Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

The Royal Council meeting was held again after a few days. The draft constitution was completed and was ready to be discussed in the council. He was also looking forward to the potential new candidate in the council in the form of judicial affairs.

"The new candidate!! I wonder who?." He muttered

Harsha was wearing his usual clothes with a black tunic and an overcoat neatly sitting on his shoulders with some pajamas. His long hair was tied back, and his golden gemstone earrings glowed in the morning sunlight.

He could feel the subtle excitement from Viswa, walking behind him. It was natural since Viswa had done his best in drafting the constitution. He was not only in charge of the drafting, but he also planned the training of judges and lawyers, the construction of courts, and the recruitment and screening of police forces. The training of auditors about the regulations of the legal system and the powers vested in them to stop corruption and bribery in the legal system.

The guards opened the doors on his arrival, and he stepped into the vast royal court. Everyone was yet to arrive, as he came earlier than expected.

It was definitely not due to boredom and not because he wanted to skip some work.

Slowly everyone was gathering in the large court and taking their respective positions at the long wooden table.

Asokan Nair was still yet to arrive. Finally, after a while. Asokan arrives in the Royal court right on time, not even a single minute late

He greeted Harsha with a huge smile, and beside him was a woman, middle-aged, who looked like she had seen her fair share of struggle. She was fit and wore a modest saree; her long black hair was neatly braided; and she wore minimal ornaments. Harsha could see the nervousness of the woman from her demeanour.

Despite the signs of struggle etched on her face. She looked beautiful in her own way. She looked wise and intelligent.

"Your Majesty, this is the candidate I told you about." Asokan Nair exclaimed.

"Hoo.." Harsha said while scanning the woman up and down with an intrigue and detached look.

"What is her name?"

"It's Aradhana." stammers out the woman.

"Your Majesty. Aradhana is very talented in this field and has vast experience in resolving conflicts among her own villages." Asokan admitted. "She has mediated for different people across the Empire during her travels."

"Travels?" Harsha asked.

Aradhana came forward. "Your Majesty, I have been travelling through the Empire with my only son." She took a deep breath. "My husband passed away due to an illness."

"During my travels, I have resolved conflicts between people. Although mostly non-violent crimes and some violent crimes."

"For a woman to mediate? How did you make the people agree?" Harsha asked.

It was quite a feat for a woman to mediate many conflicts in this era. The patriarchal societal structure gave them little to no autonomy. So for a woman to achieve this was a remarkable feat in itself.

"Persuasion and the reputation of my deeds helped me."

"Hmmm….I see."

Harsha wanted to test her.

"A shopkeeper is caught overcharging villagers for essential goods during a drought. How would you handle this situation while ensuring justice and preventing further exploitation?"

Aradhana looked confused at the sudden question but began to think and reached her solution quickly. She knew it was a test to see her ability.

"Find evidence that supports this claim. Impose a penalty on the store and retrieve the excess money charged." She said thoughtfully. "And to avoid further problems similar to it. I would introduce regulated pricing during crises." Stay connected through empire

Harsha smiled. "Excellent answer. Asokan indeed brought in a talented candidate."

Asokan was worried initially about bringing Aradhana to the court. He knew of her ability and also offered her a job. Unfortunately, she rejected the offer and chose to travel and resolve conflicts in her path. This gave her the much-needed experience for the job. Asokan decided to ask her again since he had heard she was close to the capital for a few days.

This led to Aradhana obliging and coming with him to the royal court. She didn't want to get on the bad side of the Emperor since she heard scary rumors about him from some people. Although she heard more praise than rumors about the development in his reign. It doesn't hurt to be cautious.

"Did Asokan brief you about the position?"

"Yes, he did. I understand his intention of getting me this position."

"You don't want it?" Harsha asked, raising his brow.

She nodded attentively to Harsha's statement.

"Why don't you want it?"

"I don't feel like I am the best fit for the position, and there might be opposition from the nobles if you appoint a woman at this position."

Harsha sighed as it was a valid concern. Women were looked down upon in this sort of position, especially in the higher echelons of society. Only some women have been able to break free from these shackles through their own power. Gauri was the best example of this, as he defeated the royal commander. Her feat earned her not only the position of Queen, but it also earned her the respect of all the neighbours and her own soldiers.

"So you think avoiding this position would improve your standing and the plight of women in general?"

"No.." She muttered with a light voice. "But it would cause more problems than good."

"You being in the royal council would give hope to the young woman that wants to break free from their shackles." Harsha began. "You will become a beacon of their hope."

"Your Majesty.." Her voice trails off.

"No one here will question you based on your gender." Harsha declared. "Will you?" He scanned the room. Not one of the council members refuted it. They knew that he valued ability more than status, race, or gender.

"See.." He smiled at Aradhana. "Don't worry about the nobles part. I shall guarantee you will not be discriminated against based on your gender."

"What about my child?" She stammers out nervously at the cold gaze of Harsha.

"He can learn in Palace. We shall provide resources for free as long as you are a member of the council."

Harsha smiled and stated. "Your ability is important in the council. You can be replaced if you don't perform."

"So? Whats your answer now?"

Aradhana took a deep breath. She needed to take a decision that would be one of the most important in her life to date. She would become the first female council member.

She had seen a lot of injustice to women during her travels across the Empire. She wanted to change it, but she didn't have the power. Now she was handed the power to change that. If she ran away here, she would be a coward. Her own son would be ashamed of her.

Aradhana decided to become the hope for the young women of the next generation.

"Your Majesty, I will accept it."

Harsha chuckled. "That's an excellent decision. You won't regret it." He gestured at the empty chair close to Asokan's chair.

"Take a seat. You are a council member."

"Now, Viswa, show them the constitution."

Viswa proudly distributed the drafted constitution written on the finest paper in the Empire to the council. He was one of the main reasons for the quick draft. His research and neat summarization made it easier for Harsha to take in information and formulate the constitution.

Everyone began reading the constitution in silence. No one moved as their eyes were focused on the constitution and it's content. Harsha leaned back into his plush chair with a satisfied look.

After a while, everyone finished reading the constitution.

"This is great. Your Majesty," Bhima exclaimed.

"Indeed, it is." Asokan chimed in. "Aribration courts for resolving petty crimes. It would help the general ones focus on the more important ones."

"Auditors to regulate the courts to ensure fairness." Aradhana exclaimed, "This is well thought out, but what about the laws?"

"It has to be formulated in time till the construction and recruitment of the judges end." Harsha smiled as he gave Aradhana the chance to prove herself in front of the council. "You can use the resources of the Empire to ensure the task is completed in time."

"Your Majesty, what about the jails?" Mithun added. "We need jails also."

"It's all planned by Viswa and me. There will be separate jails for violent criminals and petty criminals." Harsha mentioned, "We cannot have the non-violent ones do crimes to defend themselves

"This will cost a lot along with a huge workforce." Raj Patwardhan exclaimed. "It seems worth it to splurge on this endeavor."

"Sign it." Harsha declared.

There was no hesitation. It was signed and passed by all Royal Council members unanimously.

Harsha had a bright grin and a satisfied expression. He put a foundational pillar in the Empire for the future today.

He roared.

"I want the constitution spread all across the Empire. Every single citizen of the Empire must know their rights."

The constitution was successfully passed in the Empire.

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