THE DANCING GIRL

Chapter 17

THE next day was so busy Noor scarcely had time to breathe.

The entire palace was preparing for the arrival of the Enyan Princess. Noor, of course, knew it was her. The rest of the servants only knew it was someone important.

Still, the dancers were free, and they were all needed to decorate the palace, to clean, to do everything.

Noor was lucky. She found herself cleaning the paintings and other ornaments. with Haqiya and a few others, unlike Nihaal, who'd been delegated to the kitchens and was polishing expensive, dirty plates.

She couldn't help but smile as she walked through the palace. It looked so beautiful like this, everything gleaming. It would look even more beautiful when the Princess came, when flower garlands would be hung all over the walls.

"Noor, remember when I told you Nazrat had a lover?" Haqiya asked as they walked to lunch.

Noor gave her a flat look. "Yes, and I clearly remember telling you I didn't care, and to stay out of Nazrat's business."

Haqiya scoffed. "Yes, yes. Well, we found out who it is."

Noor's eyes widened. "What?"

Haqiya nodded eagerly. "Someone saw her coming out of Nazrat's room."

"No," Noor said, shaking her head. "No, don't tell me—"

Haqiya rolled her eyes. "You're going to find out anyways. Everyone's talking about it."

Noor sighed. She knew Haqiya was going to tell her, however much she protested. "Alright, who is it?"

"Sahar."

"What?" Noor stopped walking, turning to stare at Haqiya.

Haqiya looked impossibly smug. "Sahar, the courtesan. You know, the beautiful one—"

Noor made an impatient noise. "I know who Sahar is. But those two..." She trailed off. Now that she was thinking about it, they would certainly look good together. Probably the two most beautiful people in the palace.

But a dancer and a courtesan...it was risky. How they were managing it, Noor didn't know. Especially since they both worked in the night, and it didn't seem like either of them was going to leave her job.

She decided she didn't want to know. She'd learned long ago not to interfere in Nazrat's business, and that was the best policy for dealing with the woman.

"Noor."

Noor turned to see Nazrat herself beckoning her, from where she was cleaning one of the large windows.

She gave Haqiya a look before walking away, ignoring Haqiya's wink. She reached Nazrat, trying to pretend like she didn't know anything about the woman's lover.

"Yes?"

"They need people cleaning in the durbar," Nazrat said. "Go, I've already sent some others."

Noor nodded, turning—

"Wait."

Noor turned back, furrowing her eyebrows.

Nazrat hesitated before sighing. "I'm sure you must have heard about me and Sahar."

Noor winced slightly. "Yes."

Nazrat nodded, looking slightly annoyed. "Of course. You're friends with Haqiya."

Noor grimaced. "Look, about Haqiya, I know she needs to learn to respect other people's space, but—"

Nazrat made an impatient noise with her tongue. "Forget about that. I'm well aware everyone knows. I, actually, need a favor from you," she muttered.

Noor raised an eyebrow. "Repeat that, will you?"