Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 2

Princess Nazia looked at herself in the mirror and smiled as Hadija placed the final piece of diamond ornament on her.

Princess Nazia got up and spun around in her deep blue gagra choli that had remarkable gold craftsmanship present in every stitch. The diamond jewellery on her neck and ears sparkled in the natural lighting topped off with a beautiful brown braid cascading down her right shoulder. "Wow, you have really out done yourself today, Hadija. I'm impressed." Princess Nazia smiled to herself.

Hadija laughed and placed a blue veil atop of Princess Nazia's head. Securing the veil, a gold and emerald tiara was placed on the bridge of her head. "Now, you look like a Queen." Hadija commented absentmindedly. "Princess." The noblewoman corrected her.

Princess Nazia, took her circular nose ring and wore it gingerly. "Princess, you have never worn extravagant jewellery. Why today of all days, have you dolled up as such?" Hadija smirked while placing a finger on her chin. "If the King of Uttarakhand is the answer you seek, you are wrong." Princess Nazia laughed, causing Hadija to frown.

"I need to look good in front of the Hindus as well." Princess Nazia smiled as she walked down the spiral staircase. "Pass me the fruit platter in the kitchen." Princess Nazia laughed as she proceeded to the kitchen. Noblemen and ministers had their eyes glued onto the Princess of Faizabad. Once Princess Nazia reached the kitchen, she took the fruit platter from Hadija. "Princess, be careful, please. Uttarakhand is dangerous." Hadija whispered. "I'll be fine, help me fake a story that is believable. If Sultan Amzan asks make sure to not get yourself hurt in the process of protecting me." Princess Nazia smiled and walked through the secret passageway located in the kitchen. Princess Nazia got onto her carriage that was ridden by soldiers that she had bribed just for her escape.

Upon reaching Uttarakhand , Princess Nazia descended her carriage with the fruit platter in her hands. Princess Nazia looked around her. Uttarakhand was dressed with fauna and happiness was seen everywhere. She could hear music and cheering of the common folk before even stepping foot into the Palace.

"Uttarakhand is breath-taking." Princess Nazia commented aloud. "Uttarakhand is no where in comparison to Faizabad. Welcome Queen." Princess Nazia heard a husky voice coming from a region behind her. "Princess" Nazia corrected her status for the second time that day and turned around-too quickly.

Before making contact with the ground, she felt a pair of muscular arms wrap around her. Turning pink, Princess Nazia looked at the person that had caught her. It was King Ramji. "Thank you." Princess Nazia smiled and steadied herself. "Thank you for coming, Princess." King Ram smiled as he showed her the way into his palace.

While walking into the palace, Princess Nazia noticed the noblemen glaring at her, something which Princess Nazia had already prepared herself for. However, what shocked Princess Nazia were the common folk. "All hail Princess Nazia Begum!" were the only words they chanted as she walked into the palace alongside King Ram. Flower petals were being thrown on her as she walked into the palace. The sound of the ceremonial drums-the dhol accompanied the chants perfectly.

Princess Nazia beamed while containing her happiness. "Brother, mother is looking for you." A voice interrupted her thoughts. "This is my younger brother Arnav. Arnav , this is Princess Nazia Begum of Faizabad." King Ram introduced the foreign lady to his brother.

Princess Nazia brought her hand to her forehead and tilted her head slightly, while Prince Arnav, placed his palms together and bowed infront of the Princess. "Do bring her to Binita, Arnav." King Ram smiled as he walked off hastily.

"Queen Binita, how are you?" Princess Nazia smiled as she placed the fruit platter on the table beside the pregnant lady. "I'm fine, Princess Nazia, thank you for coming!" Queen Binita smiled as Princess Nazia embraced Queen Binita. "You look beautiful Queen Binita." Princess Nazia commented. "Likewise." Queen Binita replied.

"Come on, adorn these bangles for me, Princess." Queen Binita asked eyeing the golden tray filled with glass bangles.

"I can't possibly do that. I'm a Muslim. You're a Hindu."

Princess Nazia looked away, noticing the glares from the noblemen.

"You maybe a Muslim, but you're my friend. I want you to adorn for me the bangles Princess."

Queen Binita looked at Princess Nazia. Princess Nazia laughed and took the glass bangles, carefully adorning them on Queen Binita's milk-white skin.

"Yes mother, you called for me?" King Ram asked as he walked into the common room. "Yes, I did. Who's the girl you came in with, Ram?" Empress Sheila asked sizing down the first-born.

"She's Princess Nazia Begum of Faizabad- " King Ram got cut off by his mother. "You invited our archenemy's daughter?" Empress Sheila glared at King Ram. "Don't you know Faizals are filled with poison?" Empress Sheila questioned her son.

"Mother, if I may. I invited Princess Nazia Begum as she's one of the most powerful warrior princesses in Hindustan. Her blessings are needed for our children." King Ram replied with his arms crossed, looking down. "You may leave." Empress Sheila ordered, while King Ram obliged.

"Powerful?"

Empress Sheila smirked as she looked down at the veranda noticing the Princess of Faizabad dancing along with the common folk.

Once King Ramji was present at the scene, everyone stopped their dancing and singing. Pin-drop silence was observed. King Ramji walked towards his wife and took a red powder with the tip his thumb and index finger. Carefully, he placed it on Queen Binita's hairline. Topping it off with a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you Binita."

"I love you Ram."

Princess Nazia looked at the two of them and smiled as the common folk continued their musical extravaganza. Princess Nazia approached King Ram and Queen Binita. "I've got to get going. Do invite me when your children have been born!" Princess Nazia laughed. "Of course we'll invite you." King Ram smiled. Princess Nazia blushed and curtsied slightly before leaving the Palace of Uttarakhand .

The moment, Princess Nazia stepped foot into the palace, she was a greeted with a loud yell. "You snuck out, in the middle of the night WITHOUT PROTECTION? Without guards? What were you thinking? I cannot lose my daughter, the FUTURE QUEEN of this kingdom! There are rebels everywhere and you're taking too much of a risk!" Sultan Azman's face was turning purple as he got angrier. Moreover, he was thoroughly yanking at Hadija's hair.

"AND YOU!" He shouted in her ear, "YOU LEFT HER ALONE WHEN YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING HER!" This caused Hadija to whimper and choke back a sob. "Father please, let go of Hadija!" Princess Nazia pulled Hadija away from her father. "I just wanted to go to the mosque to find myself. To get some peace was that wrong father?" Princess Nazia asked her father looking at him square in the eye.

Sultan Azman toned down his anger as he looked at his daughter. "I'm sorry, Nazia. I didn't know where you had gone. I thought you went to the Pawar Kingdom's baby shower." Sultan Azman apologised. "I would never do that, father." Princess Nazia lied bluntly as she and Hadija proceeded to her bedroom.

"I'm sorry for what my father did, Hadija." Princess Nazia looked at Hadija. "It's alright, my lady. I'm immune to his harsh treatments. How was the baby shower?" Hadija asked excitedly sitting next to the Princess, helping her remove her jewelry. "Well, when I reached Uttarakhand I almost fell due to this choli- it's far too long! But King Ram caught me. He even asked his common folk to praise me!" Princess Nazia smiled while removing her earrings. "I don't think I will pursue for King Ram. He loves Queen Binita far too much, Hadija." Princess Nazia sighed. "Don't worry, my lady. You'll find someone just like him." Hadija assured Princess Nazia.

"I hope so."