Banou accept the flowers with grace. She watch him smile and leave with his carriage. The passerby are gossiping as she enters the mansion. She pass the flowers to Aylin. It's been days since she see Li Cheung. He is still in the palace and haven't leave the capital. While Banou sees Li Jun almost everyday, day and night. She begin to wonder if Li Cheung feels like she does or he just simply like her as a person.
In the afternoon, she travels to the Prince mansion to meet Consort Wu. The ladies have a lot to catch up with. Li Xing is also delighted to see his mother in the mansion. He agree to leave the ladies room to talk while he run off to join his brothers in study.
"How are you lately Consort Wu?" Banou ask as they walk around the garden.
"I am still well enough. Princess Ban Nu ..."
"Mistress, please call me Ban Nu like how you know me. I am still the same person."
Consort Wu smile and pour the tea into the cups. Banou watch her with care.
" I am here because of my engagement and Li Jun is not accepting this."
"Yes that stubborn man... He is getting drunk at night and not going to work. Only today he got up and told me that he is going to work. He even goes to the gardener to ak him to cut some nice roses."
Banou feels bad at this point.
"Could you spend more time with him and advise him. He listens to you. It is better for him to move on..."
"Ban Nu, you know him as much as i know him. Nothing can make him change his mind. There is ... nothing we can do right now. He is the one who can open the knot in his heart."
The ladies continue to sit and talk about other things. Banou return to the mansion with a heavy heart. She goes into her room and pray to god asking for peace in her heart for she doesn't want to hurt LI Jun. Hopefully he can understand.
Everyday, Li Jun will turn up at the main door with flowers. Everyday she accept with her heavy heart. One day, he did not turn up. Banou wait at the main door for some time till she sent Aylin to check if he is fine. Aylin goes off and return with news that Prince Jun and Consort Wu had left last night to AnPeng county. They left in a hurry after receiving a letter from Duke of AnPeng. The children are left behind in care of Lady Cui and Lady Lin. Banou hopes it is nothing serious happen to Li Kang in AnPeng.
A month later, the painter from Rome comes into the capital with the Persian soldiers. He is treated like a celebrity that every noble man wants to know him. Communication is not easy as no one specks Latin except Banou. She have master the language since as a young girl. She is the one who is curious and wants to know everything. There are scholars who come from Rome when she was growing up in the palace, her father did not stop her to learn and ask questions. When they see each other after twenty years. she smile to see the old master standing in front of her. They talk and laugh. Demir who only know a few words try to keep up with the conversation but in the end, he gives up and smile to show he respect the master painter whom the great Sultan had engaged to be a royal painter.
"Princess Banou, you have grow up well."
"Thank you master. I am sure you heard of my stories."
"Yes it is indeed unfortunate and it's also a blessing. You get to travel far and see more things than others."
"Yes a blessing in disguise and i thank god for it."
From behind him, she sees a man that she thought that she will never see again. His deep set eyes stare at her without emotion. Banou suddenly dislike his gaze when so long ago she thought that he has the most beautiful eyes. Now she knows that she is wrong to think so. However why is he here?
"Princess Banou, i haven't congratulated you on your engagement! This time, it won't be a mistake am i right?"
"Yes old master Janus."
"Where is the groom?"
"He is not here. He doesn't live here."
They continue to talk over dinner. The night ended when the guards escorted the old master to his private room. She walks with Aylin to the woman living quarter.
"Princess Banou." She stop walking in front of her is Ahmet. Her eyes dart to the side and Aylin stands in front of Banou.
"You can't...!"
"I want to talk to you. I know you are angry with me but..."
"Princess Banou doesn't want to talk to you! Get out of the way!"
He grab Aylin by the throat which shock Banou she scream for him to get off. The noise catch the attention of Demir. He rush to the site of the commotions. He stare at Ahmet. "What are you doing here?"
"I am just patrolling the area my lord."
"Then why is Princess Banou screaming?!"
"I..."
"Sir Demir, please i am tired. I wish to return to my room."
"Oh yes, please proceed my princess. I will deal with the problem at hand here."
Demir bow and watch Banou and Aylin walk towards their room. He stare sharply at Ahmet.