"No. Hello your highness" the lady greeted him with respect.
"Oh! That's for my brother. I am a normal person. No royalty and no head ruler" said Prince Pial with quiet smile.
"I am Fanat. And I am living in one of the villages of Keswick. Your celebrations has taken part so gorgeous. Thanks for attending the guests with capable respect".
And prince Pial quietly smiled.
"I see you're looking for something. I should go, thanks. Thanks again".
"Yah!" Sounded Prince Pial, feeling a confusion in his mind. Yet his heart whispered him, 'don't be a fool. What if this will be your last chance. Try please and say it. You can do it. Of course you could'. "Please wait!" He swiftly sounded again.
While Fanat stood and turned, looking at him. "Trying to say something Sir. You are a shy person l see. Tell me if there's anything you need, l will be your host or tutor".
"No ... it's not something so serious. At the party l see you with someone. Please don't take me wrong. I just see her and ...".
"You don't want to leave her?"
And prince Pial smiled in satiety. "Something like that" he added.
"That's something I cannot tell you lightly" responded the lady.
"But why?"
"Cos l cannot expose my friend's secret".
"Please tell me what you could. I am not also ready, just that I don't want to lose my chance".
Fanat laughed. "Mujhe maaf kar deejie sar (forgive me sir). Certainly l am not sure what will be interested to you about us or our living. I am not just her friend, she's like my sister. And her name is Ixan. She was living with her father. Her mother was no more".
"Oh! mujhe khed hai (I am sorry)" he sounded in worried.
"Is okay Sir. So, we're poor you know. That's all. I have told you everything. But if you're still not satisfied, our village is not far from the Kingdom. Summon me and I will be at your service Sir. Now I have to run home because I know my family must be waiting for me".
"Really appreciate your support Fanat. Take this" prince Pial gave her a bag of coins.
As Fanat looked at him pleasantly, "what's this Sir?"
"It's.. nothing. Just a gift".
"Bless me your highness but I cannot take anything from you".
"Why not Fanat? You have done me a great favor. This information is what I keep longing for".
"I understand your feeling Sir. But let's watch the future now. It's not yet time, it's only a beginning. If you're true to your words l will help you for how long it will take me. I am just scared of one thing".
"Vah kya hai (what is that)?"
"Ixan is the most beloved daughter to Mr. Ding. He's an age man and he has a hypertension. Especially in this kingdom, the Queen will hardly accept a kind of people like us. Better be a maid or servant but alliance between a prince and a village girl is something very rare. I am afraid of what will happen if the Queen finds out".
"Don't worry, it's me who said it right. I will handle everything. Nothing bad will happen and even if something changes, l will never let any harm comes to you or to your people. This is my oath".
And Fanat smiled, "thank you Sir. Ooh, l forgot. Mujhe ghar jaane do (let me go home). They must be waiting. Bye Sir".
"Sachamuch dhanyavaad (really thanks)" said prince Pial excitedly. And he returned back home with excitement.
At night, all the lights of the palace are turned off. The palace was so quiet but a sound of footsteps that is coming out from upstairs in Prince Pial's chambers. He was strictly pastering around the room in tense. Questions continue roaming in his mind. His notions has ringer on how he can face ixan in the morning. Will she accept him or not? And the far more worse than anything is his family's challenges?
That restraint him busy until midnight. Around 3'O clock he went to bed. And in a few seconds, his eyes closed.
At early morning, Prince Pial opened his eyes for hearing a footsteps. Wearily he raised his head, yawning. "Kya hua (what happened)? You can't let soul rest in peace" he sounded in quavering voice. And he carefully opened his eyes. Seeing the servant, Swed hassled him.
Swed was still opening the light blue curtains. "Good morning sire" Swed greeted with an esteem by the time he finishes with the curtains. Then he moved to make the bed.
"Early in this morning Swed?" Spoke Prince Pial.
"Pardon me Sire. Sir Lihan was already here. He has been waiting for you since. He's sitting in the royal palace with the Queen".
From hearing Lihan's name, Prince Pial tried to refresh from sleep. Then he stood down in the bed, relaxing. A few minutes later he jumped off the bed and walked to the restroom. While Swed continue clearing the bed appropriately.
After Swed has finished with the bedsheets he asks, "I have cleared the bed Sir. Do you want me to do anything else?"
"You're free to go Swed. That's enough" Prince Pial answered from the restroom.
And Swed packed up the dirty clothes and left.
Shortly, Prince Pial came out with a smooth brown towel on his waist to his knees. He walked slowly and sat down in a stool, looking in the mirror. His mind has not stop questioning him on the issue. And so in his heart, it yearns for seeing Ixan. Prince Pial sat for some moments before he quickly stand and walked to the chance room. In just a minutes, Prince Pial was already dressed in a royal suits. And he walked outside to the Queen's palace.
Queen Lisha was busy listening to Lihan's wisecracks, as they were chortling excitedly.
"Maan (mother)!" Prince Pial called out in dulcet voice, running downstairs.
Queen Lisha gracefully stood by the time Prince Pial reached out to them. "My son!" She sounded and embraced him calm. "How are you and how's your night?" She asked again, trying to face him.
"Good Mother. Tell me, how are you doing?"
"I am so much happy my son. As you can see your friend is being telling me so many tales".
"I see that you are enjoying some of it. Try asking him about studies. I am sure without a second thought you'll throw him out".
Queen Lisha looked at Lihan, "Lihan, is that true?"
Lihan faced the Queen and replied, "those who win are the warriors. I know I am not well Interested in too much learning but yes, l thought I am his tutor. Giving you a story about something will surely expressed your mind your highness. May l Prince Pial, may l?"
Prince Pial scowled and tried to kick him. Lihan perceived his thought and he run upstairs as Prince Pial also run after him. Lihan was running at sprint perhaps Prince Pial quickly grabbed his hands.
"Do you want to give up man?" said prince Pial.
"Ooh, sorry. I made a mistake, okay" Lihan tried to rescue himself from prince Pial.
And so Prince Pial released him, "there you go".
Lihan continue groaning for some seconds and they both laughed together, "You're bad man".
"Chal, idhar (come on here)" sounded Prince Pial and they embraced each other.
"Oh my best friend. I keep expecting for good news since yesterday. How do you feel now?" Lihan added.
Prince Pial excitedly held his shoulders in pleased, "I have a very good news to you my friend. I haven't got the chance to meet her but I meet her friend. Fanat is her name".
"That's really impressive. Then what are we waiting for. Did she give any clue about their home or anything?"
"Yes. We have spoken well with her. So pity! For once Lihan I can promise you that I will turn from prince to bodyguard".
Lihan laughed. "What are you saying man?" He uttered.
"It's not a joke Lihan".
"I assure that. Calling me out by my real name has prove that. Tell me something if you could".
"Not much l know. Her mother had died when she was young. And she was brought up by her father. He's also too old. Imagine how much he loves his daughter at this age and at this time. I will tell you more later. I know where the village is but I cannot tell you exactly where to find the girl".
"Easy pizy! Since we got Miss Fanat, l raised my case. I just feel success in this matter".
"Really my friend!".
"Of course our future prince. Let's just hope she's as how we expect her to be, with good values and appropriate family position. Now l already prepared for anything. There are two horses outside. We don't need riders but just the two of us. And if you need help in riding, l will do my best. Let's go".
And they left immediately.
While in the village of Heoro, Ixan was busy to start the wood fire as she heard a ringing bell of the door.
"Aa raha hoon (I am coming)" she sounded as she drops everything and ran to open the door. To her surprised, she saw a new face. From the way of his dressing customs, Ixan recognized that he's from keswick kingdom. "Yes... Sir?" She questioned the man in terrified.