Tossing her head in arrogance, Snigdha boasted, "I have seen palaces! I have seen many royal palaces! But I have never seen such a magnificent palace in my life! I used to think I would marry a prince and rule as a queen in a vast palace just like this! But what can I say, our Junagarh palace seems so small in comparison to this one! Anyway, why should I give you so many explanations? Honestly, are you completely insane? Can't you see everyone in the palace shouting 'Exquisite, Exquisite' and praising me? Why aren't you saying it? Say it with your own mouth that I look the most beautiful!"
The guard knew very well that the praise was not meant for Snigdha, but rather for Princess Prabhasa standing beside her, whose natural grace had captivated everyone! Seeing Snigdha's foolish pride, the guard merely smiled to himself and walked away without answering.
Snigdha, however, assumed the guard had walked away blushing, thoroughly spellbound by her beauty! She thought to herself with pride, "Ha! He smiled looking at me! Truly, I look so exquisite today! Everyone is being swept away by my beauty!" Not for a single moment did Snigdha realize that all those words of admiration were actually meant for Prabhasa. Prabhasa, being remarkably modest, also failed to notice that everyone was discussing her.
However, the Emperor was observing the entire incident with keen subtlety. Looking at Prabhasa's calm, elegant, and divine appearance, a deep thought crossed his mind. The Emperor pondered to himself, 'Ah! If only this girl Prabhasa could become our Rupanjan's bride, his wife—how marvelous it would be! It would be as if the Almighty created them for each other with His own hands! Everything Rupanjan told me about Snigdha's character was true to every word. Snigdha might look attractive, but in terms of personality or inner beauty, she isn't worthy of the dust beneath Prabhasa's feet! Wherever she goes, she will bring disgrace to her lineage with her uncivilized behavior. The Almighty did well to rescue Rupanjan from the clutches of that arrogant Snigdha!'
Setting those thoughts aside, the Emperor stepped forward toward Prabhasa and Prafulla with great affection. Smiling gently, he said, "Princess Prabhasa, Prince Prafulla... you have traveled from afar. Go, my children, rest in the royal guest chambers and partake of some food. All arrangements for the afternoon feast have been prepared for you. The main festival will commence this evening when our new Prime Minister is presented before everyone in grand splendor!"
Folding her hands respectfully, Prabhasa asked, "Your Majesty, we are waiting with immense curiosity to meet him! Is it not possible to see him even once right now?"
With a mysterious smile, the Emperor replied, "No, no, Princess! He cannot be revealed just yet. That is the grandest royal surprise of this evening! The Prime Minister is currently resting in his private chamber; you shall behold his face this evening."
Prabhasa smiled sweetly and said, "Very well, Your Majesty! We shall proceed to have our meal then. And whatever my sister is doing, let her be; we need not worry about her anymore! She has already tarnished the pride and honor of the Junagarh dynasty in front of the entire palace! What absurd audacity to proclaim out loud that she has never seen such a palace in her life! If she retains such a narrow mind despite living in our palace, what can be done? She has thoroughly ruined our peace of mind! Your Majesty, please keep an eye on her; we are heading to the dining hall."
From a distance, Snigdha saw Prafulla and Prabhasa leaving her behind and walking toward the royal dining hall! Seeing them ignore her like this struck a heavy blow to her pride. Turning red with rage, she kicked the floor with her heel so violently that the strap snapped, and her shoe flew off, clattering across the floor of the royal assembly!
Hearing the loud thud of the shoe on the floor, the officials and guards present turned toward Snigdha in utter astonishment.