The beautifully decorated royal chariots and carriages of the Kingdom of Rupnagar kicked up dust and finally arrived at the grand entrance of the royal palace. The sheer grandeur and exquisite architecture of the palace were striking even from afar. The moment the carriage came to a halt, Princess Snigdha pushed open the carriage door and stepped down in a flurry, without delaying for a single second. While stepping down, she didn't even feel the need to glance at Prabhasa. Blinged by her own pride all this time, she hadn't even noticed what a miraculous transformation had taken place on Prabhasa's face after she had washed her face before boarding the carriage!
Following Snigdha, Prince Prafulla and Princess Prabhasa stepped down from the carriage with slow and dignified grace.
To welcome them, the Emperor of Rupnagar himself stood at the entrance of the royal palace. Upon seeing them, the Emperor offered a warm reception by placing flower garlands and sprinkling fragrant water with his own hands. With immense respect, everyone entered inside the palace.
However, the moment she stepped inside the royal palace, Snigdha's behavior shifted once again. Seeing the dazzling jewel-studded walls, golden chandeliers, and the vast royal courtyard all around, she seemed to lose her composure completely! Unable to grasp where to go or what to look at, she began running here and there like a crazed child! One moment she rushed inside the palace like a storm, and the very next moment she ran back out to admire the rare exotic flowers and fountains in the royal gardens! Seeing Snigdha's unrestrained running and restless antics, everyone—from the palace attendants to the guards—began chuckling softly with their hands over their mouths.
Seeing the palace staff laughing like this, Prafulla and Prabhasa felt embarrassed enough to sink into the ground! Holding his forehead, Prafulla muttered under his breath, "Ah! That girl completely ruined the entire honor and respect of our Junagarh royal family today, Prabha! She doesn't possess even the slightest sense of how to conduct herself with dignity!" Prabhasa also let out a heavy sigh, lowering her head in deep embarrassment.
However, the Emperor had already heard about Snigdha's uncivilized and arrogant nature from Rupanjan. Thus, witnessing these bizarre antics of Snigdha, he merely smiled a bitter, subtle smile to himself.
Right then, amid all the laughter, the Emperor's eyes fell upon Prabhasa, who was standing quietly!
Seeing the naturally serene, pure, and unique beauty that radiated from Prabhasa's face after washing away the mud with cold morning water, the Emperor stood completely stunned for a moment! Not just the Emperor, but all the ministers, guests, and guards present in the court also stood jaw-dropped, staring at Prabha! Witnessing such a heavenly beauty devoid of any cosmetics, murmurs began to spread from all directions—"Exquisite! Truly an exquisitely beautiful princess! What a remarkable natural radiance!"
As the words 'Exquisite, Exquisite' floated in from all around, Snigdha assumed that this praise was undoubtedly meant for her priceless attire and beauty! Snigdha melted with arrogance. Overjoyed, she held up the flare of her silk gown with both hands and began jumping right in the middle of the royal court!
However, while jumping carelessly, she collided heavily against a palace guard standing nearby!
Stepping back to steady himself, the guard said in slight annoyance, "Ah, Princess! Have you gone mad? Why are you jumping around like this for no reason? Have you never seen a royal palace in your life?"