Shvet scanned the letters presented to him by the head of migration department. "See Yuvraj these are the letters from past one year, we are receiving only 5000 gold coins to manage the accomodation and food of immigrants" the head, Ratnakar said and Shvet nodded positively. Whatever Ratnakar was saying was indeed true and the letters with seal of Sudeshna were a proof of the same. "From whom do you collect this letter and gold coins?" Shvet asked, scanning the house of Ratnakar, where they were sitting.

"A man named Chandan comes with these every month, he says he is assistant of Maharaj Virat" Ratnakar replied and Shvet looked at him in confusion. "Maharaj doesn't have any assistant named Chandan! And secondly, you as the head of department are expected to collect the money Mahoday!" Shvet said. "I used to collect the money from Maharaj himself Yuvraj, but around a year ago when I was in a meeting with Maharaj, Senapati interrupted our meeting and from the next month, the monthly allowance was decreased and this man, Chandan started delivering the money and letter with Maharani's seal.

"And why didn't you complain this to the grievance department? Why didn't you tried to meet me, Maharaj or Maharani regarding this matter?" Shvet questioned. "Pardon me Yuvraj, but from your words it feels like, the entire blame of whatever was happening is being shifted to me and my team only" Ratnakar said lowering his gaze. Shvet sighed, probably I was too harsh, he said to himself and passed an assuring smile. "No Mahoday, that was not my intention. It was our fault as well and really apologize for whatever happened. I promise you, this would not happen again" Shvet said joining his palms apologetically.

"No Yuvraj! You are our future king, please don't join your hands in front of me. Please solve this problem regarding migrants. These people come to our kingdom in hope to find better life" Ratnakar replied and Shvet nodded positively. "You may come to the palace next week and collect the remaining amount. From next month I will appoint someone to make sure 15,000 gold coins reach your office. Meet my personal aide when you come to palace, his name is Bhairav, show this ring to him and he will take you to me" Shvet removed a ring from his finger and was giving it to Ratnakar when commotion outside the office gained their attention.

The guard entered, "Pardon me Mahoday, but some migrants want to meet you urgently and they creating lot of commotion outside" he said. Before Ratnakar could speak anything, Shvet said "Send them in. I would like to listen to their problems and have a conversation with them". "Yuvraj, I will have a talk with them, you would be having many more important works" Ratnakar said but Shvet nodded negatively. "Help us! Help us mahoday! The rulers of this land are doing injustice on us" few men rushed in the office. Shvet was stunned at what they said and rose on his feet immediately. "What are you people saying! And that too in front of Yuvraj" guards held them back. Those people seemed startled and lowered their gazes, Shvet approached them slowly.

"Who are you people? Please tell what injustice did this kingdom inflict on you all. And don't be afraid of me, I am here to help you" he said politely. "We are migrants Yuvraj. We came to this kingdom four weeks ago. When we were new here, a man named Chandan had came to meet Mahoday Ratnakar. We approached him for some job to feed ourselves and our children. He said that royal family was employing few new servants and took us to the palace. We served there for two weeks and when we approached the minister who was supposed to give us our salary, he said that the royal family hadn't employed any new servants and we won't get any salary" this was another shocker for Shvet.

He remembered, a few weeks ago Uttara had told him of seeing some new servants in the palace. Shvet removed his necklace, couple of rings and bracelet and handed it those migrants. "Keep these for now, you all would surely get some job, I promise you. And please remember, none of you would face any kind of injustice again in this kingdom" he left the office of Ratnakar blaming himself for bring ignorant and not noticing frauds that were happening in the palace.
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Shvet's frustration and anger calmed down as he ascended the steps of Vedangi's favourite Ganesh temple. The sound of chanting of Vedas and the ringing of temple bell, gave him relief. He sat in premises of the temple, eyes gazing at the idol of Ganesha in the garbh griha. For a moment he felt as if Ganesha was looking at him angrily and scolding him. He smiled politely at the commoners who greeted him and turned his gaze again to the deity.

Shvet felt as if he is being trapped in a storm and didn't knew how to save himself and his people from it. He closed his gently to chant the name of the God, his wife believed the most. After a few chants, all external chaos subsided and Shvet felt as if the deity in garbh griha was standing besides him and consoling him. He felt more confident, positive and determined.

That was when he felt someone was poking his shoulder, he opened his eyes slowly and the boy in the temple he met everytime he came here was standing in front of him. "Pranipat! You are the one who comes here with my sakhi, right?" The little boy asked grinning and showing his half broken right teeth. Shvet nodded positively and caressed his head lovingly, "You seem disturbed today" the little boy said. Shvet made the child sit on his lap.

"You know, my father always says, when we want to achieve a goal, we should ignore all 'if', 'but' and 'no' and concentrate only on fulfilling our duty"the boy said as if he was a grown up adult. Shvet kept pondering over the words of the little boy and promised himself that he would do everything to ensure the safety and prosperity of his subjects.
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Hey, my lovely readers, the next part is here.
Hope you all liked reading it, do let me know through your comments, they are much important for me ❤️.