; 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆

a hardly threatening but audible gasp sounds in the air between them, the sultan gives the other a gentle yet playfully pointed look, one that a father might give their misbehaving toddler, leaning more against the bannister now out of purpose. "you would be brazen enough to defame the regent of persia in front of his people? for a mere drunken slip after the death of his husband?" he clicks his tongue, sucking in a breath. "i would not have thought the daughter of the emperor to have such a manner about her. though, i must admit, if your sister can put up with the atrocity in which my parents created when my elder brother took his first breath, perhaps i have greatly mistaken the character of all of you." "i...was under the impression that my guard would attend me this evening but much to my dismay, they retired early." the sultan squints in thought but his grin is goofy. "if i knew, would i ask you to aid me in finding them?" a memory finds itself in the back of his mind, the ache it would normally cause drowned out by alcohol; khan would lose his glasses often, a misery for a ruler who could hardly see and his husband with the attention span of a chipmunk - the palace would turn to chaos; they would argue in the hall of mirrors; he would scold him in a gentle and fond manner for not being cautious enough until they would realize that they had been in the library the entire time where their adventure had started. his smile falters for only a moment. they would never tire of laughing at it, their simple chuckles extending to the bedroom as the sun set still, as if it had happened minutes and not hours before. "perhaps, the key is to find your sister instead." he mumbles, take the extended arm.

“  it’s really late,  i assume you’re right and he must’ve retired already . ”  the sultan didn’t seem bothered about it so she wouldn’t worry about it too much as well.  however,  the thing she indeed had to worry about was to bring him to his chambers unharmed,  which turned out to be a difficult task considering her lack of strength and his lack of bodily control. “ my sister ? which one ? ” she turned to him,  both of her arms holding onto him tightly as she was too scared that he’d fall or perhaps walk against a wall. “ i mean they’re all smart but i’m not too sure how they could be of help ? unless one of them has a map of that place . ”

she looked down at the flower she had been drawing, " urgently ? whatever for ? " kai-ming asked curiously, " — but yes, of course, please take it ! if you need it, don't let me be in the way. again. "

“ that is very kind of you,  your highness. ”  she bowed slightly,  relief washing over her as she feared about possible expenses.  “ however,  i cannot take this favor without repaying you.  if there is anything you need,  please let me know.  and it seems as if you’re quite a skilled painter.  i might provide you with colors extracted from flowers,  as vibrant as this one. ”  mioara suggested,  hoping that the princess would accept her offer so the burden wouldn’t feel so heavy.  “  oh,  it’s not for me but for a friend.  this flower can be used to treat infections. at least that is what i’ve heard. ”  she muttered,  carefully plucking the flower and placing it into her small basket. “  thank you,  your highness but i’m not completely without conscious.  perhaps we could find something else for you to draw ? ”

now that the quiet and the buzz has faded, emine decides it would be best to go through their current notes and sketches in their mischevious, secret-filled little book. having found their fountain pen, somehow shoved beneath their pillow ( did she think she would begin to dream of espionage? ) , they take to the quietest, out-of-the-way corner still on the grounds, just in case something happens that they don't want to miss. and has he? emine stares at their notes about rostam, about — there are so many he's and names and details. frustrating to realise they had not managed to write it all down. ( it is the curse of being human. ) in their mind, someone would have to be searching for her if they stumbled upon her here. that is, of course, only in her mind. this is la qila, after all. "what on earth could all of this mean..." she trails off, flipping to the hand-drawn map, studying it. "where could the answers be hiding?" she intends on only talking to herself.

“ if you moved a little bit i might be of help. ” she cleared her throat,  announcing her presence. mioara wasn’t one to spy on people,  nor did she intend to make the impression that she was meddling with anyone’s business.  in the search for a book in that grand place she just so happened to be here,  clueless as the other appeared to be about those notes she was holding. “ i can’t read what those notes are saying,  the handwriting is really bad.  whose notes are those ?  we could maybe ask them. or is it a love letter ? ”

        keeping  in  step  with  her  companion  in spite of the crowds oft feeling like currents trying to pull them in different direction, parvati glanced at the various wares surrounding them, but her focus soon returned to person next to her, watching as they took in the market. love for her home was unquestionable. seeing another look upon it positively, particularly after the bitter taste the grand memoriam had left some feeling, made her smile softly.  ❝ if you enjoy the bazar now, you must return in the evening. ❞   when the moonlight reflected off the canals and music filled the streets.  ❝ the night market exists in its own world of wonder. ❞

she scents of colourful herbs and spices mingled with her senses,  her eyes wide with wonder and always wandering as she was taken everything in.  mioara was barely listening to the princess as awe completely shut down any interest in anything but the stalls.  “ in the evening ? is it safe ? ”  it’d been a long time ago since she was with a guard,  her safety abandoned with her title , left with nothing but reason and instinct to survive.

“  that is too bad,  my crow could have used a friend.  they should meet some time. ”  did crows even needed them, she wasn’t sure about that.  “ is your wife taking care of your pet ? or is she with you, i haven’t seen her around. ”  she was glad about some idle chatter and  taking a break from all those lies.  “ truth to be told,  i don’t think he’ll return or if he even considered me a safe place,  he wouldn’t have escaped if he did … but do not worry,  i am of course paying you for your help. ” 

his husband had left him to his own devices. up against mourning royals and their opposites, rafael was exhausted. his mind had grown weary somewhere between the mughal's sad excuse for a speech and the moment that he'd left the ballroom in search of fresh air. the physician's steps aren't quiet on the red stone, he whistles gently to himself as he makes his way through hall after hall, stopping curiously when light eyes perch upon the scene of a woman, eavesdropping on the eve of a memoriam. "you lie." rafael accuses. "what business do you have? more importantly, of what morality do you have to be to openly eavesdrop on another's moment of solitude, your grace?"

her first instinct was to feign innocence,  turn around with utter terror that someone would even accuse someone like her of such an act.  yet,  the bold and rightfully truthful claim was now hanging in the air,  leaving her run out of any lie.  “ so what do you wish to do about it ? tell them and i’ll tell you’re in this with me. ” the shame she was supposed to feel and would when the night settled barely got through her,  the tension in her body hindering from any emotions breaking through her voice,  “ unfortunately, i do not come from a family who is particularly known for their morals nor do i feel the need to answer that question as i doubt you’d believe me anyway.  so why don’t we put this small matter aside and i’ll also choose to ignore that you were spying on me . ” 

ferah had tried for a time to enjoy herself. she tried to enjoy the food, at least, in the grand ballroom shrinking back from the sheer amount of bodies and opulence that surrounded them. true, they hadn't expected a great mourning service but something aside from a speech that lasted for not even a few minutes before it seemed they were all expected to drink the night away. ducking out of the ballroom into the corridors in search of something, they didn't know what yet, that didn't feel like a show of glimmering wealth took them through the darkened halls, stumbling onto the princess purely by chance. " against a door ? " intonation flat, mind helpfully shouting LIE as it now often did. " do you expect it to caw to you over another's voice ? "

the tension seemed to have thickened the air and  the disrupture of her steady breathing suddenly appeared so evident.  marcia never cared about ranks or feigned politeness,  besides the sultana wasn’t too polite either ,  yet she knew that the act of innocence would always be more suitable to lessen the suspicion instead of getting defensive right now.   “  i am sure the situation must appear to be quite odd, ” she forced a smile, biting her tongue  “ but i think these people might have stolen my bird,  however,  as you know false accusations are not taken upon kindly and i needed to assure that i wasn’t wrong before confronting them . however,  i am curious why you decided to go here,  were you looking for something ? ” 

on the outside, giuliana was the picture of grace and calm. the inside was a very different matter, but she herself could not think too much to peel apart the webs. that was part of what drove her to this quiet part of the galleries, where she was able to watch someone sketch in real life. her gaze drawn to the method of the charcoal over the canvas, how the shadows formed, how the light was let in. she let herself breathe as she observed, spine straight, hands clasped in her lap. she fidgeted with her signet ring out of where it could be seen. although usually in a higher spirit, she could not fathom socialising more — so when someone came to approach her, she was relieved when it was her family. ( regardless of the rest. of the — complexities. her family. ) "i am glad to see you." it's quiet and between the two of them. a quiet gesture, for the other to sit down. "a friendly face in a sea of what feels very hostile to me now."

the art gallery has been a place ziyi had avoided ever since her arrival,  convincing herself that watching kai-ming paint was enough and would satisfy her curiosity of what the mughal empire had to offer.  ziyi knew that she wasn’t in the state to do more than that as simply looking at an art piece alone was enough to evoke all the emotions that she’d buried in a desperate attempt a long time ago.  yet,  as soon as the interview was over all she wanted was to talk to her sister,  make sure that giuliana was well and perhaps even try to convince herself that she was fine as long as she was reminded of the presence of giuliana.  luckily,  it only took a couple of questions breathed in panic and a couple of guards quickly found giuliana,  pulling her into a hug as soon as she spoke to her.  “  me,  too.  i was looking for you everywhere.  how are you ? especially after that particular  ‘interview’ . ”  ziyi asked releasing her from her tight embrace as she spotted her sister’s mood in her words.  “ and i’ve foolishly believed that being here would be a distraction to everything going on at home … do you wish to go home ? maybe i can find a way … ”

" jiejie , don't you just wish we could take all these flowers home ? " kai-ming said to her older sister with a smile, standing upright from being bent over smelling a siroi lily. " it would be a nice change of pace in the gardens, to have some foreign flowers ! especially these, " the princess gestured to the siroi lillies. " i'd like to try and sketch all of them before we leave, but there's so many i wonder if i'll even cover half. "

a smile grew on her features, softness spreading from her throat to her words as she looked at her sister.  amidst, the mess the court appeared to be,  her younger sister always served as a reminder of the warmth that still existed within.  if there was one thing she truly wished for it would’ve been ease for her siblings,  the ability to take away any difficulty from them,  even if it was as simple as bringing all these flowers with her.  “ i shall find a way to make it possible,  maybe we should already start planting them in pots,   who knows how long we’ll remain here,  considering everything ... ” unease had clung to her ever since what could only be called interrogation.  invading her whole being,  she could only hope that kai-ming wasn’t feeling the same way she did.  “ well,  why don’t we start now sketching some,  i might help you although i am certainly not as talented as you, meimei. ”

noemi had never been particularly good with masking her presence but she knew how to pick up a lie seamlessly.  “ oh, i am waiting for my training partner. i didn’t mean to disturb your practice. ” innocent eyes and her usual smile attempted to cover the embarrassment of being caught as well as her obviously unfit attire for her so-called training.  “ although i must admit i was distracted by your skills highlighting your beauty. i’ve never witnessed someone appearing so elegant holding a bow but i’m sure i’m not the first one to tell you. ” her eyes wandered to the target,  relieved that it wasn’t her being shot instead,  considering how she sneaked up on her.  “ is there any chance you offer training sessions ? considering the recent events i think i could need some lessons . ”

The passion in his eyes is actually barely concealed aggravation. A night of mourning, and if the dancing and gaudy display of opulence wasn't bad enough, some people have deemed it acceptable to get drunk out of their minds. Deep breaths — one, two, three — until Xinyuan finds it in himself to smile and speak. "My lady, I believe this ballroom is hardly deserving of seeing your secret German dance. In fact, everyone seems too busy— Perhaps we should better take it to the gardens?" Where he hopes they wouldn't be alone, and the fresh air would soothe her inebriation.

“ you must be a genius,  after all, it’s a secret dance and is only meant for the eyes of the chosen one ! ” what could be only described as oblivion,  noemi chose to believe that the guard was interested in her secret german dance,  legs wobbling and her vision blurring when she pushed through the crowd,  gesturing to him to follow her to the garden.  the cold hitting her flushed cheeks barely touched her already rarely ever present reason and she began stretching her arms towards the night sky,  giggling as if a bad joke was written in the stars.  “ this is the first move,  it’s called … it’s actually a secret !” she grinned.  “ tell me is there anyone you fancy mysterious guard ? because the next move i’m about to show you is also a secret ” her favorite word of the night, “ seduction technique . something perfect for a passionate man such as you. ”   

“  and i hope you saved some for your dearest friend,  i’m starving and i think i might faint. ” noemi pressed her palm against her forehead, a dramatic sigh escaping her throat when she spotted her best friend.  what a peculiar sight,  she thought to herself,  reuben appearing so displaced and yet his presence enveloped her with complete familiarity,  reminding her that she’d brought a piece of home to that place.  “ you know you’re supposed to eat the seed as well . in fact,  it might help with your hangover,  someone who is very well-versed in … fruit ….  told me about it.  ”  she said,  hiding the grin trying to break the lie playing on her lips.  “ coffee ?” her features contorting in disgust.  “ i think you might mean dirty bean water,  allow me to mix you some dirt and water,  it is the same or might be even better. ”  noe liked to believe that she knew everything about her best friend but she’d never get behind his willingness to drink such a nasty thing. “  i hope this hangover hasn’t been caused due to that interview because i certainly needed a sip of good wine after that.  they weren’t too mean to you, no ? ”

as mioara wandered through tranquility,  her steps were slow and deliberate,  her mind distracted by what other plants to pick rather than the recent events that were meant to burden her mind.  with earthy scents filling her nose,  she was reminded of her excitement when she came here,  rather than the immortality of those who’d always seemed untouched by immortality.  pausing at a flower that caught her attention,  it seemed like the vibrant blossom had painted over her vision as she reached for it,  the breath catching in her throat pulling her out of her thoughts as she finally noticed the princess.  “ oh … ”  she muttered,  watching the seconds pass between the moment of the princess shooting up in panic and ending up ruining her pale skirt.  “ no,  it’s me who owes you an apology.  if you lend me the skirt for a few days, I can assure you to return it to you in its original state.  don’t worry i do not intend to steal it.  i promise,  i swear on the emperor. " mioara added,  not knowing if this statement added any worth and then clearing her throat as her gaze fell on the flower again “ aside from that and no disrespect intended but are you done with your painting,  i’m afraid that i urgently need that flower . ”

Courtney Eaton | Gods of Egypt 2016 | Alex Proyas

A night off only means the bodyguard is less guarding and more skulking. Keeping a close eye on the imperial family only as a perfect excuse to keep an eye, also, on everyone else in the ballroom. Or so he tries. Right now, he has been intercepted by an individual who may or may have not indulged in more drinks than they could tolerate. He tries to escape with a courteous and modest smile, keeping a prudent distance. "Regrettably, I am unfamiliar with this form of dancing," or most forms of dancing, for that matter. He was a decent singer, had a neat calligraphy and could fly a kite beautifully, but dancing was far from his preferred form of artistic expression. Nor his preferred form of mourning. "I am certain you will find a more suited companion—"

having indulged in a bit too much of a drink,  noe’s steps had long lost any grace with laughter constantly falling from her lips . it'd been way too long since she'd had some fun and as so many guests,  she’d forgotten the purpose of the memoriam.  instead,  eyes sparking with a mischievous glint were surveying the grand hall,  spotting the chinese bodyguard who appeared to have less fun than noemi did.  being so clouded by her intoxication and chained by delusion,  noemi felt it was her need to somehow entertain the other and so she wobbled to him,  calling out for him with a giggle.  “ that’s fine,  it’s about the feeling and not technique. ” she gestured,  awkward limbs moving to the music . “ it’s a secret german dance,  created by yours truly. ” noe giggled and curtseyed,  her vision blurring as she looked up again.  “ and you are going to be my first student ! what a honor i know, i know ! and actually, you’re mistaken,  in fact you’re the only one who fits the criteria to learn that special dance.  i see the passion burning in your eyes,  so would you be so kind and grant me this dance ? ”