~•~ The Mighty Kingdom  ~•~

"The beauty of a kingdom is not in its outer exhibition of merriment, splendour and opulence.. It lies deep within the heart of the people residing in the empire, in the form of the love and respect towards their ruler."

|~•~•~•~|

'Hail the king Tej of Isilwane!', the herald of the court announced as soon as the King appeared from a secret door behind his throne.

He stepped forward as a proud king, regency oozing out of his huge crown embedded with rubies, emeralds and amethysts - each stone referring to each of the main three provinces of his kingdom; his red mantle hidden under his silky white robe with intricate detailing of pure gold; his wool and gold shoes peeking through his every step; as he ascended his throne. Taking out the long sword within the scabbard from his cincture, he leaned upon the backrest of his throne, raising his hand to the cheering commoners gesturing them to become silent. His tranquil expression was complemented by the wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes, his greyish hair and beard, gave off an expression of experience and sheer understanding about him.. The most loving fact about him to his subjects. He was truly a father figure to them.

'Hail the First Prince Shivaay of Isilwane!!', the herald's voice boomed again, and the crowd raged in unison to greet their favourite prince.

Shivaay entered the court dressed in blue mantle and green robe with same detailing of pure gold covering them, matching the colour of his beautiful eyes. Taking out his sword from his cincture, he occupied the middle throne out of the three thrones placed  just beneath the king's one and waved at the crowd, silencing them, yet some faint girly giggles remained in the air.

'Hail the Second Prince Omkara of Isilwane!!', the herald shook from inside while taking the name of the most infamous prince.

The crowd too seemed too scared to even pronounce the huzzas from their heart. They shouted their lungs out only fearing if the prince got angry and punished them. Omkara smirked looking at the crowd cheering for him mechanically in fear. Not that he was offended, he enjoyed their dread and felt satisfied that his subjects feared him for his mysteriousness. Clad in purple mantle and black robe, he made his way towards the throne. Taking out the sword, he waved it from up to downwards, freezing the mob in deadly silence. He looked at his left to Shivaay passing him a smile while taking his seat, and Shivaay returned him a mock disappointed look.

'Hail the Third Prince Rudra of Isilwane!!' The herald's voice got lost in the loud 'ooohs', from the crowd of women.

Rudra entered the court taking his usual bouncy playful steps. Winking at the women swooning over him, he swayed a bit to show off his ivory mantle and cheerful lemon green robe, along with his muscular frame. Taking his sword along with his scabbard out, he grinned widely at his elder brothers in his right side before jumping on his throne, and he was greeted by the flabbergasted grins by his brothers shaking their head in despair.

• • • • •

Tej stood up to address his subjects,
'I, the King of Isilwane, welcome you all to the crowning ceremony of my three sons. I have been ruling this empire during last thirty years of peace and prosperity. And, according to the custom of our society I am now at the verge of Vanaprastha, so, I chose this auspicious day to declare the duties of my sons to my dear subjects', he descended at the dias and clapped his hands twice. Three maids came forward with three golden trays carrying three different crowns.

'As you know', Tej turned to his audience, 'our kingdom is divided in three main provinces, Southern, Western and Northern Province. From now on, my three sons will take up the charge of three Provinces as the Kings.'

He took the first crown. It had emeralds being surrounded by golden wires and leafs of peepul. Summoning Shivaay forward, he put the crown over his head. Turning to the crowd holding Shivaay's hand he declared, 'From this moment and onwards, Prince Shivaay will be King of the evergreen, opulent Southern Province of Isilwane'.

The crowd roared in cheer. Putting the burning flame on his left palm and holding his sword in his right hand, he declared, 'I, the former First Prince of Isilwane and now, the King of the Southern Province of Isilwane, take my pledge to foster and protect my kingdom till my last breath.'

A proud Tej took the second crown in his hands which had golden wires and leaves of maple surrounding the amethysts, a faint glow of red dissipating from the electrifying blue stones. Putting the crown carefully over the neatly tied pony of Omkara's head he faced his subjects hand in hand with his second son, 'From this moment and onwards, Prince Omkara will be taking charges of the frozen, dangerous beauty of Northern Province.'

The few people from northern province, who made it to the crown ceremony, gasped at their cruel fate. They just didn't want to have most rouge and rebellious prince as their king.

Omkara also took the flame in his left palm and his sword in his right hand to utter his vows, 'I, the former Second Prince of Isilwane and now the King of the Northern Province of Isilwane, pledge to abide by the kingly duties, maintain my concern over my subjects, and rule my part with firm hands of justice.' His deep voice shook his outnumbered subjects so much that their wails also hid under the claps of other court personnel.

Finally it was time for the final crowning. Taking the beautiful ruby crown surrounded by golden wires and flowers of cactus, he put that on Rudra's head, announcing, 'From now on, Prince Rudra will rule the land of mirages, the Western Province.'

The women of western province went crazy hearing the announcement. They started clapping vigorously and cheering for the most sought Prince of their heart.

Taking the flames and sword, he stood over straightening his backbone, sweating to remember his vows. He looked at his brothers and they mouthed him his words of honour, 'I, the former Prince of Isilwane and now the King of the Western Province of Isilwane, pledge to rule and cherish the beautiful place and people I am being attributed today.'

The roar of the crowd cheering for the the wellbeing of the former and present kings was muffled as the ivory trumpets and conch shells were blown at full force by the greeters to celebrate the crowning of the three former Princes, while the maids rained petals of different flowers and scented water on them to congratulate them from the balcony of the enormous throne room.

• • • • •

Tej entered his bed chamber exhausted from the Thanksgiving Ceremony or better to be called as his farewell ceremony where he had to accept the various gifts from his subjects as a presentation of their gratitude to have him as their king for these days.

But he was contented by his decisions. Shivaay was a responsible and very understanding ruler who knew when to loosen or tighten his grip on his subjects. So, leaving the main capital of Southern Province under him would be able to keep on the normality. And he knew, how his subjects called his elder son as his shadow.
As for his second son, he never could show him his love. For he was always distant. He was intimidating, dark and infuriating. Tej knew very well that for a dangerous place of Northern Province, where there were bandits and rebels roaming freely, making it a heaven of crimes, he needed the most feared Omkara to maintain a tight leash upon the most rouge subjects of his empire. Rudra, his baby was gifted by the most treasured land. He had most of the diamond and gold mines under his control, as well as the land of most beautiful and talented women of his lands.

He stood before the large portrait of his beloved late wife, Jhanvi, in his bed chamber. She died soon after giving birth to Rudra. He didn't marry anyone else after her death. He used to share his day with her portrait just as he used to explain the affairs of court to her at the end of the day when she was alive. He caressed her picture lovingly as he always did, kissing her over the colours, tears trailing down his eyes.

'Can't wait to meet you in heaven love, Good night. Sleep well', he blew the  candles at his bedside tipoy and slept.

The official Chapter 1 is updated. Read, vote, appreciate, curse, do whatever you like!! 😊😅🙄😂

So, how do you like the introduction?? Do let me know.
Happy reading!
With love,
Sarani.