Inaya was walking down the solid mud road that would lead her towards her favourite place which was the beach. She woke up late this morning for she could finally sleep after offering the morning prayer, the whole night she was tossing and turning in her bed, thus could not visit the town, nevertheless it did not stop her from visiting her favourite place.
Eira was not accompanying her today, as she tricked her attende again and ran away on her own. She wanted some time alone. It had been few days but she could not forget those eyes.
A soft smile was adoring her lips as she walked in to the forest which was surrounding the beach where she loved to wander around and find her favourite berries. Fortunately, there was no wild animal in these areas for the sea was used as a trading route, there are always men who are loading and unloading goods. Although she always stay away from the port area not wanting to grab any unwanted attention.
Her beautiful smile widened when she saw the delicious berries completely ripened. She was happily munching on the sweet and sour fruit, lost in her own world, oblivious to a pair of fond eyes admiring her from a distance, hiding himself behind a tree.
The Royal Prince had been following the beautiful lady since the time she walked out of her home. He waited for her to show up in the town square like he did for the past few days but when the lady did not come, he himself marched towards the latter's home and waited for even a small glimpse of the ethereal beauty.
Within these few days, he was awestruck to witness her kindness. She did not only possessed beautiful features rather her sole was pure. He witnessed how even after being wealthy she helped small vendors in chores, helped elder people with carrying their bags or sometimes spending time with them for they were lonely. She even fed the animals and distribute snacks to little kids.
Everyone seems to be fond of her, well except for some young women out of jealousy. Young men had filthy gaze upon her even after being covered, it had the prince extremely furious, once he almost beheaded a man for gazing her inappropriately.
He knows it was not appreciate to follow a young lady. Tried hard to stop himself, but not seeing her was suffocating to him. After a great amount of contemplating throughout the past few days and asking the Almighty for guidance he concluded that he wanted her as his other half.
Earlier that morning when the beautiful lady skipped her way out of the house, he could not help but to follow her without any ill intention. Rather he wished to protect her when he saw her walking down the road alone without any guards or attendee.
The prince snapped out of his daze in alert when he saw the lady halting her movements as if she could sense someone and turned around abruptly but the prince's reflex were quick enough to hide himself.
Shahzaib's heartbeat quickened thinking he was almost caught and heaved out a relief breath before peeking through the branches of the tree again just to be confused seeing the spot near the berry tree empty.
He looked around the surrounding but could not find the particular beauty. He walked out of his hiding spot and continued to look for the woman with a frown on his covered handsome face.
Shahzaib turned towards his right only to be slammed into a tree harshly with a sharp dagger held against his neck. When he open his hazel eyes, he was met with the deep sapphire ones and his hands moved away from his own sword and fell limp on his sides, completely lost in those mesmerizing gaze.
Inaya's expression was stern contradicting her soft features, eyes were adorably round but were staring at the disguised royal fiercely. Even if she was terrified nevertheless concealed it perfectly behind her bravery.
She could definitely recognize those foxy hazel eyes which managed to snatch her peaceful sleep but that did not mean she would put her guards low when she knew this foxy eyed male had been following her without her knowledge.
Although all the lady wanted to do was remove the cloth from the taller male's face and finally have a glimpse of the unknown features, but thought against it, even though Inaya knew how to fight but the male was really tall and bulky whereas she hardly reached his shoulder.
"Who are you?", Inaya asked, her voice was stoic and commanding but still was melodious enough to enchant the prince once again. She pressed on the well built male's chest more, pressing the knife on the throat as a warning to obey her or she wouldn't hesitate to slice that neck.
Shahzaib could easily manhandle the petite woman, he was a trained royal warrior after all, that dagger could never scare him. However, he would never show his masculinity over a woman who already had the prince wrapped around her small finger without even doing as much as batting her lashes.
For the first time in his life he was surrendering willingly.
"Can not you speak, you ignorant disrespectful hooligan", she exclaimed in frustration, which almost managed too crackle a smile from the taller male. The perfect thick brows raised in amusement at her words.
"Considering our current situation, I shall not be the one to be addressed as hooligan", came a heavy manly voice which gave shivers down the lady's spine.
Inaya inhaled sharply partly cause of anxiousness for she was completely alone and the man can easily have his way with her. Moreover, if the citizens witness her being alone with a man, rather than coming for her aid they would rush towards the town to fuel filthy rumors.
"Do not try to twist the situation.. It is you who has been following me like a shameless stalker", she pressed the daggers more which gave a scratch on the prince's throat nevertheless, he did not even blink.
"My dignity would never allow me to commit such hideous act, my lady", he stated firmly, indeed he was following her however his intentions were to protect her from any harm rather than the accusations he had been thrown.
"Your words extremely contradict your action", She narrowed her eyes at the other who let out a gruff chuckle which sounded unreasonably attractive.
"I concede that my actions may seem like the accusations you have pressed upon me, but have faith in me for I am a slave of the Almighty, I shall never dishonor a woman", he exclaimed sincerely.
Inaya's fierce facade faltered for a mere seconds but she again narrowed her eyes.
"I am no fool.. Nevertheless I do not wish to be seen with an unknown man", Inaya finally retreated her weapon.
"If you claim to be innocent then do not show me your fa-well do not appear before me", she cleared her throat awkwardly for the male's face was already covered. Shahzaib bit his lips to stop the laugh that almost slipped out but he remained unmoving nonetheless.
She glared at him before walking away with a fast beating heart.
Shahzaib's amusement filled eyes followed the retreating figure, she did not only possessed kindness but also a brave heart. His heavily built figure did not scare her, well even if it did, she concealed it perfectly and confronted him. A soft smile adored his handsome face before heaving out a heavy breath, he marched back towards the town with a determination in his mind.
It was night fall, after offering Salah and completing his dinner along with his companion, shahzaib found himself settled on a small desk that was present in his temporary room. A lantern placed on the desk was the only source of light illuminating the surrounding. The prince dipped the feather in the black ink before starting to write on a piece of paper.
Assalamu Alaikum,
Father and Mother.
How is your health? Is everything in the palace under control?
By the grace of Almighty, I am as healthy as a horse thus do not worry about me.
You might be surprised to receive sudden words from me for I never write during my expedition. However, the situation I am currently in demanded for it.
Before my departure, mother asked me whether I gave my heart to someone. At that time my answer was negative. I would like to contradict my words and change my answer to positive for I lost my heart to someone, to a rare beauty both inside out.
I believe she would make a perfect Crowned Princess for she has a fierce heart within a delicate frame of kindness.
I ask for your blessing for this union.
~ Shahzaib
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