Princess Saira's POV
"Hahaha Saira you are so dumb. I just wonder why are you still alive in this world" Alisa, my eldest sister said with laugh. It is a regular work for them to laugh at me. And I am helpless, I can't even do anything to them. Can't even fight with them for being like this.
Then someone slapped my back hard making me fall on ground. I hissed when my elbow bumped on tiled floor hard.
"Princess" my maid juhi said with concern. She was the only one who shows concern besides my mother.
"Wow a maid showing concern now" this was my second sister Rabina.
"How do you feel Saira after ruining father's plan? Shame on you that you can't even talk properly before Prince Arush. At least father did not expect it from you"
"Rabina please, whom you are talking? To a dumb one. Do you think a person like prince Arush will give her a second chance?" Alisa interrupt.
"Sisters what are you doing to this poor girl?" joined my third sister Merena. She walked toward me and bend down.
"How could you guys mock her like that..." She said in scolding tone, "without me?" She added. They laughed altogether while I cried looking down.
They are my blood sisters, then why are they so rude to me. I loved them for being my sister but they never returned the same feeling.
"Merena you should see her face isn't it disgusting? I wonder why father did not discard her from this city" Alisha made a disgusting face.
"Why? Why are you so rude and mean to me. We are sisters" I cried out.
Merena grabbed my jaw tightly "you called yourself our sister. Don't you dare. Look at you dumbass, do you think you are eligible to being called as our sister?"
"Don't you dare utter that word, you are nothing to us. You brought shame to us for being existing already" Rabina retorted. My heart felt hurt. My own sisters neglect me and abuse me. Why I am so weak and scared. They are ashamed being my sister? Did father think the same way?
"Just die Saira. Father will be burden less if you do. Your existence never gave pleasure or happiness to him and because of your stupid dumb mind you always embarrass him before others. Don't you feel a bit of shame?" Alisa glared at me before she turned around and walk towards the exit door.
"You don't deserve to live. You don't deserve to being called a princess. You don't deserve to be called as a daughter of king Ashwal. You don't deserve everything you have Saira" Rabina said and followed Alisa.
"You heard, you are just a burden in our life. You are so dumb that you can't even find a good husband. Besides.." Merena chuckled "who would want to have such dumb woman as his wife?" She said before leaving with them.
They are right. I am nothing but a burden to them. I can't make my father happy nor I can talk before others. My body trembled whenever I see other peoples outside.
"Princess please don't take their words seriously. They just want you to be sad that's why they knowingly torture you" Juhi uttered. She helped me get up and bandaged my elbow.
"Am I that bad Juhi?"
"No you are not princess. You are too good to be bad" she shook her head. Suddenly the door burst open and two guards rush inside followed by my father. Mother looked sad beside him.
"Saira, I never thought you will embarrass me this way. I was so embarrassed before everyone. How could you reject Prince Arush's offer of dancing. Do you know offending the prince what will brought to us?" Father shouted. I jumped on my seat with fear.
"Your Majesty please calm down" mother tried to console him.
"Don't bother to interfere between us Queen" he hissed. He glanced towards me with angry face "I am so ashamed to being called as your father"
Tears rolled down my face as I heard him saying this. My father is ashamed of me. Even though he never showed an ounce of care and love towards me since childhood but I still love him because he is my father but today I felt like I even lost that chance to win his heart.
" Saira you are grounded for three months in cold palace" he ordered finally before leaving. Cold palace is so dangerous place. You will get only one time food there. And beside that the palace was dark and cold. Mother cried as she walked out following him. I know she is worried about me but can't help me either. Father's order is the unchangeable decision in this city.
I looked at the disapprearing silhouettes. Death would be more peaceful than living this life.
2 months and 28 days later...
"Princess your punishment is almost over please have some dinner, I brought for you" Juhi said placing the food box on small wooden table.
My punishment is about to end but after that what? I will be back to that place without any proudness. Do I even deserve to live like that? My own sisters abuse me, my own father ashamed of me and my mother....she love me but can't help me.
And.....the crown prince...I liked him so much since I saw him in that summer festival. He was so handsome and skillful but he never glanced towards me. I even heard his father was trying to fix his marriage with princess Anusha. I know a dumb girl like me will never be able to get his favour, not in this life.
"Princess what are you thinking. Please have your dinner"
I walk towards the table and sat down. In thise huge cold room there was only one small wooden table with a chair and a water jug at the corner and a small bed placed near the window. I looked at Juhi who was smiling at me. I will miss you Juhi. You are my maid but you never saw me like others. You were always so calm and warm towards me. If I get another chance I will met you again.
"Juhi"
"Yes princess"
"Thank you for being so kind to me"
"Princess why are you thanking me. I will always be there for you"
I nodded "can you bring me some water?"
She nodded and walk towards the place where the jug was kept. I pulled out a bottle that I was hiding since I entered the cold palace. Mixing the powder on my plate I threw the bottle outside.
"I am back princess " Juhi put the glass on table. I thanked before eating my food. My eyes brimmed with tears. I will miss living here and mother so much but I don't belong here anymore.
"I want to rest now"
"Yes princess" Juhi replied packing up the plates. I laid on the bed which was cold and I shivered slightly. Tonight is the last night of my life. After tonight,I won't be able to see anyone anymore.
I will miss you mother...
Your care,love and your smile....
And Juhi my maid and my friend.
I closes my eyes embracing the darkness.
Good bye everyone. I hope you all be happy after tonight.
