章 11: Bastard Son?

In the confines of the makeshift Mughal prison, Raamya Sen and Shadi Khan sat in silence, their faces etched with uncertainty as they awaited their fate.

Raamya, "Do you think they'll...?"

Shadi Khan shook his head, his expression grim. "I'm not sure. We can only wait and hope for the best."

Suddenly, their desolate surroundings were disrupted as they were escorted out of their cells and into the luxurious tents of the Mughal camp. They exchanged bewildered glances, unable to comprehend the sudden change in their circumstances.

Raamya, "What's going on? Why are they treating us like this?"

Shadi Khan shrugged, equally puzzled by their unexpected turn of fortune. "I don't know, but I suppose we should count our blessings for now."

As they were attended to by the Mughal doctors, Raamya couldn't help but voice her curiosity.

Raamya, "Why are you treating us like guests? What's the meaning of all this?"

But they were met only with icy glares and stony silence from the hakims, who seemed determined to carry out their duties without engaging in conversation.

Later, as they sat down to a lavish meal, their thoughts were consumed by questions of what awaited them.

Shadi Khan, "This feast... it's almost too much."

Raamya nodded in agreement, her appetite overshadowed by a sense of unease. "I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right."

Their apprehension only deepened when the messenger of Bheem arrived along with Sikandar Khan as mughal representative, bearing news that would shatter their expectations.

Messenger, "Glory to his majesty, we got a good news for us"

Sikandar khan, "By the decree of Badshah Afzal, we have chosen to recognize Hemu's dominion over the captured territories. Consequently, we shall withdraw our forces to the opposite side of Punjab, marking the cessation of hostilities.

A duplicate of this treaty shall remain in our possession until your departure from our camp, as per the request of Prince Aditya and the consent of our Badshah.. You're both free to leave."

Raamya and Shadi Khan exchanged incredulous looks, struggling to comprehend the sudden turn of events. The realization that they were to be freed, that the specter of death no longer loomed over them, filled them with a sense of disbelief.

Shadi Khan, "Peace? But... after everything..."

Raamya's voice was filled with disbelief. "It's hard to believe, but perhaps this is our chance for a new beginning."

As they processed the news, a glimmer of hope began to emerge, illuminating the darkness that had enveloped them for so long. Though their future remained uncertain, they embraced the promise of peace, ready to embark on a journey towards a brighter tomorrow.

Ramya waited until Bheem and Sikandar Khan departed before sharing his thoughts.

In the midst of their confusion, Raamya and Shadi Khan found themselves grappling with the mention of Hemu's son, a revelation that caught them off guard. As trusted confidants of the king, they couldn't help but feel puzzled by this unexpected news, especially considering Hemu had never spoken of a son before.

Raamya, "This doesn't make sense. Why would his majesty, Hemu keep something like this hidden?"

Shadi Khan's brow furrowed in thought as he pondered the implications of this revelation. "Perhaps it's from a distant time... a secret kept close to his heart."

He sighed heavily, a sense of resignation settling over him. "For now, let's focus on meeting with His Majesty."

Raamya nodded in agreement, though his doubts lingered. he knew there were many secrets buried within the corridors of power, and this newfound knowledge only added to the complexity of their situation.

Before they could delve further into their thoughts, a new competitor emerged, reminding them of the harsh reality of their predicament. With survival as their primary concern, they shared a silent understanding to refrain from speaking too much until they were safely out of Mughal custody.

Amid the release of all key leaders from Hemu's forces, Shadi Khan assumed leadership and led his soldiers out of the Mughal camp, marching them straight to a nearby fort in Panipat. Despite the confusion among Hemu's soldiers, they maintained discipline and vigilance during their retreat. Hemu, still unconscious, was carried in a royal palanquin.

Upon reaching the fort, Shadi Khan gathered everyone in the fields and revealed the details of the peace treaty brokered with the Mughals and Aditya on behalf of Hemu. The news elicited a mixture of shock and joy among the soldiers. Cheers of "Long live the prince! Glory to the majesty!" echoed through the air as the unexpected turn of events sank in.

This unprecedented outcome, where defeated soldiers were allowed to return freely and retain their territory, felt nothing short of miraculous. A mood of jubilation swept through the fort, and the news quickly spread like wildfire throughout the empire and neighboring kingdoms.

**In fort of Panipat**

As Hemu regained consciousness in his royal bed, he found himself surrounded by familiar faces - doctors, ministers, and Shadi Khan. At first, shock coursed through him at the realization of the situation, but a wave of relief soon followed as he realized he was neither on the battlefield nor in captivity.

Shadi Khan broke the silence, offering his congratulations. "Congrats, Your Majesty. We won the war."

Hemu remained silent, processing the news.

"Thanks to Prince Aditya, we signed a peace treaty with the Mughals," Shadi Khan continued.

Still, Hemu said nothing.

Shadi Khan pressed on, eager to share more good news. "All captured soldiers have returned safely to the fort. What a brilliant foresight of the prince."

Hemu's expression remained impassive.

"Mughals have accepted our sovereignty and decided to maintain their borders by the Punjab region," Shadi Khan added.

Hemu's silence persisted, his thoughts racing.

"Even their young Badshah Afzal and Prince Aditya will be visiting our fort. In fact, they are on their way," Shadi Khan informed him.

Still, Hemu remained silent, his mind grappling with the implications of the peace treaty.

Shadi Khan, sensing his friend's unease, tried to break through the silence. "Your Majesty, you are my closest friend. There's no need to be shy. Even if it is the past, there's no need to be embarrassed. At least say something. Is he with your Ratna from that time?"

At the mention of Ratna, Hemu felt a slight discomfort. He coughed violently, prompting panicked reactions from the doctors who chastised Shadi Khan for his insensitivity to the king's condition.

**On the jungle side**

On the winding mountain path, a slender figure clad in heavy armor and wearing a saffron turban stood atop a horse, flanked by several other knights. They were accompanied by spare horses, ready for their journey. This figure was none other than Raamya, with Bheem by his side, waiting for the arrival of the empire's hero, Aditya, and the Mughal emperor, Afzal, who was being held as a guest of honor.

Raamya, with a hint of arrogance, turned to Bheem. "How much longer do we wait? Are you sure this is the right place?"

Bheem responded confidently, "Yes, sir. They should be arriving soon."

Shortly thereafter, a slender but slightly tall figure emerged, adorned in soldier's armor and uniform, accompanied by a well-dressed noble youth. Both had an air of nobility about them, befitting their esteemed positions. It was Aditya and Afzal, making their way towards the waiting group.

Aditya noticed the surprise in the leader of the knights and approached them directly, introducing Afzal to the group. "Greetings. I am Aditya, and this is Afzal."

Raamya nodded, acknowledging their presence. "I am the general of Hemu's forces and will be escorting you to the designated fort."

As they began their journey, Aditya couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss with Raamya's demeanour and voice. However, with pressing matters at hand, he decided to set aside his suspicions for the time being. Together, they mounted their horses and made their way towards the fort, the group escorting them along the path.

During the escort, Bheem approached Aditya, who trailed behind the knights. They maintained a distance where their conversation would remain unheard by others.

Bheem launched into a barrage of questions directed at Aditya, his tone sharp with skepticism. "Bastard son? Seriously? Couldn't come up with a better excuse?"

Aditya let out a weak laugh, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. Internally, he grappled with uncertainty, unsure if his plan would succeed. However, he recalled the War of 1812 between America and England, where the United States, on the brink of defeat, was saved by the timely arrival of a peace treaty..

The notion of being a royal blood was borrowed from his memories of popular series from his past life. Unable to reveal the truth, he chuckled at the irony and retorted with a mocking expression, "I didn't lie. I am indeed of noble blood, albeit illegitimate."

Bheem's sneer deepened as he countered, "Do you take me for a fool? I've been by your side since the first battle of Bengal, and I'm one hundred percent sure you're an orphan like me."

Aditya shrugged nonchalantly, maintaining his facade. "Perhaps it's only you who knows the truth, and nobody else."

Bheem's panic was palpable as he pressed, "What about the majesty? He'll realize you're not his seed."

Aditya's response was casual, almost dismissive. "I'll throw myself at his mercy and ask to be adopted."

Bheem fell silent at Aditya's absurd suggestion, realizing the grim reality of their predicament.

As Aditya, Afzal, and their escort group made their way into the fort, they were greeted by resounding chants of "Long live the prince, long live the hero!"

The overwhelming welcome left Aditya astonished, while Afzal smiled warmly, reassured by the crowd's reception and confident in the decision he had made. Along the path to the entrance, soldiers stood in formation, their spears held high and shining shields in other hand in salute, while commoners showered them with flowers bearing Aditya's name. Leading the procession, Aditya and Afzal found themselves at the forefront, basking in the adulation of the crowd.

However, just as Aditya was about to step into the fort palace, Shadi Khan approached alone, respectfully requesting a private audience with Aditya in the king's chamber. He explained that the emperor had been waiting for him since regaining consciousness.

Upon hearing the request, both Aditya and Bheem exchanged uneasy glances, their faces betraying inner apprehension.

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