After Ponniyin Selvan entered the palace, Kaalandhaka Kandar approached the Velakkara soldiers who had gathered at the palace entrance.

“What is this commotion? Do you not know that the Emperor lies ill within the palace? Are you unaware that enemy forces have surrounded the fort?” he demanded in a harsh tone.

The leader of the Velakkara troops replied, “Sir! Are those who surround the fort truly enemies? How can the great Velar of Kodumbalur be our foe?”

Suppressing the surge of anger within him, Chinna Pazhuvettarayar said, “That is something you must ask him; if he is not an enemy, why has he come with an army and laid siege to the fort?”

“We have heard it is to crown the younger prince upon the throne,” replied the Velakkara captain.

“Is that agreeable to all of you?” Chinna Pazhuvettarayar asked.

The Velakkara leader turned to his soldiers and said, “You tell him yourselves!”

Immediately, the soldiers shouted, “We agree! We agree! Long live Ponniyin Selvan! Long live the prince who conquered Eezham!”

This time, their cries were louder and more forceful than before.

Chinna Pazhuvettarayar’s face flushed red; his moustache quivered. Yet, gritting his teeth, he asked, “Is the coronation to be decided by the will of the great Velar? Or by your wishes? Does the Emperor’s desire hold no value at all?”

One of the soldiers asked, “Commander! Is the Emperor well? Is it certain?”

“What kind of question is that?” Kaalandhakar snapped.

“There are all sorts of rumors spreading in the town about the Emperor. We too have not been able to see him today! Because of that, everyone is deeply worried about his well-being!” said the leader of the Velakkara soldiers.

“Did I not already tell you the reason why you could not see the Emperor? The Emperor’s mind is greatly troubled today. He does not wish to see anyone. He has even refused to come to the assembly hall…”

“What is the reason for the Emperor’s distress? Why should he refuse to grant us an audience? At least let us know that much, can’t we?”

“Very well; I shall tell you. The Emperor’s anxiety was heightened because there was no news about the prince who had gone to Eezham. Now that the prince himself has returned…”

“We wish to see the prince. We must see him clearly, in the full light!” said one of the soldiers in that force.

“Yes, we must see him! Long live the prince who conquered Eezham!” they all shouted together.

“The prince must first pay his respects to the Emperor, must he not? Afterwards, if he wishes, he will come to see you as well!”

“Is that certain? Or might he be sent to the underground dungeon?”

Had it been another day, at another time, the soldiers of Chinna Pazhuvettarayar would have attacked the Velakkara troops for speaking so boldly. It would have turned into a great commotion. But perhaps because they had just glimpsed the prince’s radiant face, or for some other reason, even the warriors of Kaalandhaka Kandar stood in silence. Chinna Pazhuvettarayar’s hand sought the hilt of his sword. For a moment, he thought to cut down the soldier who had spoken with a single stroke. But immediately, he mastered his anger and laughed aloud.

“Did you all hear the question he asked? He wants to know if the prince will be sent to the underground dungeon. Well then; it is neither in my power to crown the prince on the throne nor to send him to the dungeon. It will happen according to the Emperor’s will. Even if the prince is to be taken to the underground dungeon, it is by this very path that he must be led. At that time, you—”

"Let him be watched!" said Kaalandhaka Kandar, his eyes blazing with fire, and turned towards the palace. Ignoring the renewed shouts of the soldiers, he strode towards the palace’s main entrance.

There, near the threshold, he saw Poonguzhali standing alone.

"Girl! Why are you standing here? Did someone stop you from coming inside?" he asked.

"No one stopped me. I chose to stand here myself, sir," replied Poonguzhali.

"Why?"

"When a father and son meet after being separated for so long, what business do I have there?"

"Let it be; at least you believe the Emperor is alive, don’t you? That, at least, is some comfort!"

"I do not merely believe it; I saw with my own eyes that the Emperor is well, and only then did I return."

"Look, there they stand—go and tell those Velakkara guards what you saw! They seem to be suspicious," he said.

"Until this very moment, they have no evidence for their suspicions. Who can say that, in the next moment, it will not become true?"

"Girl! Are you also trying to disturb my mind? Has madness seized all of you?" he asked.

"Commander! Many people call me ‘mad’. Sometimes, I myself claim to be mad. But it was by following the thought of this madness that the prince was able to enter this fortress today without danger. It was possible to meet the Emperor while he was still alive..."

"Ah! What is this? Are you too wishing ill upon the Emperor’s life? Are you raving after listening to the nonsense of ignorant people and foolish astrologers? Or do you know something else?"

"Is it only the people and astrologers who wish ill? Did you not just now hear the message your own brother sent?"

"What certainty is there that it is true?" asked Kaalandhaka Kandar.

"Commander! Why would the Princess of Kodumbalur lie?"

“Who saw it? Perhaps she too harbors the desire to ascend the throne and become the chief queen…”

“Commander! That is exactly what I thought as well. But after hearing the vow the princess made this morning, I have changed my mind,” said Poonguzhali.

“Girl! Or is it you who secretly harbors such ambitions?” asked the younger Pazhuvettaraiyar, laughing lightly.

“Commander! Truly, I must