Like one afflicted by hallucination, Manimekalai looked this way and that, her eyes wide and wild, as she entered. As Vanathi had described, her appearance was truly pitiable. Her face and eyelids were swollen from incessant weeping.

Yet, for some reason, Kundavai felt no compassion towards her. She could not forget that the root cause of all the recent calamities that had befallen the Chola dynasty was the conspiracy that took place in the Kadambur Sambuvaraiyar palace. Most of all, the thought that her own valiant brother, Karikalan, had been murdered in this very girl’s house only fueled her anger further.

Suddenly, another thought flashed through her mind. This girl’s brother, Kandhamaaran, and the valiant scion of the Vanar clan were old friends. It was because of that friendship that Vandiyathevan had gone to the Kadambur palace. He had returned to report the conspiracy that transpired there. Kandhamaaran had once intended to marry his sister to the Prince of Vallam. That girl must be this very Manimekalai!…

As this realization dawned, Kundavai felt a new curiosity towards Manimekalai. Ah! For what purpose had she come seeking her? Had she come to plead for her father and brother? When her brother Karikalan was invited to the Sambuvaraiyar palace, the proposal to wed this girl to him had also been raised. Perhaps this foolish girl had given her heart to Karikalan? Was her mind now unhinged because the man she wished to marry had met an untimely death? Had she come to speak of that? Or… or… could it be something else? Kandhamaaran must have spoken to her about his friend. Vandiyathevan had stayed in her house—he had stayed there once before, and now, for many days. Could it be that her heart was drawn to Vandiyathevan? If so, there could be no doubt that he had rejected her. Had she now come to heap false and terrible accusations upon him, seeking revenge for her wounded pride?… All these thoughts flashed rapidly across Kundavai’s mind and vanished. She gazed intently at Manimekalai, as though she wished to pierce through her heart and uncover what lay within. Unable to withstand that searching gaze, Manimekalai lowered her head. Two tears fell from her eyes and scattered upon the floor.

“Girl! Why are you weeping? Your brother is still alive, is he not? Was it not my brother who was murdered in your palace and lost his life? If anyone should weep, should it not be me? Yet look at me! I do not cry, nor do I shed tears. It is not the custom of women of the Chola clan to weep for those who have met a heroic death!” said Kundavai.

Manimekalai lifted her head and looked at the young princess. “Devi! If my brother had died at the tip of a sword, I too would not weep. But the one who died… the one who died…” She faltered, unable to continue, and sobbed.

Kundavai began to think that her initial suspicion might indeed be true. Perhaps this girl had given her heart to Aditya Karikalan. It seemed she was hesitant to confess it! Alas, poor girl! If that were so, she must be comforted.

“Girl! Steel your heart. Speak boldly what is in your mind! The one who died was not your brother. It was my brother. Why then should you weep? Perhaps you grieve that such a thing happened while he was a guest in your house! What can you do about it? There were many elders present in the house. The responsibility is theirs…”

“No, Devi, no! The responsibility is mine alone! That is why, however much I try, I cannot restrain my sorrow. Nor can I stop the tears from flowing from my eyes. When I think that it was by the dagger held in this hand that I killed that bravest of the brave, my heart feels as if it will shatter into a thousand pieces…”

Kundavai Devi, startled, exclaimed, “Girl! What is this nonsense you are uttering? Have you lost your senses?”

“No, no! I have not lost my senses. If I am to lose them, let it happen now. I am telling you only the truth of what happened. It was this sinner who killed Aditya Karikalan. I have come to confess the truth to you and receive whatever punishment I deserve…”

“Fie, fie! What slander is this? You expect me to believe that my brother, the bravest of the brave, was slain by the hand of a woman? Who has taught you to speak such things?”

“No one has taught me, Devi! No one believes what I say. Not even my brother or my father would accept my words.”

“Why do you spin such tales? It must have been they who instructed you to say this, or perhaps you have invented this story yourself to protect your father and brother!”

“Devi! Why should I wish to protect them? Against my will, they tried to marry me off. First, they said, ‘Wed Madhurandhaka Devar.’ Then, all of a sudden, they brought Aditya Karikalan and said, ‘You must marry him. If you do, you shall ascend the Chola throne!’ Why should I show mercy to those who sought to sacrifice me thus? Why should I confess to a crime they committed? Never! Never!” declared Manimekalai.

“Girl! Each word you speak is stranger than the last. For the fortune of marrying my brother Karikalan, how many princesses of great kings have performed penance! Yet you claim your father and brother wished to sacrifice you? Why do you consider life in the Chola clan such a terrible suffering?”

“Devi! I have no sisters, none born of my own mother. I speak to you as if you were my own sister…” said Manimekalai.

“You accuse my brother of murder, and yet you dare to claim the bond of sisterhood with me?” the young princess asked sharply.

“I have that right. Your brother Karikalan considered me his own sister. He wrote