Even as the sound of Sundara Chozhar’s laughter still echoed, the women entered the chamber. Foremost among them was the Maharani; behind her, with Kundavai on one side and Vanathi on the other, Mandakini was gently led forward, and following them, like a procession, came Poonguzhali and an elderly nurse.

The king’s laughter had brought a spark of cheer to the women as well. Mandakini would, for a moment, lift her gaze to look at him, and the next moment, lower her eyes to the ground. Her adornment was now complete. In those days, Princess Kundavai was renowned throughout the land for her unparalleled mastery in the art of ornamentation. For this very reason, it was customary for minor kings to send their daughters to Pazhayarai to become companions to the young princess.

Kundavai had employed all her skill in adorning the mute queen. Some inexplicable emotion that had arisen deep within her heart had led her to arrange Mandakini’s hair in the same style as Nandini’s, with a regal knot. Once the adornment was finished, it became clear to all the women that Mandakini now resembled Nandini in every aspect. The twenty-five years of age that separated the two women was hardly noticeable, for Mandakini, having wandered the forests, possessed a robust health and youthful radiance. The other women brought Mandakini Devi forward with a sense of pride. Each of them had their own reason for feeling proud.

In those days when this history took place, it was common for the great emperors and minor kings of Tamilagam to marry several wives. Wars raged without end, and the royal princes were always at the forefront of battle. To ensure the survival of the royal lineage, it was customary for kings to marry many women. It was considered a noble virtue for the chief queen to embrace and support the other consorts without jealousy. In this manner, the daughter of Malayaman was filled with enthusiasm. Kundavai took pride in having displayed her skill in adornment so perfectly. Had she not transformed a woman who had appeared as a mad beggar into one of incomparable beauty and youth? As for Poonguzhali, she was delighted to see her aunt receiving such royal honors in the palace. Were not the palace women here behaving quite differently from what she had expected?

Thus, the Emperor watched the procession of women entering the chamber, their pride overflowing. In that very instant, his smile faded. Mandakini’s new appearance filled him with boundless astonishment. He blinked, half-closing his eyes with his hand and then opening them again, as if doubting whether what he saw before him was truly real. The details the Prime Minister had just been recounting were firmly imprinted in his mind. He clearly perceived the resemblance between the womanly form that had appeared before him at midnight and tormented him for some time, and the figure of Mandakini now standing before him. At the same time, he noticed certain differences as well. A desire