20: A New Beginning

Prince Namir 

"... If you tell me to die i gladly will."

She halted me from checking her out. She was dressed in rose-red gown and her black shiny hair cascade down her shoulders in loose curls and there's this golden head chains i could sell the whole North to buy thousands of designs for her adorning her hair.

Her eyes were down the whole time, but she unexpectedly lift her head and look into my eyes for the first time making me feel something I've never felt.

"You helped me when no one else did. You were there for me when no one else was. You were the reason i was saved from misery overnight and got to enjoy care from your sister and love from your niece and nephew. 

This two weeks is enough for me for lifetime, even if you're whom i thought you were, even if you'll end me with your hands, I'll follow you and serve you my prince! ".

Did my heart just itch? Could Farah really talk this much? Did i made a mistake of considering this woman? 

I really don't want her to be my weakness.

I cleared my throat after another 10 seconds of silence "Umm.. right. We'll leave tomorrow morning then since that's what you have decided"

I don't know if she expects me to thank her.

"Yes my prince" 

"Won't you just stop being formal with me?" I don't know why but it's really annoying me.

And she just kept silent, That's what she's best at.

I want to stay a little longer and ask her some questions as well as tell her about the people living in the kingdom but the sweet rosette fragrance coming from her is threatening to steal my sanity so without excusing myself or anything i just stood and left.

Funny thing her new image stole my sleep. I thought i could only lose sleep during wars but not even when the kingdom is burning to ashes, however this teenage lady has succeeded in proving me wrong for like the 3rd time now.

And since i won't get my sleep, no one else will.

"Faris!!" The guard stood in front of me in a minute as well as his minions holding lit lamps.

"Get my training uniform, we're duelling"

His sleepy eyes widened "What? It's the middle of the night my prince "

"So you won't train anytime i instruct you to? Do you think we're not at risk of getting into war tomorrow?" 

For the hundredth time Faris wished Suleiman was here on this trip to handle me his stubborn way.

"We'll prepare for it my prince" Faris simply agreed. 

And in the next minutes the loud sound of metal hitting each other got everyone out of their respective chambers.

"Is something wrong My prince?" Yah Aziza's husband asked.

I put down my sword panting, my eyes on Farah who looked beautifully startled in her plain white silk clothes.

_how dare you steal my sleep and sleep peacefully yourself?_ i smirked.

"Nothing, just a prince usual night routine. 

Ukhti please help Farah boil me a cup of milk" i said to yah Aziza who was busy glaring at me.

"Boil you a cup of milk at exactly midnight? I swear if you keep this up I'll not let her leave with you"

I scoffed "you're threatening the Prince?" 

"Okay Mr Prince Try me and see" she drag Farah back to her chamber and i could see the girl was willing to do as i asked but Aziza is making a wife disobeys her husband's first command.

I wanted to continue duelling untill morning but i found myself being considerate of Farah, from the little i learned about her,this little prank could steal her peace and she's not going to get any after tomorrow.

I dropped my sword to the ground "Let's retire and go to bed"

.....

"The carriage has arrived, everything is ready" Faris announced.

"The weapons?" 

"We hid it amongst things the palace guards won't dare to search. The wedding gift are also in perfect condition". I put the last dagger inside my leather boot then straighten my figure.

"What about Farah?"

"She's also there with your sister"

"Well done Faris." I know he put up a lot with me. 

When we reach the troop. Farah stood by carriage door and Yah Aziza was holding her hands.

"The only survival tip is to follow whatever the prince says and leave what he doesn't like. Don't make friends in the kingdom everyone there is a foe even if they seemed friendly. 

And lastly,

Take good care of our mother please. And send my regards to her"  her eyes was filled with tears while farah and Jasrah and Amru were already crying .

I use the opportunity to hand Aziza a bag of gold coins.

She glared at me despite her teary eyes. "1000 coins only for giving you my angel?"

"Don't be greedy ukhti, you could buy a whole house with this amount".

"What i have packaged in this woman is worth more than a castle"

I shook my head in despair and hand her another bag. 

She finally smiled "if you like what perceived yesterday add a little something and I'll make sure she always smells like that for you"

"If you want more money just say it and I'll give it to you" i threw her another bag. I can't deny that i want more of Farah's scent.

She handed them to her maids because it's heavy. "If I had said that I'm sure you wouldn't!"

Transaction is transaction nonetheless but she's happy that she's now worth an amount she can't imagine, even though Yah Aziza isn't trying to sell her or anything.

"I'll follow you aunty Rooh" Jasrah clung unto her.

"Your uncle can't take two wives together habibti" her mother tried to convince her.

"No I'm not following him, i want to go with my aunty"

They hardly convinced her and seated Farah inside the carriage. I entered the other side, Faris whip the horses pulling the carriage to make them start moving and we departed followed by the troop.

We reached the capital gate almost at the break of dawn. Farah has cuddled herself to sleep on her seat while i couldn't sleep an inch because of her scent that's driving me crazy. 

All i want now is to snip it closer.

She woke up to the sound of the kingdom drums announcing the return of the prince.

"Welcome to my home and your new home. A place where the lives of millions of people is being decided, welcome to a bittersweet life Farah and i apologise since before it began. I'm sorry Farah".

A bead of sweat formed at her forehead and she swallowed. 

"Your only weapon here is silence. Whatever someone will say or ask don't utter a single word untill i ask you to. your words could kill you here".

I don't want to see her trembling because i didn't enjoy it when i beheaded those assassins so i look away untill we came to a halt in front of my quaters.

I step down first and offered my hand to her, she hesitated but took it anyway.

She excuse herself to say some dua before putting her right foot forward followed by the left one. And i assigned my servants to bath her and get her ready in the best dress possible before the sun rise in the sky because i have a plan to execute since i know there's no way the king is accepting her this easily.

......

"I got the news of the prince return this morning, hope he's attending the morning assembly" the king threw the obvious question at Faris.

He was about to answer when the palace doors swung open.

And i entered dressed in my usual prince attire but this time holding the hand of my wife wearing matching color as she tries to match her short steps with my long strides....

~•~•~•~•~•~•~

*Saliha Ahmad Na'ibi 💖*