Sitting in the secluded cell of the dungeon amidst incense smoke and the dim glow of an oil lamp was Tantrik Boudi. The moment Snigdha disappeared into the darkness, dancing wildly with joy while clutching the small container, Tantrik Boudi closed her eyes and burst into a strange, profound laugh in secret.
Tantrik Boudi muttered to herself, 'Snigdha, how wicked you think you are and how cunning a plot you imagine you're hatching was well known to me, girl! I saw right through all your wickedness and devious thoughts deep inside your mind ages ago using my magical spells and supernatural powers! You think that by dangling the bait of gold, jewels, and expensive clothes, you can turn me into your bought slave? But remember one thing, Snigdha—I don't have the slightest greed for any gold, jewels, or wealth in this world, nor do I care for fine royal garments! I have no greed for anything at all, you foolish girl! Whatever I need in my life, whatever I ever get or wish for, I can summon right before my eyes in a single instant through my spiritual discipline and magical might. Thus, your petty temptation of wealth is equal to dust in my eyes! But it became urgently necessary to expose this toxic arrogance and devious plot of yours in front of everyone in the royal palace! To teach you a proper lesson and let the cup of your sins overflow, I deliberately handed that container right into your hands. But do you know the deeply ironic truth, Snigdha? You went off dancing with boundless joy thinking you were going to ruin Prabha, but you don't even know the real truth! Inside that container, I placed the powder of an extremely rare and precious medicinal herb; far from harming Prabha, the moment she drinks that herbal powder, her memory will be enhanced manifold! Prabha's mental strength will grow so sharp and powerful that all past and present events of her life will become crystal clear and etched into her mind with absolute precision! Whatever she hears or sees once will remain deeply embedded in her soul for the rest of her life. Her memory will become so remarkably sharp that you will face unimaginable misery! And what will happen to you, do you know? As a result of this devious conspiracy, you will gradually begin to behave more and more like a deranged maniac! I deliberately played this game precisely to punish you! Now I shall sit back with my eyes open to see how far you and your cunning intellect can run! And remember one thing for eternity, proud princess—the true, sacred love that exists between Rupanjan and Prabha can never be torn apart by any conspiracy or dirty trick of yours! The Almighty Himself has woven this beautiful, spiritual bond between the two of them with His own hands. Where destiny's script has already been written, who are you to try and sever it, you petty, arrogant princess?'
Meanwhile, shortly before the deep night's darkness gave way to dawn, Snigdha sneaked out from the dungeon and stepped carefully toward Prabhasa's well-furnished room. Upon reaching it, she found the door to Prabha's room tightly bolted from the inside, with absolute silence reigning all around. Fanning an ominous, cunning smile across her face, Snigdha gave a clever knock on Prabha's door.
Prabhasa, wrapped in the sweet slumber of the early dawn, woke up suddenly at the sound of the door. Getting up, she stood by the door and asked, "Who is out there knocking on the door at this hour of the night?"
Instantly, Snigdha put on an air of extreme innocence. Wrapping her shawl tightly around her body, she spoke in an exceedingly gentle and dramatic tone, "It is I, Princess! I am a humble maidservant of the royal palace! Queen Mother Arohi sent me just now and instructed that you must drink this blessed, energizing warm milk! Please open the door just a little bit, Princess! Keep this glass of milk safely inside your room, and tomorrow morning when you wake up, drink it at your leisure, for this is a highly sacred, blessed milk!"
Prabhasa was inherently a girl of immense simplicity. She had not the slightest inkling of such petty intrigues, conspiracies, or wickedness. Thus, she failed to detect any deceit in Snigdha's dramatic words. Without a shred of suspicion, she brought the glass inside, placed it on her bedside table, and went peacefully back to bed.