HER STOMACH still aches, a simple touch would be enough for her to scream in pain. She stood silently as the maids bandaged her up. Noor made sure that Greta wouldn't allow the news to travel to the king.
She didn't need more drama at the moment.
She sat on her bed the night of her coronation, knowing that a few maids will barge into the room like always and get her ready.
What if she really wanted to hurt the king? Could've it made everything easier for her?
She was smart enough to know that Marzaban will make her pay for it. The moment her hand lifts to chant, he would've killed her with a whisper.
She wasn't as experienced as him.
"Noor?"
She lifted her head from the window, her gaze at the moon switching to the maid who helped Greta bandage her up.
"It's time."
Noor slowly got up, the gown she wore today was probably the prettiest one she wore. Reds and golds as it flowed out beautifully, a long cape hanging off her shoulders. When she reached the hall, right in front of the closed doors to the throne room, two beautiful women dressed in beige and gold held each side of the cape that dragged behind her.
She stared at the ring on her finger, trying to twist it around. But as she guessed, it wouldn't budge. It had become a part of her, and it made her more nervous than before. Her heart pounded harshly against her chest, she feared someone heard it.
"Sultana Noor al khan."
The doors swooshed open, her heart finally stopping and dropping. The music played as people watched her with wide admiration and curiosity. Her hands shook as she planted them on her sides, wanting to move her feet. Her legs wobbled too, her lips parted to intake a deep breath.
She couldn't do this.
"Close the doors," she whispered.
The guards didn't hear her properly, getting a bit closer to her.
"Close the doors, please." Tears pricked her eyes when she stepped back.
The music stopped as the doors closed again, a wave of dizziness washed over her as the two women rushed to keep her on her feet.
"Sultana?" One of them asked, clearly worried.
"I can't breathe. Why can't I breathe."
Her chest rose and fell at a quick pace, short amount of air entering her lungs.
"What happened? What's wrong with the Sultana." It was Marzaban rushing to her as some maids brought water.
"She claims to have difficulty in breathing."
He took the water and slowly brought it to her lips. "Sultana. You must drink and calm down."
She took it without hesitation, her hands shaking as she held it. When they took it, Marzaban dismissed everyone to leave him and Noor.
"Marzaban I can't do this. I can't walk in front of these people."
His calm expression was nonequivalent to hers. "Why do you say that?"
"I don't know! What if I fall? What if they don't like me? You've seen what the girls in the harem did to me. I don't-"
"Noor. If you can get on the Sultan's nerves without getting killed, I'm absolutely sure you can do this."
"I've already embarrassed myself in front of everyone. What would they say when I go in again?"
"They won't. Not if I have anything to say about it."
This wasn't Marzaban who talked. They both turned to see Cyrus leaning against the wall, arms crossed.
As if things couldn't get any worse, Cyrus had come.
"Cyrus-"
She didn't know what to say. Should she apologize? Should she tell him why they closed the doors?
All of her worries ended when he stood by her side, his arm intertwined with hers.
"Marzaban please inform the announcer that I'll be walking with her."
He nodded simply before leaving to go in from another door. Two women and two more came to do simple touch-ups, fixing Noor's hair and touching up the light kohl under her eyes.
Noor slowly looked at Cyrus as they brushed off his shoulders and pulled at his sleeves. His attire matched hers, red and gold with a long cape. For the first time ever since Noor saw him, hair was neatly pushed back. It wasn't his usual messy style he wore.
"You're staring. Have you come to like me?"
"Your ego has made me doubt your ability to be a sultan. More than once. It's sad."
She was still mad at the fact that he abandoned her at the harem, not thinking twice if she would get hurt or not.
He soft chuckled before laughing loudly. "That's the Noor I was hoping to walk down the aisle. Yet it's okay to show weakness once in a while."
His tone was surprisingly light, yet his eyes stayed glued to the door instead of her.
"Any quote from your mother to help me?" She whispered. In the end, she was still nervous and needed something to keep her calm.
This time, he did look at her with a thinking face.
"To think about it, my mother never advised me when I was crowned Sultan."
Noor's brow knitted. "It's a very important day for you, how comes?"
"She never lived to see it. Besides, If she did, she wouldn't say a word to me. She wouldn't be able to bear the thought of me becoming my father."
At that, Noor tightened the hold between him and her. "I don't think that."
A small smile appeared on his face before he looked back at the gates.
"Chin up, Sultana. You're much more than you 'ought yourself to be."
"Sultan Cyrus Harb and Sultana Noor Al Khan."
Once again, the doors opened, music playing and people staring.
Noor didn't notice Cyrus tugging at her arm, urging her to move. She did. Noor walked alongside him, her chin forcing itself to be up.
When the crown was placed once again on her head, people stared as a tear slipped down her cheeks, the pain taking its effects on her.
"All hail the sultana who had helped the king on his feet!"
After the wedding ritual and the crowning, Noor was introduced to the general, some important people here and there, and the pashas.
Her encounter with the pashas wasn't that pleasant, her arm tugging at Cyrus's to let her leave.
"We guess tonight will be quite eventful for the both of you?" The dark-haired one snickered as the rest joined.
Noor was shocked at how forward he was,
It made her feel sick.
"You scums, you always have been. You speak like a fool, Hamza. Tell me, how old are you and when are you planning to wed. That is if a woman is willing to do so."
The rest of the pashas fell into fits of laughter as they pushed at Hamza.
Noor couldn't deny the fact that they have been drinking. She could smell it.
She sat on her seat beside Cyrus who had Marzaban by his side. They brought out three women from the harem, one of them being Sibylla.
They danced, everyone cheering and some even joining. Noor tensed as Sibylla dared to near her area.
"Dear Sultana, care to dance?"
"I'm sure you remember, Sibylla, I do not dance."
A small smile appeared on her face as her hips swayed along with the beat. "Hmm, what about the sultan? I'm sure you'd like to join the fun."
Cyrus looked bored instead, eating an apple to its core.
"If fun means fooling around with drunk men and dancing women, I'd like to stay here."
Sybilla slumped, not liking how the king had just turned her down. "Are you sure my king?"
He looked up at her, his eyes lazily looking at her before looking at Noor with a slight smirk.
"I'm sure. Besides, I'm having fun later."