Evening came soon and the young people were all ready for the small celebration, everyone arrived at a small hall which was readied by some maids with the instruction of lady Afreen.
" Did you arrange this Afreen?" Asked Saleem with a small smile as he looked around.
"Yes brother Saleem,aren't i amazing?" She asked expecting a praise while Mubeena eyed her as she went over to serve herself some food.
" Yes my dear, you are incredible" praised Saleem with a smile on his face.
"Brother Saleem" Ateefa greeted expressionlessly and Saleem acknowledged with a small nod.
" i wonder what's the need to celebrate when Meena isn't crowned even crowned yet" she said looking around with a small frown on her face.
"This is a little too extravagant don't you think?". She asked the others as they all gave her a strange look.
" No it isn't" someone said from behind as she walked over to join and went to embrace Saleem as soon as she saw him with the others and he gave her a loving pat on her head and then kissed her head. "How are you saleema?" He asked with a smile.
"I'm fine brother" she answered also smiling and she turned to look at her sister. " i wonder where you got your strange thinking from Sister Ateefa, this is to express how happy we are for our sister, she's not just a stranger or an enemy for you to say that tsk". and Ateefa eyed her in disbelief wondering why this girl of all people became her sister, she's never supported her at all and Ateefa always thought maybe she's this way because unlike her, Saleema isn't fighting for love, her kindness and humbleness has earned her to be one of the king' favourite children.
Soon Meena arrived with her friend beside her, unlike others who were dressed beautifully and handsomely, she was in a simple yellow dress with her hair down, even Nabeela was dressed beautifully.
" Evening everyone " she greeted with a small smile on her face and they smiled and nodded in return.
"Evening princess" someone spoke in her ear from behind, hearing the familiar voice from behind her, she didn't have to turn around to know who it was but she still did, there the Man stood with his handsome face which she didn't find handsome but annoying.
Meena always wondered when and how she grew to dislike this man but as much as she tried to remember, she never did.
As small girl she remembered not caring to talk to him until he was appointed to train her in swordsmanship and archery but he taught her many other things, he moulded her into the strong, smart and intelligent princess that he is, and soon she would be the future Empress all thanks to him, she could still remember even when she trained under him, they never talked like friends, he would just guide her and that's all, she concluded they would have had a better relationship had he always been around.
"Something is up with this two"Saleema whispered to Saleem who smiled with mischief in his eyes as he stared at his friend and Sister.
"Brother" he called out finally making Nurain and Meena who were looking at each other unblinkingly to remember they weren't the only ones there, Nurain raised a brow at him and Saleem smiled mischievously while others stared strangely at them as they only understood one thing, that they were secretly communicating.
"Let's eat shall we?" asked Afreen
Soon they all joined and dined with Mubina who was already eating without bothering to talk to anyone. After dinner, Saleem excused himself and his brothers from his Sisters claiming they had things to talk about and they moved to a corner in the hall as they made themselves comfortable on the soft cushions, while the Sisters engaged themselves as they also sat on cussions, talking in hushed tones as they gossiped, giggled and laughed except Ateefa who was acting arrogantly without attempting to say anything until her eyes fell on Nabeela.
"What is a maid like herself doing amongst the royals when her mates are in the kitchen or serving in the chambers?". The happy atmosphere quitened, Everyone was speechless as noone expected what just happened except for Ateefa who felt she did nothing wrong,Nabeela felt so suffocated that she stood up and left. " Nabila isn't a maid but my friend, hurting her is just like hurting me so think before you say anything to disrespect her next time". Meena warned in a calm voice and stood up to follow behind Nabila.
" There's nothing you will say to change the fact that she's a maid, and does maids need any respect, i wonder". She shouted at Meena but Meena already left.