Banou sit in front of her vanity table. She stare at the mirror. She recalls the words that her father said. Why did she return to this cage. There is no where she can escape. She look at the comb that Li Cheng gave to her. She pick up and look at the design in, a fox. She is alike this fox trap in a cage with a wolf circling outside. Waiting to devour the fox. She breath in and out with her eyes close.
"Is this the wrong time to walk in here?"
Banou is not surprise nor feel that she need to raise her voice.
"Leave the room."
"I am not leaving till i say what i want to say, Princess."
"I said leave the room."
"Open your eyes and look at me. I am not as bad looking compare to your husband in Tang. All your life, the men around you are never bad looking in looks nor manners. I am always reminded to be the gentleman in front of all royalty. My family... was executed. The Sultan spare me and made me his aide because he saw that i had submitted a well written report. I grow up beside the Sultan and i become what he like. I did not get the chance to meet you but i have seen you in the palace and i see you wearing a wedding dress walking in the palace to the revenue. The wedding was a disaster. At that time, i wish i can do something to safe you but there is nothing i can do. I stand together with the crown prince at the tower. We watch the cage roll out of the city. Never have i thought that i will see you again. Many years later. Reports with your sighting in in the east brings happiness to the Sultan. I secretly re-read the reports at night. Later the Sultan press the envoy to send you home however you choose to stay in Tang. Marry in Tang. A disappointment. When you return for a short while. I only can walk behind you. I don't think you know who i am. I watch you everyday. Even thought you hav given birth to two boys, you have never change in appearance. Still beautiful like the past."
""Why are you blubbering in my room this late night. Leave!"
"Why am i here? I want you to hear and know I am engaged to you on my free will. I will eventually marry you. I will be you ally to support the young Sultan on the throne. I have make contacts with power within this court and outside court to support the Ottoman empire. I did all these all those years. I can be Sultan, if i want but i am not going to do that."
Banou open her eyes and look at he mirror. He drags a chair and sit behind her. He look at the mirror and play with her long hair.
"I am older than you."
"I know but that doesn't bother me."
"I already marry."
"According to the law we have. You need a man to protect you. The great Sultan knows that you cannot stand alone. You need a man to protect you from the laws in future. I will handle anything that comes in your way. I will block them all before they land on you."
"Why..."
"Of course there are conditions for my ... assistance. You can do whatever you want under the Ottoman Empire. I will be the shelter that you need. So we will do our duty as the member of the Ottoman Empire."
He touch her long neck which is soft and have a sweet smell. He move nearer and smell her.
"If you cannot marry me because your Chinese husband is still alive, i will understand. However, we will still sleep together when there is a ... need."
Banou close her eyes again.
"Leave."
Halil stand up and drag the chair back where it is. He quietly leave the room. Banou hears the foot steps echo far. She lower her head and cry.
The next morning, the maids in form her that the Sultan wants to have breakfast in the royal gardens with all his remaining daughters in the palace. She dress up and walk to the gardens. She find Ruby and Leila sitting comfortable and chatting. She walk up and join them. The day started nicely. Ruby maybe young but she have a mature mind. Leila the youngest who is still a child who enjoys eating. Both Ruby and Leila are round and chubby in looks. The Sultan joins them for breakfast and he is smiling from ear to ear. Two children who knows nothing of the adult world thus they talks about food. As Banou is laughing and smiling, she turn around and see Halil. He is standing by the doorway and smile. His golden hair is wavy and loose. He have shaved his beard thus he have now a youthful appearance. Banou take a deep breath and look away. She now is annoy with him. She doesn't want to see his face.
For Halil, he wants to give Banou space and time to think about what he said. He did want to marry her however he had accept the additional conditions that the Sultan had made. Now the Sultan waves to him and he hurry to get to his side. Just then Arya and Darius appear. After that the three sits down to have breakfast together. The Sultan order Halil to eat breakfast fast and they can walk to the grand hall for daily meeting with the other court officials. Hadlil sit down and hurry to eat. He takes quick glance at Banou who have turn her body to face Ruby. They talk about food that Banou have try in Tang. Once he have done, Halil stands up and support the Sultan. Today Banou is excuse from the long session in court. Thus she will have some leisure time by herself.