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Hafez gave an hearty laugh as Amir narrated what had transpired between Omeed and Afsoon back to him. Even the eunuchs around grinned non too discreetly hearing Amir's exaggerated words.
For most, it would be the first and probably the last time they would hear the young king let go of all his inhibitions.
"You seem very pleased, your majesty." Amir gave Hafez a sceptical look. Amir wasn't sure what pleased Hafez most. If it were the fact that Omeed could defend herself or her putting Afsoon where he thought she belonged.
"Obviously, I now know I wouldn't have to worry myself with her safety as far as the women are concerned." Hafez's lips twitched as he tried suppressing his infectious smile. "All I have to do is worry about the ministers and citizens."
"But your majesty, do you think it's a good idea for lady Omeed to go up against consort Afsoon at this point?" A feeling of foreboding settling at the pit of his stomach. Amir feared for Omeed's safety given she hadn't moved into the harem yet. "I just worry the former prime minister and his cronies might retaliate if pushed."
"Right now they don't see Omeed as a threat. And their goal is still far from their reach." All traces of playfulness gone as Hafez's eyes turned cold his once relaxed demeanour gone. "I will kill every male in each clan if anyone hurts my Omeed." Hafez finished without batting an eyelid.
"It is time for your training." Amir reminded Hafez who sneaks off to secretly practice with his sword everyday. "Will you be training today your majesty?"
"When does she get back?" Hafez responded ignoring Amir's question. He had heard Amir loud and clear, he just had Omeed on his mind. "I miss her already." He complained to Amir who didn't have a response to Hafez's dilemma.
"Let's go!" Ordered a moody Hafez as he made move to change out of his robe. "Perhaps some training would relax my wandering mind." He says as an afterthought with Amir following closely behind him.
As Omeed walked into her courtyard her servants all rushed out to greet her. They spoke excitedly wanting to know if what they heard was true. The female servants couldn't wait to prepare for the impending nikah.
"Relax everyone." She pleads but the servants couldn't contain their excitement. Some even went as far as calling a queen even though she wasn't crowned. But Omeed had quickly admonished them stating it was a crime to do so.
"My lady, there's someone here to see you." Announced Omeed's butler. "Should I invite him inside my lady?" He asked a stunned Feriha as everyone but Omeed and Zoya returned to their various duties.
"What did he say his name was?" Omeed asked curiously. They've never had a male guest so this had her interest piqued.
"Lord Farzan my lady." He replies with a bowed head so he didn't see the three different reactions that name had evoked. Zoya had scowled as Feriha smiled happily with Omeed looking worried for Feriha.
"Lord Farzan? What could he want?" Asked a perplexed Feriha. As exciting as the prospect of seeing Farzan was, she had not been expecting him.
"Send him inside immediately!" Omeed ordered the servant who took off at once to do what Omeed had asked of him. "Do you know why he's here Feriha?" She asks smoothly but Feriha could only shake her head saying she didn't.
"Zoya set the kettle on and fetch some refreshments please." Ordered Omeed as herself and Feriha made themselves comfortable.
"Right away my lady." Zoya replied disappearing down an hallway as the other ladies awaited Farzan's appearance.
Farzan took in the lavish estate as he awaited the return of the household butler. He thought back to his surprise at the palace when he had seen Feriha. Before then, his father had literally had to drag him along upon his arrival that morning.
He had tried getting out of it stating he required a much needed rest. But his father had been adamant. Looking back he was pleased his father had forced him else he wouldn't have seen his lady Feriha. How happy he had been to know she had kept her word and had come to Isfahan.
The chattering of the royal guards present caught his attention. Ten in total he counted. "His majesty must have really been enchanted by her." He thought with spite remembering how beautiful Omeed had looked when her veil came off. As a man, he was momentarily shaken.
When they had returned to his estate, his father rued not killing Omeed years ago. Or forcefully making her Farzan's bride. "I will have her eliminated." His father had said. Farzan didn't want bloodshed, especially after he found out his father had been responsible for the death of the previous king.
For some unknown reason he feels protective towards Omeed. Wether it was due to his guilt or due to her relationship with the only woman he has ever loved. All Farzan knew was that he would shield them at the cost of his life. He was a far cry from the young man he once was.
"This way my lord." The butler brought him out of his silent reverie as he was led inside.
"Lord Farzan, to what do we owe this pleasure?" Feriha bowed acknowledging him.
"My ladies." He responded giving a deep bow to Omeed. "Excuse me for stopping by without prior warning." He apologises as Omeed gestured for him to take a seat.
"It is alright my lord." Feriha smiled shyly.
"I was hoping lady Feriha wouldn't mind accompanying me for a stroll today." Farzan blushed. Omeed's presence was a little too overwhelming. Knowing she knew his once upon a time when he was the biggest ruffian on the streets of Isfahan. He prayed she didn't speak a word of his past to Feriha.
"I would be delighted to." Feriha replied once she saw Omeed give her the nod to go ahead. She had wanted to refuse citing she had prior engagement with Omeed. Which wasn't a complete lie since they were meant to discuss Omeed's nikah.
Just then Zoya walked in with refreshments and tea. "Zoya I will need you to help me deliver an urgent missive to my uncle's estate." Omeed spoke to Zoya cautiously. She was careful of her words around Farzan.
"Feriha, don't forget to take a chaperone with you." Omeed stated excusing herself. She wanted them to reacquaint themselves without her prying eyes. Although Feriha couldn't take Zoya, there were other female servants she could take with her.
"I don't see lord Ahmed around." Farzan states looking at the home interiors.
"He didn't return with us." Farzan nodded as Feriha lied smoothly. "So how was business in Turkey?" She asked him trying to steer away from discussing Ahmed.
"My lady It was going great, before returning to Isfahan. I had to learn all over again from scratch, with you as my motivator." His words warmed Feriha's heart greatly. If she was going to start a family of her own, she wanted it with Farzan.
"You flatter me, my lord." Replied a blushing Feriha. "How long are you here for?" She asked him referring to when he has to return to Turkey.
"I am here to stay. My home is wherever you are my lady." Feriha stared at him with pride. Farzan has matured a lot and was polar opposite of the man he used to be. He was no longer that dumb man Feriha had met in Turkey. Everything about him was different except his love to Feriha.
"Excuse me while I change my clothes and get a chaperone." She stated standing abruptly. "I will be back shortly." Farzan nodded as she withdrew from his presence. He was hoping to get a commitment out of Feriha before the end of the day. Only then will he make his intentions known to his father.
Ali wants Farzan to join in his power struggle against the royal family. Although Farzan doesn't want to have anything to do with it, his only other option would be to leave Isfahan for good and never return. His father had hinted he needed Farzan's support the night before.
His father wanted a bloody battle and has no qualms in forcing Farzan to join his suicidal crusade. One that will cause the death of clan members. Too bad his father is blinded with greed to see things for what they truly are.
Farzan has kept a close watch of Isfahan while he was in Turkey. He knew this king though young, was lethal in his dealings and won't hesitate to make a clean sweep of his enemies if he deemed the situation fit.
"Shall we?" Asked Feriha bringing Farzan out of his thoughts. She had returned with a young servant girl only to find Farzan deep in thoughts.
"When does Ahmed come to Isfahan?" He asked Feriha who simple shrugged her shoulders.
"You know lord Ahmed doesn't really tell us much. He likes to keep his travel plans to himself."
"Would have been nice to have him around right now." Farzan murmured. "Lord Ahmed always kept away from politics. How nice it would have been to hear his take on the present situation." He thought quietly grabbing his furry cloak.
Omeed, Zoya and a few female staff talked about her bridal trousseau enthusiastically. The dressmakers finally settled for several choices after an hour of arguing. "You will be the most beautiful bride anyone has ever laid their eyes on my lady."
"I agree with Zoya my lady." Says one of the dressmaker who sighed with a soft smile on her face.
"We will make you several clothes. In a harem full of beautiful women, you will need to look your best." A servant advises Omeed who seemed aghast at the idea of playing dress up daily. "My lady, you have to keep your husband captivated at all times."
Omeed blushed caking the ladies giggle. "My lady, you already learnt the art of seduction long ago from Feriha. Now all you need to do is look good." Zoya reminded Omeed who didn't fail to see the shocked expression on the faces of her servants.
"I am sorry my lady." She apologised quickly knowing she has let out something she shouldn't have.
"It's alright Zoya, as long as no one hears about it." Omeed looked at her maids who quickly nodded in understanding. "Where is Atash?" She asked changing the topic of discussion.
"Atash has not returned since last night my lady." Replied a servant to Omeed's query.
Omeed fumed knowing it probably meant he hadn't gone to the shops. She was going to have to deal with him once and for all. She needed to be cruel to be kind. Even if it means Atash hating her. Boundaries needed to be firmly set in place. Atash have so far over stepped his.
"Atash just about tore down the house last night in a fit of rage my lady." Added a maid as Zoya frowned knowing this wasn't going to end well for Atash. The servants were now suspicious of Atash's behaviour after last night.
"Nothing was destroyed my lady." Zoya tried soothing Omeed whose nostrils flared continuously. "My lady, you are well aware how protective Atash gets of us since we were children. He was just worried something had happened to you and he wasn't there to protect you."
Omeed noticed Zoya's eyes on the servants as she spoke. She could see Zoya was having a hard time with words due to their presence.
Zoya knew Atash was now courting death. If Omeed doesn't kill him, the law will for casting his eyes on the king's woman. And he was a mere servant at that. She shook her head ridding herself of the image and thankful she wasn't crazily in love with him like she once was.
"I will deal with Atash later, I don't want to hear anymore of this!" Omeed ordered afraid a gossip like this would be detrimental for everyone involved. "This ends here!"
"Yes, my lady." They all stated at once exiting the room at the same time they were upset the otherwise scarce friendly atmosphere had been ruined by Atash.
"Zoya, deliver this as quickly as you can. It's a missive inviting my aunt for an audience at the palace." Omeed wanted to request the assistance of her female relatives for her nikah. She was certain her late parents would have wanted that.
For now she has opted for omitting she was an Hindu princess in case the ministers rejected her base on religious ground. She wanted to remain just Omeed the simple daughter of the late Nazir.
Author's note: I am deeply sorry I haven't updated as frequently as I would like.
This is a short update WRITTEN IN HASTE with a promise for a better one tomorrow.
Photo of Farzan on the side.