The people received their Sultan gracefully. Cora looked miserable. Through out the rest of the journey, Amal had had Cora tied to the reins of the horse. He deliberately moved at a slow pace so that she wouldn't get hurt.
Amal didn't know what was suddenly wrong with him. It felt as if his evil deeds were childish. All thanks to the mysterious princess, Cora. There was something about her. It felt as if she had his vow of protecting her because in the shortest time they had been together, he hated her tears.He wanted to hide her from the dangers of the world even he was included. They were currently infront of the palace.
Amal had Cora taken to the maid's harem. Humera had rushed off to see Razak, the head of the mujahideen and also Amal's best friend. He was was at the training court, training the young warriors so he could choose a chief warrior who would stand by him.
"Give her a separate room, I will come and inspect it myself. Make sure that you give her clean clothes and her bath should be filled with roses and lilies oils." Amal quietly instructed one of his trusted servants.
The lady, Rakiya, bowed and took Cora to her new room. "Look who the new girl is. What is your name, girl?" The other maids taunted while Khadijah, the head maid asked,"Jane." Cora replied softly. Khadijah allowed Rakiya to do her task.
Amal got ready and caught himself trying to look handsome. "What am I doing?" He hissed and messed up his hair again. He stormed out of his room towards the harem.
"Khadijah, Cora will be my personal attendant so make sure that nobody touches her. Teach her all she has to do, my eating habits, how I keep my clothes and also inform her about my afternoon massage. She starts work this evening." He told Khadijah before walking away.
Cora was stunned by how Khadijah just entered her room and dragged her to the kitchen. "Sultan wants you to start work right this evening. You will be his personal attendant. You will prepare his breakfast, lunch and dinner, you should always keep your head bowed. You will reply to his every question. You will give him body massage every afternoon and lastly, you will taste his food before you serve him. You will be held responsible if anything happens to him. Right now, you are to wash the utensils and prepare dinner. Be fast, no one will come and help you. His chamber is the first room at the sultan's wing at the east side of the palace."
Khadijah had said too much Cora had forgotten the first few things she had said. She quietly did the dishes but she wasn't able to wash them well.
After, she cooked some rice and tomato sauce to serve. Amal was in his chamber when he heard a knock. He opened his door only to see Cora. She was looking gorgeous in her new clothes. Amal smirked and let her in.
She had her head bowed while he sat by the table and took off the lid covering his food. His face contorted in disgust. No animal would even eat this. Not even a pig. The food looked nasty. The rice looked like porridge while the sauce looked like water.
"What's this?" He asked. "Rice and tomato sauce, Sultan." She replied meekly. "Who helped you?" He queried further.
Cora replied proudly,"I made it alone, Sultan."
Amal hissed,"quit with the 'Sultan' it's annoying! Look at what you have made for me to eat!" Cora flinched when he yelled at her. "Please I am sorry, Sultan." She spoke remorsefully. Amal glared at her,"sit down and eat." He said.
She hesitated. "Sit down!" He ordered. Cora sat down and shakingly took the spoon. Immediately she tasted the food, she frowned in disgust. "Finish it." He said.
"What?" She asked. "Don't question my orders. Finish the thing you have made. You made this thing for your Sultan to eat and since you have not eaten, I have decided to be nice and let you have my food."
Amal clapped and Humera entered the chamber with her head bowed. "Go and teach her how to cook. You will teach her until she is perfect in it. If she is not able to do it, I will behead both of you. Get lost." Cora rushed out, picking up the plate in a haste. Humera trailed behind her.
Khadijah's hand flew across Cora's face in a tight slap. Cora fell down with the force of the blow. All the servants were present there.
"So you cannot cook, neither can you do the dishes so what can you do?. What kind of a female are you? Y'Allah! Have mercy." Khadijah scolded Cora while she lashed Cora with the cane.
Cora cried as she writhed in pain. She wasn't given any dinner. After everyone had vacated the place, Cora sobbed as she walked to her room. What did Amal want from her? She sighed and wiped her tears.