Concluding their secretive plot inside Jishnu's chamber, Princess Snigdha unlatched the door and stepped out with a sinister, triumphant smirk lingering on her lips. Having managed to seduce a wealthy landlord's son with her charms and weaving scheming fantasies of enjoying his vast estate, jewels, and gold all to herself, her pride had reached unprecedented heights! Snigdha no longer considered herself a mere princess; she truly believed the entire universe was bowing down at her feet.
Stepping out of the chamber, she strutted down the corridor with absolute insolence. Right at that moment, an elderly, senior palace attendant of Rupnagar was making his way toward the royal court, holding a golden tray filled with fragrant fresh flower garlands and royal perfumes. The attendant was advanced in age and had somewhat failing eyesight. Snigdha was walking with such rapid, arrogant strides that the old man failed to notice her in time. Quite accidentally, the old man's foot brushed against the hem of Snigdha's gown, causing a few flower petals from the golden tray to scatter onto her expensive attire.
Enough! That tiny, harmless incident was more than sufficient to ignite Snigdha's venomous temper into a blazing inferno!
Halting dead in her tracks, Snigdha widened her eyes, which flared red with rage like balls of fire. Without a second thought, she slapped the helpless, elderly palace attendant across the face with such violent force that the poor man lost his balance and crashed onto the floor! The golden tray flew out of his hands, clattering loudly against the floor.
Clutching his cheek in terror and pain, the trembling old attendant folded his hands and pleaded, "Forgive me, Princess! Please forgive me! In my old age, my eyes have grown dim, and I failed to see you! Please show mercy!"
Flicking the fallen petals off her gown with extreme disgust, Snigdha hissed like a venomous viper. Shrieking in a foul, piercing tone, she yelled, "You worthless old fool! How dare low-born coolies and laborers like you touch the expensive gown of a supreme princess and world-renowned beauty like me? Worthless attendants like you should be swept under my feet with a broom! From which hell were you dragged into this royal palace? If you cannot see with your eyes, they should be gouged out with sharp scissors! Having filthy, low-caste subjects and attendants like you corrupts the very air of this palace!"
Witnessing Snigdha's unrestrained verbal abuse, screeching, and inhumane, ugly behavior, the surrounding subjects, guards, and other guests began expressing sheer condemnation. Whispers of disdain began circulating among the common folk and palace staff. But Snigdha did not care in the slightest; stepping forward, she kicked the golden tray lying on the floor, sending it flying across the corridor!
Right at that instant, Prafulla and Prabhasa were hurrying down the corridor, searching for Snigdha. The sharp sound of the slap and Snigdha's venomous insults reached Prafulla's ears, prompting him to rush to the spot. Seeing the elderly attendant on the ground and listening to Snigdha's vile abuse, Prafulla was blinded by fury!
Leaping forward, Prafulla gently took the old attendant by his arms and helped him up from the floor. Turning to Snigdha, he roared, "Snigdha! Has your villainous pride crossed all boundaries? How dare you lay a hand on an elderly subject and attendant? Shame on you! We feel ashamed today to even call you a princess! Did no one teach you basic etiquette on how to treat others? Being a princess, you inflict such cruelty on a subject? Where does your insolence end?"