"Stop"

It was not the command but the voice that made everyone freeze. All those years, she sat there, three paces behind her husband, the king, occasionally nodding to the proceeding in the court of the great nation. If she had a voice, no one heard it, she was blessed with sight, but everyone knew she gave it up for her beloved husband.

She stood up to walk to her younger son, angrily waving away the aide who stepped forward to help her. His cruel laughter from a moment ago was enough to reach him. She held out her hand, sure he knew what she was asking for.

"Mother, you –"

Her expression cut short his justification. She took the sari and followed it to its defeated owner. The owner was a queen a short while ago, and now they say she was a slave.

"Queen mother, you mustn't" The wise minister spoke up. He was the one well versed with the rules and laws, even the king came to him for counsel.

She draped the sari across the woman's bare shoulders and held on as she cried. Finally, when the violent sobs quietened down, she turned towards the exit.

"You can't" the minister added "Queen Mother" a pause later. "It is against the laws of men."

"Exactly, wise minister" she paused, but did not bother turning to face him. " The laws of men state that this disgraceful scene that unfolded here was fair. That my sons and their cousins are following their dharma. You, your king, the elders in the court are all bound by its inflexible laws. But you forget, o' wise minister, I am not a man and hence laws of men do not bind me.

"Mother" the voice of her eldest son boomed across the courtroom. She felt the poor woman tremble beneath the thin fabric of the sari.

Her silence encouraged him, he knew he was her favourite and she would always do what he asked. After all, she was his mother.

"This has been too much for you" he continued, softening his voice to disguise his anger. He motioned the aides to help her. "Perhaps, you should retire to your rooms."

This time, she turned to the sound of her voice. Tucking the woman behind her, she pushed away the aide who gently touched her elbow.

"Mother" she replied. She did not raise her voice, nor did she make any attempt to hide her feelings. Her voice was clear and calm. "I did not raise a son who could disrespect woman. I raised a man who was kind, a just ruler, a great leader, a man people could look up to. You are merely reflections of the values I instilled, and today, you have chosen to turn away from the very principles that define true nobility. You may be the prince, even the future king , but you and your brothers are not my sons.