"I did, Sultan." Khadijah hesitantly admitted. "Your reason?" He interrogated while he sat Cora down on his bed. He knew that she was tired of standing.
"She was being disrespectful so I decided to teach her a lesson." Khadijah replied. She felt a wave of relief wash over her when he simply nodded. But it was only a matter of seconds.
"You are going to take back the lashes, Khadijah. Your own daughter will lash you infront of the other maid servants." Amal declared.
"Sultan, please I beg you on her behalf. I insulted her." Cora pleaded. Amal looked at Cora. Why was she lying for the woman? Nonetheless,he sighed and said,"fine, but one more mark on you, Cora and I swear that I won't even look at your face. Khadijah, get lost." The woman felt insulted as she bowed and walked out of the Sultan's chamber.
A smile graced Cora's lips. "Thank you", she said happily. "I'm going to teach you everything about the palace so that when I send you and you tell me that you don't know the place, I will get the chance to punish you." He offered and Cora giggled.
The two walked out of the chamber. "This is the garden. All sort of flowers and plants are here, there's a pond and a river that flows out to the borders of the Empire." Amal spoke. Cora looked at the environment. She was so sure that this was going to be her favorite place. There were roses, hibiscus, morning glory and also lilies in the pond. There were several herbs and spices too.
Amal showed her the court, the pool, the lion's den, the snake's pit, the dungeons, the archery and training area, the various wings in the palace and other places.
"You can't tell me that you are terrified of archery." Cora giggled. She had suggested that they both try using the arrows and Amal quickly rejected the idea. She had then dragged him to the archery grounds. The guards were shocked to see their Sultan there for the first time. Cora was currently teasing him about it. "Cora." He warned her.
"I said pick and arrow and shoot the bull's eye." Cora dared him. The guards were just onlookers. Didn't Cora know that their Sultan knew nothing about archery? Or was she teasing him?
Suddenly, Amal picked up an arrow and a bow and aimed at the bull's eye. This time, Cora almost fainted from the hard laughter. "You are so hilarious. Forget about you being terrified, you don't even know how to aim properly." Her laughter immediately died down when Amal scowled and stormed towards her.
She tried to escape but his long legs were fast as well. With two long strides, he got hold of her hand and challenged her,"I can beat you in sword fighting, princess." She went pale but not trying to look weak, she agreed,"okay."
The two picked up their swords and moved to the circle. "Make sure that you don't get hurt, princess." Amal teased. Before she could retaliate, he attacked her. She quickly stopped him with her sword. Their swords made clashing and clinging sounds as they came into contact with each other.
Amal held Cora before she could fall when she lost her balance. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at her savior in the eyes. "Told you that I would win." He whispered lowly, causing her to shiver and push him away.
"That was unfair, you cheat." She hissed, causing him to laugh at her. The guards were shocked. It had to be recorded in the history of the Islamic Empire that this was the first time that they had seen and heard the Sultan actually laugh cheerfully.
Cora pushed him by the chest and stormed off. Amal chuckled as he put down his sword and bolted after his personal attendant.
"It's time for my massage." Amal said, too eager to feel her soft hands on his body again.
Cora bowed and went to get a bowl of oil. Amal was already bare chested when she came in. She massaged his back and chest. Amal held the back of her head and jerked her to his body. The moment he leaned in, Cora pulled away.
"I'm sorry, Sultan." She apologized and fled leaving Amal, feeling hot and bothered.
Samira's hand flew across Cora's cheek in a tight slap. Everyone had gathered around them. "You witch! Husband snatcher!" Samira pulled at her hair. "Ah!" Cora cried in pain as she tried to free herself.
"He will be traveling next month. The moment he leaves, consider yourself dead. It will be fun watching your corpse being burnt while he just stands there. At least if he still has tears, he will be able to shed some for you." Samira chuckled menacingly.
Cora went to sleep on an empty stomach. She was denied of food Khadijah had made the security so tight that she wasn't able to sneak out during the night.
The following morning, Amal and the elders were in the royal court, having a meeting while Cora stood by his throne. She had still not eaten anything and she was currently feeling dizzy.
Not being able to support herself anymore, she let go of Amal's throne and fell unconscious. Amal stopped talking. "Cora? Call the physician now!" He ordered no one in particular as he scooped her up in his arms.
"She needs food and water, Sultan. And rest too." The old phat physician reported. Amal was seated on his bed beside Cora's body. He clenched his jaw. He should have punished Khadijah when he had the chance.
Well now,he was going to do just that before Cora woke up. "Call Khadijah to the royal court now!" Amal ordered a guard as he stepped out. Khadijah was frightened when she was called to come before Amal and his elders.
Without even asking Khadijah any question, Amal declared, "Khadijah will be locked up in her chamber with no food for a whole week. She can be given water but only once a day until the entire week is over. Next time when Cora offends you and you want to punish her, come to me first."
With that, he had the crying maid taken away.