Prime Minister Aniruddha Brahmarayar arrived at Kundavai’s palace. The princess, upon seeing him, rose to her feet and offered her salutations.

“May you be blessed with a long life, united with a husband who excels in both valor and virtue!” Aniruddha Brahmarayar bestowed his blessing.

“Sir! Is this the time for such a blessing?” the princess asked.

“I merely uttered the blessing that came to this old man’s mind. What other boon do you seek, dear child?”

“We are all anxious about my beloved father’s health. The entire land is plunged in worry over Arulmozhi Varman…”

“But I see no trace of such worry on your radiant face, dear one!”

“I am born of a line of warriors. Do you expect me to weep and wail at the mention of danger, like everyone else?”

“Never would I ask such a thing. I only say so that you may offer comfort to those like me, who lack your courage.”

“Acharyar! Is it I who must comfort you? You possess a diamond heart, unshaken even if the world itself were to turn upside down!”

“Yet you have managed to unsettle even me, child! Women of the inner palace ought to spend their days in joy, with song and dance. Instead, you have involved yourself in affairs of state—see what calamity has come of it!”

“Oh! What blame is this? In what matter of state have I interfered? What disaster have I caused?”

“I had advised that Ponniyin Selvan remain in Lanka for a while longer. But you sent a letter to your brother, urging him to return at once. Who would heed the words of this old man over your wishes? Do you see now the misfortune that has come to pass? The people of Chola Nadu—” The sea has taken away the prince who was the very apple of our eye. Just a short while ago, you saw the crowds gathered at the palace gates, raising a great commotion. Such unrest is spreading across the land today. Mother, are you not the cause of this turmoil?”

“Why do you say that Arulmozhi Varman set out from Lanka after reading my letter? Do you not know that the Pazhuvettaraiyars sent two shiploads of soldiers to capture the prince and bring him back?”

“I know, Amma! I know! Even so, if that is the case, we can hold the Pazhuvettaraiyars responsible for the fate that has now befallen Ponniyin Selvan. Both the ships they sent have been destroyed. If they say the prince set out because of your letter, who can deny it?”

“Sir! How do you know that I sent a letter? How do the Pazhuvettaraiyars know?”

“You have asked a good question, Amma! Is it only we who know? The whole world knows. The messenger you sent was first captured by our soldiers in Lanka. So, everyone there knows. Through the physician’s son who accompanied him as far as Kodikkarai, everyone in this land knows as well. The secret deed you performed has become so widely known! That is why our elders have said that women should not interfere in matters of state.”

Kundavai stood stunned for a moment. She did not know what reply to give. The Prime Minister had thoroughly cornered her. There was truth in his words. The moment this thought crossed her mind, anger arose in her towards the Vanar clan warrior. Daring deeds—he was certainly capable of those. But to expose the whole affair and ruin everything? He must be sternly reprimanded. As soon as she thought this, she remembered that, on the Prime Minister’s orders, he had been imprisoned. What trouble he brings upon himself, and upon me as well! Could he not have kept quiet for a while? If the physician’s son had babbled something, did he have to leap down from the upper floor and start a fight over it?

“Sir! I have a request. Please grant it with your generous heart.”

“Devi! Command me! In this kingdom, who would dare contradict your word?”

“When you arrived at the palace gates, two men were fighting. You ordered them to be imprisoned.” “What they have done is a grave crime. To begin a fight in the palace, right before the eyes of the queen—what a disgrace! And at such a time? When a great crowd was seething with excitement! If the people, ignorant of the cause, had joined in the brawl, do you realize what disaster might have occurred? Like a tiny spark setting an entire forest ablaze, the whole land and city could have been plunged into riot and chaos!”

“Yes, sir! What they did is indeed a great crime. Yet, I beg you, I implore you to pardon and release one among them.”

“Who is that fortunate soul, worthy of the princess’s grace?”

“He is the envoy I sent to the island of Lanka.”

“It is as if a ripe fruit has slipped and fallen into milk!”

“Why do you say so?”

“I myself wished to capture that envoy. Here he has come and fallen into our hands so easily.”

“For what reason? Of what crime is he accused?”

“Mother! He stands accused of a terrible crime.”

“What is it?”

“It is said that he is the one who pushed Ponniyin Selvan into the sea and drowned him.”

“What monstrous words! Who dares to accuse him so?”

“Many are casting such accusations. Parthibendran, who brought the prince by ship, says so; the Pazhuvettarayars claim it might be so; and I too have my suspicions.”

“Acharya! Beware! Do you suspect that I sent a murderer, that I dispatched him to kill my own brother?”

“Never, mother! You sent him, believing him to be a trustworthy envoy. But could it not have been a mistake? Could he not be a spy for our enemies?”

“Impossible. Aditya Karikalan himself sent him to assist me. He wrote that I could trust him completely…”

“Could not Aditya Karikalan too have been deceived, Princess? Could he not have