Fox and wolf (III)

Banou wakes up as usual but she have a shock to find Halil standing at the bed end looking at her. 

"Why..Why are you here?"

"Good morning Princess Banou. The Sultan actually awake. He ask me to check if you are awake and if you are going to prepare breakfast, for him."

She nod her head and pull up the blanket to cover her chest. He bow and leave the room. The maids come inside the bedroom. She remind them not to allow any others into her residence without her knowing. 

Banou hurry to the royal kitchen and start preparing breakfast. She make simple congee with fish and Chinese peanuts. She add a bit of sesame oil to give it a fragrant smell. She made another bowl for Halil, knowing that he wakes up earlier than the Sultan to make sure everything goes smoothly for the day. Halil appear at the royal kitchen and offer to take the tray. Instead Banou give him a bowl of congee and ask him to finish it before looking for the Sultan. Halil hold the bowl of congee and look at the Princess and look at the bowl. He smile to show his dimples. As Banou walks out of the kitchen with a servant, she see that Halil is sitting down having his bowl of congee and she see that he is smiling as he eats. Besides making breakfast for the Sultan and Hall, she have two bowls for Arya and Darius. They are delighted to received it from the maids in the dining hall. They remember that they used to eat it every morning in Tang with the twins. A simple food with great memories for them. 

Banou spend more time with her father in their daily lives. She even enter his office and help with the submitted papers from various department that need his approval. Usually Halil will be reading the documents for the Sultan to hear and await for his approval. Now Banou is doing his job while Halil is running around to get medicine for the Sultan. Even if Banou did not like the boring job but she is not complaining as entering the office, she can see the portraits of her husband and her two sons. It ease the pain of not seeing them. Looking at the portraits makes she feels better. Looking at them, it seems like they are all here with her. 

One night after dinner with the diplomats from Greek. The Sultan is happy with the situation that is offer to end the hostile frenemy. A trade can be open up for both countries and economics will bloom for all. This is what Persia is looking for to open trades from west to east. Besides that they are seeking to have more peaceful times according to the Islamic laws. Banou is watching over her father who is drinking merrily with the diplomats. They bought wine from Greek which is rich and stronger.In turn the best Aragh is bought out from the cellar to serve to the guests. The night goes on and one of the diplomats who is looking at Banou with interest. Banou who can understand Greek try to pretend she did not understand what he said and attempt to leave. Halil seeing this stop the drunkard man and allow Banou to walk away. In this case they friendship of the two countries can be maintain without a fight. Halil drink the night away while doing his duty as a courtier to the Sultan. Banou who is hiding in behind the other yard watch her father still drinking and Halil is half drunk with redness. She whisper to her maid to get the male servants to standby till the guest leaves and the Sultan must be carry back in his Sedan chair in the palace. 

Banou follows the Sedan chair that carries her father back to the bedroom. He is place on his bed carefully. His walking cane is place at the usually spot for him to reach when wake in the morning. Usually Halil will stay up in the night to watch over him but tonite since he is drunk, Banou instruct another male servant to take turn watch over the Sultan. She walk out to see a drunk Halil sitting on the stone chair staring at the floor. Another set of male servants hurry to pick him up and send him to his bedroom. While Banou returns back to her own boudoir and rest for the night. While sleeping she turn to the other side of the bed to find a warm body beside her. Without thinking, she assume is her husband and hug him. After awhile, her sense comes back to her. Her husband's muscular arm and chest is gone! He smells different too. A sense of panic starts to build up in her. She try to move but the person have lock her body down with his long legs. She try to push him away but he is strong. 

"Don't move. Stay still."

She stop struggling. She recognise that voice. How did he! What dare he!