Inaya's blissful morning begins with taking a walk down the street and greeting all the known faces cheerfully. Although that was her usual practice but that day was different for she moved out of her house to inhale fresh air and ease her mind.
The unexpected incident with the mysterious man had kept the lady awake for the whole night, regardless of trying hard, slumber did not satiated her restless heart. Thus, she had given up and decided to walk around the streets like usual morning.
"Inaya, have this freshy baked bread, my child", an elder man smiled at the young lady who was passing by the bakery.
"Thank you, Uncle", Inaya offered a genuine smile before taking a loaf of bread and munching on it happily.
"Why are you alone, Inaya? Did you trick Eira again?", the man questioned suspiciously as it wasn't unknown that she could be mischievous sometimes.
"Being a kind lady, I gave her a day off, uncle", Inaya giggled seeing the man's squinted eyes.
"Did your father know about this, huh?", the man placed his hand on his hips.
"No.. And I believe you wouldn't tell him either.. Bye uncle", Inaya ran away leaving behind the man who was calling out her name.
"Oh! This is so pretty", Inaya exclaimed, picking up a delicate piece of green pendant.
"You like it, my child", a woman smiled sweetly.
"I did not carry my money pouch today", Inaya pouted disappointedly while admiring the piece.
"You can pay be tomorrow, Inaya", the elder lady offered.
"Oh! No..no aunty, I must come by tomorrow", she politely denied and kept the pendant in it's place before trying a ring on her slender fingers.
Inaya flinched when she heard a loud thud followed by a choas. Her surprised eyes turned towards the sound which was coming from from a particular shop, precisely a blacksmith. Unknowingly, a soft gasp escaped from between her pink plump lips when she witnessed what actually was happening.
The shop was surrounded by some men clad in black attires who were armed with swords, bows and arrows. Considering the time the surrounding was not crowded and whoever was present were too scared to help the poor victim.
Inaya's hand reached towards her own dagger which she always carry with herself, her teeth ground with each other when she witnessed how cruel they were, the owner was an old man who was on the ground, the leader of the goons had his feet on the man's face, pressing it on the road mercilessly.
"Yah Rabbi! Madad( My lord! help)", she muttered a sincere prayer.
"Why isn't anyone helping him?", came a restless question from Inaya.
"They are money lenders.. I presume the blacksmith owned them money which he failed to repay.. Non is brave enough to go against them", the lady said in disappointment.
The money lenders had always been merciless, they did not acknowledge anything if it was time for repay then they would have it in their own convenience. The citizens were really bothered by them, although the town consist of rich merchants nevertheless there were people who struggled a lot before achieving a decent capital. Many took help from these lenders to invest in their business and whenever anyone could not repay, they would either kill them or confiscated all their property. People could do nothing for the lenders always signed contracts with terms and conditions before handing the money.
"That is not a valid reason to behave in such a way with an old man", Inaya stated.
The elder woman was not surprised at Inaya's kind words for she knew Inaya grew up in a confined, protected environment, thus she always find positivity in everything. She never travelled outside the town neither she mingle with people more than necessary, her parents always kept her apart from the cruelty of this world.
"The world is much more than what it seems, Inaya", the lady muttered.
Having enough of the scenario unfolding in front of her, she marched towards the small crowd ignoring the elder woman's call. She knew, if her father even had a hint about this situation she was willingly walking into, she would be grounded for God knows how many days. Regardless, she couldn't just see the misery the man was suffering.
"Please stop this", before anyone could stop her, she yelled at the leader, who turned his attention towards her. The men who were standing beside their leader was about to march towards her but the leader stopped them. His hardened expression transformed into amusement as a smirk appeared on his lips.
"And the reason would be?", he quirked one of his brows challengingly.
"He is much older.. Just talk to him calmly rather than acting like a barbarian", she said looking at the old man with pitty before turning her hardened gaze at the leader who chuckled. He walked towards her with slow steps, even though Inaya was trembling nevertheless she stood on her grounds, glaring at the man.
"If you know how much of a barbarian I can be, what are you doing here then little bird", he mocked and Inaya fumed in anger.
"You are nothing but a coward who loves to suppress others specifically, someone weaker than you.. You very well know that old man can never fight back thus here you are.. A person can never be lebelled as brave if they show it over someone weak", she spat venoms and her words were enough to burn the man's egoistic arrogance.
Everyone gasped when the man swinged his sword at Inaya whose reflex was quick enough to defend it with her dagger. She definitely was at a disadvantaged for her physic and comparatively small weapon, nevertheless she managed too push the man away from herself.
The man ground his teeth before attacking again but the time ceased as a bone shivering silence surrounded the arena when his sword clashed with another just few inches away from Inaya, saving her from the unfortunate aftermath.
Breathlessly, she turned her widen gaze beside her just to see the familiar covered face but those hazel eyes.. She could never forget that, the only difference was the eyes which always held warmth were ice cold and furious as if it can kill with just mere glance. She felt shivers down her spine at the dark aura emitting from the face-covered man.
The mysterious man pushed the leader so hard that he was thrown off on the ground with a thud, the others did not waste time before attacking the man, it was a complete unfair battle of one against eleven. Inaya was really scared for the man can be easily out numbered but seeing him fight so swiftly as if it was a child's play for him, swelled her heart with an unknown pride.
Inaya was stunned and impressed would be an understatement when one after the other men fell on the ground groaning in pain. Her sapphire eyes did not blink as she admired every movement in awe. An amused smile was adoring her face, non could say she was terrified just moments ago.
The mysterious man saved her life.
"Thank you, sir... Thank you, my child.. I shall forever be grateful", the old man expressed his gratitude with teary eyes to both.
"It was my duty", Shahzaib helped the man to stand who smiled at Inaya before one of the shop worker led him inside.
Inaya could not take her eyes off the man who was now standing in front of her with the glint in his eyes which she had witnessed before.
"Your bravery is indeed appreciable but sometimes we need to observe the situation before acting on it, lioness", before Inaya could react the man walked away.
"Lioness", Inaya mumbled under her breath as she could feel her heart quickening it's beat. She was so emersed in her thought that she did not acknowledge how the man halted in his steps seeing her father rushing towards them frantically.
"Inaya", Hamad called out in panic and Inaya shut her eyes close knowing she was in huge trouble. Hamad hugged her tightly before moving back just enough to observe her appearance in order to find any injury.
"Yah Rabbi! Did you get hurt? Why on earth would you come out alone, huh? And who asked for you to act so rebellious when you were unguarded? How many times do I have to explain? You are to not walk around so carelessly.. Why are you always worrying me for your safety?", the immense concern transformed into anger before even Inaya could react.
Shahzaib wished, he could refrain the elder man from yelling at the lady without much knowing about the situation. Indeed Inaya acted out of spite nevertheless non could ignore the fact, she tried to help an old man out of kindness without any second thought regarding her own safety. But he knew better to interrupt a concerned father especially who was overprotective.
"I was just helping, father.. I apologize", Inaya mumbled lowly, ducking her head lower with an adorable pout on her lips. She very well know no excuse could save her from being grounded, thus she did not bother to explain.
As much, the prince loved the adorable sight, he decided to interrupt the conversation.
"Uh! It was not an appreciat situation but Sir Hamad.. She was brave enough to help a man from suffering.. I know it was not safe for her however, she did it out of kindness", he said gaining their attention.
"Sir Elias, I heard you saved her.. I will forever be grateful", Hamad held Shahzaib's hand in between his own out of gratitude. The prince's real name was still unknown to Hamad.
"No.. You do not have to.. It was my duty", Shahzaib let out a chuckled.
"If you ever need any kind of help, my doors are always open.. Thank you again", Hamad patted the young man's shoulder before holding Inaya by her shoulder and started walking back home.
Inaya turned her gaze at those warm eyes which were staring at her with an unreadable emotion as she walked along side her father.
"My Prince! Wasn't that Sir Hamad Al-Amir?", Sahir questioned curiously.
"Yes", the prince replied shortly.
"Send a scroll to the governor of this province. Mention the Crown Prince demanded answers regarding this money lending fiasco..", Shahzaib instructed.
"Certainly", sahir noded firmly as the prince walked away leaving everything for his men to take care of.
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