What she witnessed was nothing short of a horrific wrestling ground! Fragments of invaluable glass mirrors and perfume vials were strewn everywhere across the center of the room. On top of the royal carpet, torn cotton from the ripped bed mattress formed a layer like a sheet, making it seem as though evil spirits had wreaked havoc in the room! Expensive royal silk garments lay shredded in every corner!
Shaking with sheer humiliation and rage, Arohi called out to the servants, "Guards! Maids! Come here quickly, all of you! What has this uncouth girl turned her room into?"
The palace maids and attendants rushed in and immediately set to work cleaning the room. Clearing away the glass shards and scattered cotton, they somehow managed to restore the room to its previous state.
Right at that moment, Snigdha entered the room dancing with a venomous smile on her lips, straight from the garden.
Finding Snigdha right before her, Queen Arohi put her hands on her hips and roared, "Snigdha! What were you doing here, you uncouth girl? Were you wrestling in this room or what? Why have you polluted a royal bedchamber and turned it into a den of beasts like this? Has your sense of shame been completely washed away?"
To veil her manic form, Snigdha instantly slapped an artificial, clever act of a smile on her face.
Twirling the corner of her dress with her fingernails, she stammered, "Oh, Mother! Why do you start shouting without cause? Actually... sometimes I don't know what I do, I just engaged in a little madness, that's all! What is there to get so angry about? Don't take it to heart!"—Saying this, Snigdha let out another hideous, giggling laugh and bolted out of the room, fleeing toward another balcony!
Arohi stood there flabbergasted, holding her forehead as she watched the direction Snigdha had fled.
Muttering to herself in regret, she began to lament, "No! This girl has truly lost her mind completely! There is not a shred of mental balance left in her! That night, she woke up in the dead of night and collapsed on the floor like a ghost, crying... and when we went there concerned to ask her, she boasted and made up a lie—claiming she was rehearsing an acting performance to show everyone at her wedding with Jishnu! Then this morning, she bit her own tongue forcefully with her teeth and screamed like a wild beast to terrify everyone! And now... now she comes and demolishes her royal bedchamber to ashes, saying 'I was just engaging in a little madness'! God knows what I am going to do with this shameless, senseless girl! There is no boundary left to her madness!"
Shaking her head in extreme annoyance and humiliation, Arohi walked toward the royal court.
Before long, afternoon arrived. All members of the royal family finished their lunch in the grand dining hall of the Junagadh Royal Palace. Once the meal concluded, everyone retired to their private chambers to rest.
Meanwhile, in the high glass balcony of the Rupnagar Royal Palace, the newly crowned supreme ruler, King Rupanjan, sat attired in grand royal garments and dignity.
Spread before him were extensive royal documents, tax collection accounts of the empire, and many crucial security plans for the subjects. Yet, amidst the intense hustle of these royal duties, Rupanjan's heart kept taking flight toward the distant Junagadh Royal Palace!
Placing his golden pen on the table, Rupanjan gazed out the window toward the blue sky and began to whisper with deep emotion, "Who knows what my Prabha is doing in Junagadh right now? How shy and simple-hearted that girl is! My heart longs to abandon all royal affairs and rush to Junagadh right now to see my Prabha with my own eyes! Seeing her shy, charming face would instantly wipe away all my royal exhaustion! But no... I am no longer just an ordinary Prime Minister; the safety and responsibility of every single subject in this vast Rupnagar Empire now rests upon my shoulders! The former King placed immense trust in me and seated me on this throne. I must focus on the royal duties now."
As this thought crossed his mind, Rupanjan remembered the King. Rupanjan thought that since the King was resting in his chamber while unwell, it was his utmost duty to go and check on his physical condition.
Rupanjan walked with slow, measured steps toward the King's private chamber. As Rupanjan parted the silk curtains and entered, he saw the King sitting in bed, leaning against a pillow, deep in thought.
Rupanjan approached the King with profound devotion and said in a wise voice, "Most revered King! How is your health now? Have you taken all your medicines on time? Does your body feel a bit at ease now?"
Looking at Rupanjan, the King offered a sweet, tranquil smile, akin to a father's.
He said, "Yes, yes, Rupanjan! I am feeling much better and at peace now, do not worry in the least. Tell me, how is the administration of your royal empire progressing? Are you able to manage all responsibilities of your new post properly?"
With a humble, subtle smile, Rupanjan replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, by God's grace and your supreme blessings, everything is running smoothly. But truth be told, Your Majesty... I have never managed such a vast empire or royal throne in my life! So, handling all royal affairs, justice for subjects, and tax accounts simultaneously feels a bit overwhelming! However, I am trying my best to learn."
Patting Rupanjan's back with deep affection, the King said, "Do not worry, Rupanjan! Just as you effortlessly grasped the duties of Prime Minister with your wisdom, honesty, and intellect, you will similarly establish yourself as a highly successful King of this realm. I have complete faith in you."
As they spoke, a deep curiosity and question that had accumulated in Rupanjan's mind for so long suddenly surfaced!
Gazing at the King with utmost respect, Rupanjan said in a very humble voice, "Your Majesty... if you do not mind, I had a personal question to ask you. I have been serving you for so long, and the subjects of this realm revere you like a supreme father... yet from the day I arrived at the royal palace until today, I have never heard anyone utter your real name! Everyone addresses you merely as 'Your Majesty'. Your Majesty, may I know that sacred name of yours today?"
The moment this sudden question left Rupanjan's lips, a shadow of extreme panic and terror surfaced across the King's calm face and eyes!
The King flinched in an instant, and his throat went completely dry! Growing extremely anxious, he turned his gaze away from Rupanjan's eyes.
Growing thoroughly panicked, the King stammered in a trembling voice, "Ah... Rupanjan! My name... what will you do with my real name now, young man? A name is merely an external identity! Let the time come... when the right time arrives, you yourself will learn all the secrets and truth behind my name! Now, instead of wasting time on such useless questions, focus on your royal duties!"
Saying this abruptly, the King turned his face away without looking at Rupanjan further, making a gesture as if to lie down, indirectly signaling Rupanjan to take his leave!
Seeing such strange, abnormal, and fearful behavior from the King, Rupanjan stood there frozen in utter astonishment!
He thought to himself, "How bizarre! The King never speaks to me like this! He always answers so calmly and clearly! But why did he shudder in such terror at the mere mention of his own name? What fear and hesitation does he have in revealing his name? What hidden secret lies behind that name of his? And why does the King always prefer to hide himself away alone in a corner of the palace like this? What is the mystery?"
Letting out a deep sigh, Rupanjan said to himself, "Oh well! Perhaps the King has some secret history from his deep past that he does not wish to reveal now. Since he said I will learn when the time comes, there is no need to press unnecessarily. Instead, let me go and complete the work of my royal empire—that is my primary duty now!"
Bowing his head in respect, Rupanjan silently stepped out of the King's private chamber and walked back toward his throne and royal documents!