Fantasy The Ocean of Forbidden Pleasures

[kamonagolpo]

The conquest of Vijaygarh by Prince Mahendra Pratap

The Special Duty of the Prince

None had foreseen that the war between the two mighty neighboring kingdoms of Vijaygarh and Amargarh would conclude so swiftly. All had anticipated a prolonged and brutal conflict, with much bloodshed and loss of life. Yet, as the battle commenced, it became evident that the soldiers of Vijaygarh harbored no desire to fight. They surrendered easily, allowing themselves to be captured. Within two days, King Nishith Singh of Vijaygarh was defeated and taken prisoner.


The young prince of Amargarh, Mahendra Pratap, the commander of this war, had not expected such an effortless victory. This being his first campaign as a general, he was inwardly troubled, though he masked his unease with a calm demeanor. King Nishith Singh of Vijaygarh had provoked this conflict without cause, targeting the peaceful yet formidable kingdom of Amargarh. He was a tyrant, a ruler of twisted mind and cruel disposition, whose actions had plunged his own people—subjects, soldiers, and courtiers alike—into grave peril.

None in Vijaygarh, save Nishith Singh himself, had desired this war. Yet, bound by the king’s command, they had no choice but to march into battle. Ignorant of Amargarh’s strength, Nishith Singh launched his assault, only to be swiftly defeated and captured.

Though Prince Mahendra Pratap emerged victorious, he refrained from inflicting further suffering upon the common folk of Vijaygarh. The captured soldiers were disarmed and placed under watchful guard, but no punishment was meted out. The prince understood well that the true enemy was none other than the despotic Nishith Singh himself; the people of Vijaygarh bore no malice.

Having secured an easy triumph, the prince sat contentedly in his tent, discussing matters of state with his companions. All advised him that it was his duty to assume temporary governance of Vijaygarh, entrusting its administration to a capable official before returning to Amargarh. For it was beyond his capacity to rule so vast a kingdom for long.

As the council concluded, the elderly advisor, Ballaldas, rose and said, “My prince, I wish to speak with you in private.” With the prince’s permission, all but Ballaldas departed the tent.

Ballaldas spoke gravely, “My prince, there is yet another duty of utmost importance that you must fulfill—one not fit for public discourse.”

The young prince Mahendra Pratap spoke with a measured tone, his voice carrying the weight of his station yet tinged with curiosity. "Pray, tell me of this duty. As both prince and commander, I cannot shirk any obligation that falls upon me. I shall surely consider your counsel, for it is why my father, the king, has sent you, a sage advisor, to guide me."

Ballaldas, his voice steady and imbued with the wisdom of years, replied, "Prince, the kingdom of Vijaygarh now lies vanquished. The terms of their submission must be honored, and among these conditions, one stands paramount. Urmila Devi, the queen consort of Vijaygarh, must receive from you, as the conqueror, the seed of future sovereignty. It is now your solemn duty to bestow upon her this vital gift."

The young and inexperienced prince, his brow furrowed in confusion, inquired, "What, precisely, is this act of receiving seed?"

Ballaldas, his tone both patient and instructive, explained, "Prince, the defeated king, Nishith Singha, has forfeited his right to sire offspring with his queen. That privilege now belongs to you, as the victorious commander. By the terms of the treaty, the Maharani shall receive within her sacred vessel the seed of your lineage. The child born of your union shall one day ascend the throne of Vijaygarh, ensuring an enduring peace between our realms. Through this act, the bond between Vijaygarh and Amargarh shall be sealed for all time."

Mahendra Pratap stood silent, his mind grappling with the weight of Ballaldas's words. This custom was entirely foreign to him, and he struggled to reconcile it with his own sense of morality.

Ballaldas, sensing his hesitation, continued, "Prince, there is no cause for discomfort in this ancient rite. It is a tradition upheld by kingdoms far and wide. The union between a victorious commander and the queen of a vanquished realm is a time-honored practice. Consider it the spoils of your triumph, a symbol of your conquest."

Yet the prince's conscience stirred within him. "But Maharani Urmila Devi is the wedded wife of Maharaja Nishith Singha. To take her as my own would be to commit the sin of coveting another man's spouse. And the child born of such a union—would it not be deemed illegitimate?"

Ballaldas, his voice firm yet reassuring, replied, "The union between you and Maharani Urmila Devi, and the child born of your sacred congress, shall forever be regarded as legitimate. For the marriage of a queen is not to a man, but to the land itself. Thus, it is the ruler of the land who holds the right to share her bed. In this act, there is no sin, no transgression. It is the way of kings and kingdoms, a tradition as old as time itself."

The prince stood in contemplation, the weight of duty and desire pressing upon him. The air seemed to thicken with the unspoken tension of what was to come, a mingling of power, passion, and the inexorable pull of destiny.

Prince Mahendra Pratap, his voice tinged with both curiosity and hesitation, asked, "But will Maharani Urmila Devi consent to receive my seed? Will she not resist this act?"

Ballaldas chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with the wisdom of one who had seen the machinations of kingdoms unfold. "Maharani Urmila Devi is the queen of Vijaygarh, and it is her solemn duty to bear the heir who will secure the future of her realm. Should she refuse this duty, she would have to relinquish her title as queen. I doubt she will object to sharing the sacred act of union with a young and noble prince such as yourself. Indeed, it is an honor for her to carry the seed of a warrior like you, a seed that will grow into the future king of Vijaygarh."

He paused, his tone growing more deliberate. "You, as the conqueror and now the ruler of Vijaygarh, hold the right to claim her. And not only her—should you desire it, any woman of the royal household may be yours to take. This act is not a sin, but a sacred duty, a blessing upon the land. For through your seed, the Maharani will become the mother of a strong and noble child, a child who will unite our kingdoms in peace and prosperity."

The prince, his pride and principles warring within him, replied, "Very well. But what if I, for some reason, refuse to perform this act of seed-giving? You know well that I am particular in matters of intimacy. I do not share my bed with just any woman. Only those of high birth, flawless in form and bearing, are worthy of my touch. My seed is not to be spent lightly; it is reserved for those who are truly deserving."

Ballaldas nodded, his expression one of understanding. "I am well aware of your standards, Prince. Should you choose not to fulfill this duty yourself, a trusted official may act in your stead. However, it is far more fitting that you undertake this responsibility. Your seed, born of your noble lineage and virile strength, is the most suitable for the Maharani's womb. She, too, is of the highest birth, and only a child conceived from your union will possess the qualities necessary to rule. A lesser man's seed would produce a lesser heir, unworthy of the throne."

He leaned closer, his voice lowering with gravity. "Your father, the king, would be pleased to see you expand our dynasty in this way. And let me assure you, Maharani Urmila Devi is no ordinary woman. She surpasses even the most exacting standards of beauty and grace. It is said that no other royal house boasts a queen as radiant as she. To share her bed is not merely a duty—it is a privilege, one befitting a prince of your stature."

The prince fell silent, his mind wrestling with the weight of tradition, duty, and desire. The air between them seemed to hum with the unspoken tension of what was to come—a union that would bind kingdoms, fulfill destinies, and ignite passions long restrained.

Prince Mahendra Pratap, his voice steady yet contemplative, replied, "If my father is pleased by this and if it ensures the prosperity of both our kingdoms, then I shall indeed fulfill this duty."

Ballaldas nodded, his expression one of quiet satisfaction. "Your father, Maharaja Surendrapratap, has always been a staunch supporter of this ancient custom. In fact, his very existence is a testament to its power. Many years ago, when our kingdom of Amargarh was weak, King Makardhwaja of Swarnavati defeated us in battle. In accordance with tradition, he bestowed his seed upon your grandmother, Maharani Prabhavati. In due time, she conceived and gave birth to your father, Maharaja Surendrapratap—a conqueror, a warrior, and a ruler of unparalleled strength and wisdom."

He paused, his voice carrying the weight of history. "The union between King Makardhwaja and Maharani Prabhavati marked a turning point in our kingdom's history. It was through this act that we overcame our weakness and rose to greatness. Your father, born of superior seed, became a beacon of intelligence, vitality, and power. His reign has transformed Amargarh into the mighty kingdom it is today."

Ballaldas leaned forward, his tone both instructive and reverent. "Maharaja Surendrapratap himself, in his many conquests, upheld this tradition. He sired strong, intelligent, and capable heirs in the queens of the realms he vanquished. Many of those children now rule as kings, and their kingdoms maintain strong ties with ours. This custom has brought stability, strength, and prosperity to all involved."

He fixed the prince with a steady gaze. "Therefore, you need not hesitate. This tradition strengthens royal lineages and ensures that only the most worthy rulers ascend to power. Weak bloodlines fade, and the strong endure. Remember, fair maidens and fertile lands are the rightful rewards of worthy men, for only they can wield such gifts wisely."

Mahendra Pratap, his brow furrowed in thought, said, "I was unaware of this history. This aspect of my lineage has been kept from me until now. My father never spoke of it."

Ballaldas smiled gently. "Prince, there is a time for all things to be revealed. That time has come, and it is by your father's command that I now share this knowledge with you.

You have proven yourself in battle, demonstrating that you are a superior warrior to Maharaja Nishith Singha. It is only fitting that you claim his queen, so that she may bear a child worthy of ruling Vijaygarh. Prepare yourself to fulfill this duty, and I trust she will not falter in hers."

Hearing Ballaldas's explanation, the prince's doubts and reservations melted away. He straightened, his resolve firm. "Thank you, Ballaldas. I will certainly consider your counsel. But before I act, I must examine all aspects of this matter thoroughly."

Ballaldas bowed his head in acknowledgment. "As you wish, Prince. Wisdom lies in careful consideration. But know this—the path before you is one of honor, duty, and destiny."