(Book 5) Hayden Mackay and The Pride of Haima-Endira

15.2 Up for it

The debate came to rest at once, several heads turned to my side with a look of utter contempt and disdain. A stunned and uncomfortable silence descended down on each one of them.

I had one thorough glance at Nazira before I gave my speech like statements. "With all due respect, your Majesty, my fellow Samagraha and I are not here to know whether or not I'm capable to rule a dynasty. I truly understand the fact that I have taken a lot of time to show myself in the Panchayat and that too with the Codicil not being the major issue of discussion. Yes, I've neither rejected nor accepted it. Because it states a few terms and conditions needed to be followed on a mandatory basis and seeing the country's status today I'm not willing to compromise with it. To answer your question, Your Majesty, I do have the audacity to state my opinion in front of the Panchayat, just like each one of you do. Because as a Samagraha, and according to the Shreni System, I'm already a part of the Panchayat."

A murmur of disbelief spread across the room.

"Please," I said, before anyone of them interrupted me with their disagreement, "kindly recollect all the rights and regulation given to a Samagraha of this country. The section forty-five of the Shreni System states that a Samagraha, being the only supernatural driving force of the country can and has the right to gracefully decline a king's order, if the given task is unrelated to the duties of a Samagraha. The Codicil written by a King is asking me to perform the task that's above my paycheck. Rules written in the Book of Law, after all, cannot be altered under any circumstances. Which is also another rule to be followed. Isn't that true, your Majesty?"

King Aghasthya shook his head, getting disappointed in letting him down and supposedly shattering his dream of seeing me as a King. Dhanunjay began to bite his teeth knowing very well that it was him who tipped off about this rule to keep me in my place. Ashwant glanced sideways at the High King who sat unmoved. Tables seemed to be turning but not yet completely in my favour.

"Having said that," I continued, "I do not want to blindly decline the tremendous opportunity given to me. I do feel highly honored for letting me have the chair reserved on the stage. But for the moment, I want to stand here as a Samagraha. I can still protect the citizens just the way I am today. I don't have to be in power, because I already have the power to protect them. Without giving importance to the designation, I want to prioritize the safety of people first."

The High King tapped the table, looking at me with a frown upon his forehead. "Why can't you accept the Codicil if according to you the safety of the citizen is to be given the top priority? We need a ruler, Hayden Mackay. We need someone to sit on the throne before Shashi nabs it."

"If it is a matter of having someone to keep warming up the throne, then maybe even a stray cat can do a wonderful job than me."

"Do you realize that this postponement of yours is making the Rawat dynasty wait to get revived?"

I dropped my gaze down, feeling my heart stung. Yuvan's concerns and beliefs spilled over my mind. "That is why I'm here, Your Majesty," I said, politely. "There are a lot of hopes and dreams among those thousands of people. I do feel a heavy burden for their realistic expectations from me. And I want to fulfill each one of them. In order to prove whether or not I'm an apt person to carry on the legacy of the throne, I request you to grant me permission to do what I want to do and in my own way...without the involvement of any member of the Higher officials. Let me do justice to the paycheck being offered to me, Your Majesty."

Ashwant shared a forlorn glance with a dejected King Aghasthya.

The High King's shoulders stiffened, his hesitance signified the uneasiness about how to respond. He drummed his fingers on the table again and said, "Hayden Mackay, in one statement, tell us in the Panchayat, what do you want?"