Unable to bear it any longer, Arohi charged toward Snigdha and yelled, "Snigdha! Will you not quiet down even a little bit? Where do you find the nerve to address an elderly Emperor with such utter disrespect? Have you completely lost your mind? Just shut up!"
Raising her hand, Snigdha barked, "Mother! Don't come preaching to me anymore! I used to respect you and love you deeply. But after those two severe slaps you dealt me today in front of everyone, I feel pure disgust even talking to you! Yet I am forced to speak. At any rate, our wedding must take place very soon! I want our marriage solemnized within this very week. And listen clearly to one special condition—after marriage, Jishnu will stay in our Junagarh royal palace as a resident son-in-law! Furthermore, my large share of that royal palace must be legally transferred to my name on paper! I shall rule in grand happiness alongside Jishnu right in my own portion of the palace!"
Hearing talk of partitioning the royal palace in the middle of an open court made King Aditya tremble violently with rage and humiliation. In a voice heavy with sorrow, he uttered, "Shame on you, Snigdha, shame! Our Prabhasa is a thousand times better than you! And Prafulla loves you like his own sister. How did you turn so vile and shameless? What palace division are you talking about? Does anyone speak of dividing a royal palace while their parents are still alive?"
Turning her lip, Snigdha sneered, "Yes, of course they do! There are three children here, but that doesn't mean you can write off all the property in Prafulla's name! I hold an equal right to the royal palace. And as for Prabha, what share should she get anyway? It doesn't affect me in the slightest even if Prabha gets nothing! But you must give Prafulla and me equal shares! Mind you, I'm not saying give nothing to Prafulla; give to him, but do not give a single scrap to Prabha! Because she is the daughter of a devil!"
Hearing such disgusting insults directed at Prabhasa, the Emperor raised his hand and silenced everyone in a grave tone. The Emperor said, "Please cease your family disputes now! How long must I wait to seat my new Prime Minister upon the golden throne? My minister has been enduring discomfort behind the curtain all this time—should we not let him sit down? Whatever family partitioning disputes you have, settle them after returning to your own Junagarh palace! Right now, I feel inviting this Snigdha to my auspicious ceremony was the greatest mistake of my life! Aditya and Arohi, please do not mind, but take this senseless daughter of yours away from the assembly!"
Hearing the Emperor's words, Snigdha screeched once more, "Hey, you old King! You shut up! I will stand right here! I want to see with my own eyes which burnt-faced minister you drag out to the front!"
Folding their hands with embarrassed faces, Arohi and Aditya pleaded, "Shut up, Snigdha! Please shut up for a moment! Whatever share you demand, we will give it to you—if needed, we will cast you out of the royal palace forever! But do not drag our family embarrassment into a foreign kingdom! Our own kingdom and home are right there; whatever needs to be discussed will be done there! You went ahead and exchanged rings without taking any of our consent!"
Snigdha boasted arrogance, saying, "What do you mean without consent? I clearly sent a letter stating that I love Jishnu and will marry him!"
Letting out a heavy sigh, Arohi said, "Is unilaterally writing a letter the same as seeking permission from your guardians? You made the decision to exchange rings entirely on your own whim! God only knows from whom you learned such vulgarity! Anyway, there is no point discussing these things now. Your full trial will take place once we return to Junagarh! Your Majesty, please commence your royal ceremony. Bring your newly appointed Prime Minister before everyone!"
The Emperor looked toward Prafulla and Prabha with a subtle smile. Concealed behind that smile lay the blueprint of an ultimate, historic dramatic climax!
Raising his royal scepter high, the Emperor announced loudly to the entire court, "My beloved subjects, honorable royal family, and esteemed guests present here! The illustrious personality you have all been waiting so patiently to behold—I shall now introduce you to the immensely powerful newly appointed Prime Minister of our kingdom of Rupnagar!"
The moment he finished speaking, the ceremonial music erupted. Everyone held their breath, gazing intently toward the beautifully adorned royal stage, while Snigdha tightly gripped Jishnu's hand, wearing a smirk of venomous mockery!