The Obligated Empire

Chapter 2

Meanwhile at the marketplace:-

Entering the market Kriya got down from the carriage and started taking a stroll with others. She saw everyone bowing to her with respect displaying their gratitude. She let out an elegant smile and announced, “You all can return to your respective works. I am not your king, consider me one of you. I have just come here to check if everything is going well or if you guys need help with anything. If anybody is facing any issue feel no fear to share it with me. It's my responsibility to make sure all of you are living a peaceful life.” Hearing this the people smiled at their princess knowing she is good and will be a great leader in the future. Elders blessed her and youngsters cheered her name to express their happiness.  

Kriya then moved forward to look around the market. After walking a little she noticed a crowd gathered in a circle. She hears angry shouts coming from them. She nodded to her team and moved further to enquire about the cause of this. Getting closer to it she found that they were surrounding a child who was crying for some reason. A grown-up man was about to hit a child, while others were cursing and scolding him.  Noticing this she felt really angry and yelled, "STOP! What are you doing to him? Look at this innocent face. Is this a way to behave with a young child?" 

The man who was about to hit the child turned to glare at her but upon noticing her bowed in respect before answering, "Greetings princess, I'm sorry you have to see this. But I have a justified reason to do so. This child is a thief, he stole fruits from my shop. Now you only say doesn't he deserve punishment for his crimes." 

His answer irritated her more.

"Since when do you get the right to decide punishments? The king and the court are for display purposes. There is a protocol for everything. Also in every trial, the accused gets a chance to explain the reason for their doing before judgment. Did you ask him why he did that before punishing him?" The crowd bowed their heads in shame and fear. 

Kriya then went towards the kid and asked lovingly, "Why did you steal food? You know stealing is a crime right? Also is it good to steal". 

The child was in tears scared about the punishment but watching Kriya smile at him he felt a little comfort. Finally, he mumbled in a choked voice, "I am an orphan princess. I don't have any money and I was really hungry so I had no choice but to steal, please forgive me I shall never do it again." He begged Kriya for forgiveness and requested her to save him. 

Looking at his painful and scared expressions Kriya felt pitiful. She ordered one of his guards to feed him and then send him to childcare to ensure his comfortable accommodation.  

"Remember your lesson little master. Don't pull such stunts again." She ruffled his hair. The boy gave her a toothy grin promising her to know to make a mistake again. She bid him farewell. 

After they left she turned towards the crowd to address them on their behavioral conduct. 

"Before taking the law into your hands, think carefully twice. Also, ask for the reason for the crime before deciding on any punishment on your own! This is no way to treat anyone, especially a child. I understand that this is your hard work and income so your anger is right at its place. But acting on impulse does you no good in longer aspects. Also giving a child something to eat is a great deed. Plus you should never treat anyone badly, especially children and women." 

The shopkeeper came forward and apologized, "I apologize for my mistake princess. I have learned a lesson. I won't repeat anything like this." 

Kriya gestures to her maid who comes forward with a velvet pouch. Kriya takes it and hands some gold coins to the shopkeeper.

"Here you go, this is your compensation for the loss. I understand how much it means to you, I won't take no for the answer. Now everyone else gets back to your work. Drama is over for today." The shopkeeper felt touched by this. He requested her to accept some fresh fruits as a gift. Kriya accepted the gift with a smile and thanked him.

She then turns around to go back when many shopkeepers surround her. After witnessing her earlier interaction everyone wanted to give her something as a token of gratitude. They requested her to accept their gifts too. Noticing how they love and cherish her she accepted all the presents and thanked them in return. After that, she strolled around the market, shopping for some gifts for her parents too. After spending some happy time she returned to the carriage and left for the palace.

At palace:-

Kriya returned to the palace happily. On her way, she was greeted by her mother queen Dhara who was watching over maids. Kriya went towards her mother and greeted her. She happily started narrating her eventful day spent, “Mother, are you free? I bought a lot of presents for you and father. I want to show you what I got for both of you. Also, do you know what else happened today? I have a lot of stories to tell you.” 

Dhara smiled at her daughter's cheerfulness and replied, “I will always have time for my lovely daughter, come sit then tell me everything you want to.” Kriya nodded as they went towards the garden to sit as her favorite swing.

Kriya gestured to the maids to get them everything they received and the gifts she bought for them in the garden. When the gifts arrived Kriya took everything one by one from the gifts and showed them to her with childlike excitement.

“Mother we might have everything but since I went to the market I bought you gifts. All purchasing something from small shops to help them in their business, hope you like it.” Hearing this Dhara smiled affectionately at her daughter's intentions.

“Dear, you did a wonderful job. We should support them, your gesture made me proud. Also, why wouldn't I like the gift my lovely daughter brought with so much love.” Kriya smiled and handed her the gift. 

Soon the maids brought fresh fruits which surprised Dhara. Kriya giggled at her mother's reaction and explained the whole scenario that happened in the market. Hearing the explanation Dhara gazed at Kriya with pride, keeping her hand on Kriya’s head she asserted, “You have grown up as a wonderful lady, and you are groomed well. With a pure heart and intentions, you will be a good ruler who will be adored by her people.” 

Kriya smiled at her mother's words. 

“I don't want to be a ruler who not only rules their land. I want what is best for our citizens.” 

Both ladies sat there in silence for a while enjoying the view of the setting sun. Looking at the darkening sky Dhara realized it’s time to instruct the royal cook about dinner so she left instructing Kriya, “I have to check the dinner preparations, till then take some rest. I will send someone to fetch you for dinner once your father arrives.” Kriya nodded and both left on their respective ways. 

Meanwhile, in the reformatory, the king and everyone else kept a close look at the poison testing. They observed the whole process keenly. After the successful completion of the experiment, they took a breath of relief. Coming out of the testing midst the king congratulated the team and decided to leave for the palace. After a chaotic day, all he wants is peace for a few moments before the new information adds a whole new perspective to the ongoing situation. 

The king came back during the time for dinner and went straight to freshen up. Queen Dhara greeted him with a smile before she could say something when she saw the dull face of the king. Stress lines formed on his face, he was looking so tired. She asked with a frown, “what happened, why do you look so stressed? Why did they call you suddenly at lunch hour? Was the matter serious?” 

The king just let out a small smile before responding calmly, “it’s nothing, everything is fine don't worry. I am just a little tired from all this journey. Nothing that good sleep and the company of my two special ladies can't cure. You go, I will join you both at dinner in a few minutes.” Dhara nodded, partially convinced, and left towards the dining room, instructing Vaani to call Kriya for dinner.

The king entered the dining hall only to find all the ladies gossiping about something and giggling. He took a deep breath to calm his anxiety and faked a smile. He doesn't want anyone to notice the ongoing stress. He was sure the smiles wouldn't remain the same. if they realize the gravity of the matter. He wants them to have their happy moments intact. The maids greeted with respect once they realized the arrival of the King. Everyone started having their meal in silence. After a while, Kriya couldn't keep her calm and called the king for his attention, sharing the stories of market events and gifts with him. She showed him all her gifts, disclosed all her stories with him with excitement. 

The king listened to everything absentmindedly. He realized when there was an emergency today, his daughter was out there exposed to danger. Kriya didn't seem to notice it but the queen did.

"Daughter, why this sudden uninformed visit to the market, was there any specific reason to go?” he asked as calmly as he could.

Kriya was surprised at her father's sudden hostility but still replied, “True father my visit was sudden but it wasn't uninformed. I took permission from my mother for this. Also, this is my land, my home, I can visit it whenever I want. Is there any problem father?” 

Dhara supported her statement, “True I gave her permission for this. I sent her to the protection of the guards. What happened? She visited the town earlier also but you never raised a question." The king smiled reluctantly before answering, "Nothing I was just curious." 

Queen Dhara was sure something was not right. Her husband's behavior is unusual since the moment he stepped foot in the palace after lunch. Kriya suddenly remembered the sudden increase in security in the market and the palace. She looked at father frowning and asked, “Father, is there any reason for the sudden increase in security? I noticed the sudden increase in the number of guards at the marketplace as well as every important building even outside the palace too. They have kept a keen eye on everyone observing them silently. Are you sure everything is ok father?" 

King looked at Kriya for a second, carefully thinking for an apt answer. 

“It's nothing, it’s just for safety protocols. Everything is fine. I want to check the specific security protocol other than the routine one. ” 

Kriya nodded knowing she should drop the topic as her father is not going to explain it any further.

"Father, do you like the gift I bought for you?" 

"Has it ever happened that I didn't like anything you do? I loved your gift." The king replied smiling. 

Queen Dhara narrated the purpose behind Kriya buying those gifts. The king smiled proudly at his daughter.

"My princess has grown up and has become a wonderful lady. You are ready to take responsibility for this empire and crown. I should retire now and spend all my time with your mother. At least she won't complain then.”  

Hearing this Dhara and Kriya smiled.

"But before I should hand over the heavy responsibility on your delicate shoulders I should find support for it. No father ever likes sharing their daughter but since you are a young lady now I think it's time to find a suitable groom for you. I want to see you settled happily with a man who loves and cherishes you like us before you throw yourself in the pool of responsibilities.  So I am planning to send an invitation to the best eligible princes. What is your opinion on this Dhara?" King Samarth looked at his wife expectantly waiting for her response on this.