The Prime Minister spoke to those waiting at the entrance of his palace’s sacred hall, dismissed them, and returned swiftly.

“Lady! I have made arrangements as best as I could. I have sent men in all directions to learn of the damages caused by the storm. I have also sent word to Chinna Pazhuvettarayar, instructing that the treasury should be opened under the responsibility of both of us.”

“Sir! Isn’t there a treasury adjoining the palace of Periya Pazhuvettarayar? They say it holds untold riches. Is that true? The Periya Piratti mentioned it once.”

“If that is opened, the treasures within could build a thousand grand temples anew—that is what that lady imagines. Even I have never set foot inside that treasury, my lady! Those who enter that moonlit chamber never return alive,” said the Prime Minister.

“Let that be, sir! Will these people bring that mute woman here? I am anxious that what is within reach may slip away from us,” said Kundavai.

“Mother! What do you know of that queen? How did you come to know? Why are you so agitated about her?” asked Aniruddha.

“Sir! A few days ago, the Emperor himself spoke to me about that queen.”

“What? Did he say she is still alive?”

“No, sir! He spoke of events that happened twenty-five years ago. He believes she is dead. That is why his mind is so disturbed. Was it not you who brought word to my father that the mute woman had fallen into the sea and died? Then, how did you come to know that she is alive?”

“I intended to ask you the same question. How did you come to know, Devi?” “What of it? I will tell you. The valiant scion of the Vanar clan, when he returned from Eezham, he was the first to speak of it. Then my younger brother Arulmozhi…” Kundavai, having said thus, suddenly realized her slip and covered her mouth with her hand, as if to stifle her own words.

“Devi! If you do not wish to speak to me about Prince Arulmozhivarman, then you need not. I shall forget that you even mentioned that name.”

“No, sir! I came to you with the intention of telling you everything. I have realized that hiding and concealing matters brings only harm, never any good. Last night, this truth became clear to me. Sir! The sea did not claim my younger brother. The King of the Sea, Samudrarajan, saved Ponniyin Selvan and brought him safely to shore. He is now staying at the Buddhist Vihara in Nagapattinam. I went to Nagapattinam only to see him. Yet, I have a suspicion that you already know all this.”

“Your suspicion is justified; but, Devi, did I ever show that I knew? I have made it a rule never to interfere in your affairs, though I may meddle in the matters of others. I have given the same instruction to my men. I have faith that whatever you do will always be right. The Kodumbalur Velan and I often say to each other, ‘If only the Young Princess had been born a son, she would have brought the whole world under the white parasol of the Cholas and ruled as a sovereign!’”

“It is true that I have harbored such thoughts. Though I was born a woman, I cherished the hope that my ambition would be fulfilled through my brothers. But now, I have given up that hope, sir! I have resolved that women should not interfere in matters of the kingdom! See, I arranged for my brother to stay at the Chudamani Vihara in Nagapattinam—look at the disastrous result!”

“Nothing disastrous has happened, Mother! The Samudrarajan who saved Ponniyin Selvan in the midst of the sea—would he now bring him harm when he is safe on shore?”

“Sir! Go at once to my father and give him this reassurance.”

“Ah! Does the Emperor know, then? Does he know that the Prince is at the Chudamani Vihara?”

“I told you just last night; and it has happened exactly as I feared.”

“Ah! If only you had waited a few more days before revealing it, it would have been better. I thought what you had arranged was truly excellent! Devi, the whole of Chola Nadu is in a state of turmoil. The storm that raged yesterday has only brought to the surface an unrest that has been simmering in the hearts of the people of Chola Nadu for some time now. The people are seething with anger against both Madurantakan and the Pazhuvettaraiyars. They have learned that ships were sent to capture the prince and bring him back as a prisoner. Many believe that it was the Pazhuvettaraiyars who drowned the prince in the sea. If, at this moment, it becomes known that the prince is in this land, the people will rise up in fury. They will demand that the crown be placed upon the prince’s head at once, and a great rebellion will break out. The Pazhuvettaraiyars are waiting for the slightest pretext to start a fight. Periya Velar of Kodumbalur is gathering a great army and marching towards Thanjavur. Devi, I fear that a river of blood is about to flow in Chola Nadu. I am afraid that this vast empire may be destroyed by fraternal strife. Day and night, I pray to Sri Ranganatha that such a calamity may not come to pass.”

“That is my prayer as well, Ayya! I have given up my desire that my brothers should ascend the throne of this empire. As far as I am concerned, I have no objection now to crowning Madurantakan. I have relinquished that wish.”

“You may have no objection, but the people do! The Emperor must live long years yet in this world. But if, by fate, anything should happen to him, on that very day the whole of Chola Nadu will become a battlefield…”

“Ayya! I am greatly troubled by the fear that such a disaster