While Arsia and Behram were talking, someone suddenly hiccuped. That person is who else if not Salim, the figure that the two are talking about. Because of the hiccups, his chest was heaving, his eyes were watery, and the tip of his nose was reddened. It makes her look so adorable.
Salim sat at the dinner table. He deliberately chose the side of the chair that could make him freely Scout Arsia's room. Yes, he was the one who sent Behram there as soon as he saw Arsia in the room. Fixing the window is just his alibi.
Since seeing Arsia sleeping last night, Salim felt that this problem must be resolved immediately. Last night until dawn he could not even fall asleep. The feeling of loss is replaced by impatience. It felt like he couldn't hold on to anything for a second.
And now his pair of green chartreus eyes were staring at the slightly opened door, waiting for Behram to come out of it. His five fingers had been tapping on the dining table, showing his anxiety.
In front of him, his breakfast had not been touched at all since it was prepared 15 minutes ago. How is he going to eat it anyway? His mind was only fixed on the outcome of Behram's 'lobbying' with Arsia. Plus now he's hiccuping. Salim finally just took a glass of warm water and finished it in one gulp to relieve the hiccup.
'Why haven't they come out yet? What are they doing there?Salim wondered.
He poured warm water back into his glass. Gulping it down while his eyes looked back towards Arsia's room. Salim realized that time had just passed by a few seconds but waited for Behram to finish his task as if time had passed by hours.
'Shall I go in?', he thought.
Salim tapped his fingers on the table. He considered his wish. As is often the case, a burning desire over time turns into an irresistible urge. Then that's how Salim finally left his chair and stepped into Arsia's room.
At first he only intended to ascertain what was happening there without the need to enter. If he comes in, he's sure Arsia won't talk. He just wants to wait at the door. Unfortunately, just as he reached the door, there was a movement from within that he perceived as Behram's footsteps. Salim quickly returned to the dining room.
Salim sat back in his place. He saw Behram who had just come out of Arsia's room. His servant's face was as flat as ever. A type of face that is difficult to detect whether its owner brings good or bad news.
Salim then moved his gaze to Arsia who was trailing behind Behram. The girl walked while bowing her head, looking carried away by her own thoughts. When Arsia raised her head, their eyes were drooping unavoidably. Salim did not try to dodge but Arsia immediately threw her face away. The girl immediately turned around and went back into her room without saying anything.
'What's wrong with him?', Salim was curious to see the strangeness of Arsia's attitude.
Behram who was aware of Arsia's departure halted his steps. He stared at Arsia who entered his room and then at Salim whose pair of eyes could not be separated from the girl. His forehead was slightly wrinkled to see the strangeness of the two men, especially Arsia who was very clearly seen avoiding Salim.
Maybe Not, Your Majesty...Behram suddenly remembered what Arsia had said-because the girl refused to marry Salim.
'Ah, no way', Behram then dismissed his thoughts. He did not have the heart to think about the possibility that his master had touched Arsia or something. Even though last night he felt awkward because Salim never came out of his room when he took his change clothes.
'Your Excellency Salim is a gentleman. Even if he wanted Miss Arsia it would have been through an honorable way too', Behram assured himself.
"Behram, come with me!"Salim is calling.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Behram replied, nodding his head. He followed Salim to his room.
"How? What did he tell you?"Salim asked impatiently as Behram closed the door to his room.
"Miss Arsia likes other men, Your Majesty," Behram gave the most dramatic information first. Actually Behram felt no need to tell him because surely his master would not be happy to hear it. But he didn't want to hide any details from Salim.
"Hah! I knew it! So that's why he planned all this?"Salim's response, talking to himself. His memory of yesterday when he heard the man's voice upset him instantly.
Salim stared at Behram. Asked, " Who Is it?"
"Miss Arsia didn't say it, Your Majesty," Behram replied as he was.
"He's hiding it? Is that so?"Salim replied. At this moment he asked as if the one before him was Arsia and not Behram.
Salim's attitude certainly did not escape Behram's attention. It made him feel strange because Salim had never behaved like this before.
Behram himself did not have any idea about the change in the attitude and nature of his master. He just didn't want to jump to conclusions.
Didn't they just meet yesterday? What exactly is on His Majesty's mind?', batin Behram.
"Sorry, Your Majesty... Miss Arsia said not to talk about something that won't happen."
"Great. So he understood, " Salim nodded his head in a thoughtful position. "Then did you manage to get him to reject you?"he asked later.
Behram was silent for a moment. He remembered Arsia's remark and it made him somewhat hesitant to give his answer. "That... Looks like only you can do it, Your Majesty."
"You mean?"
Behram looked at Salim. He moved closer to Salim. Even though there was no one else but them there, Behram still felt compelled to tell them about it in secret. He whispered, " Miss Arsia is afraid of you, Your Majesty. Because you are young and passionate."
Of course Salim was surprised not to hear it. He spontaneously distanced himself from Behram. His pair of chartreuse eyes scanned Behram, confirming the seriousness of the man's speech just now.
"Are you sure he said that?"Salim made sure.
Behram nodded. "Very sure, your majesty."
"So that's why he chose you? He was afraid I would touch him. Is that so?"Salim concluded.
"You know better, Your Majesty. I have no right to conclude," said Behram with a respectful face. Behram did not want to cross his boundaries. After all his master and Arsia are getting married. How could he feel he had the right to conclude something related to the prospective affair of his second bed?
Salim was silent. He was lost in his own thoughts. Arsia literally made him die of lice. If Salim wants the girl to marry him it means he must be able to convince Arsia that he will not touch Arsia.
'What can I do?Salim asked himself.
It was not for nothing that he questioned himself. It was last night in his room and this morning that made him so. He was serious when he told Arsia that he was a normal man.
He reacted when he saw Arsia asleep in his fight.
He reacted as the girl dropped her sacred object near his'dangerous goods'.
'It looks like it will be difficult', he thought, still undecided as to what steps he should take.
"Your Majesty, may I ask you something?"Behram asked. Interrupted Salim with his thoughts.
"Ask," Salim gave permission.
"I'm sorry if this question is presumptuous, your honor. But will you consider the wedding with Miss Arsia a real wedding?"
Salim looked at Behram. He knew where the servant was going.
"I'm serious about this marriage, Behram. I want it," he insisted.