CHAPTER 21: ENEMY KINGDOMS

17 1 0
                                    

Note: Important message given below the ending poster.

Far away from Amaravati, was another equally prosperous kingdom, Paramdham. It was under the rule of King Padmanand. The kingdoms were close friends in the past. Then, after a huge betrayal, both the kingdoms became enemies forever.

The same year Yashasvini was born, a prince was born in Paramdham. The child was named as Ramachandra.

Ramachandra was Padmanand and Gautami's son. The second son of Padmanand, Drithiman, was the son of Anasuya.

Padmanand married Gautami after they met and fell in love with each other. He married Anasuya for the kingdom's peace. However, he treated Anasuya well.

Both Anasuya and Padmanand had decided to marry for namesake and never love each other. They were enemy kingdoms previously. The marriage was done to prevent war.

Despite Padmanand treating her well, Anasuya always felt like Padmanand loved Gautami more than her.

It's true that they decided to not like each other but Anasuya still wanted the love any wife would want from a husband. However, when it came to political matters, Padmanand always listened to Anasuya.

22 years later:
In the gurukul, Ramachandra and Dhrithiman grew up to be young and responsible men. Ramachandra and Dhrithiman grew up well as brothers. They were so close to each other that they were often compared to Ram and Lakshman.

Ramachandra was loved by all people. Padmanand who was ruling over the kingdom decided to hand it over to his eldest son, Ram. All ministers and members of rhe council agreed after seeing Ram's capability. However, Anasuya was not favorable to this.

"Paramdham ki vaasiyon, ham apko bathana chahthe hai ki hamare putra Rajkumar Ramachandra ko ham yuvraj ghoshna karte hain!" The king announced in rejoice. The first step to becoming a king was to become a crown prince.

(People of Paramdham, I would like to announce that my son prince Ramachandra will be crowned as the crown prince!)

Ram accepted the post offered by Padmanand humbly. Dhrithiman was extremely happy about Ram becoming the King of Paramdham. He knew that Ram would be a great ruler.

After the announcement, when Dhrithiman went to meet his mother, he found an upset Anasuya.

"What happened ma? Is something bothering you?" He asked in concern.

"My dear son, I love both you and Ram equally. I love him as my own son. But at the same time, I want equal rights for you." She said with a sad face.

"What rights ma? What are you talking about?" Dhrithiman asked.

"My dear son, don't you think it's unfair that Ram is becoming the crown prince without even considering you?" She replied with holding her son's face in her palms.

"No ma. I don't think so. I think Pithashri (Father) has taken the right decision. He is more efficient than I am." He said holding his mother's hand.

"But if Ram becomes King, then what will you do my child? Will you always remain as just a prince who will help the king?" She asked.

"Of course I will if I have to ma. Not always maybe, but yes. When he needs me, I will." He replied.

Suddenly, a messenger came to inform that Dhrithiman that Ram and Padmanand had called him so Dhrithiman gave Anasuya and smile and left. Dhrithiman's answer definitely angered Anasuya.

"Pitrashri, did you call for me?" He asked, looking at Padmanand.

"Yes, my dear son. We have a few discussions to do. First, we need to call kings from all kingdoms for Ram's crowning ceremony. Take a list down and send the invitations." Padmanand said.

Dhrithiman immediately went and took down a list of kingdoms to be called whom they were friends with.

When Dhrithiman gave the list, Padmanand got furious.

"What is this?!" He yelled.

"What happened pithashri?" Asked a confused Dhrithiman.

"Why is Amaravati here?!" Asked an angry Padmanand.

"Well, when I saw the kingdoms we were friends with in the old times, they came up so I wrote it down." He replied politely.

"This kingdom should never be invited to any of our ceremonies!" He replied back in anger.

"Pithashri, why are we enemies with Amaravati? We were close friends back in the day I heard." Ram asked politely to an angry Padmanand.

Padmanand cooled down and answered "Amaravati did a huge betrayal to our kingdom. It cost a few lives." He said with disappointment.

"Anyways, invite the other kingdoms on the list. They are friends. And, after the crowning ceremony in two days, I want to meet you two here again." Padmanand said.

"Avashya, pithashri" both the brother said with their palms joined in a namaste and bending down. They left the room together.

"Congratulations brathashri (Elder brother). You're officially becoming the Crown prince of Paramdham!" Dhrithiman said excitedly.

"I guess I am. I'm going to take on huge responsibilities from there. I wonder if I'll be able to fulfill them." Ram replied.

"Of course you will. If you need me, I'll always be on your side for help." Dhrithiman replied.

Ram kept his hand on Dhrithiman's shoulder in appreciation and smiled at him. Ram did wonder about one more thing.

What happened between Amaravati and Paramdham? What kind of betrayal happened?

Soon, the crowning ceremony occurred.
Kings from several other kingdoms came to attend the ceremony. After the event, as instructed, Ramachandra and Dhrithiman went to meet Padmanand in privacy.

"May I ask why you have called us here pithashri?" Ram asked politely.

"I'm happy that you have become the crown prince of Paramdham. I'm proud of you son. However, I still need you to achieve more, becoming a worthy king for the kingdom." Padmanand said.

"What kind of achievement pithashri?" Ram asked.

"Territorial expansion. I want to send you on a mission. I want you to conquer a kingdom and bring it under our rule." Padmanand replied.

"Of course pithashri. I'll do my best. Do you have any kingdom in mind?" Ram asked.

"I want you to conquer Satavahana. And you have to do it alone. You can maybe take Dhrithiman along with you, but no other army support will be provided." Padmanand replied.

"Of course pithashri. I'll go with brathashri." Dhrithiman replied.

"I'll go on this mission and prove to be a worthy king pithashri. Now grant me permission to leave. I have to get ready for the mission. I'll start in 2 days." Replied Ramachandra.

Padmanand smiled at his reaction and reply and granted both the brothers to leave for Satavahana in 2 days.

Padmanand smiled at his reaction and reply and granted both the brothers to leave for Satavahana in 2 days

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.


To be continued...
-------------------
Hope you guys liked this chapter. I have not been receiving any votes or comments much. I'm only getting views. I would like you guys to comment or vote. Or else, it will be hard for me to move forward with writing it if there is no response. Kindly vote and comment. Thank you for reading!

Stay With MeWhere stories live. Discover now