现在是和相爱的人一起生活吗

-Step

-step

-step

The steps of the sandals resounded in the royal court as a young man walked in the hallway of the royal court.

The officials and ministers gathered at the court froze seeing the scene in front of them.

-drip

Blood dripped down the socked clothes of the young man as he neared the throne where the ruler of the great Maurya, the emperor, Bindusara Maurya was seated.

A long trail of blood was created from the entrance to where the young man was standing.

As he walked through the halls, Ashoka noticed that the nobles and officials were frozen by the sight of a 15-year-old boy covered in blood.

They looked at him with disgust, and Ashoka could feel their judgmental gazes upon him.

He ignored their stares and walked towards the throne, where the emperor was seated. He knelt before him, showing suitable respect and humility, that he should.

"Glory to the great Mauryan, long live the emperor."

Despite the blood that covered him from his fight with the trolls, he spoke with confidence in his voice.

The emperor Bindusara Maurya looked at him with a mixture of shock and anger.

"What is the meaning of this, Ashoka?"

Bindusara asked, gesturing his eyes toward the long trail of blood.

Ashoka stood up and looked the emperor in the eye.

There was a movement of staring contest between him and the emperor as he later spoke, "Your majesty," he said, "I apologize for my appearance. I have just returned from the Tower of Wisdom. On the way here, We encountered a group of trolls. I had no time to clean myself before coming here."

It was a silly excuse, but the emperor has no choice but to dismiss it.

The reason being that the one who was in the wrong was the emperor himself.

Despite knowing the fact that Ashoka was returning to the royal palace, no guards were dispatched to escort him back which was a blatant disrespect to a Prince of the empire.

But the ministers in the court were shocked by the words of Ashoka.

He said they encountered Trools!

Does it mean that the blood covering him was the blood of the monsters that he hunted? Prince Ashoka who was just 15 years old hunted Trools which are considered to be A rank monsters!!

They couldn't help but be shocked at his words.

"I apologize if it is causing inconvenience for you, your majesty."

Ashoka was obviously taunting the Emperor.

Dismissing his words the emperor nodded, but Ashoka could see the disapproval in his eyes, which made him smile.

"I see," said the emperor, his voice stern. "But you should have taken better care of your appearance before coming here. You represent the Mauryan empire as a prince, and you must always act with dignity and honor."

Ashoka bowed his head while scoffing inwardly.

Representing the Mauryan empire as a prince? Dignity and Honor? Ashoka couldn't believe that the man who sent Assassins after him just after he turned 10 was speaking of such a philosophy.

Ashoka knew that the emperor couldn't do anything to him even if he wanted to so he was taking full advantage of the fact.

'The expression on his face is priceless,'

What made Ashoka happy was the frustrated expression on the emperor's face, seeing that he resolved to do better in the future.

The emperor Bindusara continued, "Despite your appearance, you have done well."

The emperor looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before speaking again. "However, there is one more matter that we must address. As you know, our customs dictate that a prince must be assigned a land to rule over when he comes of age. You are now 15 years old, and it is time for you to be assigned a land."

Ashoka felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. He had been looking forward to this moment for a long time.

His goal in this life was to live his life peacefully and enjoy it to the fullest.

For his goal, this movement was crucial, if he do well in his assigned land, then when the next emperor to rule would grant the land to himself, which was what he was aiming for.

'I will do my best and create a paradise for living peacefully'

But, he was curious as to what region he will be assigned to.

The emperor continued, "I have decided to assign you the Taxila province, to the south of our empire. It is an enormous province, with great people and a rich culture. You will learn much from ruling over it."

'What?'

That was Ashoka's first thought!

The Taxila province.

Located in the south of the empire and just near the Kalinga kingdom was a place that was always immersed in war.

The land that had no place for peace and prosperity.

It was considered a forsaken land by the court ministers and even the people of the Mauryan empire avoid going to that place unless absolutely necessary.

Many ministers and court officials couldn't believe that the emperor is assigning such a land to Ashoka.

They thought that the rumors that said that the Emperor didn't like Ashoka must be true.

It was like literally telling him to jump into the water knowing there were hungry crocodiles in it.

More than that, the people living in Taxila Province were all hostile to the royal family because no one helped them when they were starving of hunger and suffering due to poverty during the war days.

Many magistrates who went to rule over that place came back half-dead or disabled, so it had long become a forsaken land of the Mauryan empire which was only included inside the Mauryan empire in name.

The citizens of Taxila province have long become savages that are hard to control.

"Your Highness! Please reconsider your decision, Taxilla is a province that is very hard to control even by experienced magistrates, Prince Ashoka is still young and inexperienced, I beg you to differ!"

Sage Vyasa, who couldn't hold in the blatant display of Empror's hostility towards Ashoka by Assigning him the forsaken land of Taxilla province, finally spoke up.

"I beg you the same, your highness"

The Royal Physician, Pingala also decided it was time to break his silence.

The emperor calmly looked at the people who were refusing his decision and suddenly his presure burst out.

-Kuek!

-ha!

The minister and court officials including Sage Vyasa and the royal physician that were opposing his decision were instantly subdued.

"Sage Vyasa and Sir Pingala, I know what is best for the princes and there is no need for you all to interfere in these matters. If anyone should have a problem with my decision, it should be Prince Ashoka himself, not you guys!"

His gaze turned towards Ashoka who was barely holding out against his pressure.

"Do you have a problem with my decision, Prince Ashoka?"

It was a question that was filled with obvious mockery.

There were many powerful and influential figures gathered at the royal court. They were all silently watching the actions of the prince without saying anything.

If Ashoka were to reject the emperor's decision at this time, many of them would be disappointed in him, which was what the emperor was aiming for.

But Ashoka couldn't care less about any of them.

What he truly cared about was to wipe off the arrogant smirk on the face of the emperor.

"I will obey the order of the Emperor as it is my duty and obligation to do so."

He said, "But, I have a request for you, your majesty"

"Go on."

"Taxilla province is a huge land, and as far as my knowledge goes, no prince was ever granted such a large piece of land for the rule. Although I am grateful that your majesty has immense trust in me, I know my limitations and would like to request my Brother, Sudhatta Maurya to accompany me to the Taxilla empire."

An unexpected request!

Originally the emperor has planned to assign a land beside the Kalsi province where the crown prince was currently in rule,  for Prince Sudhatta. He was planning to build a relationship between them to make Sudhatta support the crown prince, but now that Ashoka had requested something else, he was troubled.

He couldn't even say no since everything Ashoka said was true.

Taxilla was a huge province.

It covered nearly one-seventh of the empire's land.

Assigning such a whole province for a prince was indeed something that has never happened so he was obliged to accept the request.

More than that, he was worried about something else.

"'They' much be watching this too."

More than the ministers and officials of the royal court, Emperor Bindusara was afraid of those watching his actions from the shadows.

As such he came to a decision that accepting Ashoka's request was the best thing to do.

"Your request will be granted, As of now, I renounce Prince Ashoka and Prince Sudhatta as the rulers of Taxilla province"

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