Inside the imperial palace—
The great Darbar hall was already filled.
Tall stone pillars lined the vast chamber, each carved with intricate patterns of lotus flowers and ancient royal symbols.
Large silk banners of the empire hung between the pillars.
At the far end of the hall stood the imperial throne.
A magnificent golden seat raised on a marble platform.
Seated upon it—
Emperor Chandraveer.
His posture was calm and composed as always. (￣ー￣)
On both sides of the hall, rows of ministers stood in their designated positions.
Some held scrolls.
Some whispered quietly among themselves.
Others simply waited patiently for their turn to speak.
The winter session of the royal Darbar had officially begun.
One elderly minister stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Minister: Maharaj, the irrigation canals in the northern provinces require urgent repair.
Minister: The winter harvest will suffer if the work is delayed.
Chandraveer nodded slightly.
Chandraveer: Submit the full report to the treasury council.
Chandraveer: If the funds are approved, the repairs may begin immediately.
The minister bowed again.
Minister: As you command, Maharaj.
Another minister stepped forward.
Minister: Maharaj, the merchants from the southern trade guild request permission to expand their caravan routes.
Minister: They wish to send larger trading groups toward the western kingdoms.
Chandraveer listened quietly.
But his attention seemed slightly divided.
His fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the throne. (￣～￣)
His eyes occasionally drifted toward the entrance of the Darbar hall.
As if he were waiting for someone.
Meanwhile—
Near the entrance of the hall.
A group of palace guards stood watch.
Suddenly—
Fast footsteps echoed through the corridor outside.
One guard raised an eyebrow.
Guard: Someone is running.
Another guard sighed.
Guard: During the Darbar…?
The sound grew louder.
Footsteps.
More footsteps.
And then—
The doors burst open.
Tara appeared at the entrance.
Behind her were Malini, Kavya, Aryav, and Satyadhara.
All of them slightly out of breath. (＞﹏＜)
Several ministers immediately turned their heads.
Whispers spread through the hall.
Minister 1: Is that—
Minister 2: The young minister?
Minister 3: She is late again…
Tara froze at the entrance. (;ﾟДﾟ)
Her eyes slowly scanned the hall.
Every single minister was already present.
The Darbar had clearly begun.
Tara whispered quietly.
Tara: Oh no…
Malini crossed her arms beside her.
Malini: I warned you. (¬_¬)
Kavya leaned closer and whispered.
Kavya: Should we… run away?
Aryav nodded seriously.
Aryav: It may be safer.
Tara slowly shook her head.
Tara: No…
She took a deep breath.
Then she straightened her posture.
Tara: If I run now, it will only become worse.
Satyadhara nodded calmly behind her.
Satyadhara: Wise decision.
Tara slowly stepped forward into the Darbar hall.
Her footsteps echoed across the stone floor.
The whispers among the ministers grew louder.
At the far end of the hall—
Chandraveer finally noticed her.
His eyes moved toward the entrance.
For a brief moment—
A faint smile appeared on his face. (￣ー￣)
Chandraveer: Ah.
He leaned slightly forward on the throne.
Chandraveer: The missing minister has arrived.
The entire Darbar turned to look at Tara.
Tara stopped in the center of the hall.
She bowed respectfully.
Tara: My apologies for the delay, Maharaj.
Silence filled the hall.
One strict senior minister stepped forward with an irritated expression.
Minister: Apologies are not enough.
Minister: The royal Darbar is not a marketplace where ministers may arrive whenever they please.
Several ministers nodded in agreement.
Tara quietly looked at him.
For a brief moment—
The hall waited to see how she would respond.
Tara bowed respectfully.
Tara: My apologies for the delay, Maharaj.
Tara: This morning I was gathering and reviewing reports regarding the expenses of the recent festival celebrations organized by the local governors across our provinces.
Tara: Since the information arrived from multiple regions, I had to collect the documents and read through them carefully.
Tara: It took longer than I expected.
For a moment the Darbar hall became quiet.
The conservative minister who had been criticizing her earlier narrowed his eyes.
But after hearing her explanation, the corner of his face twitched slightly before he forced himself to calm down.
It seemed he had expected a foolish excuse.
But this answer sounded… responsible.
Meanwhile, several of the younger ministers standing in the back exchanged glances.
One of them whispered quietly.
Young Minister: She was reviewing reports even before the Darbar began…
Another nodded slightly.
Young Minister: Truly dedicated.
A third minister straightened his posture slightly, suddenly feeling a strange sense of motivation to work harder.
At that moment—
Tara added another sentence.
Tara: Though… I must admit something else delayed me as well.
Several ministers looked up again.
Tara sighed slightly.
Tara: I had to fight a battle with my hair this morning.
Tara: They simply refused to cooperate while I was trying to prepare them.
The Darbar fell silent again.
Behind her, Malini slowly closed her eyes. (－_－)
The younger ministers who had looked inspired just moments ago slowly lowered their heads.
Their expressions dropped instantly.
Young Minister: …
Young Minister: I suddenly feel less motivated.
Another quietly muttered.
Young Minister: Perhaps I should also blame my hair tomorrow.
Meanwhile, At the imperial throne—
Chandraveer sat silently.
His expression was calm.
Completely calm.
He stared at Tara without blinking.
The entire hall waited for the emperor's response.
The silence stretched for several seconds.
Then finally—
Chandraveer spoke in a flat, composed voice.
Chandraveer: Yes, yes.
Chandraveer: You may sit.
He leaned slightly back against the throne.
Chandraveer: Human beings are allowed to make a few mistakes.
Tara immediately bowed again.
Tara: Thank you, Maharaj.
Behind her, Malini quietly sighed in relief.
And the Darbar slowly returned to order.
The Darbar hall was already in session.
The vast chamber was arranged in strict hierarchical order.
At the front of the hall sat the ministers of each imperial ministry. Each of them occupied a raised seat placed in neat rows facing the imperial throne.
Directly behind every minister sat their deputy ministers, who assisted them in managing the affairs of their departments.
Standing behind the deputies were two armed royal guards assigned to each minister, silently watching over the proceedings.
Behind the guards stood the lower-ranking officials and junior ministers belonging to the same ministries, waiting quietly in case they were called upon to present reports or documents.
And at the very back stood the servants and attendants of each ministry.
They carried scrolls, writing tablets, and bundles of records, ready to step forward whenever their masters required them.
The entire arrangement formed clear layers of authority within the imperial court.
At the far end of the hall, elevated above everyone else—
Emperor Chandraveer sat upon the imperial throne, presiding over the Darbar.
Tara and her deputy ministers finally let out quiet sighs of relief as they moved toward their seats.
They quickly settled into their designated positions among the rows of ministers.
Behind them, their guards and attendants returned to their places as the Darbar continued.
Kavya leaned slightly toward Tara and whispered.
Kavya: Thank the gods… we survived that.
Kavya: Otherwise we might have been punished today. (＞﹏＜)
Aryav nodded in agreement.
Aryav: Devi Tara… but what was even the reason for you to say that line about battling with your hair?
Tara rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.
Tara: I honestly have no idea how that line came out of my mouth… (￣▽￣;)
Kavya and Aryav exchanged tired looks.
Tara then slowly lifted her eyes and looked across the vast Darbar hall.
Inside her mind, her thoughts quietly formed.
Tara in mind: The Darbar…
Tara in mind: It is clearly divided.
Her eyes moved across the ministers sitting throughout the chamber.
Tara in mind: One faction is the conservative group.
Tara in mind: Many of them are older ministers and officials who have served in the Darbar for many years.
She noticed their stern expressions and traditional attitudes.
Tara in mind: Though even some younger officials follow their side.
Her gaze then shifted toward the opposite side of the hall.
Tara in mind: The other faction consists mostly of younger ministers and officials.
Tara in mind: They clearly desire change… faster decisions… rapid action.
Tara in mind: Reform.
For a moment she remained silent, observing the quiet tension between the two sides of the court.
Just then—
The Finance Minister, whose ministry sat beside Tara's position, glanced toward her.
His eyes lingered for a moment.
Then he turned slightly and called one of his attendants.
He leaned closer and whispered something quietly into the servant's ear.
The attendant nodded.
The minister quickly wrote something on a small sheet of paper and rolled it together with a scroll.
He handed it to the servant.
The servant then walked carefully across the hall and stopped beside Tara.
Servant: Devi Tara.
He bowed slightly and handed her the scroll.
Tara raised an eyebrow in confusion.
She slowly unrolled the document.
Inside were the expense records of the recent festival celebrations.
Attached to it was a small handwritten note from the Finance Minister.
It read:
"Tara,You spent quite a lot on this festival.
The conservative ministers will almost certainly raise this issue during the session."
Tara blinked once.
Then slowly sighed.
Tara in mind: Of course they will… (－_－;)
She folded the note again and glanced briefly toward the Finance Minister.
Across the hall—
The minister simply gave her a small knowing look.
As if to say:
Prepare yourself.
Tara quietly rolled the scroll back up.
Her deputy ministers immediately leaned closer.
Kavya whispered.
Kavya: That doesn't look good.
Aryav lowered his voice.
Aryav: If the Finance Minister himself warned you… then the conservatives will definitely raise this issue today.
Tara placed the scroll on the desk in front of her.
For a moment the three of them sat silently, thinking.
Kavya tapped her finger nervously.
Kavya: Devi Tara… the expenses were quite large.
Aryav nodded.
Aryav: If they question it in the Darbar, they might demand justification for every coin spent.
Tara didn't respond immediately.
She folded her hands and starts deeply thinking of something
Instead, her mind drifted back to the night of the festival.
In her memory—
The streets of the capital were glowing with countless rows of lamps.
It was the night of Diwali.
Crowds filled the streets from one end to the other.
Children ran between lanterns.
Merchants loudly called customers toward their stalls.
Spices, sweets, textiles, lamps, ornaments—
Every shop and stall was surrounded by people buying and selling.
The entire city had been alive with celebration.
Back in the Darbar—
Tara suddenly leaned slightly toward the Finance Minister sitting beside her.
She spoke quietly.
Tara: Minister… how much did the state earn after the festival?
The Finance Minister adjusted the scrolls in front of him.
Finance Minister: The final reports have not yet been fully verified.
He paused briefly.
Finance Minister: But the early estimates suggest that the state earned nearly three times more revenue than last year.
Tara's eyes widened slightly.
Then a slow smile appeared on her face.
Tara in mind: Three times…
Suddenly everything became clear.
Kavya noticed the expression on her face.
Kavya leaned closer.
Kavya: Devi Tara… do you know what you will say if they question you?
Tara nodded calmly.
Tara: Yes.
Her voice carried quiet confidence now.
Tara: I do.
At that exact moment—
A minister from the conservative faction stood up.
He was the Minister of Treasury Oversight, a stern man known for strictly monitoring state spending.
He bowed toward the throne.
Treasury Minister: Maharaj.
Treasury Minister: I wish to raise a matter concerning the recent Diwali celebrations.
Several ministers turned their attention toward him.
He continued.
Treasury Minister: The state expenditures for this year's festival were unusually high.
He glanced toward Tara's seat.
Treasury Minister: These celebrations were organized under the authority of the newly established Cultural and Events Ministry.
A few conservative ministers nodded quietly.
Treasury Minister: Our empire is a land filled with countless festivals throughout the year.
Treasury Minister: If we continue spending state funds in this manner for every celebration—
He spread his hands slightly.
Treasury Minister: How will the treasury maintain sufficient funds for other responsibilities of the state?
The hall grew quiet.
Many eyes slowly turned toward Tara.
Waiting.
The political battle had begun.
Chandraveer finally spoke.
Chandraveer: So, Tara…
His calm voice echoed through the hall.
Chandraveer: What is your explanation for the large amount of state funds spent during this festival?
All eyes turned toward Tara.
Tara slowly stood from her seat.
She was about to begin speaking—
But her gaze met the emperor's.
Chandraveer was leaning slightly forward on his throne.
One elbow rested on his thigh while his hand supported his chin.
A faint smile rested on his face.
But his eyes…
They were sharp. Curious. Observing.
It felt as if he was looking straight through her thoughts.
For a brief moment—
Tara felt a strange shiver run through her.
Tara (in mind): Why does it feel like he can see right through me…
But she quickly gathered her confidence.
She straightened her posture and spoke clearly.
Tara: Maharaj.
Tara: During grand festivals such as Diwali, the entire empire becomes active with trade and celebration.
She gestured slightly with her hand.
Tara: Merchants sell goods in massive quantities, travelers arrive from distant regions, and people across the empire purchase products and services.
Several ministers began listening more carefully.
Tara continued.
Tara: The early reports from the treasury suggest that the state's earnings during this festival were nearly three times higher than last year.
A faint wave of whispers spread through the hall.
Tara spoke firmly.
Tara: This clearly shows that investing in festivals is not simply an expense—
Tara: It is an economic opportunity.
She looked across the hall.
Tara: The more we invest in these celebrations, the more economic activity they create… and the more revenue returns to the state through taxes and trade.
A few younger ministers nodded in agreement.
Tara continued.
Tara: The fame of these festivals does not remain limited to our empire alone.
Tara: Their stories travel beyond our lands—across Bharatvarsha and even further.
Tara: Travelers, scholars, merchants, nobles, and foreign elites come to witness them.
Tara: And when they come, they do not arrive empty-handed.
Tara: They bring foreign goods, knowledge, and investment into our markets.
She paused briefly.
Then finished calmly.
Tara: Therefore, Maharaj… what may appear as spending at first glance…
Tara: Is in truth an investment that strengthens the empire's economy.
The hall fell silent.
Many ministers exchanged looks.
Some of the conservative ministers looked slightly unsettled.
The younger ministers looked impressed.
And on the throne—
Chandraveer was still watching her.
That same small smile on his face.
Seeing that the emperor's expression and posture had not changed even slightly—
Tara felt a small doubt rise in her mind.
Tara (in mind): Is he… not satisfied with my justification?
Chandraveer was still leaning forward, his elbow resting on his thigh and his chin supported by his hand.
His eyes remained fixed on her.
Then he finally spoke.
Chandraveer: Very good.
His calm voice spread across the hall.
Chandraveer: Our Imperial Court requires ministers like you.
Chandraveer: Ministers who do not limit their thinking to only the task assigned to them…
He straightened slightly on his throne.
Chandraveer: …but instead think for the long-term prosperity of the entire empire.
A few ministers exchanged glances.
Chandraveer continued.
Chandraveer: It is clear that the funds spent on the festival were not wasted.
Chandraveer: The celebration you organized was truly impressive.
Chandraveer: And the profit it generated for the state treasury is… significant.
A faint approving murmur spread across the Darbar.
Then Chandraveer spoke again.
Chandraveer: Therefore—
Chandraveer: You deserve a reward.
For a brief moment—
The hall went silent.
And then suddenly—
The younger ministers' section erupted.
Cheers and applause burst through the hall.
Younger Ministers: Well said!Younger Ministers: Devi Tara has done excellent work!Younger Ministers: Victory to the empire!
The Darbar echoed with loud voices and excitement.
Tara felt the tension leave her shoulders.
A relieved smile slowly appeared on her face.
Behind her, Kavya leaned slightly forward and whispered excitedly.
Kavya: That was impressive!
Tara exhaled quietly.
Tara (in mind): I survived…
The cheers of the younger ministers continued to echo across the Darbar hall.
Some ministers clapped.
Others whispered among themselves while glancing toward Tara.
But suddenly—
CLANG!
A loud metallic sound rang across the hall.
One of the imperial court officials had struck a long ceremonial rod against a metal plate beside the throne.
The sharp echo spread through the entire chamber.
It was the traditional signal for the Darbar to return to silence.
Immediately, the voices in the hall began to quiet down.
Within moments, the massive court returned to complete order.
All ministers straightened in their seats.
Eyes once again turned toward the throne.
Emperor Chandraveer slowly rose from his seat.
His presence alone commanded silence.
Chandraveer: Very well then.
His voice was calm yet authoritative.
Chandraveer: Let us conclude today's session of the Darbar.
He glanced across the hall at the gathered ministers and officials.
Chandraveer: I thank all of you for your presence and service to the empire.
The ministers immediately stood and bowed respectfully.
Ministers: As you command, Maharaj.
The winter session of the Darbar had come to an end.
Meanwhile—
Tara quietly exhaled again.
This time with complete relief.
Behind her, Kavya leaned closer once more.
Kavya (whispering): You really survived today.
Aryav nodded.
Aryav (whispering): Barely.
Tara smiled faintly.
Tara (in mind): That was… way more stressful than bursting fireworks.
Far above them—
Chandraveer's gaze briefly returned to Tara once more.
But his expression remained unreadable.