NOOR ASKED the maids if she could wear something simpler that day. They dressed her in a simple pink kaftan and a braided yellow flowers into her hair that flowed down gracefully.
She heard she was free to roam the castle grounds, her feet leading her to the long corridors of the castle. Luckily, one guard accompanied her as she roamed. She didn't have to worry about getting lost any longer.
When her bare feet touched the cold marble floor, she oddly felt at ease. She walked towards the gates that lead outside the castle, the guard stopped her by resting a hand on her shoulder. "My apologies, Sultana, but the Sultan said that you are not allowed to step foot outside the castle."
She looked him confused. "Why not?"
"I do not know. I just take orders."
She sighed as she turned on her heels. The moment the guard turned along, she ran for it.
"Sultana! No!"
Ignoring his calls as he ran from behind, her feet slapped against the dirt of the earth. Reaching the gates of the garden that Cyrus led her through the other night, she thought if she could find him here.
If Cyrus could sit anywhere, she'd doubt it would be the gardens.
"Sultana! If you'd please listen!"
Noor saw the guard nearing, not wasting time on running again.
For the first time in a while, she was having fun. The chase she was in reminded her of the games she'd play with her brother, allowing him to win. But this time, she wanted to win.
She speeds up even more, not considering the fact that she would bump into someone or something.
"Ouch!" She fell back onto the ground hissing in pain. She rubbed her head, confused as to why the person didn't fall with her?
She opened her eyes to see Cyrus looking down at her with an angry expression. His usual scowl painting his expression.
"My sultan! I'm dearly sorry! I tried to tell her that you did not allow it."
The guard was out of breath, leaning on his knees.
"I should be allowed to roam freely! I am a sultana. We are level sided."
He bent down in a squatting position as he looked at her. "You don't act like one. Who runs through the gardens barefoot and calls themselves a sultana?"
The men from behind him chuckled and snickered at the comment, causing a red shade of warmth color Noor's cheeks.
"Why won't you let me out?!"
He stood up, patting some dirt off of his chest. "There's a fight. I don't want you to get hurt."
As she stood up too, her dress was completely ruined.
"Besides, girls aren't allowed in the fields. You don't know how to fight."
Everyone laughed loudly, the feeling stabbing at Noor. This is what you get for helping.
She walked back into the castle, asking the guard to lead her back to her chamber. When she reached, the maid was quick to help her out. Before the guard left, she asked him to ask for Marzaban.
This time, Noor wore some beautiful black and gold harem pants with a short top that had puff sleeves. Her stomach was in display, and her feet were still bare.
Just in time, she had met Marzaban and told him what she had planned.
"It's risky, Sultana. You'd be under suspicion that you are trying to hurt the king."
"You'd beat me before I could even do it! I'm not that naive to hurt him. Just simple combat moves with magic and I'll never ask again."
He stood silently as they walked out of the castle and somewhere into the fields. It was wide. Men here and there, whether in groups or duos, fought and trained.
She snickered as she watched one specific duo, both of them falling.
"Back again princess?" One of the fighters from earlier laughed.
The fighter's lips suddenly got sown shut, his eyes growing wide as he mumbled panic grunts.
"She's your sultana. Not a fairytale character you dream about. Learn your manners before I chop off your tongue," Marzaban warned, his tone oddly calm.
"Marzaban, please start," she whispered, trying her best to hide her grin as the fighter ran out of the field screaming muffled sounds.
He nodded silently, his arm stretching out for a cane to appear in it.
"What moves do you remember?"
She thought about it for a bit, her mind trying to remember. "Not much...I don't think I remember anything."
"Well then, I suggest we start basic combat. No magic."
She nodded, eager to learn so she could beat Cyrus with a cane.
•
No, Noor wasn't eager to learn anymore. The cane in Marzaban's hand swiped against her feet, causing her to lose balance and fall on her back with a loud thud for the thirty-second time.
She heard the men laugh and openly make fun of her as Cyrus stared at her intensely.
"You must be quick in your feet. Your reflexes must be sharp." He stretched out his cane to allow her to help herself up. She panted as she stood, getting frustrated.
She badly wanted to end this for the day, but something about the men looking down at her boiled her blood and made her want to lash out. She just had to prove them wrong.
"Hit me," she breathed, her hand making a "come" motion.
"Are you sure? We could take a break."
"Yes. Come on Marzaban."
He nodded, twirling his cane with his fingers before gripping it tightly and luging towards her. She dodged twice, blocking each of his hits. Her hands held on the cane to pull it away from him, but he put it over her and turned her around so she was pushed back against him and the cane was against her neck.
"Not a smart move, Sultana," he whispered.
She was about to make another move, but a hand gripped around her arm and pulled her away from the sorcerer harshly.
"That's enough. You're coming with me," Cyrus raged, dragging her back into the palace ground.
"H-hey! We didn't finish my training!"
"I do not care! You will do as I say or I promise you'll never see your family again!"
Noor closed her lips, a deep frown painting her face. She wanted to protest even more, but she was smart enough to know it will make things worse.
As if things aren't tipping over a mountain for her.
When he finally reached her chamber, he pushed her in with out another word and left on his heels.
"Please leave," she whispered to Greta and the rest of the maid, tears picking her eyes.
Greta silently nodded before digging Noor a tight hug and ushering the others to leave.
She plopped down her chair beside the window. She was scanning the empty view, the backside of the castle. Her eyes quickly caught on two Guys looking oddly suspicious. She eyed the area with cautious eyes before the taller one with green facial hair passed a small bottle to the shorter one. She tried her best to read their lips, gripping the frame tightly as her curiosity surfaced.
But the only thing she caught was the word the man repeatedly said. Cyrus.