Princess Snigdha was reclining on her silk bed inside her luxurious bedroom in the Junagadh Royal Palace. The soft glow of the ghee lamp burning in a corner of the room cast a strange shadow across her deceitful face. Looking out the window, Snigdha was lost in deep thought.
She began to mutter to herself, "Ugh! The day after tomorrow is my wedding with this Jishnu! Yet in my heart, I had thought of making Rupanjan my husband! Even Rupanjan, while speaking with the King in front of the full royal court that day, said that he had chosen a most suitable royal bride for his life! Who could that bride be? Who knows! At times I feel he was certainly talking about me! Perhaps he still secretly loves me and spoke of finding a bride with me in mind! If that's the case, what should I do now? If I marry Jishnu, I will gain all the vast wealth of his grand estate and become the sole mistress of the entire property. But if I marry that devil Rupanjan... he is now the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Rupnagar! Later, when that old King dies, Rupanjan will become the supreme, powerful King of that massive empire! Though that old King won't just step down from the throne so easily, he would have to be killed first with a viper or poison! Oh well, let those complicated calculations rest for now! Let the wedding the day after tomorrow happen first, then we'll see what happens..."
While calculating these cunning schemes, Snigdha's eyes closed in utter exhaustion. Slumbering onto the bed, she fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, right after the sun rose, an urgent royal messenger from the Kingdom of Rupnagar came riding at full speed to the gates of the Junagadh Royal Palace. The messenger brought an extremely urgent letter bearing the royal seal of Rupnagar. The palace attendants immediately handed the letter over to King Aditya and Queen Arohi.
Aditya and Arohi broke the royal seal with great anxiety and began to read. As they read each line of the letter, the expressions on their faces changed in an instant! The letter explicitly stated—the health of the King of Rupnagar was in a critical and grave condition. Therefore, out of utmost urgency, he had summoned King Aditya and Queen Arohi of Junagadh to the Rupnagar Royal Palace immediately!
Upon reading the letter, Arohi and Aditya did not delay for another moment. Riding swiftly in a decorated royal chariot, they set off for Rupnagar.
After several hours of a fast-paced journey, when they reached the King's private bedchamber in the Rupnagar Royal Palace, they were shocked to see the King's frail and pale body. King Aditya rushed forward anxiously and sat beside the King's bed.
Aditya asked in deep concern and worry, "What is this state, Your Majesty! It was only a few days ago that we came to Rupnagar and attended your most auspicious ceremony! Back then we saw you completely healthy, strong, and cheerful! Everything was perfectly fine! How did your health deteriorate so drastically all of a sudden, Your Majesty?"
The King offered a faint, weak smile and said in a feeble voice, "Aditya... do illness and disease ever give prior notice or send an invitation before arriving? But listen to the purpose for which I sent such an urgent message to summon you... It is true that I appointed Rupanjan as the Prime Minister of this Kingdom of Rupnagar, but now the deepest desire of my heart is to crown Rupanjan as the supreme ruler of this kingdom—the 'King'! And that must be accomplished during tomorrow's auspicious hour! Because my heart tells me that my remaining time in this mortal world is short... I may not live much longer!"
The moment such ominous words fell from the King's lips, Queen Arohi's eyes welled with tears.
Protesting in an emotional voice, Arohi said, "Your Majesty! May the Supreme God show mercy, please do not utter such inauspicious words! You are as respectable to us all as a revered father! If you talk of leaving like this, what shall we live with? Do not bring such thoughts to your lips, Your Majesty! Do not worry, everything will be fine very soon."
King Aditya also pressed both of the King's hands in his own and comforted him, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty, Arohi is absolutely right! Please do not stress yourself unnecessarily. We are summoning the greatest and most learned royal physicians from across the kingdom and far-off lands. With good treatment and medicine, you will surely recover completely."
The King shook his head gently and said in a very calm voice, "No, Aditya, I am regularly taking the medicines prescribed by the physicians, there is nothing to worry about that. But time is precious. I want a grand coronation ceremony called for Rupnagar tomorrow itself! And I entrust the entire responsibility of this royal festival to the two of you—Aditya and Arohi! You two will make the arrangements for tomorrow's coronation. Invite all neighboring kingdoms and distinguished guests. Just like the grand pomp with which Rupanjan's ceremony as Prime Minister was held and the thousands of people who attended, everyone shall be invited in the same manner tomorrow as well. Tomorrow at the auspicious hour, the royal crown will be placed upon Rupanjan's head on the sacred throne of Rupnagar, and he will be crowned as the 'King' of the realm! From today, this vast empire of Rupnagar belongs entirely to Rupanjan!"
Hearing this historic decision of the King, Arohi asked curiously, "Your Majesty! But does Rupanjan know anything about this? Has he received news of your grand arrangement?"
The King smiled slyly and said, "No, Arohi, Rupanjan knows nothing of it yet! But if I call him and tell him, he will consent immediately. Because he never disobeys my command or words."
With a deeply contented smile on her face, Queen Arohi said, "Your Majesty, if Rupanjan knows nothing yet, then there is no need to inform him now! Let us give him a grand surprise at tomorrow's pavilion! This will multiply the joy a hundredfold!" The King replied in deep satisfaction, "You have spoken well, Arohi! So it shall be!"
Shortly after this, the King sent for the new Prime Minister, Rupanjan, through his attendants to his private chamber. Rupanjan entered the room with quick strides and grew utterly anxious upon seeing the King lying sick in bed. But at the same time, seeing the preparations for another grand festival and gate decorations throughout the royal palace, Rupanjan grew thoroughly confused!
Coming beside the bed, Rupanjan said in extreme distress, "Most revered King! Your health is so frail, and why are you making preparations for such a grand royal ceremony in this condition? For what purpose are you summoning people from all over the kingdom in such haste? I cannot understand anything, Your Majesty! What is the matter? Princess Prabhasa and I are not revealing the news of our marriage to anyone right now, it has been kept secret! Then for what grand event are you sending invitations to everyone tomorrow, Your Majesty?"
Little did Rupanjan suspect that tomorrow was no ordinary festival—but rather the grand, historic, auspicious moment of his own coronation as the supreme 'King'! Looking at Rupanjan's innocent and distressed face, the King offered a mysterious, affectionate smile.
Clasping Rupanjan's hand, he said in a calm voice, "Rupanjan, calm down, wise young man! Whatever happens, happens for the ultimate good. The remaining span of my life in this frail body is nearing its end... I may not remain among you much longer! So before leaving, I wish to complete a most auspicious and benevolent deed for this empire."
Growing even more distressed, Rupanjan said, "A good deed will certainly be done, Your Majesty! But why didn't you inform me about your illness earlier? Do not worry, I am sending for the finest royal physicians from across the realm right now!"
The King smiled gently and said, "Oh Rupanjan! The royal physicians are doing their duty, and medication is ongoing. Do not grow anxious without cause!"
In truth, the King himself knew the secret cause and absolute truth behind his sudden illness very well! And for that exact reason, without wasting time, he wanted to swiftly make Rupanjan the supreme 'King' of Rupnagar and place the realm safely into his hands!