The Heir and the Humble

Taking Charge Of The Kingdom

Yuvraj left that evening, his departure casting a long shadow over the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. Devraj, left with the reins of the kingdom, immersed himself in the intricate workings of the kingdom. His attention was drawn to the discrepancies in the budget. The funds allocated for various developmental projects did not align with the reported progress. A sense of unease crept into him.

He summoned the heads of various departments, including the finance minister, the public works department, and the rural development ministry. The meeting room was filled with tension as Devraj laid out his findings.

"The disparity between the allocated funds and the actual progress is glaring," Devraj began, his voice firm. "It's evident that there's a systemic issue, a leak in our system."

The room fell silent, the weight of his accusation palpable. Anika's father, Ramu, a respected village head, sat at the end of the table, his face a mask of concern. He had witnessed firsthand the lack of development in his village despite the substantial funds allocated.

"The people are suffering," Devraj continued, his voice rising. "Their trust in the government is dwindling. This is not just about numbers; it's about the lives of our people."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room. The heads of departments exchanged nervous glances. The realization that their discrepancies had been exposed was evident.

Devraj turned to Ramu. "Mr. Ramu, you represent the voice of the people. Tell me, have the funds allocated for your village been utilized effectively?"

Ramu hesitated, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and disappointment. "With due respect, Your Highness, a significant portion of the funds seems to have vanished before it reaches to us. We did what we can do with the funds we were allocated with," he replied, his voice trembling slightly.

Devraj nodded, his face a mask of determination. "This is a betrayal of the people's trust," he declared. "We will investigate this matter thoroughly, and those responsible will be held accountable. This is not just a financial discrepancy; it's a moral failure"

A wave of silence washed over the room. The heads of departments exchanged nervous glances, their positions looking increasingly precarious. Devraj's assertive stance had sent a clear message: corruption would not be tolerated.

As the meeting concluded, a heavy silence enveloped the room. The gravity of the situation was palpable. Devraj, his face etched with determination, dismissed the officials. He needed time to process the information and strategize the next move.

Alone in his office, he picked up his phone and made a series of calls. First, to the auditing department, instructing them to conduct a thorough investigation into the financial records of the past five years. "I want every penny accounted for," he ordered, his voice firm.

Next, he contacted a private investigator, a man known for his discretion and efficiency. "I need you to dig deep," Devraj instructed. "Find out who's behind this. I want names, dates, everything."

He then called the higher authorities, requesting the appointment of a trusted IAS officer as his personal chief advisor. "We need someone who is clean, efficient, and loyal," he emphasized. "Someone who can oversee the financial affairs of the kingdom with utmost integrity."

The following morning, as Devraj was immersed in the labyrinthine corridors of governance, his phone rang, interrupting his train of thought. It was Rajveer, his voice filled with urgency.
"The higher authorities have approved your request," Rajveer informed him, "IAS Anjana Devi will be your new chief advisor."

A surge of satisfaction coursed through Devraj. He remembered Anjana from their college days, a brilliant mind with an unwavering sense of duty. Her appointment was a step in the right direction.

Two days later, Anjana Devi arrived at the palace. A woman of her stature carried an aura of authority and intelligence. Devraj, upon meeting her, felt a surge of respect and admiration. The old college camaraderie was quickly replaced by the dynamics of their professional relationship.

"Welcome to the palace, Anjana," Devraj greeted her, his voice firm yet cordial. "I hope your stay here is comfortable."

Anjana, with a nod, responded, "Thank you, Your Highness. I'm ready to begin my duties."

Devraj led her to the west wing of the palace, a wing reserved for important dignitaries. "This will be your residence for the duration of your stay, once you freshen up, do check the files I have kept in your desk on my findings. Dig deep into it and let me know if you find anything. I can give you access to the data if you want" he informed her.

As they walked, Devraj sensed a determination in Anjana, a resolve to bring about change. It was a quality he admired. He knew that with her by his side, they could navigate the challenges ahead.

As days turned into weeks, Anjana Devi immersed herself in the labyrinthine corridors of the kingdom's finances. She worked tirelessly, her dedication unwavering and her sharp eyes missed no detail. Her reports were detailed and damning, exposing a web of corruption that ran deep within the system.

Devraj was both appalled and inspired by her tenacity. He realized that the task of cleaning up the mess was monumental, but with Anjana by his side, he felt a surge of hope.

Their days were filled with endless meetings, pouring over documents, and strategizing countermeasures.

Amidst the chaos of their work, a tender friendship blossomed to avoid the awkward conversations. He didn't had time to make a call Anika to make sure of her well being. But she is very understanding and supportive which gave him peace. He have to move fast. He can't wait to have her as his wife in his room waiting for him with open arms to release his stress from a long day he had.

###

Hello my readers,

Hope you don't scold me for late updates.

My target to update next chapter is 7 votes. Hope you don't disappoint me and just to let you know, I will be very happy to see you all voting and comments on my book.

Love from your author 👨‍💻