Warrior Princess; Her Quest to the throne

0Though the provision existed for the past hundred years, no one till date had actually taken it up. Probably because it was a tough task and the repercussion included being labelled as a traitor in case the contender failed to prove the charges laid. This was so because one was directly challenging the country's ruling monarch and casting aspersions on her decision making ability, there needed to be a severe punishment attached to it.     0

It was said that the caveat had been created, in case, if despite the stringent selection process, an inappropriate ruler was selected. Which is why, every queen had tried her level best to make the next process of selection as comprehensive as possible. Of course, the reigning queen's children, even if eligible, were NOT allowed to participate.     

"Well, atleast there is no lineage issue in case of Rani Samyukta. She has never married and doesn't seem like that she intends to," thought Prithvi to himself.     

While he had been busy with his own thoughts, the queen had finished having a quiet word with most of the other department heads.     

Prithvi composed his face in an impassive expression and waited for his turn.     

Right at that moment, Rani Samyukta got up and walked out of the chamber.     

"Thank you all for coming tonight and offering such valuable insights into the potential candidates. I am afraid that some urgent state matters have come up for which Rani Samyukta has had to leave the room. Since most of you have finished your conversation with her, we have arranged for you all to go back to the Gurukul. There is a small token of our appreciation which will be handed over to you at the main gate," Indrani addressed the room with a smile.     

"Uh, I am afraid that you will have to wait for the queen for your discussion, Guruji," Indrani addressed Prithvi who was also making a beeline for the door, unobtrusively.     

"Ah, I had nearly escaped," he didn't let the thought show on his face as he nodded politely and went back to sit in his seat.     

Once everyone had left, Indrani looked at Prithvi and gestured him to follow her quietly. Intrigued for the first time in the evening, he nonetheless kept up the pretence of limping and walked across the room in slow movements.     

Indrani stopped at the entrance to what looked like a semi-lit room, "Rani Samyukta awaits your presence. I will send across a glass of hot cardamom milk for you."     

Prithvi turned to look at her in surprise. How had she known about his preferences?     

"How are you, Guruji? How are things at the Admin department?" Rani Samyukta's soft voice reached him.     

"As per my understanding, things are under control and in order, as they should be," he replied cautiously.     

"Please accept my apologies for putting you through an uncomfortable evening. But I needed your council," she said to him.     

Suddenly Prithvi looked at her sharply, "if I have understood this correctly, you created this whole charade just to get me to come to the royal palace for a legitimate reason?"     

His voice held admiration.     

"I think the brothel is perfect for a quick clandestine meeting where you give me updates and I take a decision. But tonight, I am looking for a discussion, rather a brainstorming session which may take more time. No one will interrupt us here," she replied.     

Prithvi bowed deeply and said, "I am at your service."     

She picked up a sheaf of parchments from the table and handed it over to him. This is the criteria which I have set for the next queen. I need to know your thoughts on the same."     

Saying so, she went to the other side of the table and sat down with one of the documents from the pile which were kept there for her attention.     

Prithvi zoned her out and read through the parchments carefully. After sometime had passed, he raised his head and found the queen immersed in her own work.     

Clearing his throat, he sought her attention.     

"You have laid out a fairly comprehensive list of attributes which the contenders must possess. But I think it would be a miracle if you could find even one out of the hundred odd eligible ones who would match majority of these. I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment," he told her bluntly.     

Samyukta gave him a nod of approval and said, "I agree with you and which is why we will be putting out these criteria for everyone to see."     

Prithvi frowned at her in confusion.     

"The purpose of this exercise is to categorise the candidates into three sections - those who will get scared by looking at the list, the ones who will apply thinking that they actually possess all these skill sets and finally, those who would participate to actually test their capability & suitability as a candidate, irrespective of the given list," she explained.     

Before he could say anything, she continued, "the reason for seeking you out tonight was something else. You may not be aware of this but the new queen is chosen by the reigning queen and the head of Administrative department every time."     

Prithvi looked completely shocked.     

She told him serenely, "how else do you think an orphan like me surpassed the more 'eligible' girls during that competition. It is because the contest is not based on whose grades are higher or who can wield a sword better or even, who can negotiate well. A ruler always has fighters, scholars and diplomats at her disposal for all these tasks. Before a new queen is chosen, it is the duty of the selectors to identify what is needed to be achieved in the next twenty five years and what kind of person is needed to complete that vision. A country is also like a human which goes through various stages of development. In my opinion, we are currently in the stage where development is taking place but we may run the risk of hitting stagnation."