At Suvana's Residence
Suvana:"So tell me, Skand... what are your three conditions? If I can fulfill them, I will."
Skand(serious tone):"Now that you've nearly made us family, I want your unwavering support. Whether it's business... or politics—even if one day, it means going against Emperor Ashoka himself."
Suvana(thinking):That's a bold condition. But really… who in this empire has the guts to stand against Ashoka? This boy is daring, but perhaps just clever—not foolish.
Suvana:"Fine. I accept. What's your second condition?"
Skand:"Today you're helping me, yes—but I don't want that to turn into ownership. You will have no claim over my family, nor my assets. You won't control my choices. I will always do what I believe is right."
Suvana(smirking, thinking):Confident. I like that. When we become family, I'll naturally gain some leverage anyway. Besides, he clearly knows what he's doing.
Suvana:"Understood. And the third?"
Skand:"I want to meet your daughter. I'll only agree to marry her if she is also willing. We need to understand each other first."
Suvana:"Agreed. I respect that."
Back to Present
Skand(smiling confidently):"Father-in-law... shall we begin the plan?"
Suvana nodded. He then turned to the large crowd of merchants standing outside Skand's mansion—all people who had once been ruined, threatened, or humiliated by Seth Dhanpala.
Suvana(raising his voice to the crowd):"My brothers!All of us here have one thing in common—we were victims of Dhanpala's greed and cruelty.Some of us lost everything, some of us watched our families suffer.But no more.
Today, we unite to do what none of us could do alone.We take away Dhanpala's real power—his position in the Merchant Guild.Let's report his crimes directly to the palace!Let's make sure no one else ever falls prey to a monster like him again.
Are you with me?!"
The Crowd (cheering loudly):"Yes!! We're with you!! Down with Dhanpala!!"
Meanwhile… at the Imperial Jail
[Sound of screaming and chains rattling violently]
A terrified man was dragged before Emperor Ashoka.
Man (weeping):"Great Samrat! Please forgive me! I swear on my life I will never repeat such disrespect again!"
Ashoka(smirking darkly):"Oh?You won't make that mistake again?Unfortunately... I never give my enemies a second chance."
Ashoka calmly drew his sword and—with terrifying precision—peeled the skin from the man's arm.
Man (screaming):"NOOOO! Spare me! Great Samratttttttttt!!"
His screams echoed across the stone walls of the prison.
Later in the Palace
Courtiers (bowing):"Victory to Samrat Ashoka!"
Ashoka turned to find Mahamatya Radhagupta standing before him.
Ashoka:"Ah, Radhagupta. You come bearing news?"
Radhagupta:"Forgive me, Samrat—but many merchants from Pataliputra have approached the court.They're requesting an urgent audience with you."
Ashoka(raising an eyebrow, then smiling coldly):"Merchants?Well then… how could I ignore the lifeblood of our economy?Let them come.Let's hear what they dare to say."
He turned, his royal cloak flowing behind him like a shadow—and made his way to face the storm that was silently building.
To Be Continued...