Heaving out a deep sigh, the crowned prince fastened the knot of the leather sack he carried his clothes within. As he proceed to collect his other stationary which he used to write letters and journals.
He loved writing. The thought of collecting all his memories in the form of words, from his journey that he would love to cherish when he would be confined within the golden cage was overwhelming.
The moment he was crowned he would be caged within high walls of laws that and protocols, could not much as travel without proper troops with himself for he would be the King.
He was aware, the journey might be his last for his father conveyed his decision of crowning him upon his return. He had been training for the day ever since he was at the tender age of five nevertheless he still wasn't ready for the extraordinary responsibility.
"My Prince, would you perhaps like some tea?", asked Sahir.
"Certainly", the prince ambled out of his temporary bed chamber as he settled around the wooden table where his companions sat.
"What do you wish to do now, my Prince?", Harun asked whilst pouring the tea on a wooden cup for the royal.
"I am afraid, I do not know, brother", the Prince heaved out a breath.
The time for his return had arrived and Hamad was yet to send words for him. If the elder act stubborn then he wouldn't have any other choice than to use his royal rank. It was clear Inaya wished to marry him as well hence he needed to do something to have her as his spouse.
He couldn't reach any conclusions to why Hamad was hesitant to accept his proposal. It wasn't his arrogance but a simple truth that no subject of his would react like Hamad upon receiving such an heartfelt confession from him.
He was a Crowned Prince and he definitely had many advantages. A father would go to a great extent just for the prince to take their daughter as his spouse. They wouldn't even mind if the Prince decided to take more than one wife because being a part of royal family brings numerous benefits.
Shahzaib could guess, Hamad was not one of such greedy father rather he was beyond protective of Inaya. He even understood the elder's hesitancy to accept as he assumed being a part of royal family would need huge political cunningness and he doubts Inaya had any such traits.
She was simply innocent.
Regardless of his assumptions and understanding, he wasn't ready to accept defeat such easily. He was determined to marry Inaya and he definitely will.
It was early hours of the morning, Inaya had not been visiting the town like she did before, but he did get a glimpse of her at the beach. He wished to approach her nevertheless he believed, his unannounced presence might make her uncomfortable.
Without giving much of a thought, he mounted the stallion and galloped towards the beach, ignoring all the protests from his companions.
It took mere moments to arrive at the beach, he safely tied his stallion to a tree and made sure there was enough bushes for the beloved animal to feed on.
His big strides took him to the place where Inaya spend her time reading a book or painting. A smile adored his face upon seeing the woman of his dreams immersed in painting, he could not make what was on the paper but he was contented to see her, even when her face was covered.
He neared Inaya and the sound of his footsteps caught Eira's attention. Initially she was alert but when he removed the scarf from his face, a expression of familiarity glistened in her eyes. She smiled before excusing herself and stood at a distance.
Shahzaid offered a nod of appreciation along with a smile at her unasked actions.
"May I have a few words, Lady Inaya?", his sudden deep voice had the lady to startled, her shaphire shining eyes found his before ducking it lower in shyness.
"Certainly",
Shahzaib settled on the spread mat, keeping a safe distance from her.
"Do you like painting?", he asked after a moment of silence.
"Yes", came a short reply.
"You.. Uh! You didn't visit the town recently", he stated just to offer a comfortable environment for her.
"Father was a little skeptical after the incident", she trailed off which had the prince to offer a nod of acknowledgment.
"You can tell me the reason behind your visit without hesitation, Your Royal Highness", Inaya mumbled, Shahzaib chuckled assuming she might have noticed his fidgeting posture.
"My Father, sent words for my return and I cannot avoid it for long hence I would much like for you to tell me whether you are willing to marry me or not?", he asked.
"My father shall be the one answering your question, your royal highness", she muttered without making eye contact.
"Is he perhaps denying?", the prince questioned.
Inaya heaved out a breath,
"I do not have any knowledge of why he doesn't wish to give my hands to you. Nevertheless, I give you my words, I shall not marry anyone who is not you, my prince", she whispered, baring her feelings to the prince whose breath seemed to be hitched at the sudden confession.
He was offen referred as my prince but hearing it from her held a different feeling within. It seemed more satisfying and heartwarming.
"Wallahi! You make me the happiest, Lady Inaya. You do not know how much ease your words provided my heavy heart", the prince beamed at the lady who ducked her shy eyes lower.
She was fascinated how humle the royal prince was. And it was one of the reasons why Inaya's heart chose to beat for the Crowned Prince.
"What am I to do now?", she asked upon realizing her father was against the alliance and she had no knowledge how to convince the elder man.
"Try and reason with your father, that is all I can suggest", the prince smiled but that did not reach his eyes.
"I must not increase your worries and put you under excessive pressure. But I must heed to what is expected of me. Father summed me and I am afraid, I cannot dely my return for much longer, I am to depart at dawn", the prince offered a warm smile which provided the comfort that Inaya's restless heart was seeking.
"I must wait for your words, lady Inaya",
The prince retrieved his pouch from around his waist, before fisting out a gold coin.
"This is a Royal seal. I wish for you to keep it with yourself. If by any means I fail to send back words after your letter, you must come to the Palace.
I give you my words, Inaya, I will protect you and your dignity with my life", his voice laced with sincerity and seriousness to convey the gravity of his words.
Inaya received the seal with slightly trembling hands, the weight of the small object, too heavy for her, considering it was something only a royal blood could possess.
"Certainly", she mumbled.
"I must return for I need to prepare my departure", the prince's hazel eyes were fixated at the lady as if inhaling her presence as longer as he could.
Inaya's sapphire eyes held shyness as she could see the emotions that was radiating from those sharp dreamy eyes.
The Crowned Prince stood up before walking away, her eyes were fixated at the retrieving broad back of the royal, longing clearly visible in her gaze.
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"Inaya, I did not raise you to be stubborn. Tell me one reason why Sir. Alam isn't right for you?", came a thundering voice of Hamad when Inaya once again expressed her wish to marry the prince to her mother.
"I understand, father. And I apologize for denying your wishes. But you tell me one reason to deny the alliance from the crowned prince.
Father, I agree you want the best for me but who could be more potential than the Crowned Prince himself.
He wasn't one of those cunning and arrogant royal rather he was understanding enough to give you a choice.
Let us acknowledge the reality father, if the prince wanted he could simple send the Royal command and you wouldn't have any choice than to agree. But he did no such thing rather asked my hand like a gentleman would", Inaya muttered eyes misty with the emotions that she tried to convey through her words.
"Inaya-",
"Father, do you know forcing a woman to marry someone is similar to buring her alive? My Creator gave me the right to choose the one for me then why cannot you, father, and I need your permission for marrying the one I wish", Inaya pleaded as a drop of teat rolled down her eyes.
"Honey", Sarah whispered as she pleaded with her eyes. She couldn't see her only daughter to be in agony her whole life.
"We shall not be selfish", she added for only Hamad's ears to listen.
The elder man drew a sharp breath as he shut his emotional eyes, to collect himself from all the negative possibilities.
"Alright, if that is what you wish, then I will give you my blessing, but-", before Inaya could express her happiness Hamad stared at her with sharp eyes.
"If he fails to protect your dignity and honor, you must return. Give me your words, Inaya", Hamad offered his open palm. Inaya inhaled sharply as he placed her palm on his.
She decided to trust her Almighty for her future and gave a firm nod.
"I give you my words", she mumbled.
Hamad offered a nod as he turned to his wife.
"Prepare for her departure", he walked out of the chamber.
Inaya smiled, a genuine one, after weeks for she found herself to be lost after the prince left the town.
Sarah pulled her for a warm embrace as she comforted the young girl.
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