Summary

Chapter 13 opens as Kaikeyi settles into life at the court. She still enjoys exercise, but no longer looks at training grounds and spends more time with Sumitra and Kaushalya. She enjoys court pastimes and appreciates the visits outside the palace to learn more about women's lives. One day, Manthara takes Kaikeyi to Riddhi's home. She explains that she is an illegitimate child of a noble, barred from marriage, and may lose her job due to malicious rumors. Later, Kaikeyi tells the head chef to send any grievances to Kaikeyi herself, ensuring that Riddhi will be left alone.

The day of the festival of the full moon, the men take part in ceremonies for Shiva, but women are barred. In the garden, Kaikeyi runs into a strange man named Ravana, the leader of Lanka. However, he has been on a long pilgrimage...