(8)

"If Allah wills, I wish to marry your beloved daughter, Inaya Al-Amir",

As soon as the words slipped passed the prince's lips, the eldest of the two had a surprised glint in his features. Hamad had no knowledge why would a trader from a different land would wish to marry his daughter. He did not even know the man personally to offer an expected response.

"I-", Hamad heaved out a sigh before speaking, "I do not know what to say of this sudden proposal. We are practically strangers apart from the fact we had a business deal.. I am but a father after all", he expressed his concern honestly.

Shahzaib offered a small smile, understanding his words clearly. But before he could speak, an annoyed Sahir interrupted the conversation.

"Do you have any idea to whom you are speaking with, Sir Hamad",

The elder man frowned at the arrogant tone of the other young man but remained quite.

"Brother-",

"No one can disrespect you, at least not in my presence", he said to the disguised Prince.

"With all due respect you should be elated rather than rejecting the proposal without any knowledge of who the groom is", he continued to speak.

Shahzaib visibly exhaled at the offending words, he could not  blame the either of them for Sahir was defending his Crowned Prince and Hamad was protecting his daughter without knowing who the man standing infront of him was.

"I do not care even if you both are of nobility.. For me my daughters well being is most important. And you have the audacity to speak with me in such a way... I would much appreciate it you both leave my estate right away", came a furious retort  from the elder.

"Sahir", Shahzaib's thundering voice forced the aforementioned to stop his next sentence.

"My apologies", he stepped back reluctantly.

"Sir.. Please excuse my companion for his unthoughtful words.. But I would like to request for a private meeting with you to disclose my true identity", Shahzaib spoke which had the elder to frown.

"What do you mean?",

"I cannot tell  you anything here for numerous ears are around us, please for once", Shahzaib was almost desperate, he did not want to let this chance to slip out of his hands before it was too late.

"Why should I trust you?", Hamad enquired.

"I believe this shall convince you", Shahzaib took out a gold coin with the first letter of the kingdom engraved on a sparkling blue stone attached to it, which Hamad could recognize without a doubt. He stared at the coin in utter surprise before gazing up at the young man. It was a royal seal which no citizens could own other than the royal family.

"Who are you?", his voice was filled with amusement and bewilderment.

"I need a discreet place to speak with you..", Shahzaib muttered.

"Very well then, I shall invite you to dine with me tonight", Hamad said still quite surprised.

"I will be honored", Shahzaib said without an ounce of arrogance in his voice.

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"Why are you not telling me who the guests are?", Sarah enquired for the ninetieth time, yes, Inaya counted who was settled with her parents in their sitting room for evening tea they always had after Hamad return from work.

Heaving out a breath, Hamad muttered the same reply,

"I do not know.. It's the same traders from earlier, that is all I know, no amount of queries can change my answer, Sarah".

"Wallahi! I am just curious, why are you getting agitated?", she huffed before sipping her tea. Hamad exchanged a glance with Inaya who shrugged with a smirk, knowing her mother was annoyed and she did not want to be at the receiving end. Hamad gave a betrayed look at her who somehow managed to stifled her laughter.

"We will know when they arrive. I expect the meal to be extraordinary-",

"That is what I asked the cook to prepare", she cut him short in the middle, a clear indication she was still very upset.

Shaking his head, Hamad turned his attention to his daughter,

"Inaya, I wish for you to have your supper in your bedroom tonight", he stated not wanting her to encounter unknown men, who also happened to ask her hand in marriage.

"Alright, papa", she agreed without any further argument.

They involved themselves in normal conversation, eventually and did not notice when it was already time to prepare the guest's arrival.

Hamad and Sarah changed into formal clothes and checked everything the chef prepared for the last time.

"Sir, the guests have arrived", a butler announced gesturing towards the three men stood by the entrance of the sitting room.

"Welcome to my humble abode, Gentlemen", he gave a tight smile before shaking their hands. He introduced Sarah and they all settled down, as the server present refreshment to everyone.

They all waited for the server to leave and close the door behind to provide privacy.

"I believe you are curious to know, who am I?", Shahzaib started when Hamad was just silently observing them.

"Certainly",

"My name is not Elias khan neither am I a trader", the prince stated which had Hamad to frown.

"Crowned Prince Shahzaib Al-Qadri, that is who I am", he said confidently. Hamad was shock would be an understatement. He did not know what to expect nevertheless, he did not expect this.

He recalled the royal seal, he saw earlier and everything was falling in their place.

"W-what", came a surprised whisper from Sarah.

"Which means, if you agree to the proposal, Inaya Al-Amir would be the Crowned Princess of Azura Empire", Sahir smirked at his own remark.

Hamad exhaled and placed his glass on the side table before straightening his posture. Everyone waited patiently for his response.

"I.. I do not know what to say", Hamad started, he knew, it was an once in a life time situation, no man with a sane mind would not want to accept such extraordinary proposal for their daughter, but Hamad was different.

He did not wish to mingle with the royals and had always maintained his distance in order to protect something very precious to him. He knew the chances were low for the truth to surface, regardless he did not want to take any kind of risk.

"We are no Nobel", Hamad chose to say.

"It does not matter to me", Shahzaib replied borderline strictly. Hamad heard rumors regarding how humble the prince was, thus it wasn't a surprise to him.

"It might not matter to you but what about the Emperor? Would  he accept your decision to wed a merchant's daughter?", Hamad still pressed the most convincing reason that he could come across.

"All my father and mother ever wish is for me to be happy and I believe I shall be happy to have Inaya Al-Amir as my spouse", the prince reasoned patiently.

Hamad shook his head, he could not just agree, a familiar threatening fear caging his heart. Sarah placed her warm palm on Hamad's hand and gave a reassuring squeeze as if she understood what was he thinking.

Hamad noticed how the crowned prince stopped his companion to speak. He knew, it was generous of the prince to even give him the choice to think and response, for royals never requests, rather demand for their desirable wish. If the Prince decide to send an official statement with the Royal seal, he could do nothing but to agree to the proposal.

"You do not have to respond such early. Take your time, discuss with your daughter, for her consent is important to me.

But I wish for you to know, I will protect your daughter with my last breath, I will burn down every threat directed to her, give her every ounce of happiness that she deserves, I will make certain that each and every soul give her the similar respect as they give me.

I would like to be honest, my heart is not mine any longer, and now it is now upon you to decide", the prince offered a small smile.

Hamad's heart was heavy, what else could a father wish for their daughter. All he ever prayed for Inaya to have a righteous, kind and loving spouse who would give the world to her.

"Grant me some time", he finally muttered which made the prince happy, considering Hamad did not straightaway reject the proposal.

"Certainly.. I shall wait for your response",

___________

Unknown to everyone, a pair of ear heard ever word spoken by the Crowned prince which had her eyes to shine with overwhelming tears. Inaya felt the raw emotions in the deep husky voice that she could never forget. Her father need not had to convinced nor ask for her consent for she already knew her answer.

Nevertheless, she returned back to her bed chamber and performed ablution before standing on the prayer mat, in front of her Creator. She performed Istikhara, again and raised her hands to ask the Almighty for guidance.

"Yah Rabbi! The most merciful, king of kings, the provider of all being, the protector of his creation. You have always been merciful towards me for which I am immensely grateful.

Your servant is here, yet again, asking for guidance, for my heart is beating for one of your servant. I do not know what is right or wrong for me, for you have always made that decision on my behalf which only brought me contentment.

My life is at a moment where I am in need of your mercy. Please, Yah rabbi! Bless me with what is right for me and I shall accept it as your decree",

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