Dearest,
Your father expect you to return to the Palace grounds as early as you can.
- The Empress.
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The prince reread the words but could not understand the meaning of such an order. He expected his mother to be elated for he finally found the one his heart wished for.
"What is it, my Prince?", Harun asked when Shahzaib did not utter any word.
"Father is expecting my return", he muttered, still very bewildered.
"Perhaps, he wish to discuss the matter in person", Sarim guessed.
"No.. Mother did not mention anything regarding the letter I sent to her. She just wrote what was expected of me...
I do not feel good about this", he voiced his worries.
"My Prince", a guard called out ceasing the conversation.
"What is it?", Sahir asked.
"A lady is at the door, asking for a visit with his royal highness", he informed.
"Who- Prince?", before Sahir could enquire further, Shahzaib rushed out off the cottage.
Shahzaib stopped at the front door, his heart beat faster than normal when his surprised eyes took the very appearance of the woman who took away his peaceful slumber. Inaya's face was covered, only her sapphire eyes could be visible nevertheless, Shahzaib could recognize her even with his closed eyes.
"Assalamu Alaikum",
Shahzaib inhaled sharply, the voice was as sweet as honey which could lull a person to sleep within mere seconds. A throat clearing sound from behind finally brought the Prince back from his trance.
"Walaikum Assalam", the Prince muttered. Now that he was composed enough, he saw another women standing behind Inaya, who was her attendee.
"To what do I owe this surprise visit?", he asked, his eyes soft and voice warm.
"I apologize for the sudden appearance", the lady was quick to say, clearly she was nervous by the way her slender fingers were fighting with the end of her scarf.
"You are always welcome here.. Shall we go inside?", the prince asked softly.
"Uh!", she looked around at all the men present inside the cottage and the prince understood she was not comfortable to be in the presence of numerous unknown men.
"We can sit in the restaurant just few steps away", the prince offered, smiling to himself when he saw the lady visibly relaxed.
"Certainly",
"I shall be just outside", said the attendee to Inaya who gave a curt nod.
As the prince settled with Inaya opposite to him on a small wooden table, the server placed his regular order without even asking. He acknowledged the young boy as he left.
"Would you like to have something else?", he asked.
"No, I am fine", Inaya replied pulling a cup of tea towards herself, her actions were clearly anxious.
The prince patiently waited for the lady to speak first, who was busy admiring the small restaurant.
"I believe it is your first time in this place", the Prince commented before taking a sip of his beverage.
Inaya was startled as if she did not expect Shahzaib to speak, which had the elder of the two to chuckle.
"Ah! Yeah it is", she chuckled.
Shahzaib could see her drawing a sharp breath before finally deciding to speak.
"Um.. I..heard that you wish to marry me?", she asked awkwardly. Shahzaib smiled trying to provide some comfort for she was clearly too fidgety for her own good.
"Yes.. And I would very much like to know your answer", he said, presuming her mother must have informed about her.
"You.. You are the crowned prince.. Why would you even wish to have me as your spouse?", she asked looking around as if to be certain non heard her.
Shahzaib could see curiosity in her eyes.
"I don't know... My Almighty guided me to you", he muttered, eyes full of affection.
"But... I am no princess, not even a nobel... I.. ",
"Inaya", Shahzaib for the first time took her name, he could see the effect he had on her through her slightly trembling fingers. He wished he could hold her hands to assure her but he wasn't supposed to, until marriage.
"I do not care which rank you belong from. These are the things which never bothered me for I believe we all are nothing but the slave of Almighty.
Yes, I was born royal but that did not mean I like to oppress my subjects.
What really did matter to me is whether you wish the same.. Would you accept me as your spouse, Inaya?
I promise to protect you from all that is bad, cherish you with everything I am, respect you as my equal, provide for you and our future children. I promise to never hurt you intentionally. Marriage is not easy, there would be days we might disagree on matters but I would always be patient and gentle with you for my mother raised me as such",
Shahzaib could see her beautiful sapphire eyes were glistening with tears. He did not know whether that was a good thing or bad nonetheless he waited for her reply, not wanting to overwhelm her more than she might be feeling.
"The promises you made are everything a woman wish to have from her spouse", she inhaled sharply,
"I came here for the reason behind your wish. If you intend on keeping your words-",
"I am a Muslim, Inaya, least a Royal, I must never back down from my words. My promises are a decree to you. If I break one, I shall be punished according to the law of my Allah", Shahzaib added.
Inaya ducked her eyes lower, Shahzaib did not know what was she thinking hence he remained silent.
"What about..", Inaya cleared her throat, "the concubines or consorts? I heard Royal prince is expected to take as many spouses for alliance", she almost whispered. Shahzaib could not stop the laugh, he shook his head seeing embarrassment in her eyes. He found it intriguing, she was possessive that was a given and wallahi he loved it would be an understatement.
"It's not funny", she mumbled scratching the table with her forefinger, he could bet she was pouting under her veil.
"It is not, my lady. I promise, you do not have to worry about other women. You are the one for me", Shahzaib assured sincerely, he did think to avoid these political matters and decided to give himself solely to Inaya and he would fight all the cabinet if he had to, but he would never take another spouse other than Inaya.
"Alright", Inaya mumbled.
"Shall I take it as a positive or negative?", Shahzaib grinned, feeling his heart accelerating.
"I shall let my parents know", Shahzaib saw a mischievous glint in her eyes as she stood up.
"But",
"Allah Hafiz, your Royal highness", Inaya rushed out without waiting for the prince to speak further.
"What? How long shall I have to wait? Yah Rabbi", Shahzaib exhaled dramatically as he left for his cottage.
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"Did you get your answers, miss?", Eira asked as the two ladies were safely settled in Inaya's bedroom.
"I believe so", she blushed which had Eira to giggle.
"But Mama did not come to me for my consent. Do you think they do not want this alliance?", Inaya voice her sudden realization.
It had been two days and Sarah did not mentioned about the proposal, her parents were even acting heedless of the situation. She could not understand what was it her parents was thinking.
"Who shall dare deny the Crowned Prince, miss?", Eira exclaimed the obvious. Definitely no one would dare to deny the royal family, regardless the prince was different, he asked for her hand instead of sending an official notice of the marriage alliance.
"I most definitely cannot address it by myself", Inaya mumbled. She wished for the alliance to occur. When she accidentally heard the conversation between her parents and the prince, the next thing she did was pray Istikhara. And she was guided to the right path, her confusion was cleared and concluded that she would very much like to marry the prince, if Allah wills.
"We must wait for Lady Sarah to come to you", Eira said which had Inaya to exhale.
"We do not have another choice, nonetheless", she muttered.
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Inaya descended down the stairs cheerfully before ambling towards the sitting room where her parents must be having their morning tea. She halted on her steps when she heard the mention of the Crowned prince, the urge to eavesdrop was severe nevertheless knowing how unethical and sinful it was she announced her presence with a greeting.
"Come, my precious", Hamad patted the seat next to himself which she complied.
"Did you have a good rest?", he asked.
"Yes, papa, did you? ",
"Yes, my love", he chuckled.
"Inaya", her mother called which had her heart picking up it's pace as the tone was serious which she only used when the matter was important.
"Yes, mama",
"We received an extraordinary proposal for you", she started and Inaya drew a deep breath in anticipation.
"It is from the governor of Eastern province", she smiled.
Inaya's heart fasten it's beat even more, but it wasn't from excitement rather dread. She didn't want any other proposal than the crowned prince's for he had her heart. She assumed her parents were weary and trying to avoid the topic for some unknown reasons which left her with no option but to speak her mind.
"Mama, I do now wish to accept this proposal", she muttered lowly. She could feel the surprise from the elders even when she wasn't looking at them.
"But why, my child? Sir Tajdar Alam is a great man. People gush about his achievement and bravery-",
"But he certainly can't be more brave than the crowned prince himself", she interrupted before looking up at the elder lady who was yet again astound.
"You are aware", Hamad stated and Inaya nodded as an approval.
"Did you eavesdrop, Inaya?", he asked, his voice was nutral but the way he took her name was a given that he was upset.
"No, papa. I overheard. My apologizes for I did not intend to", she excused herself not wanting to anger her father.
"It doesn't matter now. Moreover, we chose sir Tajdar Alam for you and you cannot just reject the alliance without any valid reason", Hamad said firmly.
Inaya was bewildered, her father never talked with her in such a manner unless she broke any rule. However, this furiousness wass caused by something else, she could feel it in her soul.
"Papa, I do not know what is it that is keeping you from accepting the crowned prince's proposal but I do not wish to marry any other man apart from him for my heart beats for him", she mumbled before standing up, her parents were clearly amazed by her answer nevertheless she wasn't ready to give up. Her Creator gave her the right to deny a proposal and she did nothing wrong.
"Please, excuse me", she walked out without looking back.
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