NOOR WAS beyond exhausted. They wouldn't even allow her to rest, quickly bathing her as soon as she reached her chamber. She had asked them to give her a moment, staring into the mirror to see that her eyes were indeed silver. Like her husband's ringed fingers.
When she had seen enough, they wasted no time in dressing her into a new dress.
It was black, the simple silk dress tight around her torso as it flowed out a bit. The dress faded from the dark color to deep purple at the bottom, small designs of golden lining the rim. The top, with the same design, curved wildly. Her collar bones and shoulders were on display.
When they fixed up her hair, it was braided into a crown, her real golden crown placed in the middle of the circular braid.
She couldn't protest at all. She couldn't tell the maids to pry their hands off of her, so she stood silently praying that she doesn't fall.
When they finished her, one of them led her to the throne room, where the king sat patiently.
"I actually thought you'd make a scene. Cause havoc over my maids and say you'd never spent the rest of the day with me. Things would have been more fun, kind of wished it happened."
She noticed that he decided to match her. His harem pants and under robe black with metallic gold threadings. Over it was a sleeveless coat, velvety dark purple, you'd have to look twice to differentiate it between black and the plum color.
As Noor averted her eyes from the king, she didn't understand his sense of humor, or the way he'd fulfill his enjoyment when bored.
"Come," he gestured. His hand reached for her, waiting for her arm to intertwine with his. She closed her eyes, still drowsy before making her way towards him and doing what he expected from her. They walked out towards one of the many beautiful gardens the castle had.
Noor was truly tired, but her eyes twinkled when she caught the beautiful sight of the village, dusk around the horizon. The sky bursted with colors, a lovely explosion of blended colors. This was perfect, a perfect way for her to distract herself from what had just happened.
"You don't seem to be in the mood to speak. From the small exchange of conversation we had in the throne room, I expected you to be the type that bites back at every remark I had to say."
"I don't have the patience nor the power to deal with someone like you at the moment."
A small smile appeared on his lips as he dragged her long, allowing her to peek into the picnic areas. "My mistake to forget that you too hold the grudge of my curse. How are you feeling?"
She coughed softly, her eyes heavy as she didn't bother to look at him. "Horrible and dead because you couldn't handle it all yourself."
The guards who followed from afar stiffened, afraid of what the king might do if she kept on disrespecting him any further.
"True."
This shocked Noor. She expected the boy king to lash out on her for hurting his pride in front of his own loyal guards.
"True?"
"True. Your words speak the truth. I couldn't handle the curse all by myself. It was too much to bear." He lets an overly dramatic sigh escape his lips before patting her hand softly. "But I have no shame in that."
She snickered, the small sound escaping her lips as she slid her hand down to smoothen her dress out. "I doubt that."
"I'm completely serious with you. My mother has once spoken to me about what true power is really like. I clearly remember her uttering the words, "men will perish without women. Women will perish without men. So if you sought a king who yaps his lips, yelling his words to distant confederations, "I need not a woman. If she bares me no man, I need not a women" then shall his bones break and his tongue burn for his lie is as cold as his forgotten sins."
They went through a golden gate, vine designs and beautiful bland images of women designed the edges and the handles. Behind the gate, sat a fountain. It looked old, cracks on the concrete traveled from a side to the other. He led them to one of the benches that circled the water fountain.
When they sat, Cyrus dismissed the guards, only asking them to call Marzaban.
"You should eat. The curse focuses on one thing. To weaken the person, devour the energy source. So, you must keep in mind that your feeding for two, not one. Make sure you're always in good condition and health."
"You seem to surprise me, Sultan. You've cast this curse upon me, and now you almost seem as if you are guilty."
This made him laugh, his arm untwined from hers. "I'm just making sure the new Sultana doesn't die foolishly and return the great part of pain on me. I don't hold even the tiniest care for you."
"And here I thought you couldn't speak such foolish words."
A knowing smirk appeared on his face before Marzaban walked in.
"Good evening, my king, how may I be in service?"
"Noor, as you know, Marzaban is my right-hand man, my adviser, and friend. I hope you two will come to be in acquaintance. When you become crowned Sultana in your coronation, he will also be the advice you'll need."
"I wish the same, Sultana. My apologies for the harsh impression I've made in the village. I was just following orders," he bowed, his hand against his chest.
"I'll forgive, in one condition."
Both men waited in silence, wondering what would she want. "I would like to see my family regularly. I want to see my brother in good education and my father with better construction for his farm. I'm sure that's not a lot to ask for."
The sultan eyed her before waving his hand. "Marzaban?"
"I think that's an appropriate condition. I can offer your brother high education and your parents an easier work life, but I can not suggest how regularly you'd meet your family. All of this lies within the decision of the king."
The sultan stood up, offering his hand again for Noor. "I'll have to think about it. For now, allow me to walk you to your chamber and offer you some food."
She slowly accepted his help, knowing it would foolish to dismiss it. Her legs slightly shook, trying to put her weight on herself instead of the king.
"How do I know you're not going to brush the topic off?"
"We will discuss it during our first meal tomorrow. If I happen to forget, you are welcome to bring it up.
You are no villager required to bow. We are level sided, and you are pronounced as my sultana and wife. If I must, I will offer my hand to your needs."