“You are my biggest enemy. Are you even a mother? I cannot imagine how a mother can do this to her own son. You are a rakshashi. I will not let go of the throne. I will not listen to you, or even if my father comes back and tells me. I want this great Chozha throne.”
What a change has come over you, Madhuranthaka! I am pained to see this. Two years of living in the Pazhuvettarayars’ palace has had such an impact on you.
Madhuranthakan was still fuming with anger inside, as he walked towards his quarters. He could not stand the attention and praise that these men of faith were getting. He was beginning to hate his mother for doing these activitie
Until recently, when he had wed the daughter of the Chinna Pazhuvettarayar, Madhuranthakan did not have an inkling of a thought about the throne. His intentions started changing after that. These thoughts were carefully fuelled by Nandini. We already saw the secret meeting between the vassal kings and the Pazhuvettarayars, endorsing Madhuranthakan for the throne.
Vandhiyathevan thought for a bit. While he should stick to speaking only the truth, he thought it better to not talk about the Prince to anyone for the near future. He should first consult the Princess and then act as per her suggestion.
She sighed a sigh of relief when the Pazhuvettarayar climbed aboard the ship. “I was worried till he reached the ship safely. He is getting old. Did you see how much loyalty that he has to the Chozha kingdom? Did you see how he got broken when he heard the news about the Prince from you? Do you think the Prince could have escaped?”
“Devi, my name is Parthibendra Pallavan.”
“Parthibendra, why did you just stop with your name? Why not your titles? Why the sudden humility? Parthibendran is the conqueror of Venganaadu and Kalingam; and is the one who beheaded Veerapandian.”
“Ponniyin Selvare, please forgive me. I have sinned.”
“Brave soldier, you did your duty. You need not ask forgiveness for that. For fighting in battle, for the sake of your motherland, you will definitely go to Heaven. There is no doubt.”
Is it really true that the Pazhuvettarayars have sent forces to arrest and capture our Prince? Why are we still calm and sitting here? We should start immediately, take on those two boats first, and vanquish those forces. We will bury them right here in Lanka. And then we will go after the Pazhuvettarayars.”
They moved on to the dilapidated mandapam. Vandhiyathevan whispered into Nambi’s ears, “This friendship with the Prince is becoming dangerous by the day. The other day he got into a fist fight with me, and today, a fierce sword fight.”