While the atmosphere of the entire royal assembly was filled with tense curiosity, the King stepped onto the royal stage with weak yet steady steps. However, he did not take his seat on his designated golden throne today! Standing right beside the throne, he raised his hand toward the assembly, signaling everyone to be calm.
In a deep and grave voice, the King declared, "My beloved subjects, honorable guests, and the present royal family! My body today is extremely ill and frail. Therefore, I stand here today in this royal court to announce an extraordinary and historic decision. I have reached this conclusion after much thought and deep consideration. I hope every loyal subject of my Kingdom of Rupnagar will accept this decision of mine with utter reverence!"
The moment the King spoke these words, thousands of subjects gathered in the assembly stood straight up in unison and cheered, "Victory to our most revered King! You are our provider, and whatever decision you take, we subjects shall obey it with complete respect!"
Offering a contented smile, the King said, "Listen then! From today, this Kingdom of Rupnagar receives a new King! As of today, I have become the former King of Rupnagar. From this very moment into the distant future, taking charge as the supreme ruler and mighty 'King' of this prosperous Rupnagar Empire will be our Prime Minister—Rupanjan!"
Upon hearing this announcement, the entire royal court fell silent for a fleeting moment, and the very next instant, the sky and air echoed with sacred ulu sounds and resounding chants of victory! But standing beside the stage, Rupanjan was utterly stunned by this declaration! He could hardly believe his own ears. Overwhelmed by deep emotion, tears flowed uncontrollably down his cheeks.
Approaching the bedside, he said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty! Most revered King, what have you done? Why have you entrusted me with the responsibility of your grand, sacred throne and empire? I have not yet become fit or worthy of this royal post, Your Majesty! Do I possess the capability to wield such a massive royal scepter?"
Clasping both of Rupanjan's hands in his own with utmost affection, the King offered a sweet smile and said, "I know very well, Rupanjan, that you think you are not worthy. But I know you will gradually learn everything—just as you learned to flawlessly manage the duties of Prime Minister in a matter of days! With your patience, wisdom, noble character, and intellect, you are the only truly deserving King for this realm! And please do not refuse my final request, Rupanjan! It is with great earnestness that I appeal to you to accept this seat."
Wiping his tears, Rupanjan bowed his head in humility and said, "Why would I refuse, Your Majesty? With love akin to a father's, you have placed me upon this position of honor today; I will ensure the safety of this sacred royal throne and the subjects until my last drop of blood!"
With profound joy, the King said, "Then delay no further! Be seated upon this golden throne, your coronation shall take place today!"
Immediately, the royal priest and senior ministers adorned Rupanjan with the royal crown amidst the chanting of sacred royal mantras, and his coronation was completed. Thousands of subjects roared together—"Victory to the almighty King Rupanjan! Victory to the Rupnagar Empire!"
However, the state of Snigdha standing in the assembly was a sight to behold! Her eyes seemed ready to pop out of their sockets with sheer shock and jealousy! She stood there gaping like a mute person. The son of a mere humble farmer had instantly become the absolute 'King' of a vast empire—this sight struck her venomous mind like a bolt of lightning! Standing beside her, the cunning Jishnu gripped Snigdha's hand tightly and voiced his astonishment, saying, "Snigdha! Snigdha, look! What a turn of events! The man became the King of this vast kingdom in a single moment from being a Prime Minister!"
But Snigdha, filled with supreme hatred and anger, flung Jishnu's hand away with a fierce jerk! Glaring at him, she said through gritted teeth, "Stay away from me, Jishnu! Can't you see I am busy with an extremely important matter? Don't you dare lay a hand on me!"
Seeing Snigdha's manic and aggressive behavior, Jishnu felt somewhat unnerved and asked in surprise, "Why are you acting like this, Snigdha? Why are you driving me away so rudely like this? How are you forgetting that our auspicious wedding is set to take place tomorrow itself?"
Curling her lips, Snigdha roared with utter contempt, "Shut up! Tomorrow's wedding can go to blazes! Let's see whose wedding actually takes place tomorrow! Stop talking nonsense and stand quietly to see what happens to Rupanjan!"
Hearing Snigdha's tone and words, it did not take a single moment for the clever Jishnu to realize that after Rupanjan became King, Snigdha's heart had turned back toward Rupanjan, and she was scheming to get Rupanjan as her husband!
Jishnu said to himself, "Ha! Snigdha, you think you can trick me? I have read your character and the movements of your mind very well! But if I lose you, my dream of seizing the Junagadh Palace and its property will be shattered!"
Jishnu did not waste another moment. Pushing through the crowd, he went straight to King Aditya and, bringing his mouth close to Aditya's ear with immense cleverness, whispered, "King Aditya! We had agreed on our wedding for tomorrow, and our auspicious marriage must be solemnized with grand pomp tomorrow itself! All preparations are final for tomorrow, do you remember?"
Looking at Jishnu with a subtle smile, King Aditya said, "Yes, Jishnu, of course I remember! Your wedding will be celebrated with grand pomp during tomorrow's auspicious hour, do not worry at all."
Receiving Aditya's assurance, a fiendish smile of victory surfaced on Jishnu's face. Looking at Snigdha from afar, he thought to himself, "Snigdha! No matter what drama you put on, I will marry you tomorrow itself! I must lay my hands on all the vast property and kingdom of Junagadh Palace! Just as Rupanjan cleverly became the King of Rupnagar, I too will become the master of Junagadh's power! I will entangle you in the web of marriage in such a way that you won't get the slightest wind of what hit you!"
In the royal court, while on one side celebrations raged with cheers for the new King Rupanjan and the joy of his sacred coronation, on the other side, the dark shadows of Snigdha's envious desires and Jishnu's wicked conspiracy began to grow even thicker!