Kundavai Devi, who had been standing and listening to the debate between Arulmozhi Varman and the two minor chieftains, now stepped forward and said, “Grandfather! Uncle! Must you stand at the threshold and speak? Come inside! Ponniyin Selvan will not act against your wishes.”

Both Malayaman and the Velar entered. Looking at the young princess, the Velar said, “Lady! If only the prince would consent to ascend the throne, there would be no trouble at all. We are bound to carry out his commands. The Emperor is only waiting for the moment to relinquish the kingdom. He wishes to spend his last days in peace, in the golden palace Karikalan built at Kanchi!”

“Uncle! When you both arrived, I was telling the prince the very same thing. This girl interrupted us with her complaints. Hearing her, the prince’s heart was moved, and he wished to go to the prison and set him free…”

“Who is this girl? Why is she weeping so bitterly?” asked the Velar.

“Do you not know, uncle? She is Manimekalai, the daughter of Sambuvarayar…”

“Oh! She must be weeping, thinking of her father in prison. Do not cry, child! The Emperor has already issued orders to set your father free and bring him here. Parthibendra Pallavan has gone to the underground prison!” said Malayaman.

“Grandfather! She is not worried only about her father. She is anxious about the brave scion of the Vanar clan. Release him. She keeps lamenting, ‘It was I who killed the prince!’” said the young princess.

“Oh! If that is what she claims, then let us take her too and lock her up in the underground prison if she wishes. But we cannot release the prince of Vallam!” said the elder Velar.

Still sobbing, Manimekalai turned to Kundavai and pleaded, “That is all I ask, Princess! Please order them to lock me up wherever he is kept!” The Commander-in-Chief Velar touched his forehead with his finger, pointed it out, and in a soft voice said, “It seems this girl’s mind has become deranged!”

Until now, Vanathi had been silent, but she now interjected, “Periyappa! Manimekalai’s mind is perfectly sound. It is you and the Thirukovalur elder whose minds seem unsteady. The prince Vallavarayan, who is imprisoned, is the dearest friend of Ponniyin Selvan. He was the one who brought Ponniyin Selvan back from Lanka, carrying a letter from the young princess herself. He was the one who earned the complete trust of the brave prince who has now attained the hero’s heaven. Those who accuse him and keep him in prison are the ones whose minds must be disturbed!”

“Ah! When did this girl become so outspoken? Vanathi! Is this what you have learned from the young princess? Have you not yet learned to keep your mouth shut and remain silent before your elders? If you are asked something, you should answer. Otherwise, you must keep your mouth closed!” said Periya Velar.

Malayaman said, “Commander! Why are you angry with this child?