part 3

It was a beautiful evening. The sun was slowly setting, and the golden light streaming through the palace windows spread warmly throughout the halls.

Zulekha and Zoya, dressed and ready, were walking down the stairs. They stopped in front of each other and looked at one another for a few moments.

Smiling, Zoya asked,

"Zulekha, how do I look?"

Looking around carelessly, Zulekha replied,

"You look alright."

The moment she heard that, Zoya grabbed Zulekha by the shoulders.

"Look at me and say it."

As soon as Zulekha looked at her, a smile appeared on her lips.

"You look beautiful."

Delighted, Zoya held the edge of her gown and gave a graceful little twirl.

"See? Don't I?""You look beautiful."

Just then, Salma's voice echoed from downstairs,

"You two, come downstairs quickly!"

The moment Zulekha spotted Saalar, she happily rushed toward him. But suddenly, she stepped on the hem of her own dress and stumbled forward.

Everyone gasped in alarm. Saalar immediately hurried toward her.

However, just before she could fall, Zulekha firmly grabbed the stair railing and steadied herself.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Salma said,

"Thank God!"

Smiling, Zulekha replied,

"I'm fine."

Then she walked up to Saalar and asked in a playful tone,

"Alright, tell me... how do I look?"

At that moment, Zoya also came downstairs and stood beside them, lost in thought.

Saalar looked at her in surprise.

"What are you thinking about?"

Zulekha lightly nudged him with her elbow, as if reminding him to answer her question.

Suddenly, Zoya smiled and said,

"I was just thinking about what Zulekha would have looked like if she had fallen flat on her face."

As soon as she said it, she burst into laughter.

"That would have been quite a sight. And I was wondering what would have happened if she had rolled all the way down the stairs," Saalar added.

The two of them started laughing loudly together.

Zulekha puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.

"Both of you, be quiet!"

But neither of them could stop laughing.

Finally, Salma lightly tapped Zoya on the head and Saalar on the shoulder.

"That's enough, you two."

Hearing that, Zulekha folded her arms and said with a pout,

"Yes, now stop laughing already, both of you!"

Her words made everyone smile, while Zulekha continued glaring at them.

Seeing her puffed-up face, Saalar and Zoya couldn't help but burst into laughter once again

...****************...

The Imperial Party was in full swing, overflowing with grandeur and elegance.

The vast hall glittered beneath magnificent chandeliers. Noble families, ministers, and royal guests filled every corner. Laughter, cheerful conversations, and the clinking of glasses echoed throughout the hall, creating a lively atmosphere.

Zoya was standing with a group of noble young ladies, chatting happily, while Zulekha stood a short distance away, unsuccessfully trying to hide her nervousness.

At last, she quietly approached Saalar.

"Brother, I'm going to the washroom."

Saalar simply nodded.

Relieved, Zulekha let out a quiet breath and quickly left.

The moment she stepped outside the hall, she tightly held her stomach.

Oh god..." she murmured under her breath. "I'm so nervous."

Taking a deep breath, she continued walking.

However, her long, heavy gown kept tangling around her feet.

"Ugh... what a nuisance!"

She bent down to fix her dress and became so occupied with it that she completely lost awareness of her surroundings.

At that very moment, Crown Prince Hind shahzaib baig and his Royal Secretary, Ayan, were walking down the corridor.

Hind's gaze suddenly fell upon her, and his footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

Zulekha passed right by him, completely unaware, her attention still fixed on her dress.

She had barely taken a few steps when Hind turned and watched her walk away.

Ayan looked at him in surprise.

"Your Highness, do you know that young lady?"

For a few moments, Hind remained silent.

"Yes..." he finally replied in a low voice. "We have met before."

Ayan's eyes widened.

"Where? When?"

But Hind did not answer.

Instead, another scene appeared before his eyes...

A street covered with scattered flowers...

And a young woman bending down to gather them...

Zulekha

"I never thought..." Hind said to himself, "...that we would meet again here."

Meanwhile, Ayan continued asking questions, but Hind's attention was elsewhere.

His thoughts revolved around a single name.

Zulekha

Later, when the celebration had reached its peak, His Majesty raised a glass of juice and addressed the guests.

"I am grateful to all of you. Without your support, we could never have won this war. Tonight is a night of celebration. Please enjoy the party."

The hall erupted into applause.

At that moment, Zulekha's eyes wandered toward the royal platform above, where Hind was standing.

"It's him..."

"The flower man..."

As she looked at him, Hind's gaze met hers.

Startled, Zulekha immediately lowered her eyes.

A short while later, Second Prince Faizan shah baig approached them.

Everyone exchanged greetings.

"I am Zulekha Mirza, the sister of Grand Duke Saalar Mirza."

Faizan smiled.

"And I am Faizan, the Second Prince of Sahar."

"I've always wanted to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine."

Zulekha smiled.

"After all, you are my sister's fiancé."

Faizan chuckled and turned toward Zoya. Extending his hand, he asked,

"My Lady, would you honor me with a dance?"

A faint blush spread across Zoya's cheeks as she placed her hand in his.

Together, they walked toward the dance floor.

A little later, Saalar said,

"I'll go and greet His Majesty."

"Alright, Brother."

As soon as he left, Zulekha glanced around.

"Looks like I'm all alone now..."

"I should probably sneak away too."

Quietly, she slipped out of the hall and made her way toward the palace garden.

The garden was peaceful and silent beneath the clear night sky. The fragrance of flowers drifted gently through the cool evening air.

But the moment she stepped inside, her feet froze.

Someone was sitting on a marble bench.

Curious, Zulekha took a few cautious steps forward to see who it was.

Crown Prince Hind.

The moment she recognized him, she instinctively took a step back.

At that exact moment, Hind turned his head and saw her.

Slowly, he rose from his seat.

Zulekha unconsciously took another step backward.

And then another.

But Hind began walking toward her.

His footsteps were calm and unhurried.

With every step he took, Zulekha felt her heart beat faster, yet she remained rooted to the spot, unable to move.

Finally, he stopped in front of her.

Only a few steps separated them.

Zulekha immediately lowered her eyes.

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