Chapter - 19 The Old Palace

The next morning after washing himself in his personal bath under his chambers the Samrat got ready to visit the Old Palace and later to attend his court.

Vishwakeerthi came to personally escort the emperor. He was still skeptical about the Samrat's reaction on seeing the Old Palace. He was very well aware of Samudra's painful memories of the Palace. This was where the royal family had lived till the death of Queen Chandramathi.

Queen Chandramathi loved Samudra the most. She always said that her love for him was as big as a Samudra(Ocean) and had hence named him so. After her husband Marthanda's death, her love for Samudra had kept her sane. She wanted to give the best she could to her only son. As a boy of twelve Samudra had screamed like a wounded tiger when his mother's death was announced. In Vishwa's mind the scene was etched, when his dearest friend and the crown prince had suffered. The mighty, courageous, confident, smart and ever smiling Samudra was shattere