Tales Of The Heart

(12)

"My lady, wake up, the Crowned Prince has arrived", Eira's urgent voice resonated in the early morning stillness, jolting Inaya from her slumber. She threw off the blanket in a flurry of movement, her heart immediately racing.

"Oh my! Quick, fetch my robe!" she commanded, her voice breathless with urgency. Eira rushed to the luggage and pulled out a beautiful, flowy robe, the color of the deep ocean, embroidered with silver thread.

Inaya hurriedly slipped it over her nightgown, the cool fabric brushing against her skin. She grabbed a silk scarf and wrapped it around her head, pausing for a moment to judge her appearance in the mirror.

Her hair was disheveled from sleep, and a blush crept up her cheeks as she decided to cover her face as well. She couldn't bear the thought of the Prince seeing her in such an unkempt state.

"Can I let them in, my lady?" Eira asked, smoothing the folds of the robe as she glanced toward the door.

"Yes, go on," Inaya replied, a mixture of anxiety and excitement making her movements hurried. She didn't want to keep the Prince waiting, it would be disrespectful. As Eira left to fetch the Prince, Inaya took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in her chest.

Her posture was rigid as she stood in the center of the room, her hands clasped tightly together to keep them from trembling. Her stomach churned with nerves, and her breath caught in her throat as she listened for the sound of approaching footsteps. This was the moment she had both dreaded and longed for since their last meeting.

"My Lady," came the familiar voice, rich and smooth like honey, from the doorway. Inaya's heart skipped a beat as she raised her gaze to face him.

There he was, standing in the soft glow of the candlelight, his presence filling the room with an unmistakable warmth. It had been too long since they last saw each other, and the flood of emotions that washed over her was overwhelming.

"Your Royal Highness," she greeted him with a graceful curtsy, her voice steady despite the storm of feelings inside her.

Shahzaid's dark and intense eyes locked onto hers with a look of deep affection and longing. He took a tentative step closer, his gaze never leaving her face, even though half of it was hidden behind the scarf.

"You are here," he whispered, his voice filled with relief and something...tender.

"I am, my Prince," Inaya replied softly, her lips curling into a shy smile beneath the veil. Although, her face partially concealed but eyes sparkled with the same emotions that reflected in his own. The connection between them was undeniable, even in the comforting silence that followed.

The Prince hesitated for a moment, guilt evident in his expression.
"I... I apologize on behalf of my men for refusing your entrance before. Please, forgive me for not reaching out sooner," he said, his voice heavy with regret, in that moment, the hurt and anxiety she had felt earlier melted away, replaced by warmth.

"It is fine, Your Royal Highness," she reassured him, her voice soft and sincere. "The royal guard did, what was expected of him",

Shahzaid's lips curved into a small, relieved smile.
"We have a lot to discuss, I believe," he suggested, his face glowing in the flicking candlelight, making him look almost ethereal.

"Certainly," Inaya agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. There was so much to say, so much to share, but for now, just being in his presence was enough.

"If you permit, I would like to escort you to the palace, my lady," Shahzaid offered, his tone filled with hope and expectation.
Inaya hesitated, her mind filled with thoughts.
"Will it be alright?" she asked, her voice laced with doubt.
"Of course," the Prince assured her with a confident nod, his eyes filled with unwavering certainty.