The First Empress

Emperor's Arrival

You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it.

Rana was heavily torn from his brother's death. Umayal handled all the matters in the palace as Chandirai stood by her father's side. The ministers of Kringam were standing ready to act on the first word from Umayal.

The body of Samarasenan was laid in the common hall of the palace. All the people of the Kringam came to the palace to share their king's pain. The body was placed in the hall for an entire day. Rana was sitting silently watching his younger brother's lifeless body. Per their mother's words, all their children stood next to him and attended to him.

When the evening came, Rana stood up from his place and went to wash himself before cremation. Umayal followed him to thirumanjana saalai and Chandirai also tagged along with them. As Umayal removed his outer garments, they heard the melam and vaatthiyam in full swing at the entrance.

Rana turned his head towards the door.

Umayal: Perarasar vandhirukkiraar polum!

Rana: Vandhiruppaaraa????

Umayal: En thamayanai thaangal ariya maatteera???

Rana just nodded his head. He was still surprised to see that the emperor wanted to attend the funeral of the enemy.

Umayal: Chandirai... Sendru Maamanaiyum Atthaiyaiyum gavanitthu vittu vaa amma!

Chandirai: aaanadhu thaaiye! Ippodhe selgiren!

She ran out with eyes full of excitement.

As Aditha entered the palace with Sangamithra and Rudhra, Chandirai came in front and welcomed them. Her eyes brightened when she met Rudhra. He just nodded at her with a slight smile. Sangamithra was looking more sad. She touched Chandirai's head.

Chandirai touched their feet after the aaratthi was done.

Sangamithra: Indha velaiyil edharku aaratthi magale?

Chandirai: Irukkattum atthai..

Aditha: Nandraaga irukkiraaya thaaiye???

Chandirai: Enakku peyar vaitthavar thaangal andro Mama? Enakku enna vedhanai irukkiradhu?? Thandhai dhaan udaindhu poiyirukkiraar.

Sitrappavai kulippaattum munnar avar kulitthu vara sendrirukkiraar. Thaaiyum udan sendru irukkiraar. Neengal Vaarungal!!

She then noticed Veera and Subodhar.

Chandirai: Vaarungal Periyappa!! Vaarungal Mama!!

They nodded their heads and followed Aditha.

At the same time, Umayal was extremely worried.

Umayal: Sigai edukka vendiya avasiyam enna irukkiradhu Arasey??? Meesai mattum podhaadhaa???

Rana: Anaitthaiyum izhappadhe sari Uma... Ennai thadukkaadhe..

Umayal: Thaangal arasar... Makkal anaivarum thangalai thaan paartthu kondirukkiraargal.. Nam vazhakkatthilum andha vaadikkai illai...

Rana: Indru oru naal ennai ondrum ketkaadhe Uma.

Umayal stood helplessly. As the servant was going to place the knife on Rana's head to shave the hair, the emperor's arrival was announced.

Aditha entered the thirumanjana saalai in brisk strides. The servants on the way moved quickly to their sides and bowed their heads. As Aditha came in front, Rana and Umayal also bowed down.

Aditha: Enna seidhu kondirukkireergal?

Umayal with eyes full of tears said.

Umayal: Meesaiyai mazhippadhu mattumindri sigaiyai mazhikka vendum endru koorugiraar. Pesi paartthu vitten. Indru mattum avar vedhanaiyai purindhu mounamaga irukkum badi koorugiraar. Enna solvadhendru theriyavillai thamayane!