The Palace

The Prince

1872 East of India
"Push one more time ma'am we are almost there!!!" Savitri pushed harder and seconds later she heard the most satisfying sound she's ever heard, her baby's cry. "Congratulations ma'am it's a boy" the midwife announced proudly. Savitri was in pain but seeing the little boy in front of her just made her world go round. "This is the birth of Prince Satyiyakum the 3rd" the King announced pleased with his wife for bringing him a son

Present day February 18th 1879

"I'm sorry my Lord I didn't mean to, please forgive me." My mother begged for mercy under my father's abusive hand, my father beats my mother everyday sometimes without reason. He always tells me that women are useless and that they don't deserve to live. "Satyiyakum, go back to your room son, your father and I are just playing okay now go back to your room and sleep" my mother lied to me while getting up and straightening her sari as she walked me to my room. I didn't want to sleep because I knew something was wrong between her and dad "mother I'm scared that father beats you, why does he have to do that every night? He only hits me when I do something naughty. Are you naughty everyday mother?" I asked seeking answers. "No, no my dear, don't be silly your father means no harm. At some point married adults tend to do this sort of thing. Come now Its very late you need your rest so that you can grow" my mother said and I took her word for it. I got into bed and my mom turned of my lantern I relaxed into the dark but I still couldn't calm my soul something felt wrong, I just didn't know what.

Next morning

"Satyiyakum wake up, wake up it's time for you to get up." I stirred in my sleep exhaustion was all I felt. "Satyiyakum get up now. Otherwise I'll call your father in here to whip you." I quickly sat up. "Mom I'm not used to waking up this early why is it different today?" My mother smiled she was beautiful "son today is your tenth birthday and your royal classes begin today" I jumped out of bed and ran into my bathroom I washed my face quickly and brushed my teeth when I walked back into my room my mom had made my bed and put my royal kurta with it's hat and shoes on my bed. "What have you planned for me mommy?" I asked while dressing up "I wanted to convince your father to let you Enjoy today without classes just fun but I fear he will lose his temper. In the kitchen I have prepared some chole and sweets with rice pudding." Those where all my favorite dishes "mommy did the maids prepare it or did you?" I asked her "Dear I am the one that prepared them like I always do on Your birthday" I'm smiled pleased with my mother "mother don't call me dear anymore I'm old now. " my mother chuckled only ten years old and already claiming to be old? How cute to see my young Prince claiming to be old. Let's go get you breakfast before your father pulls us out of here" I held my mother's hand and we walked out to the dining hall. "Morning father" I said cheerfully while holding my mother's hand. "You useless disgrace. I knew there was something odd about you you're ten years old yet you're still holding your mother's hand? Go into the dungeon right now." I was terrified I have never been this scared in my entire life, I looked to my mom who was looking to the floor "Go, now!!!" I quickly ran into the dungeon and stood in one corner my father came and whipped me so much I breathe or see anything the last thing I saw was my mother drenched In tears and shaking me screaming something I couldn't understand or hear.

Later in the evening

You have to help us because if you don't we will take away the most important thing in your life and you will regret not hearing our cried for justice...

I woke up and couldn't move an inch my childhood best friend was wearing a purple Punjabi and was standing in a corner of my room weeping "Jumki?I need water please get me some water I'm thirsty" I said slowly and she quickly took the mug and jar and poured me water then helped me drink up. "What happened? Why am I here? Why can't I move my body?" Jumki wiped her tears and slowly started speaking "his majesty your father whipped you this morning and you have been out since then. It's now evening." A tear slipped down my cheek as I remembered everything. "Where is my mother?" I asked "her highness is with his majesty in their chambers. She isn't allowed to get out, I'm scared Satyiyakum I don't want to live here anymore and my mom hasn't come back to the servants headquarters since the day his majesty took her away." My heart started beating faster and I tried to get up but couldn't. "Ask my mother to see me please Jumki tell her I need to talk to her desperately." Jumki got up and nodded then left the room. I was left alone to my thoughts as I tried to figure out what it is I might have done to upset him so much this morning. I couldn't figure it out but I was certain to fix that mistake "Your highness you're awake I was instructed to feed you this soup because tomorrow your father wants to perform outdoor activities with you" I snapped out of my thoughts as the made spoke and I motioned for her to come in. "Where is my mother Sarika?" I asked the maid and she looked down on her lap "My Lord I really do wish to tell you though I can't risk upsetting your highness." I looked away as I felt nerves grow, I slowly got up and started walking out of my room "My Prince please get back into bed you will get me In trouble" I walked on avoiding the maid and her instructions and just then Jumki walked in "Satyiyakum get back into bed your father is on his way here and he is awfully angered I overheard him speak to the guards about some activities that are to take place tomorrow. I couldn't find her royal highness though please hurry up and get into bed. "Okay help me get there quickly" I said as my head spinned and my nerves spiralled out of control Jumki and Sarika helped me get into bed and Jumki hid under my bed as Sarika pretended to feed me "Satyiyakum it's good that you're awake, I want you to eat that soup and drink whatever remedy she gives you then rest because tomorrow you begin classes." I was scared but disgusted and angered I needed to see my mother "I will do all that father but can I see mother? Just once before I go to sleep" Sarika shivered and looked down at her feet. "Your mother isn't keeping too well you will see her tomorrow after you get well." My father walked out before I could say anything else "excuse me your highness this is the remedy please drink it So I can leave you to rest" I looked up and took the cup from Sarika I drank it and handed It back to her she switched off my lantern and left.
Where is my mother?