He then turned away, to break the edgy monotony by beginning to take a casual stroll across his chamber - possibly to mask his expressions from the advisor 'Of course, I know... I know that I cannot trust the words of a Hindu prince over Akbar' His stares locked down at a spot on the floor. A tiny ant was scuttling about the spot, maybe in search of food. For many moments he watched the spot, his mind journeying elsewhere. 'Of course he wouldn't commit treason against ME, to protect his Begum...'
'Huzoor... I would like to be promoted to the rank of a special-ranking Mansabdar... permanently posted at Parnagarh!'
'Huzoor... then with your word as assurance, can I take it that my family and my men will be safe... even if and when I'm not around, to protect them?'
'The Sahiba will become family Huzoor... when I make her my bride... with your blessings, of course...'
'Not a manoeuvre Huzoor... but a desperate measure... I realised I couldn't sit by and let her die... not today... not ever'
'Of course, I understand' All of a sudden, he crushed the little ant into a flat carcass with the sole of his foot, before turning around 'I don't doubt my intelligence officer'