in a constant state of suppression—day and night—since he was six years old. After his recent illness, he has been exerting even more effort to keep it contained."
Otanes frowned slightly.
Every individual naturally emitted mana. The greater the internal reserves, the greater the passive emission.
In Hamsa's case, his own mana alone—without accounting for Adi's presence within him—was dense enough to unsettle experienced soldiers and even senior temple agents. Only their discipline and loyalty prevented instinctive defensive reactions.
Because of this, Hamsa had been forced to master continuous suppression at a young age.
What normally required over a decade of disciplined training, he had achieved in less than half that time. Even so, maintaining such control placed constant strain on both the mind and the mana organ.
"The way you describe it," he said carefully, "it sounds less like discipline and more like confinement. I awakened less than a year ago, and I can barely sense mana consistently, let alone control it. From what I understand, prolonged suppression causes significant physical and mental strain."
Garuda nodded faintly.
"I am certain it does. He claims it does not trouble him much, but knowing my brother, I doubt that is entirely true. Unfortunately, I cannot fully grasp what he endures. I am not like him."
There was no jealousy in his tone—only acknowledgment.
"He has always been… different."
___________
A Few Weeks Later
Training Grounds
Clang. Clang.
The sharp clash of steel echoed like a heartbeat across the training grounds, where soldiers danced in a flurry of movement—dust swirling around their feet, cheers bouncing off the walls of the arena.
In the thick of it all, there were Rajkumar Hamsa and Garuda, their blades locked in a steady rhythm that felt almost like a heartbeat—pulsing, alive. Some voices shouted Hamsa's name, while others rallied behind Garuda. The energy was electric, a living thing.
Then, with a swift shift—like a gust of wind—Garuda redirected his blade, sending Hamsa tumbling to the ground. The impact sent a cloud of dust into the air, a brief moment of stillness before the cheers erupted again.
"Are you alright?" Garuda asked, his voice steady, as he lowered his sword and extended a hand.
Hamsa took it, rising slowly, brushing off the remnants of the earth like it was nothing more than a fleeting annoyance. "Seems I'm no longer your match, little brother."
"Don't say that," Garuda replied. "If you were using mana, it wouldn't have been a fair fight."
Hamsa chuckled, a light sound that danced in the air. "Well regardless of Mana, in close combat you surpass me now.."
Garuda shook his head, determination etched on his features. "Even if that's true, I still have to catch up to you in every other way."
With a playful smirk, Hamsa ruffled Garuda's hair. "Can't you just take a compliment, you little brat?"
They stepped off the field, the camaraderie palpable.
"Rajkumar Hamsa, you did well—considering Garuda has outpaced you in close quarter combat," one of the guards called out, a teasing lilt in his voice.
Hamsa shot him a glance, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Very amusing. Maybe I should stop going easy on you all this week—in honor of your honesty."
Though his smile was bright, something in his gaze made the guards stiffen, a chill creeping in. And on of the others smacked the openers head.
"Elder brother, please spare them—for their sake, mine and yours," Garuda interjected, his tone dry as the desert sun.
Since last year, Hamsa had taken on the mantle of Mana User instructor for the Royal Guards. Officially, he was refining their control and teach them his ways; unofficially, he was weaving strength into their mana circuits, all while flying under the radar.
Garuda trained under Hamsa, not the Rajaguru. Which had started as a lesson in responsibility for his actions, but had morphed into an experimental journey—one that Hamsa navigated with a careful hand so as to not get in trouble again.
Hamsa reached for a cup of water, the coolness a welcome relief. "How's the Grand Vizier faring?" he asked a nearby maid, his voice steady.
The Grand Vizier had taken a tumble from his horse, a mishap that had him stuck in the capital longer than expected.
"He's recovering well," came a voice from the side. "He should be able to walk unassisted by next week."
Hamsa turned, surprise flickering across his features.
Otanes stood there, a shadow among the sunlit chaos.
"Kavad. Didn't realize you were here," Hamsa said, keeping his tone even.
"I was bored, Rajkumar, so I thought I'd watch the training," Otanes replied.
"Care to join in?" Hamsa asked.
Otanes hesitated.
"I'm not pressuring you," Hamsa added, his voice softening. "But sometimes, being in the thick of it is more enlightening than just watching."
After a moment that felt like an eternity, Otanes nodded. "Alright. I'll join."
"Good. You can spar with the guards—or with Garuda. I must return to the palace."
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Hamsa handed his blade to an attendant, the weight of the weapon leaving his grip.
Otanes inclined his head, a silent agreement. "Very well."
As Hamsa made his way off the grounds, Otanes approached Garuda, ready to request a match. The air buzzed with anticipation, the day far from over...
________________
Hamsa walked alone along the stone paths leading to the palace. Weeks earlier, at his own request, he had been granted permission to attend court. For the past few days, he had taken his place among the members as an observer.
"Have you found out anything?" Hamsa asked without turning.
"Nothing of note, Rajkumar," Gopal replied.
"Very well. I will speak to Mother directly. There is no avoiding it now."
"As you command, Rajkumar. Shall I send a messenger to request an audience with the Mahadevi?"
"Yes. Arrange it as soon as the court session concludes."
As they finished talking the Palace was in sight and they entered the Throne Room.
By the time they entered, the court was already assembled. The throne, once a double seat, had been replaced with a single one. After the customary greetings, Hamsa took his seat on the right side near the front—close to the center, yet still among the other members, as he was present only as an observer.
Trumpets sounded.
The Raja entered, took his seat, and the court began in earnest.
This is boring. Hamsa remarked inwardly.
Tell me about it. Adi replied.
You are in my head, can't you watching something, like a movie or anime or TV series.
I am trying. It is just that most of your memories involve work. You rarely allowed yourself leisure.
You could have enjoyed your time with your friends more, but you didn't.
Stop judging my past life when you spent most of yours asleep. And that was enjoyment for me.
If I had behaved the way you seem to prefer i.e,.. like my friends I presume. Half of them would have been dead by adulthood and the rest imprisoned for their recklessness.
That is because you acted like their shepherd. Of course they became careless.
Hamsa chose not to respond.
As these conversations went through in Hamsa's head.
The court proceeded through routine petitions and reports. Land disputes. Trade allocations. Minor appointments.
Then movements later something drew his attention.
A man dressed in white priestly robes was brought forward in chains.
Fine. I admit my life was miserable, he muttered inwardly. But be quiet now. This is interesting.
He leaned forward slightly, eyes sharpening as the proceedings shifted from mundane administration to something far more consequential.
"This man has impersonated a priest and committed crimes including theft and sexual exploitation," one of the soldiers announced.
The court fell into silence. Many seemed to assume the matter was straightforward.
The Raja considered the accused for a moment before turning his gaze toward Hamsa.
"Rajkumar Hamsa, what do you propose we do with this man?" he asked formally.
The attention of the entire court shifted.
Hamsa allowed himself a faint smile.
This feels familiar.
He rose slightly from his seat.
"Your Majesty, if I may. For the crimes committed, I suggest that this man be publicly executed."
The chamber erupted into murmurs.
Mahamanthri Vasu, seated opposite Hamsa, stood immediately.
"Your Majesty, forgive me, but is that not excessive? Tradition and law dictate corporal punishment, seizure of assets, and banishment. A public execution—especially in this context—is unprecedented."
The murmuring leaned in Vasu's favor.
Hamsa remained composed.
"You are correct, Mahamanthri Vasu," he said evenly. "And I understand the weight of what I propose. But if you permit me to explain—"
The Raja nodded. "You may speak your mind."
Hamsa turned toward Vasu.
"Mahamathri Vasu, for the proper functioning of the state, are the temples necessary?"
"Yes," Vasu replied without hesitation. "The temples serve numerous functions. They are a fundamental pillar of our society and ensure the preservation and continued existence of our culture."
"Then we are in agreement," Hamsa continued. "We act not only as donors, but as protectors of the temples and their people. It is therefore also the Crown's duty to ensure that incidents such as this do not erode public trust. And if they do occur, justice must be delivered in a manner that restores and reinforces that trust."
Vasu inclined his head slightly. "Your reasoning is sound, Rajkumar. But a public execution—"
"Yes," Hamsa interrupted calmly. "It appears extreme because the times are stable. But decisive measures must be taken while times are stable."
He let the words settle before continuing.
"If we delay firm action until institutions are already weakened, it will be too late. Sometimes actions seem harsh in the present but prevent far greater harm in the future. If we fail to establish a clear boundary now, future generations may not have the opportunity to defend what we allowed to erode."
The court grew quieter.
"This is not merely punishment," Hamsa concluded. "It is a signal—both to our people and to any who might exploit sacred authority—that such corruption will not be tolerated."
Silence followed as the weight of his argument lingered in the hall.
After Hamsa finished speaking, the court dissolved into steady murmurs. Voices rose and fell across the chamber as nobles exchanged opinions in hushed but urgent tones. Some nodded in agreement; others frowned in visible discomfort.
Time passed before the noise gradually subsided.
The Raja remained silent throughout, observing his court.
When the hall had finally settled, he spoke.
"Very well. If there is no formal opposition to this proposal, this man shall be publicly executed."
A pause followed.
"And henceforth, impersonation of a priest for the purpose of exploitation or criminal gain shall be punishable by death under the law of this Kingdom."