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Inside the Palace
Nooriyah stood frozen at the entrance, overwhelmed. She was so lost in her thoughts, she forgot she was standing inside the palace. Her mother had told her many things about this place, but still, something about it made her uneasy.
“Did Ammi really say all this?” she wondered.
Everything around her felt foreign. It was crowded, and she didn’t recognize a single face. Her mother had once said the palace always gave her a sense of warmth. But to Nooriyah, it felt cold strangely cold. But maybe… maybe Ammi wasn’t lying. Maybe, after some time, I too will feel the warmth she spoke of…
She stood close to a tall pillar, hidden from everyone’s eyes, unnoticed. That’s when she suddenly heard a voice.
“Nooriyah!”
She flinched, startled, and quickly turned toward the sound. Relief washed over her when she saw who it was.
Rukhaiya.
She was the one who worked with Nooriyah’s mother in the palace and lived near them. Her mother had trusted Rukhaiya enough to send Nooriyah along with her. Since her mother wasn’t well, Nooriyah had come to take her place at least for now.
Rukhaiya walked up and held her arms gently.
“Why are you standing here? I left you for a moment, and you wandered off? Come on, let’s go.”
She spoke fast and firmly, clearly worried.
Rukhaiya knew how things worked here. Outsiders, especially new ones, weren’t supposed to be seen roaming around without permission. Anyone who saw Nooriyah might misunderstand, and that could lead to trouble. That’s why Rukhaiya had made her wait in a safe spot. But Nooriyah, curious and unaware, had walked farther than she should have. Luckily, no one noticed her.
“I know it’s not easy for you,” Rukhaiya said softly, “but you’re doing this for your mother. Be brave, okay?”
Nooriyah nodded.
It wasn’t like she didn’t know what her mother did here. Every evening, her mother would tell her stories about palace life, about the chambers, the halls, the people. That’s why Nooriyah had always dreamed of coming here, even though her disability kept her away. But today… it felt like destiny had brought her.
Except for her mother and younger brother who was eight years younger but more like a friend than a sibling she knew no one. She didn’t feel comfortable with anyone. Even with rukhaiya . Her family was her comfort zone. Yet here she was, far from them, doing this for her mother. What she didn’t know was that this very day would change her entire life.
“Come,” said Rukhaiya, pulling her gently back to the present.
They walked together, unnoticed in the busy palace. Everyone was focused on their own duties.
Their first stop was the royal chambers. The king’s and queen’s rooms were on the first floor, so they climbed the narrow staircase meant only for servants. When they reached the top, Rukhaiya turned to her and gave instructions.
“This is the king’s and queen’s chambers—separate rooms. Clean both properly. After that, walk across the corridor and take the right turn. There’s a secluded room there. That’s the prince’s chamber. Make sure to clean it too but be very careful. If any soldiers pass by, try not to be seen. I’ll come back to check on you.”
With that, she left.
The mention of soldiers made Nooriyah anxious. She’d heard whispers stories of how terrifying the soldiers of Sharamrind were. That they didn’t tolerate any mistakes. With that fear weighing on her, she slowly entered the king’s chamber.
The moment she stepped in, her breath caught.
The room screamed the presence of power. Cold, vast, and intimidating . it felt like the very walls carried the king’s authority. Tall windows, rich maroon curtains, heavy furniture, and a grand chandelier looming from the ceiling. There was even a small private passage connecting it to the queen’s chamber perhaps for discreet meetings or messages.
Nooriyah stared around in awe. But then she remembered Rukhaiya’s warning. She quickly got to work.
Though the place was spotless . Her mother cleaned it every day. Nooriyah was slow and clumsy. She wasn’t used to this work, and her fear made her extra cautious. She took almost an hour, getting distracted by the carved pillars and painted ceilings.
Once done, she moved to the queen’s chamber.
If the king’s room was cold, the queen’s chamber was the opposite. Warm. Elegant. Beautiful. It was everything Nooriyah could admire.
Unlike the king’s room, this one felt lived-in. Soft drapes, graceful furniture, and the scent of fresh flowers welcomed her. There was a small balcony overlooking a courtyard blooming with color. The sunlight filtered in through floral curtains, painting the marble floor in patterns of gold and pink.
This... feels like Ammi , she thought.
She found herself smiling slightly as she cleaned.
Soon, most of her work was done except one side.
The hallway that led to the prince’s chamber.
She hesitated. There was no one inside, of course. But something about that side of the palace the silence, the stillness made her nervous.
Still, it had to be cleaned.
She stepped out of the queen’s chamber and walked down the opposite corridor. It was dark. Only a few wall-mounted torches lit the way, flickering quietly. Every door she passed was closed, every window tightly shut. The shadows around her seemed to whisper. It was darker than the night itself. She can't see anything properly because of the darkness. Only the way . She thought none is there , so it's dark .
But what she don't know is she will become a radiant in this darkness oneday ......
She took slow steps, steadying her breath.
Finally, she reached the prince’s chamber. She raised her hand to push the door open
And suddenly......
Someone appeared behind her.
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Thank you for reading ❤️
Hey dears, Do you have any guess who is behind.and thank you for reading💗💗💗
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