I carefully tied my mirror in a cloth and tucked it safely into my bag. As I followed the soldiers, my heart felt like it was caught between two worlds leaping with joy and trembling with fear. The idea of stepping into the palace for the first time and meeting the Sultana filled me with excitement. Yet, I couldn't shake off the uneasiness. Why had she summoned me? What had I done to deserve such an audience?
After what felt like an eternity, we arrived in front of the palace. It was a marvel of architecture a grand structure that looked like a massive golden box, crowned with a shimmering dome and flanked by towering minarets. The yellow stones of the palace gleamed in the sunlight, as if the entire edifice were carved from molten gold.
My gaze was drawn to the rooftop, where a group of young women stood, their colorful attire flowing in the breeze. One of them seemed to notice me and disappeared from view, as though she had been waiting for my arrival.
The soldiers stopped in the palace courtyard and turned to me. "This is as far as we go," one of them said. "We're not allowed beyond this point. You must go up to the roof on your own. The Sultana awaits you there. No man or soldier is permitted to enter further."
I nodded in gratitude and stepped forward, my heart pounding in my chest. Inside, the palace was unlike anything I had ever seen. Golden mosaics adorned the walls, and the soft glow of intricate lanterns illuminated every corner. Soldiers patrolled the halls, but to my surprise, they were all women.
One of the female guards gestured for me to follow. I climbed the grand staircase, my legs moving faster than my thoughts. Having grown up on the third floor of a modest home, I was used to climbing stairs, but this ascent felt different each step was a journey into the unknown.
Finally, I reached the rooftop. It was alive with chatter and laughter, a sea of women dressed in vibrant silks and adorned with sparkling jewels. As I entered, the crowd parted, their curious eyes fixed on me.
At the center of the gathering stood a familiar figure the elegant woman who had purchased a bird from my shop. She held the bird in her hand, but her face was still concealed by a mask. Despite the disguise, I recognized her instantly.
Her voice rang out, sharp and accusing. "You call yourself a merchant, but your bird refuses to fly! We've been trying since morning, and it won't lift off!"
I stepped forward, trying to maintain my composure. "That's impossible," I replied. "There's a technique to make it fly."
Before I could explain further, a voice like honey interrupted me. "And what is this technique, merchant?"
I turned to see a figure approaching a vision of grace and elegance. She walked with a poise that could only belong to royalty, her golden turban glinting in the sunlight. Her waist was slender, her movements as fluid as a peacock in its prime. A golden crown rested on her head, adorned with a dazzling diamond that caught the light with every step.
But it was her face or rather, what little of it I could see that captured me. A black mask concealed her features, but her lips, painted a deep red, peeked through. Her eyes, luminous and piercing, seemed to hold secrets of an entire universe.
"Will you teach me?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost playful.
For a moment, my voice failed me. I was so mesmerized by her presence that I could only nod.
Taking a deep breath, I tied the bird to a string and demonstrated the technique. With a gentle toss, the bird took flight, soaring gracefully into the sky.
The Sultana clapped her hands together, her laughter ringing out like music. "It's flying!" she exclaimed, her joy childlike and unrestrained.
I couldn't help but smile as I watched her delight. She turned to me, her eyes meeting mine. For a moment, it felt as though time had stopped. Her gaze was magnetic, drawing me in, making the world around us disappear.
Just then, a gust of wind swept across the rooftop, loosening her mask. Her hair cascaded down, framing a face that seemed carved from the moon itself. Her beauty was ethereal, almost otherworldly, and it struck me with such force that I forgot how to breathe.
She brushed her hair aside and looked at me with a smile that could ignite the stars. "What's wrong?" she asked, her tone teasing. "Will you just stand there staring, or do you have something to say?"
I stammered, "Forgive me, but I have never seen such a beautiful face before."
Her laughter was light, like the tinkling of bells. "You're not the first to say that," she replied. "But I've never seen myself properly. Not like this."
I hesitated, then reached into my bag. "I have a gift for you," I said, pulling out the mirror wrapped in cloth.
She took it from me and unwrapped it with care. As soon as she saw her reflection, her eyes widened in astonishment. "Is this… is this really me?"
The joy on her face was infectious. She turned to me, holding the mirror close. "You've given me a gift unlike any other," she said. "But tell me how did you trap water inside this frame?"
I smiled. "It's not water, Your Majesty. It's a mirror, something I crafted with my own hands."
Her expression shifted from awe to admiration. "You've created magic," she said softly. "This is no ordinary craft. You must possess knowledge beyond your years."
Before I could respond, she clasped my hand. "You must join me for a meal. Today, you are my honored guest."
The invitation left me speechless, but I managed to nod. "It would be my honor," I said.
Inside the palace, the feast was a spectacle of opulence. The dining hall was adorned with golden chandeliers, and the table was laden with dishes I couldn't even name. I dined with the Sultana and her main maid, both of whom treated me with warmth and curiosity.
After the meal, there was music and dance, the air filled with celebration. But as the night wore on, I knew it was time to leave.
"Your Majesty," I said, bowing low, "I must take my leave. My uncle will be worried if I don't return."
The Sultana's face fell, but she nodded. "If you must go, then go. But promise me you will return tomorrow."
"I promise," I said, though my heart was heavy.
As I descended the grand staircase, the Sultana's maid followed me. When we reached the courtyard, she grabbed my arm and leaned in close.
"Be careful," she whispered, her tone urgent.
I frowned. "Why? What do you mean?"
"The Sultana is in love with you," she said, her words chilling and enigmatic. "And that means your life is in danger."
I stared at her, stunned. "How do you know this?"
She smirked, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Idiot," she said. "Come tomorrow, and you'll find out