Empire of Righteousness ( The Beginning)

Chapter 160 : Deep Conspiracy

"Where's my son?" Draupadi asks the first thing after arriving Kakeya.

Maharaj Rajan, his wife, the crown prince and the second prince all joins their hands paying her their respect.

"Pranipath Samragni,"

"I asked you something," Draupadi doesn't go to pleasantries.

"He is...in the dungeons..." Maharaj Rajan stutters.

"You threw my son in dungeon? With whose permission?" Arjuna glares at him.

"Take me there," Draupadi states.

"You can't... Samragni. He has committed..."

"I am the Samragni of Aryavarta. I don't need your permission to enter anywhere in my kingdom. Take me there this instance. I am ordering you," Draupadi states firmly.

Sighing Maharaj Rajan and Agnivarma leads the path to dungeons.

"Kirti,"

Shrutakarma looks up stunned at his mother's voice. It's been more than 16 days. He has lost count long ago.

They unlock the door and Draupadi enters hurriedly.

"Maa," Shrutakarma whispers.

Draupadi's heart pains seeing her son this state. It's too dark here. Rats and insects are crawling around. Shrutakarma looks completely worn out and exhausted.

"Putra," Draupadi embraces her son to her chest.

Shrutakarma doesn't have the energy to even embrace his mother. His mind already in chaos because of the heinous accusation. He was angry at the beginning. With such little evidence they captured him. None of them were willing to hear his side. He felt so alone and helpless. Everyone was looking at him with such hatred and disbelief. Brining his father's past in light. Comparing them both. Now his mother's fragrance and warmth made him completely break down.

"Maa...I really didn't do anything...I swear..." he sobs in his mother's chest.

"I know. You don't have to tell me," Draupadi hardly contains her tears.

"I hope you are prepared of the consequences," Bheema glares at Maharaj Rajan.

"Arjuna," Draupadi calls them from inside, "Arjuna, come here. I need help."

Arjuna enters inside. His eyes brimming with tears seeing the state of his beloved son.

"Putra," Arjuna embraces him.

"I didn't do anything... Pitashree..." Shrutakarma whispers to his father.

"I know ..we all know ...not for a single moment we doubted you..." Arjuna says trying not to cry as his wife.

"Get me a Ved and prepare a chamber," Bheema orders and enters inside.

"Good boy. Be strong. We are here," Bheema ruffles Shrutakarma's head assuringly.

"Please take him out of here, Maa. I am more than capable of treating my brother," Shrutasena says.

Shrutakarma stands with Arjuna and Bheema's help. His arms around both their shoulders.

As they walk by, Draupadi frowns looking at her son's back. Was he whipped? What's those marks on his back?

Arjuna didn't leave his son's side the entire time. He stays beside him. Shrutasena takes over the treatment. Draupadi knowing her son is safe now, she goes to Sabha with Bheema.

As soon as both of them enter the Sabha, everyone quietes down.

"Start with the procedure," Draupadi orders.