Page 204 of A King's Oath

“Yes, Rawal.”

“Were students pressured for late fees.”

“They were very late, Rawal…”

“How many boys?”

“Just a few.”

“Give me the number.”

“…Nine.”

Samarth looked at Vishwajeet.

“Confirmed, Rawal.”

Samarth’s gaze didn’t flinch.“Tell me, Sheth saheb. Do you recall what I said when we opened that school?”

“...That it was a royal initiative to make equestrian sport accessible.”

“For?” Samarth pressed.

“For all. Not just those who could afford it.”

“And who funds that school?”

“The palace.”

“So if a boy cannot pay a nominal fee on time, whose problem is it?”

“The… palace’s.”

Sharan scribbled something fast, then leaned over and whispered,“Technically the government's, but palace sounds better.”

Samarth didn’t react. But his jaw shifted just enough to warn his brother. Sharan retreated back to his notepad.

“You’ve charged them a penalty of thousand rupees each, I heard?”

The man paled.“No, Rawal! It was only…” he fumbled. The late fee penalty on paper was 150. He had charged 450.

“Hmm,” Samarth leaned forward.“It was 1000. Return it to each one.”

The manager’s face soured.“1000?”

“And since the school is run by the palace, from now on, any dues pending are to be reported to Vishwajeet. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Rawal.”

“1000 rupees each before this evening, Ashwaraj. Refund every rupee that was collected from these nine students. Quietly. No show. No receipt trail. Second, bring me the name of anyone on staff who verbally pressured them. Today.”

“Yes, Rawal.”

“Third — and this is the part I want you to remember most — if I so much as hear a whisper of financial harassment again, I’ll have you re-assigned to clean the stables. Barehanded. For a month. At my stud farm in Verawal.”

He paled.

“You may leave now.”

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