Empire of Righteousness ( The Beginning)

Chapter 165 : Taking Responsibility

"What did I do?"

The newly assigned maid looks at Shivaya.

"Rajkumari? What..."

"There's something missing here. I wasn't well hence I missed a lot of things. Why is Shrutakarma involved in this?" Shivaya asks the maid.

The maid hesitates, "Rajkumari....it's..."

"I am ordering you. Tell me what happened," Shivaya says sternly.

The maid flinches. If something happens to Rajkumari this time again, what will she do? She decideds to answer her.

Draupadi sighs. Despite her wish to leave first thing in the morning, she couldn't. Krishna will pass the punishment of Prithviraj and his two assistants. She has to be present.

"Karma," Draupadi calls her son.

Shrutakarma seems more down than ever. He keeps zoning out again and again.

"Putra," Draupadi touches his shoulder.

Shrutakarma jumps in surprise, "Maa!"

"What are you thinking? Let's go. We need to be present in the Sabha," Draupadi urges.

Shrutakarma nods. His brothers give him sympathetic looks. Three of them walks maintaining a distance from their mother and whisper among themselves.

"Don't make that face...we will find even more beautiful princess for you..." Satanika wraps his arm around his shoulder.

Shrutakarma tries to smile but fails.

"I don't need them..." Shrutakarma whispers.

"Oh no no no! You can't take up on celibacy. That's absolutely not allowed," Satanika says seriously.

"And why is that?" Shrutakarma asks curiously.

"It's embarrassing to be brothers with a virgin man, don't you know? Pitamah Bhism has no friends for a reason!" Satanika exclaims dramatically.

Shrutakarma couldn't help but scoff at his brother's completely abnormal theories.

"Why are you so quiet, Bhrata?" Shrutakarma nudges Shrutasena.

"Oh! Nothing," Shrutasena grins.

They were about to enter the Sabha when Shrutasena stops Shrutakarma.

"Karma," Shrutasena says softly, "It's better to be defeated upfront than regret a lifetime, you know. I think you should just tell Maa."

Shrutakarma looks at his brother surprised.

"Maa always knows what's in our heart. Why do you hesitate to tell her? You are Maa's favorite anyway. Look she couldn't attend my wedding but rushed here as soon as she heard about you," Satanika grins.

"Tell...Maa?" Shrutakarma asks hopefully.

Their presence was announced. Maharaja Rajan is in the Sabha as well today. Shivaya won't enter here. Everyone is trying their hardest to protect her reputation.

Shrutakarma, Satanika, Shrutasena all take their seats with their fathers. Arjuna assuringly thumps Shrutakarma's hand and Bheema kisses his head.

"My lion cub!" Bheema praises.

The Sabha starts. Everyone knew about the real reason. The real culprit. But they also accused Shrutakarma in front of everyone. Hence, princes of other kingdoms are all attending the Sabha demanding an explanation.

"Life imprisonment in the darkest of dungeons. He will never see the light in his life again. His two assistants will be beheaded," Yudhisthira says sternly.