The carriage approached the gate, and as soon as the guards noticed the crest of the empire on it, they instantly knew it was a member of the Royal Family of Vijayanagar inside. Swiftly, they moved to open the gate.
The huge gate creaked open slowly, revealing a beautifully paved stone road for the carriage. As it passed through an elegant garden stretching across the palace grounds, the faint smell of honeydew tingled Harsha's nose. Sunlight bathed the garden, making the flowers glisten with dewdrops, while the soothing chirps of sparrows filled the air.
Harsha took in the serene and picturesque scene, feeling a moment of peace amidst his journey.
Harsha noted how well the garden was maintained and filled with different flowers that complemented the palace design, exuding a sense of calmness. His eyes were captivated by the scenery as the carriage slowly trudged its way to the palace complex.
Finally, the carriage came to a halt, and the door was opened by a servant from the palace. After four days of travel, He could finally rest comfortably in the palace, and he exited the carriage with his sword on his waist to stand in front of a golden door adorned with the crest of the empire.
The door creaked open into a large, luxurious-looking hall containing numerous huge pillars erected with complex stone carvings on them, and there were paintings of Indian Epics hanging on the walls of the Hall.
Harsha was being guided by a male servant through the palace, who was surprisingly aware of his unfamiliarity with the place. The servant gently guided him without uttering a single word or trying to initiate conversation.
'Hmm... This guy looks like he's been through a lot. Hahaha! That scar doesn't seem very old either,' Harsha thought.
The servant was a young male teenager clad in traditional Indian clothing. His face bore the marks of puberty, with patches of facial hair sprouting. The most prominent feature was a visible scar that streaked across his eye down to his cheek, giving him a distinctive and hardened appearance.
'The palace is so grand, yet half the population lives in poverty, and the roads in the empire are practically nonexistent! What bullshit! ' Harsha thought.
He could feel the faint breeze blowing through the windows and hear the pleasant sound of chimes as he walked through the hallway. The air carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers, adding to the soothing atmosphere.
Harsha looked around with a detached curiosity. He noticed the sunlight slipping through the colored glass, casting patterns on the hallway floor, but felt no amazement. Despite this being his first time in such a grand palace, he remained indifferent. The grand structures stood before him, yet they stirred no emotion. It was just another place, another moment in his journey.
' Hmm. Whoever designed this must be a talented architect, and the people who managed to build it are equally skilled,' Harsha thought, remarking on the artisans who carved the elegant stone pillars and created the luxurious interior designs of the palace.
"Hey! What's your name?" Harsha asked the male servant guiding him.
Startled by the sudden break in silence, the servant quickly composed himself. "Your Highness, my name is Praveen. I humbly assist with some duties in the management of the palace," he replied.
Harsha nodded, looking Praveen over. "How long have you been working here, Praveen?"
"For about three years, Your Highness," Praveen answered. "It's an honour to serve in such a prestigious place."
"Three years, huh?" Harsha mused. "You must know this palace inside and out."
Praveen was not surprised by the change in the prince's behaviour. Earlier, Praveen had managed to eavesdrop on a conversation between his father, the butler of the emperor, and a messenger. From this, he learned that the prince had lost his memory due to an injury sustained in the battle against the Bahmani in Gulbarga.
Just a few months ago, he had been the prince's butler, and now the prince was asking him his name. This confirmed what he had overheard while eavesdropping—that the prince had lost his memory due to an injury in the battle.
'Well, it's good to learn the palace layout. It's a vast place. Knowing the passages and buildings might be beneficial for me,' Harsha pondered.
Harsha glanced indifferently at Praveen and said, "I want to go around the palace. Can you guide me or assign a servant to show me all the places in the palace complex?"
"Yes, Your Highness. It will be my honour to show you around," Praveen replied in a dignified tone.
As they continued walking through the vast hallway, Praveen began briefing him about the palace's structure. Harsha listened, absorbing the information without a hint of interest or response.
"The palace is divided into four major complexes," Praveen explained as they walked. "To the East is the Servant Complex, where all the maids, cooks, and palace guards stay. The Western Complex is the Guest House, reserved for foreign envoys and visiting nobles. In the South lies the Royal Family's quarters, where only select servants are permitted to enter for maintenance and cleaning.
Lastly, there's the Northern Complex, used for hosting events, and meetings about the Empire's issues, and matters of public interest."
"Hmm, interesting. Take me around these four complexes," Harsha utters in a low voice. Despite his cold demeanour, Harsha found himself intrigued by the structural layout of the palace and the division of the complex to accommodate everyone necessary for its functioning.
"Yes, Your Highness, we shall go to the Eastern Complex first," answers Praveen solemnly, and starts guiding him.
The Eastern Complex was a sprawling apartment-style building with countless rooms to house the palace staff, cooks, and guards essential for the palace's operation.
The structure was meticulously maintained, its pristine walls and orderly walkways reflecting a sense of care and attention. Harsha noticed a small, well-stocked library tucked into a quiet corner, offering a peaceful retreat for those who sought knowledge.
Nearby, a small field was designated for recreational activities, providing the staff with a place to relax and engage in sports or other leisure activities after their duties. The clean atmosphere and thoughtful amenities showed a dedication to the well-being of those who kept the palace running smoothly.
'Hmm, I never expected a Medieval Empire to adopt this sort of approach for the well-being of the staff,' he thought to himself.
As they walked toward the Western Complex, a large open field came into view. It was stocked with wooden weapons and training dummies, along with an archery range complete with targets for the archers. The field was expansive, with neatly arranged rows of equipment that spoke of disciplined routines and training sessions.
"The palace soldiers train in the morning and evening only, Your Highness," Praveen mentioned, breaking the silence. "That's why the training field is empty right now."
Harsha observed the area with a calculating eye. The training dummies stood ready for combat, their surfaces worn from repeated use. Wooden swords and spears were neatly lined up, and the archery range was marked with targets at varying distances, each one showing signs of frequent practice.
"Efficient setup," Harsha remarked indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the field before turning his attention back to Praveen, signalling for him to continue the tour.
As they approached the Western complex, a paved stone pathway led through a small, intricately designed inner garden. Two elegant stone fountains adorned the entrance, their gentle streams of water adding a soothing ambience to the surroundings.
The complex itself was an ancient Bharatiya-style building, stretching wide with dome-like structures on all four sides. Guards stationed atop the structure kept watch vigilantly.
"The Western complex houses some of the most lavish rooms in the palace, Your Highness," Praveen explained, gesturing towards the imposing structure.
Harsha nodded, his gaze taking in the grandeur of the building. "It's quite impressive," he remarked.
They continued along the pathway, entering the complex. The rooms within were indeed spacious, each one adorned with luxurious items and high-quality furniture.
He was then led to the Royal Complex on the southern end of the palace. The Royal Complex was a marvel in itself, a vast building with 20 grand rooms, far surpassing those in the Western complex. Stylish stone carvings adorned the interior walls, showcasing intricate artistry. The rooms were incredibly luxurious, featuring high-quality carpeting and soft bedding adorned with silk.
'I should probably report to the Empress. Commander Venkata did instruct me to report to her as soon as I arrived at the palace,' Harsha pondered, glancing at the stone carvings in the hallways.
Harsha's gaze shifted from inspecting the Royal complex to Praveen. "Do you know where the Empress is right now?" he asked. "If you do, guide me to her."
Praveen bowed slightly and replied, "Yes, Your Highness. The Empress should be taking care of the palace tasks in the study in the Northern Complex. I will take you there immediately."
Harsha nodded curtly. "Lead the way," he commanded, his tone cold and authoritative.
Praveen was taken aback despite knowing that the prince had lost his memories because he knew about the strained relationship between the Prince and the Empress. The current Empress was the youngest prince's stepmother, and they hadn't gotten along since his mother passed away five years ago from a terminal illness.
Harsha's mother had been a concubine of the current Emperor, while the Empress was the mother of his more talented half-brother and eldest half-sister. After his mother's death, the relationship between Harsha and the royal family deteriorated due to their neglect of him.
Harsha nodded, and Praveen began guiding him toward the Northern Complex. Suddenly, a servant came running up to Praveen and whispered something in his ear. Praveen's expression turned serious.
"Your Highness, some issues have come up," Praveen said. "I will assign another servant to guide you to the Empress's chambers, and I must take my leave to address the matter." He quickly signalled to a maid nearby.
"Please guide His Highness to the Empress's study," he instructed her before departing swiftly.
Harsha watched him leave, his thoughts calculating. ' I wonder what happened to make him hurry off like this?' he mused inwardly.
The maid approached and bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, please follow me," she said softly, leading Harsha toward the Empress's study.
The Northern Complex, unlike the Royal Complex, wasn't overly luxurious, but it exuded an air of authority. The earthy smell of books permeated the halls. At the corner of his eye, Harsha could see various rooms filled with people and heard the faint murmur of conversations.
As they walked, his mind was occupied with thoughts of the palace and its hidden dynamics. The corridors were quiet, the soft padding of their footsteps the only sound as they made their way to the Empress's chamber.
The maid led him to the Empress's study, located on the first floor of the Northern Complex. As they approached, Harsha noticed two fully armored guards standing by the door. The maid bowed slightly and quickly departed, leaving him alone in front of the study.
The guards, recognizing his presence, slowly opened the door for him.