The mountains stood eternal.
Snow-covered peaks stretched beyond the horizon, piercing the heavens themselves.
Ancient roads twisted through valleys carved by rivers older than kingdoms.
Pilgrims climbed endless stairways toward temples hidden among the clouds.
Prayer flags danced beneath cold winds.
Temple bells echoed across forests blanketed in white.
Caravans moved carefully along narrow mountain paths, merchants guiding heavily burdened animals through dangerous roads where one wrong step meant death.
Children laughed in mountain towns.
Monks swept temple courtyards.
Fortresses watched from towering cliffs.
Palaces stood proudly among the peaks.
Kingdoms among the clouds.
Kingdoms beyond the Empire.
Places Tara had only ever known through maps, stories, and exaggerated accounts from merchants who somehow survived encounters with snowstorms, bandits, and at least three different kinds of mountain spirits.
Soon...
She would see them herself.
But not today.
Today...
Tara had documents to carry.
Inside the Ministry of Culture and Events, organized chaos ruled supreme.
Officials hurried through corridors carrying records and sealed scrolls.
Servants moved crates containing reports prepared for the Imperial Expedition Council.
Members of Tara's ministry rushed in and out of offices.
Everyone looked busy.
Everyone except Tara.
Tara:
"I've reconsidered."
Aryav didn't even look up from the stack of papers in his hands.
Aryav:
"About?"
Tara rested her chin on her desk.
Tara:
"My future."
Kavya flipped through another document.
Kavya:
"You've said that since breakfast."
Tara:
"Because my future continues to concern me."
She sat up.
Tara:
"Do you know where I expected to be this week?"
Aryav:
"Your office."
Tara pointed dramatically.
Tara:
"Correct."
"I was supposed to spend my week approving festival performances and arguing with temple representatives over whether musicians should perform before dancers."
She pointed toward the ceiling.
Tara:
"Instead, I am preparing for a diplomatic expedition through three Himalayan kingdoms."
Aryav:
"You say that as if His Majesty only informed you this morning."
Tara sighed.
Tara:
"I know."
"It's been two days."
Aryav:
"And yet you're still shocked."
Tara:
"I was hoping it would turn out to be an elaborate misunderstanding."
Kavya:
"You've reached the bargaining stage of grief."
Tara looked at her.
Tara:
"I don't appreciate how accurate that was."
Malini entered carrying several neatly arranged reports.
Unlike everyone else, she looked completely calm.
Malini:
"Minister."
Tara immediately pointed.
Tara:
"If those are additional reports, I'm unavailable."
Malini placed them onto Tara's desk anyway.
Malini:
"They're expedition records."
"The Ministry's delegation roster."
"The cultural gifts inventory."
"The ceremonial schedules."
"The preliminary presentation proposals."
Tara stared.
Tara:
"...I take it back."
"These are somehow worse."
Malini ignored her.
Malini:
"You need to review them before the meeting."
Aryav looked over.
Aryav:
"The cultural gifts list seems important."
Tara sighed before opening it.
She skimmed through several pages.
Then paused.
The dramatics disappeared.
Tara:
"...Why are there only eight ceremonial silk sets listed?"
Malini answered immediately.
Malini:
"Because four artisans failed to deliver on schedule."
Tara frowned.
Tara:
"And nobody informed me?"
Malini:
"They intended to replace them before the meeting."
Tara shut the report.
Tara:
"No."
Aryav blinked.
Tara stood.
Tara:
"Those silks were commissioned specifically for mountain courts."
"They're woven with Imperial motifs meant to symbolize friendship."
"If we substitute them with ordinary ceremonial pieces at the last moment, it'll look careless."
She looked toward Malini.
Tara:
"Send someone to the workshops."
"I want to know why they're delayed."
Malini nodded.
"As expected."
Kavya glanced at Aryav.
Kavya:
"She switched."
Aryav:
"Again."
Tara looked confused.
Tara:
"Switched?"
Aryav:
"From complaining to minister."
Tara folded her arms.
Tara:
"I can do both."
"I simply prefer complaining."
A palace servant entered.
He bowed.
"Minister Tara."
She looked up.
"...Please don't tell me His Majesty has another surprise."
"The Emperor requests your presence."
Silence.
Tara slowly stood.
Tara:
"I've developed trust issues."
Aryav:
"That's understandable."
Kavya:
"You should go."
Tara sighed.
Tara:
"I know."
She looked at the reports.
Then at her friends.
Tara:
"If I'm not back in an hour—"
Aryav:
"We'll assume you've received more work."
Tara:
"...Exactly."
The palace corridors bustled with activity.
Servants hurried by carrying maps.
Officials discussed preparations.
Guards stood watch.
The closer Tara came to the council chambers, the more people she recognized from various ministries.
Everyone was preparing.
The expedition suddenly felt more real.
One week.
Seven days.
Then she would leave the Empire for the first time in her life.
Before she could dwell on it further—
"Tara."
She looked up.
Emperor Chandraveer stood near an open balcony overlooking the capital.
There were no ministers around him.
No officials.
Just him.
Tara bowed.
Tara:
"Your Majesty."
Chandraveer smiled.
Chandraveer:
"Thank you for coming."
Tara narrowed her eyes.
Tara:
"...What did I do?"
He blinked.
Chandraveer:
"What?"
Tara:
"You only summon me privately for two reasons."
"Either I've accidentally caused problems..."
"...or you're about to give me more work."
A pause.
Then Chandraveer laughed.
Chandraveer:
"Neither."
Tara:
"Now I'm worried."
He shook his head.
Chandraveer:
"I simply wanted to thank you."
Tara stared.
"...For what?"
"For everything."
He looked toward the city below.
Chandraveer:
"The festivals you've organized."
"The disputes you've resolved."
"The investigations you've assisted with."
"The people you've helped."
"You've done remarkable work."
Tara blinked.
"...Your Majesty."
"Hm?"
Tara narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Tara:
"You're trying to impress me so I won't complain about the expedition."
Silence.
Then—
Chandraveer burst into laughter.
He laughed so suddenly that Tara looked offended.
Tara:
"I knew it."
Chandraveer wiped tears from his eyes.
Chandraveer:
"No."
"I'm truly trying to appreciate your work."
Tara folded her arms.
Tara:
"You've never appreciated my work this politely before."
Chandraveer smiled sheepishly.
Chandraveer:
"Perhaps I've learned to express it better."
Tara stared at him.
Tara:
"...You're still suspicious."
Chandraveer:
"That's unfair."
Tara:
"You assigned me an expedition through three kingdoms."
Chandraveer:
"True."
Tara:
"You smiled while doing it."
Chandraveer:
"Also true."
Tara:
"You understand why I have doubts."
He laughed again.
Then his expression softened.
Chandraveer:
"You've earned my trust, Tara."
"I wanted you to know that."
The teasing vanished.
Tara looked away first.
"...Thank you."
After a pause, she muttered:
"Even if I still think you're trying to soften the blow."
Chandraveer:
"I suppose both can be true."
That earned a reluctant smile from her.
Suddenly—
Dong.
Dong.
Dong.
Bronze bells echoed through the palace.
A servant's voice rang throughout the corridors.
"By order of His Imperial Majesty!"
"Let all ministers and appointed representatives assemble!"
"The Imperial Expedition Council shall now convene!"
The palace stirred into motion.
Chandraveer glanced toward the meeting hall.
Chandraveer:
"It seems it's time."
Tara sighed dramatically.
Tara:
"I was enjoying not discussing budgets."
He chuckled.
Chandraveer:
"You'll survive."
Tara:
"That sounds optimistic."
Chandraveer:
"You always do."
For a moment, they simply looked at one another.
The Emperor.
The Minister.
No.
Not just that.
Two people who had somehow become comfortable enough to tease each other without hesitation.
Tara bowed.
Tara:
"Then I'll see you inside, Your Majesty."
Chandraveer smiled.
Chandraveer:
"Good luck."
Tara turned and walked away.
The moment she disappeared around the corner—
Nayan stepped out from behind a pillar.
Chandraveer jumped.
Chandraveer:
"Nayan?!"
Nayan adjusted his sleeves.
Nayan:
"You and Minister Tara seem to have grown considerably more comfortable around each other."
Chandraveer hesitated.
"...Do we?"
Nayan stared.
Chandraveer cleared his throat.
Chandraveer:
"Perhaps we've become good friends."
"After all those chess games."
Nayan lowered his eyes.
Nayan:
"...Of course."
The silence stretched.
Chandraveer:
"You don't believe me."
Nayan:
"I said nothing, Your Majesty."
"...Which is somehow worse."
Nayan:
"I agree."
Elsewhere—
Officials crowded near the council chambers.
Foreign diplomats.
Trade representatives.
Financial scribes carrying ledgers.
Military escorts.
Members of various ministries.
Tara's own delegation gathered nearby.
Aryav looked around.
Aryav:
"Where is she?"
Kavya:
"Late."
Malini checked a document.
Malini:
"Three minutes."
Aryav:
"Tragic."
Then—
Tara's voice echoed down the corridor.
Tara:
"Hello! I'm here!"
She hurried toward them.
Kavya looked at her.
Kavya:
"You're late."
Tara:
"I can't exactly deny the Emperor."
Aryav raised an eyebrow.
Aryav:
"What did His Majesty call you for?"
Tara adjusted her sleeves.
Tara:
"Nothing important."
"He just wanted to appreciate my work."
Silence.
Aryav:
"...What?"
Kavya:
"...Just appreciate your work?"
Tara:
"Yes."
Aryav and Kavya exchanged glances.
Aryav:
"That's suspicious."
Kavya:
"Extremely."
Tara:
"Why?"
Aryav:
"The Emperor voluntarily praised you."
Kavya:
"And didn't assign additional responsibilities."
Aryav:
"That's unusual."
Tara:
"You're all making this weird."
Aryav:
"We're not the weird ones."
Malini closed her report.
Malini:
"The meeting is beginning."
Thankfully.
Because Tara suddenly wasn't sure how to explain why the conversation had unsettled her.
She looked toward the massive doors of the council chamber.
Beyond them waited ministers.
Budgets.
Routes.
Trade agreements.
Diplomatic responsibilities.
And the first real step toward the journey awaiting her beyond the Empire.
Tara took a deep breath.
Then—
Together—
They entered the meeting hall.
End of Chapter 1 – Part 1
Volume 2Chapter 1 – The Week Before Departure (Part 2)
The Imperial Council Chamber was unlike the halls Tara normally conducted meetings in.
It was larger.
Heavier.
Built not merely to host discussions, but to remind everyone present of the weight of the Empire they served.
Massive pillars rose toward the painted ceiling.
Imperial banners draped from the walls.
At the center of the chamber rested an enormous map stretching across several joined tables.
Northern territories.
Mountain routes.
Trade roads.
Kingdom borders.
Supply stations.
Documents and reports were stacked high around it.
The hall buzzed with activity.
Officials moved between tables.
Scribes prepared fresh parchment.
Servants poured tea.
Advisors whispered among themselves.
And everywhere Tara looked—
There were people.
So many people.
Tara stopped just inside the entrance.
"..."
Aryav looked at her.
Aryav:
"What?"
Tara slowly turned toward him.
"...I thought this was a diplomatic expedition."
Kavya followed her gaze around the chamber.
"Apparently, diplomacy requires half the government."
Malini adjusted the folders in her arms.
"One hundred and twelve personnel."
Tara blinked.
"...Excuse me?"
"One hundred and twelve."
Tara looked around again.
She could believe it.
And that somehow made it worse.
Tara:
"We're not going on a journey."
"We're migrating."
Aryav nodded.
"The mountains are receiving a government branch."
Despite herself, Tara let out a small laugh.
Then she straightened her posture.
The amusement faded from her expression.
Minister Tara stepped forward.
The Financial Minister arrived first.
Several scribes followed closely behind him.
Each carried ledgers thick enough to qualify as blunt weapons.
Tara stared.
"...How much money are we taking?"
Aryav:
"If one of those books falls on someone, they'll become part of the budget."
The Foreign Minister entered next.
Diplomats.
Secretaries.
Translators.
Their expressions were calm and unreadable.
Tara lowered her voice.
"They look terrifying."
Kavya:
"They're diplomats."
"That's their natural state."
Finally came the Trade and Commerce Minister.
Merchant representatives.
Caravan masters.
Supply officers.
Several men immediately began discussing route adjustments before they had even reached their seats.
Tara exhaled quietly.
This was real.
There was no misunderstanding.
No last-minute cancellation.
In seven days...
They would leave.
A staff struck against polished stone.
Once.
Twice.
The chamber fell silent.
Everyone stood.
Emperor Chandraveer entered.
Nayan followed one step behind.
Gone was the easy laughter from the corridor.
Gone was the teasing.
Now—
He was the Emperor.
His gaze swept across the chamber.
Measured.
Composed.
Authoritative.
Chandraveer:
"Please be seated."
The room obeyed immediately.
The Foreign Minister rose.
"Our departure has been scheduled for seven days from today."
He pointed toward the great map.
"Our delegation shall travel to the Kingdom of Uttarakhand."
His finger shifted.
"The Kingdom of Himachal."
Then—
"The Karakoram Dynasty."
Even after hearing those names countless times before...
Tara felt something twist inside her chest.
Those places had always existed on maps.
In stories.
In merchant tales.
Soon...
They would become destinations.
The Trade Minister stood.
"Supply preparations have already begun."
"Winter provisions are being assembled."
"Trade goods have been catalogued."
"Emergency rations are being prepared."
The Financial Minister adjusted his sleeves.
"The budget has also been approved."
He paused.
"Provided no ministry exceeds its allocation."
Several ministers suddenly became very interested in their documents.
Tara raised her hand.
The Financial Minister looked tired already.
"...Yes, Minister Tara?"
Tara lowered her gaze to the reports before speaking.
"One hundred and twelve personnel."
"Mountain terrain."
"Unpredictable weather."
She looked up.
"What contingency plans exist if a major route becomes inaccessible?"
The room quieted.
Tara continued.
"How many alternate routes have been established?"
"Where are our supply caches?"
"How long can we sustain ourselves if delayed by snowfall?"
"Which officials possess authority to make emergency purchases?"
The Trade Minister answered carefully.
"Three alternate routes."
"Supply stations along major checkpoints."
"Emergency funds under ministerial authority."
Tara nodded.
"What about medical support?"
"Two physicians."
"...Increase that number to three."
The Financial Minister frowned.
"Additional physicians mean additional expenses."
Tara met his gaze.
"If one physician becomes ill, over one hundred people lose half their medical support."
"We're crossing mountain regions."
"We shouldn't gamble with that."
Silence.
Then—
Nayan spoke.
"Reasonable."
The Financial Minister closed his eyes briefly.
"...Approved."
Aryav leaned slightly toward Tara.
"You switched."
Without looking at him, Tara answered.
"I've always been like this."
"I simply complain more loudly."
Hours passed.
Routes.
Budgets.
Security assignments.
Delegation structures.
Supply calculations.
The expedition transformed from an abstract future obligation into something tangible.
Something inevitable.
Then—
The Trade Minister spoke again.
"There is another concern."
The atmosphere shifted.
"What concern?"
He hesitated.
Then answered.
"Five caravans have disappeared along northern routes over the past year."
Silence descended upon the chamber.
Tara looked up immediately.
"Disappeared?"
"No survivors."
"No witnesses."
"No confirmed explanation."
The Foreign Minister folded his hands.
"Bandits have been suggested."
"However, investigations have yielded little."
Tara frowned.
"Were these caravans traveling the same routes?"
"Similar routes."
"Any recovered goods?"
"No."
"Any suspects?"
"No."
"...I see."
She looked toward the mountain routes marked across the map.
Five caravans.
Entire groups of people.
Gone.
Without a trace.
Curiosity stirred within her.
Eventually, the meeting neared its conclusion.
Several ministers began gathering their records.
Then—
Chandraveer spoke.
"There remains one final matter."
The chamber quieted once more.
His gaze settled upon Tara.
"Minister Tara."
She rose immediately.
"Your Majesty."
Chandraveer:
"This expedition requires more than diplomatic expertise."
"It requires adaptability."
"Sound judgment."
"The ability to earn trust."
"And the ability to unite people of differing responsibilities."
His voice remained steady.
"Therefore..."
"I hereby appoint Minister Tara as Head of the Imperial Expedition."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Tara stared.
"...Your Majesty?"
The Foreign Minister blinked.
The Trade Minister looked surprised.
Even the Financial Minister's expression shifted.
Chandraveer continued.
"The ministers shall retain authority within their respective fields."
"However, all matters concerning the coordination of this expedition shall ultimately fall under Minister Tara's leadership."
Tara's mind went blank.
Final coordination?
Leadership?
Ultimate responsibility?
Excuse me?
Outwardly, however—
She bowed.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Chandraveer nodded.
"See that our Empire is represented well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The meeting finally ended.
Officials departed.
Documents disappeared into waiting arms.
Voices returned to the chamber.
The tension gradually faded.
Tara stood frozen.
Aryav looked at her.
"...Head of the Imperial Expedition."
Kavya nodded.
"Congratulations."
Tara turned slowly.
"I think I stopped processing information after 'ultimate responsibility.'"
Aryav folded his arms.
"Truly unfortunate."
Kavya:
"Especially considering."
Tara narrowed her eyes.
"Considering what?"
Aryav:
"We'll remain in the capital."
Kavya:
"Someone must oversee the ministry."
Aryav:
"We'll think of you fondly."
Kavya:
"Occasionally."
Aryav:
"While enjoying warm meals."
Kavya:
"And comfortable beds."
Aryav:
"Without mountains."
Kavya:
"And without international responsibility."
Tara stared.
"...I hate both of you."
Aryav:
"Your sacrifice will be remembered."
Kavya:
"Probably."
"If paperwork allows."
Tara pointed accusingly.
"Neither of you deserves friendship."
A shadow fell across them.
All three froze.
Immediately—
They straightened.
Tara:
"Your Majesty."
Aryav:
"Your Majesty."
Kavya:
"Your Majesty."
Chandraveer stood before them.
Nayan beside him.
Composed.
Imperial.
Chandraveer:
"I have reconsidered certain arrangements."
Aryav suddenly looked nervous.
Kavya blinked.
Tara frowned.
Chandraveer continued.
"Minister Tara will be traveling far from the capital."
"As Head of the Imperial Expedition, she shall require trusted subordinates."
His gaze shifted.
"Aryav."
"Kavya."
Both stiffened.
"You shall accompany the expedition."
Silence.
Aryav:
"..."
Kavya:
"..."
Tara:
"..."
Then Tara's eyes widened.
"...Really?"
Aryav recovered first.
"Your Majesty, I believe my presence would be more beneficial within the capital."
Kavya nodded immediately.
"The same applies to me."
Nayan adjusted his sleeves.
"Minister Malini will oversee ministry operations during your absence."
Aryav:
"...I see."
Kavya hesitated.
"Respectfully..."
"May we decline?"
Chandraveer's expression remained calm.
"No."
Aryav:
"..."
Kavya:
"..."
Chandraveer:
"This is an Imperial Order."
"Make your preparations."
Then—
His gaze briefly met Tara's.
The sternness softened just slightly.
"Take care of them, Minister Tara."
A smile escaped before she could stop it.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Chandraveer nodded once.
Then departed.
Nayan following behind him.
Silence.
Three seconds.
Then—
Tara burst into laughter.
"You were just bragging about hot meals!"
Aryav looked betrayed.
"This is somehow your fault."
Kavya sighed.
"I should have remained silent."
Tara wiped tears from her eyes.
"Oh, this expedition just became significantly better."
"Worse," Aryav corrected.
"Definitely worse," Kavya agreed.
Tara looked at both of them.
Then smiled.
"No."
"...Now I don't have to leave home alone."
Aryav opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Kavya looked away.
Neither teased her.
Not this time.
Because beneath all the complaints and jokes...
They understood.
For the first time in her life—
Tara was leaving the Empire.
Leaving everything familiar behind.
And now...
She wouldn't have to face the unknown by herself.
Seven days remained before departure.
Beyond the northern horizon, mountains waited.
And with them—
A journey none of them would ever forget.
End of Chapter 1