Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One-Chapter 231: The Hidden pass

Few days back, on one ominous night, King Dravya from Gorkha Kingdom got an ominous news about her sister’s ambush.

At that time, he was in the imperial palace conducting meetings with Shadi Khan in preparation for the joint military operation on Kashmir.

He was furious at first as to how her sister got targeted in a place believed to be the safest, and that too when their potential hostilities lay miles away.

He made his mind then and there that no matter what, he will leave the empire first and return to his kingdom back to tackle all the challenges himself.

But then it was Aditya who came in his way and formally apologised, making him aware that it was an attempt from Ladakhi spies who wanted to dust the name of the empire by assassinating one of the guests and by fate it turned out to be her sister.

They aimed to distract and delay the war preparations but didn’t expected to get caught.

Aditya pledged that he will do his utmost and take care of her sister as a top priority, and it would not be in the best interest of her sister to travel in an injured condition.

For the time being, Dravya calmed himself and waited for the perfect opportunity to slip away. But as he witnessed the Bhargavian prince giving his all to the princess’s security and even staying by her side, his anger eventually subsided.

No matter what others said, the treatment and privileges he received after his sister’s injury were also satisfactory. It left an impression in his mind that the prince was righteous, and perhaps he should revise his strategy regarding the empire and focus on finding the hidden pass to Ladakh.

And that would be the perfect revenge.

Now, he made his way to his sister’s chamber to check on her condition. This time, he was more relaxed, as Aditya had allowed his guards to be stationed for her security in greater numbers than usual. With a faint smile of privilege, he entered to greet his sister but couldn’t help feeling tense as he noticed the presence of another person.

His sharp eyes softened as he observed the scene. Aditya, the Crown Prince of Bhargav, personally taking care of my sister?

The sight was both surprising and heartwarming. Nayanthara, who had been ambushed days ago by foreign assailants in the palace gardens, had rarely smiled since. Now, under Aditya’s care, she seemed lighter, even playful.

He had heard that the prince would often visit, but the closeness of their interaction was heartwarming.

Dravya’s warm musings were interrupted as Aditya explained something to Nayanthara, his tone shifting to one of seriousness.

"We will provide variety based on the person’s capacity," Aditya said, leaning in slightly. "If you can introduce it to the noblewomen, starting with your circle, we could create a trend. I’ll handle the production, and as demand grows, you’ll earn a significant share to support your kingdom’s coffers."

Nayanthara nodded, her cheeks burning slightly as she recalled the awkward origins of their conversation.

Dravya grew curious. He was certain they were discussing some business and decided to butt in to learn more.

Just as Nayanthara was about to respond, a soft cough echoed from the doorway. Both turned sharply, their faces turning various shades of red.

Dravya Shah stepped forward with arms crossed. "Well, well," he said in a light tone. "What exactly are you two discussing with such... intensity?" He joked, "Should I be worried about my safety?"

Aditya quickly stood, forcing a polite smile despite the growing tension. "Your Majesty, I didn’t notice you there. Please, join us."

Dravya waved a hand. "I was merely checking on Nayanthara. It’s good to see her well." He paused, raising an eyebrow. "But I’m curious.. what’s that product you plan to introduce to the nobles?"

Nayanthara and Aditya exchanged a brief, panicked look. Nayanthara took a deep breath, composing herself. "Brother," she began firmly, "it’s a personal matter. I’d prefer to keep it under wraps for now. Just know that His Highness is assisting me in establishing a trade venture."

Dravya chuckled, intrigued but respectful. "A trade venture? My sister, a merchant?" He smirked. "And here I thought you’d keep your ambitions confined to diplomacy."

Nayanthara shot him a warning glare. "Don’t push it," she said, her voice low but sharp.

Realizing he had tread too far, Dravya raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I’ll wait for your grand unveiling."

Seizing the chance, Aditya bowed slightly. "If that’s settled, I’ll take my leave to give you some time alone."

Nayanthara’s eyes flickered with disappointment as she watched Aditya move toward the door. However, Dravya stepped in front of him, blocking his exit.

"Not so fast, Your Highness," Dravya said with a grin. "I actually have some business to discuss with you. A walk outside, perhaps?"

Aditya froze, a flicker of unease crossing his face. He quickly masked it with a polite nod. "Of course. After you, then."

As the two men exited the chamber, Nayanthara sighed softly, her gaze lingering on Aditya’s retreating figure, her thoughts swirling between embarrassment and gratitude.

************

As they stepped outside, Aditya felt a flicker of panic. It was not like he had done anything wrong, but the topic they were discussing was so sensitive that he wanted to avoid it as much as possible. To his relief, Dravya brought up something entirely different.

"I’ve found the hidden pass,"

"Wh-what?"

"The pass that leads to Leh."

That was surprising to Aditya; he didn’t expect it to be found so soon. The pass, as per his past knowledge, was hard to find as it literally ran through the edges of mountains and sometimes crossed over small hills. This pass was supposed to be discovered after the 19th century, but nonetheless, who else could he suspect? It was the Gurkhas after all, the ones revered for fearing none in later ages.

Regaining his composure, Aditya clasped his hands behind his back. "What kind of pass is it, and where exactly does it lead?"

Dravya’s eyes gleamed with confidence. "Our soldiers identified it in the Lahaul Valley, to the north. A local shepherd, now our guide, revealed that this route has been used to infiltrate Leh. Its exact location remains concealed; they’ve kept it hidden to avoid drawing enemy attention. We can launch our operation soon."

Aditya’s heart raced. It had to be the Baralacha La Pass, the crucial route leading straight to Leh. Securing unrestricted access would be a game changer—they could march directly to the heart of Ladakh.

"That’s excellent news," Aditya said, his excitement evident. "We must begin preparations immediately. Our forces in Kashmir could still be delayed."

Seeing the prince’s enthusiasm, Dravya added a word of caution. "However, the path isn’t suitable for large armies. The terrain is treacherous, winding through mountains and occasionally requiring us to scale hills. The journey will be slow and arduous. Additionally, there’s been an increase in Tibetan presence near a town the trade city called Manu Alaya. We may face resistance, as the route intersects their interests."

Aditya frowned; he knew Manali, but what is this Manu Alay, and what does it have to do with the Tibetan alliance?

"Are you implying the Tibetans could go on the offensive against us for the Namgyals? Why would they want disruption of trade in Silk Route?"

Dravya nodded grimly. "It’s only my speculation. As far we got intel the Namgyal ancestors had close ties with Tibetan alliance. Also, it serves their purpose to secure any entry points. Even if not for Ladakh, the regions’s capture could benefit their larger ambitions."

Aditya’s expression hardened. He wasn’t afraid of Tibetans but rather worried for his delay in southern expedition.