Author's Notes:

As i mentioned before, once my semester starts on 28th, I will have less opportunity to get behind the keyboard. This chapter covers exclusively on Pagan.


(Ding)

That was the chime that Pagan woke up to every morning, in addition to the pleasant aroma of sandalwood incense set by the servant a few minutes' prior that would wafer pass him exactly at the time.

"Huurggh… (Yawn)" Pagan stretched his body as he went out to the balcony to be shone on by the morning sun light. A smile was planted on his face as he was reminded of what a beautiful day it was and especially today of all days. The annual mark of his birth.

In the past, it hadn't been a thing that Pagan valued, in fact he loathed it. The trials and hardships he had to undergo as a child, his birthday was a constant reminder of the hell he'd lived in. Today was his forty-ninth birthday, and it would be different from all the fourty-eight other times he celebrated and didn't.

Frankly, everyday was a beautiful day to him since Ajay's arrival. There was hardly a wrinkle on his forehead since then. He was expecting the boy to freak out when he revealed the history of their fucked up past, but it seemed Ishwari had been indulging the boy which was contrary to what he initially believed. Perhaps on drunken nights she became a little loose tongued. It reminded him of that one night.

He expected taking care of Ajay was a challenge upon a challenge by beginning to shape up his act on the kingdom left running stagnant for nearly two decades. Instead he received the reply. "Leave it to me!" Like a good son taking over the family business.

And he didn't disappoint. In fact, he was far from that by light years.

Day one of arrival, when he brought him back with deadpan- dipshit?- doorknot?….. whatever his name was, it wasn't important. The fact was that Golden Path had the same idea as him and tried to nab Ajay from him for their own nefarious purposes, which was totally inacceptable. Imagine if they successfully got him and convinced an oblivious Ajay of their cause. He'd be wrecking havoc as efficiently as he was doing so on them at present. Just the thought alone gave him a massive headache that even if he killed dozens just to quell his rage it wouldn't easily disappear.

And wreck havoc he did, among the Golden Path in the most glorious manner. So much so that his alias Badala became the talk of the entire Kingdom. Pagan's charming colleagues in the Canton District that came with him years ago, the Kyrati Noble subjects of his, the entire military force was blundering non-stop. Who was this demon that Pagan brought?

Even when he had one or two contacts in Brooklyn observing Ishwari and Ajay for years he still had no clue on how Ajay had learnt to be so ruthlessly efficient and cunning. Thought he didn't disapprove of that type of character being one himself. Ajay did spend weeks upon his arrival reading through books on military affairs, economics and statecraft he requested from Gary, but it seemed as if his knowledge was insatiable. Had they been withholding info or fabricating it while they spent his hard-earned cash from forcing people to labor in the mines? He would plan to have Gary dispose of them soon.

With every new development and major victory Ajay accumulated his heart danced for joy, because with these achievements it wasn't hard to justify his promotion up the ranks to the second highest nobility and made Pagan's life extremely easy. He could actually retire this early, he had so much to plan for in his long vacations to come. Meaning his days could be spent hunting, and having fun, not that there was any change in his schedule though.

In the same analogy, Ajay's involvement in the 'family business' made it flourish several times. His work was not limited to fighting exclusively as Pagan saw. Like any noble or successful military man, he was expected to have a play in politics, Kyrat's echelons were one of the scummiest. Yet he managed somehow, cleaning up that fat annoying brat in the Royal Guard, who he was sure plotted against him with support from his fellow Mins. They all knew who was the one who killed Hamal's boy, including old man Raghu himself. And it was what scared them, it was an open statement that Ajay didn't follow obligations to the king and court like they did. That meant that if they were a hindrance, they would be removed the same way as Sugun. Raghu wasn't saying anything but it didn't mean he wasn't burning with fury in his heart despite Ajay's help with his other son. Raghu had always a cunning old fox, but this demon couldn't be misled. He had in fact trapped him by taking guardianship of his only remaining heir and forcing his further cooperation.

Pagan marvelled at his intelligence, in a way it was similar to Ishwari and yet different. Ishwari persuaded people with gentle words by could get you tongue tied with her clever planning. But Ajay's way was provocative, mainly to antagonize the unfriendly into fighting with him. That way he could force them into submission and become as benevolent as he wanted to later. With those that were the first to charge head strong at him, he made them into examples of what would happen by crossing him or Pagan. It appeared that his method was effective at rooting out almost all of the incompetent and corrupted officials in Pagan's purse.

By dissolving the Main Royal Guard. He could reorganised the Royal Army into something that resembled a modern professional army by banding exceptional individuals that Pagan himself didn't take much heed to, like Paresh's boy. Even built a large town slowly becoming a city he named after his late-daughter bless her heart. Very soon, he could pass the crown over to Ajay and that would be all… All… He didn't really have much to do after that.

-This must be what retirement feels like.- Pagan nodded his head contently, he opened the windows to let the other bed occupant bask in the glory of a wonderous day.

"Wa diu! Close the blinds, old fool!" His queen roared angstily from the bed they shared since the small but memorable ceremony they had at the canton families ancestral hall.

"Good morning to you too, dear." He chuckled and did as he was told.

There had been every noble there to attend, unfortunately Noore and Ajay couldn't come. They were having dealings with that little traitor Paul. Ajay sent an envelope as a wedding gift, full of pictures capturing Paul Harmons agonizing face, as well as a video recording of Ajay torturing him. Yuma watched it with him during movie night.

He was a little shocked at the way Ajay brutalized Paul, whom he had known for many years to be the toughess bastard there was that could turn a torture situation around. That was why he was the chief interrogator in his army. Apparently, Ajay showed him something new and took his place as probably the most feared interrogator in Kyrat. He slowly broke Paul into despair and madness bit by bit.

It was also a rare moment when Yuma chuckled the entire time the video was played. She liked that Ajay had taken advantage of the chaos in the most recent of Golden Path offensives to nab Solomon and destroy those damn relics, that damnable distant cousin of theirs that ran out and played this shit on them. Solomon's own families members were also shocked and not pleased with Solomon's actions, but they could do little to settle that maverick.

At the dining, breakfast was served by his favorite Stockholmed celebrity chef whom his country had long forgotten about.

"French toast with scrabbled eggs, sir. A little something to expand appetites for a change." Chef Patrick smiled.

"Thank you." Yuma received her plate.

"Enjoy madam. Your highness, lunch will be available by noon. I've sorted with Master Gary so if there is any change in your day schedule your meals will be ready for you."

"Right, thank you Patrick! Have a cohiba from the pantry."

"Thank you, your royal highness and allow me to wish you a happy birthday and good tidings to you."

"Heh! I'm already experiencing it." Pagan chuckled, Patrick bowed and left with the cart.

It was Gary's and Eric's turn to pop up. Eric, like route sat down and had the same portion as Pagan. Part of the route to have the same diet as Pagan. The last Pagan heard, he was pretty upset Ajay spotted the difference between them in a split-second without much difficulty. It was a mockery of his twenty-year acting performance, years of study at the Melbourne Acting Academy and as a professional actor and double, he couldn't stand for it. He went to research religiously on routines that would enhance his performance as a perfect double of Pagan. Pagan couldn't help but find that Ajay's arrival had changed so many peoples' lives for the better and for worst if they were his enemy.

Yuma ended up serving him spoonfuls which she caringly blew to cool off. Pagan mused the change in this one as well. She was still the Demoness of Durgesh to the public eye, but his wife at home. Perhaps it was the official position as a legal wife, something that even Ishwari wasn't proclaimed partly because of her status as Mohan's wife and his own initial misunderstanding of Ishwari's feelings. Yuma no longer held a grudge against her, much to his relief. It was clearly the case as he once snuck on her visiting Lakshmana and Ishwari's shrine. Talking to two cremation jars about the stream of events that led them to this point.

While she refused to speak of it in front of Pagan, the dead tell no secrets. She'd actually been grateful to Ajay though she would never say it to him, and in turn grateful to Ishwari for bringing him into this world. She said her condolences to her before leaving. The chapter of Yuma's pain had ended.

"What shall do today, husband?" She asked with a smile on her face.

"Gary, what's on the schedule today?"

"Ahem! Your Highness, today's itinerary consists of several tasks to complete before your half-day begins."

"Mmm."

"First off, at nine-thirty you have a scheduled hearing of one Solomon Khoo. However, the Min family has interfered with the tribunal by threatening the judge."

"Tsk! Leave them to me. This only requires a short visit to straighten them out." Yuma declared.

"What the lady boss said." Pagan turned back to Gary.

"Very well, your highness. Now for the next agenda of yo-."

"Is Ajay coming to the party?" Pagan interrupted having remember the most important detail of the evening.

"I have not checked with him yet, unfortunately. It appears that he and the General went to the airport to pickup Captain Kadayat and Major Roka. Comms had mentioned them staying at one of the villas overnight."

Pagan chuckled in defeat. Ajay was really outdoing him in everything, did he even sleep? He was like some sort of machine working 24/7. Working on the militaries classified program which Pagan was also excited about since they claimed it placed Kyrat as the most powerful Himalayan nation in an instant. Supervising the fortress Lankas construction, Gary informs him its eight-four percent complete. Training that Brigade of his, he was surprised he actually turned a rag tag bunch of soldiers and militants into a spec-ops unit. He was barely at home as was reported by Bhadra, which he was for once disappointed in Ajay as her guardian. But who was he to talk, since he had so much free time he should end up being the caretaker of Bhadra instead.

Although that child was growing up fine, he had visited that vocation school she attended. The principal, thought shocked and frighten that another powerful figure appeared on Bhadra's account showed him a list of accomplishments that Bhadra had done in the school. And colour him impress, it was as if that boy had rubbed his shoulder and all his diligence and hardworking behaviour fell onto Bhadra. He hoped she wasn't overworking herself just to show her gratefulness to Ajay for bringing her out of that hell. To be chosen as a Tarun Matara was to be a slave and humiliated by those old priests. A trauma that Ishwari often had recurring nightmares about her coronation ceremony in the recently razed Jalendu.

"I just recalled, Maya sent me a letter saying she too was picking up her brother. Perhaps they spent the night at the villas." Yuma informed him.

"Meh! I'm sure he'll come,- actually- Gary."

"Your highness?" Gary responded ever ready.

"Sent Arjun a text, he and Ajay are expected to come to the party at um-…. Maybe 6?"

"Yes, your highness. It shall be done."

"Good man!" If it were an order, he couldn't turn it down. Not that Ajay had ever disobeyed his orders or that of Arjuns though the later had not authority over him. He still respected Arjun's position and that of the military.

"Right, I'll be going off to 'handle' matters." Yuma kissed him goodbye before leaving out the back with Kamran ferrying her. Much to Pagan's displeasure, taking his favorite mode of transportation before him.

Gary took him down the mountain and through the Royal Fortress ground towards his next agenda.


Like most heads of state around the world, he took up interactions with the local community to improve connection to the people. He was always under heavy escort when he visited the people by the villages. Todays village was the Sano Pahada village, an outskirt settlement but part of the territorial boundaries of Lakshman.

Like all the other villages he'd visited before, they received a weeks notice he would be coming to check on their condition. Most villages took that period to tidy up their charming little hamlets, a rumor went around that when Pagan was impressed with the village he would send additional funding for their development. Whoever crafted such a ridiculous rumor ought to be shot on sight, this was his hard-earned money and gold he took from ancient shrines and burial sites.

Although Ajay once mentioned that being benevolent is often easier than being cruel. Being cruel and selfish often weights on your mind from worrying someone would steal your stuff. And exact contrast to properly investing it in someone or something. Because the rewards for even the smallest of charities would come back to him several times back. It was all Karma.

"Perhaps I can spare a few trinkets..." Pagan said although reluctant to do so.

The village chief and elders greeted him profusely at the gate when he alighted from the vehicle. For the villagers, it was the first time seeing their sovereign so they had some mixed feelings about what they thought he would look and how he looked. But then, his appearance was unmissable with 'his' face on the Kyrati Rupee.

They brought him to the plaza where a small performance was done by the children and some young teens. One act was about Ajay a.k.a Badala's triumph over the Golden Path at Lanka, and how Mohan pissed his pants at the sight of him defeating his generals the Devas. Pagan laughed heartily at the sight of 'Mohan' sending a stream of water from a hidden hose connected to his pants to present him pissing, and using that spray of water to deter Badala and the Army as he made his escape. He laughed to tears.

"My good man, who are the parents of these children?" Pagan asked the Village Chief lightly as he leaned to his side to ask him while the next performance of a band was about to arrive.

But the Village Chief's face turned pale with fright, it was an answer that couldn't present itself proper in front of the King. It would spoil the image of the perfect Village.

"Something wrong? Don't tell me you smuggled them from another village." Pagan remarked jokingly.

"Uh- N- No, your Royal Highness! It's just-…. They don't have parents." Pagan now understood why the Village chief had refrained from telling him as it might potentially ruin his good mood they worked so hard to build.

"So if they don't have family, where do they stay then?"

"They stay at the House of Khati." The Village elder interrupted the conversation and pointed to the mountainside. From where he pointed exactly, Pagan could make out a house on the top of the mountain carved out to fit it.

-House of Khati, home of the brave general.-

"Gary."

"Your Highness."

"I'd like to have a visit alone, you and the guards can enjoy the show."

"Yes, your highness." Gary crisply responded.

"U- your highness I must pr-!" Despite the Village Chief's objection, he went on. Gary stood between Pagan and the Village elders and him. Although they were worried about his safety, they had no power to stop him.

Pagan walked up the narrow corridor and steep steps, wondering how those kids could traverse this dangerous passage everyday. It was barely even a quarter of the steps and he was already tired, but since he'd come this far it would look stupid for him to go back because of something so trivial. For someone that rode around via helicopter and walked only as far as his backyard it was impressive.

Pagan kept going despite his constant huffing and puffing, it brought back a nostalgic memory of the old days as a young man, he worked until he dropped. It was a feeling he loathed and swore he would never go though again, yet now all he wanted to do was climb this mountain, not for anyone but just his own wish. At the end of twenty minutes, he had finally reached the front arch of the entrance that was flat land all the way.

"It seems that I've been improper as to make a King walk up to meet my old self." An old dignified voice called out from the front entrance. Pagan looked up from his panting to find an old hunching man at the entrance where he saw no one before.

"Looked a lot easier from down below." Bibek chuckled.

"As it always does in life my King." He reached out a hand for Pagan to get up with.

"But at the end of the day, all that hope and dreams gets answered with a sight to behold." Bibek motioned towards the scenic view this place had. There was no word to describe the majesty of the mountains and valley from where they stood. Pagan was beginning to feel that the Royal Palaces frontage was starting to appear pale in comparison.

"Bibek Khati, former general of the left wing, Royal Guard at your service. So what do I owe the pleasure of the King of Kyrat visiting my humble self?" Bibek bowed respectfully.

"Could you entertain me for a bit?" Pagan asked. Bibek nodded with a smile.

He brought him to his mansion that appeared to be in poor but maintainable order.

"Do forgive us for the state of our abode. It's not that we do not have the funds to correct or renovate. It has to do with just my old self appreciating the simplicities in life."

"This place has…. Character." Pagan responded, to which Bibek laughed heartily.

"The same words the son of Mohan used."

"Ajay came here?" Bibek nodded.

"Please have a seat, my wife Aasha will make you a cup of chai that will make your trip here worth it. I guarantee it." Bibek motioned for him to sit at the table. Pagan sat on a square mat.

"As to answer your previous question, he did. Even though he was unaware of this old man's identity."

"So why did he come then?"

"The young girl, Bhadra. He wanted her to mix with peers her age, but also to find lodging for her with one of our children, Maya. Mistre- forgive me, Her royal Highnesses protégé."

Pagan remembered who, that girl that was bedridden in his house and the one that Yuma freaked out about. Although, there was something about her that was familiar, like she resembled a certain someone in the distant past. He couldn't put a finger on who, it must have been a rather forgettable individual.

"Your highness, please." Aasha handed him his drink.

"Mmm... thanks. (Sip). Mmmmm." It was indeed a pleasant surprise.

"Does it appeal to your taste?"

"It's fantastic, what's your secret, madam?"

"Love and affection, your royal highness." Pagan chuckled at the though.

"So with introductions gone through, what was It that your highness truly seeked when he came all the way up this near-in hospitable part of the village.

"…."

Pagan put down the delicious drink.

"Why does General Khati, the most revered and glorified general in the previous dynasty and forgive me for saying this in advance but- stays in such a ruined place? I mean, even with accomplishments alone you could have stayed in the Higher Echelon Valley and lived life in luxury. The same could apply to your many generations with that kind of wealth."

Bibek responded with a smile.

"My king, what makes you happy?"

"… Love I guess."

"Would you be willing to give up your land, your title, your fortune for it. Even if this love were only for a brief period?"

"Mn." Pagan nodded without hesitating.

"My question is your answer, as is your own answer to my question. As men, our lifespans are limited, yet we do everything to make the best of it. So that in the afterlife, if we do believe in such then we have nothing to regret, and we can proudly say we've given everything in life a go."

"That still doesn't answer my previous question." Bibek chuckled, it seemed that the rumors that the King became muddleheaded were wrong."

"Yes, it only covers part of your inquiry. So I'll pose another question then."

Pagan listened more attentively than he even had.

"What do you suppose happens to heroes after victory?"

"Well, they'd bask in the glories?" Pagan tried at answering.

"Perhaps, but for how long." Some part of him began to understand what Bibek said.

"When the hero vanquishes the foe which the people had long cowered in fear of, what happens to the hero? Or rather, if the hero protected the people from the adversary, who protects the people from the hero."

Pagan now understood why Bibek had retired from politics.

"There was a saying by western statesman, "The coward only threatens when he is safe." Where they weren't brave enough to stand against the adversity themselves, they used the hero to their convenience. Pushing him aside for they do not fear just a single man. It often makes one suspicious of their surroundings." Bibek laughed, but Pagan wore a serious look.

"When the people no longer rely on the hero, what use is he to society. He's nothing more than a burden. It is one of the cruel aspects of a society with morals, when one lives in the luxury of peace they often become conceit and lazy. A nature that has repeated itself throughout history."

"….."

"The son of Mohan wears such eyes, of the hero I mean. When the people he fought to protect turned their back on him, no-…. Perhaps they betrayed him."

"You saw all this from one chance encounter?" Pagan confirmed with him.

"I've seen many things in life my King, many cruelties, many betrayals and many deviants which I had no choice but to turn a blind eye to. When you ended the Devi bloodline, it was not manevolent in the eyes of the mountains. But a favour it owes you for restoring natural order, or it would have been had it not been for that upstart, the boy's father." Like Arjun, Bibek was a man of conscience and rationality. He believed in his job to protect the kingdom, while his peers saw the kingdom as the reigning monarchy, both of them understood that a kingdom was defined by the people that occupy its domain.

"The irony, the enemy of his father looks at him as if he's his own." Bibek was curious to the nature of their relationship as well. "While it is not my place to question what had occurred, my service is always there for you to call upon, my king."

-Ajay had been betrayed before?- Pagan was unable to make sense of it, he clearly had an intel rig to monitor his history in Brooklyn. It was a history that was hidden from even him. His step-father. Ajay had once told him he killed him, who was that man?

"Bibek, was it? Thank you for your time and hospitality, send your wife my same regards."

"No. It was a pleasure to have King Min at our humble household." Old Bibek spoke in an ever-dignified manner despite the lifestyle and choices he'd made for himself. It gave Pagan a lot to think about.

"Oh, and your highness.." Just as Pagan was about to leave.

"Yes?"

"I might advise your highness to keep a close eye on him, while he seems vibrant and unyielding. Even a stone wall will wear from the constant weather. He might burn brightly now, but the brighter he burns to more other envious forces will seek to snuff him out. His conviction against others might be strong but there is still one person he'll must inevitably face, stronger than any other and him. His very own demons."

Pagan bowed respectfully to Bibek and left the same way he came. The old general watched the king take the hardway down the mountains. And thought of how things should have been had it not been for the interference of Mohan. The Young and ambitious Royal Guard Captain whom he once tutored and shared his ideal of a strong Kyrati nation. The Young Mohan sought to do that by incorporating Religion into his equation of moving people. While men might not move for another man or even a mountain, he would definitely get on his knees for god. That was Mohans way of uniting the country. A foul mistake Bibek made that had affected the very country he sought to protect and burdened the younger generation now fighting against those relics.

Standing at the very front against them was Ajay Ghale, as the anti-thesis of his father.

"He wears the mask not to scare his enemies…." Bibek murmured as he smoked his pipe and sighed.

"But to carry the burden of being the greatest evil under the heavens…"


Pagan returned to the village in the same state as he left, which they were all relieved to see. To reward them for their effort and presence, he bestowed them with what they had hoped to achieve.

Sano Pahada had no natural resources around it, its soil was barren with too many rocks. Its only commodity was manpower, it was what the village excelled in. Raising dedicated individuals, they hoped would bring their village nad family out of poverty. Yet they chose to stay in such a diplidated place, was it pride or was it as Bibek had done. Out of maintaining his diligence and improving his character.

Pagan ordered Gary to have supplies of given to them monthly and funds so that the village would be able to maintain itself and improve on its own accord. The Village chief and elders thanked him incessantly as he left but not before handing the children whom performed for him a ruby jewel each. "Consider this my investment in your future." he said. The children bowed awkwardly, leaving Pagan laughing as he boarded the SUV.

Pagan left the village on good vibes. Ajay's words were beginning to make perfect sense.

"Karma, it's all about Karma." Pagan chuckled some more.

It was still early afternoon when he returned to the Royal Palace after passing through the Royal Fortress and paying the war council a visit to get an update on the situation. Things weren't looking good for the Royal guards advance further into Golden Path territories. The blockaded town of Tirtha had been freed by an individual whom intelligence reported was herald by Golden Path as this "Violet Witch of Tirtha" saying she manipulates threads that cut through steal like butter and is rumoured to be very beautiful. Already, three battalions came back with less than half their strength when maintaining the blockade to starve out the Tirtha forces

He wondered if he could use Ajay to charm her into joining them, the thought entertained him for a while. Ajay had been quite the playboy recently, his spies had reported to have been seen in the same room as Arjun's daughter whilst the rest were asleep, a night rendezvous.

He was a little worried he wouldn't find someone, not that the echelons of nobles were on any short supply of noble's daughters hoping to wed him. But things were going smoothly as it was. It was funny as he swore he heard Arjun once brag about an arrangement he made with Mohan prior to the whole regicide he pulled off decades ago. Was this fate? Pagan himself was of cult-personality therefore didn't believe in fate manipulated by higher beings than himself.

He neared the door to his dinning to get himself a drink to wash out some of the ache he felt from his climbing up and down unaided. Serious trekking, running and climbing weren't for him at a man his age any longer. Not that he ever did many things physical after usurping his father, it was all mind games with the Hong Kong authorities and his fellow rivals 14K and Luen Group. The same could be said in his rise to power in Kyrat.

Gary had gone to settle things for his party at night. So he had the whole day to chill out in his home before the guests came, both Ajay, his Kyrati subjects and the Canton Families. It was time they met each other face to face, he had a whole lot to disappoint the families to come with hints of Ajay being his likely successor. They would obviously not be pleased with him, putting a Kyrati before them in succession. His own flesh and blood. Like he cared.

It's not like they would willingly accept a child of his own flesh and blood either.

He opened the door to the dinning to find Bhadra resting her head against Yuma's front saying something excitedly he couldn't make out from their distance.

"Hello, my dears."

""Hello. Pagan.""Old fool."

He went over to the bar counter and retrieved the decanter from the back drawer of liquors. "Yuma, scotch?"

He asked as he placed two old fashion glasses for pouring. But curiously there was no reply, he heard them whispering to one another, then Bhadra came over with a bright expression. "And what would you like, then?" He remembered about serving Bhadra.

"As if I could take anything at my age, Pagan." She shook her head. "Besides, I don't think you'll be able to share drinks with your wife for a while."

"Mmm? How come?" He looked to Yuma with a baffled expression.

Yuma was all smiles, but her smile wasn't her usual one that still had an air of arrogance and authority. But one that she used to make when she first started holding affections for him.

But Pagan was soon enlightened as to why. When she raised her hand, and in it was a stick.

-No. That's not right, why does it look like-….-

As she held up what appeared to be a pregnancy test stick, he could clearly see what was drawn on it.

Positive.

"Not while this little one is baking inside." She smiled in that same gentle look while rubbing her belly.

The old fashion glass fell from his frozen hand. No words could form in his mouth as his face stricken with shock and disbelieve. It was the last thing he was expecting to happen, and yet it happened despite his and her advanced age. Yuma laughed at his rigid look but appeared in front of him with a pleasant smile.

"My birthday gift to you….. be ready to receive it in eight months, papa."


Author's Notes:

Pagan's age: 48 going 49

Yuma's age: 43

Don't tell me that isn't possible. I have a friend's aunt that conceived at forty-five with her husband at fifty-plus years.

Also according to plan. Hurrah for not needing to inherit throne. Or so Ajay thinks.