When I return just before sunrise I find Maa sleeping peacefully. Tired as I am, I fall asleep beside her after Fajr salah.

Maa's caressing is what wakes me up.

"Sweetheart, where were you all night?" she asks, as soon as I open my eyes.

"In the palace" I reply.

A scared look crosses her face.

"You are a girl, Sa'eed. Your work is within the four walls of the house. You are supposed to be protected, loved and cared for. Running about in the night and using weapons is not for you".

"Maa..." I said, getting out of bed and tying my long black hair into a bun. "I am a special girl, I am loved and cared for as a girl should be. I do my work within the four walls and also the work outside the four walls".

"And break my heart with worry" she said, clutching her chest.

I sit beside her and place my hand over her cheek. "Maa, you grieve for Abbuji everyday, even though it's been 6 years I can still see the pain in your eyes whenever his name is mentioned. It's the same with me. Do you know why he died Maa? He had to give up his life because he was working to save the Shehenshah's life. He was trying to uncover truths and expose the evil. The only way I can make him proud now is by completing what he started. I know you are worried about me. But I have to do this, because if I don't I will regret it every second I live after that. You need to be strong Maa and trust me enough to let me do this."

"But why you? Why can't you leave it on someone else? I want you to have a simple and happy life like every other girl".

"Maa, just imagine what would have happened if all the world's great leaders would have thought why me? Things they have created just wouldn't exist! You need to be the change you want to see. And why would I want a life like every simple girl when this is one is a hundred times better? I have a dream that pushes me forward everyday, a mission to complete which is much better than just cooking at home. Believe me Maa, I am living the life I want and I am loving it".

She nods with a sigh and falls back on the bed knowing nothing can change my mind.

After I am done with my homely responsibilities I leave the house to meet Chachu. I am bursting to tell him everything that had occurred and take his advice.

The Shahi bazaar (market) in the capital city is a very busy place. From simple requirements to the most bizarre demands, the Shahi bazaar has it all. It is so huge that a stranger to the city will not be able to make it to the main road without directions. Each section of the bazaar has its special wares and all of these sections are intermingled with each other resembling a rat's nest. One leads to the other in a fascinating continuity. There is a grocery section where more than 30 stalls are lined up selling fruits, vegetables and grains. Farmers from all over the kingdom sell 50% of their produce to these merchants. Next to the grocery section is the animal market which sells cattle, followed by the hardware, flower, garments, jewellery, sandals and a bakery section. In the end came the slave market. Right in between the bazaar was a long flag post on which waved the kingdom's flag.

I briskly walk down the streets making my way among the unusually empty streets owing to the Shehenshah's death. Business will be low this week. I turn at the corner of the street and see a group of kids eating candies and standing aloof from them is another kid, very shabby in appearance looking longingly at the candies. I move to the stall by the road and buy a few candies, walk over to the unfortunate boy and hand him the candies. He looks at me bewildered and stutters.

"I... I.. can't pay for them ukhti (sister)"

"You don't have to pay for them akhi (brother), they are a gift".

A huge smile lights up his face as he looks at me with grateful eyes. I place the candies in his hand and quickly walk away before he can thank me. It wasn't thanks I was looking for, I was looking for a compensation much greater from someone much higher, Allah, the Lord of the worlds. And I just love making the day of a random person like that. It gives me a warm feeling in my chest.

I finally reach the slave market and make my way to the store where Ali is kept. I find Chachu waiting for me.

"Assalamualaikum warahmathullah wabarakatuh" I greet him.

"Walaikumassalam warahmathullah wabarakatuh my child. I can't wait to hear from you. Spill the beans", he says, pulling a stool towards him and indicating me to take a seat.

I sit in front of them just a modest Muslimah should, with a veil on my face and narrate to him in detail the events of last night. He looks pleased when I am done.

"You have done better than I expected child, Allah has blessed you with a sharp brain. Even I couldn't have come up with the idea of placing the Shehzada in the servant quarters".

"Living there among the servants will not only protect his life Chachu but also teach him humility. Away from the luxury he will learn to bend. Staying hungry the whole day and eating only when I take him food will teach him control. In short this is also a fool proof method of teaching him discipline. Its what Hazrathji would have advised to a student looking for inner peace. It's the path to reach Allah. It's the path that starts with training the physical. Only when a man has trained his physical being can he make an effort to train the spiritual".

"Hazrath Fakhruddin Mulla has taught you well", he says with open admiration.

"And that is why education shouldn't be restricted to men, women can benefit more and training women ensures training of the whole family for a mothers lap is the child's first school".

"Well..." he says with a lot of thought, "I don't think men can digest it when women speak as intelligently as you do. It's a question of prestige for them".

"Only men who are illiterate would take it on their ego. A well educated and sensible man would appreciate it. Our Prophet (Peace be upon him) considered the education of women a necessity. He made it a point to appoint one day of the week especially for the learning of women for he knew its the educated women that helped a society progress and civilize".

"SubhanAllah!" exclaimed Ali as he entered the room hearing our conversation. "Just hear her talk, she is fit to be a Malika herself" he said, addressing Chachu.

"Aah, she will make a fine Malika" said Chachu winking at Ali.

"I have no such intentions" I declare, "once I am satisfied that the Shehzada is worthy of taking reins in his own hands and Mir Jafar has received his due I will back off".

"So, how is this Shehzada like?" asks Ali curious to know more about his would be master.

"Pretty good if you get past the crazy rages and lack of instinct part" I say. "He needs grooming, lots of it, that's true. But, its the dust that has accumulated on top that needs to be polished. Fortunately the core is pure".

Ali nods getting my point. "We will get along well then", he says.

Ali had been under training for 3 years. Chachu had bought him from an Arab merchant. I looked like a tiny being in front of his huge frame. He easily lifted 400 kg at once and ate 9 kg worth grains in a day. His face was scarred at the jaw. He was around the age of 25 and rarely smiled. His muscular body barely hidden in the sleeveless open cloak with a dagger tightened at his waist with a cord made him look all the more foreboding. Perfect for the Shehzada.

"Sa'eed", Chachu says, addressing me with the name my father used for he knew it made me feel special. "You need to be careful child, it won't be long before Mir Jafar realizes something's amiss. Your life is in as much danger as the Shehzada's".

"I know. What do you propose I do next?" I ask.

"Teach Shehzada politics and the methods of running a kingdom. Find ways to spy on Mir Jafar. I have recruited my own spy but I need you to gather information as well. Keep gaining Shehzada's confidence and do not reveal anything about yourself yet".

"Don't you think we need to protect Shehzada Firoz Shah as well?" I ask.

"He is still a child and Mir Jafar will not want two murders in succession. He will wait for years before attacking Shehzada Firoz for he is still a minor and incapable of ascending the throne" replies Chachu. "Ali, prepare yourself. Shehzada will be here soon and tell Amin to get ready as well".

Amin was the actual owner of the store who would be selling Ali to the Shehzada for us. Seeing that everything is in place I turn to leave before the Shehzada arrived.

"Sa'eed" Chachu stops me. "Remember the hadith that says, when a man and woman meet in solitude, Shaytan is the third".

His single sentence spoke volumes. Of course I knew that hadith and also knew that Shaytan tried to influence the hearts of a male and female meeting in solitude so that they give in to desires and commit sins. I knew better than to take our rendezvous to an emotional level. It was strictly professional and in a few months I will be walking away from the Shehzada forever.

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Authors Note:

I apologize to all my dear readers who eagerly wait for the next chapter for the delay. I get caught up with my college and studies. Please bare with me and I promise you won't regret it (:

Jazakumullahu khair for your votes, love and support ♡♥♡