Day by day pass and Banou gets busy with her daily life. She attends to her father requently from the time he wakes up and the time he goes to bed. Some days he takes a long time to wake up from his sleeps and he talks about the past frequently. Arya and Darius who pays their respect to him every morning is being to used to life in the palace. They watch Banou attend to the Sultan needs. Even though they are cousins by birth, they both act like twins who goes together wherever they go. Even thought they have different personalities, they act like they belong to the same person. Banou watch them and reminded of her twin sons that she left behind. One gentle the other talkative and aggressive. As they grow older they did not stay away from each other. They continue to act like brothers who need each other.
Ruby continue to grow up under Banou's influence. While Banou's sisters did not like that Banou is teaching their youngest sister the outside world. They try to influence her by coming to the palace frequently in visiting the Sultan. Banou hold back their visits and cut down their long conversations. Halil who support Banou help her when they gang up on Banou. He talk down to them making sure to know who is the one living in the palace and who will be the master in the palace. The Princesses are afraid of Halil as they know he weld a lot of power more than their husband or brothers. Quietly they did not try to defile his orders. However they try to suppress Banou in anyway they can. Banou who is now older, doesn't afraid of her sisters much now. She knows that she is stronger than them in terms of the rights she receive from her father. She order them not to come into the palace frequently after the last visit and constant arguments with them.
On a summer afternoon, Banou is working in her father's office when she takes a break and look up to see the portraits of her eldest son is staring at her. She smile and stand up. She walk in front of the desk and look the other side where Li Nan's portrait is place.
"Did you miss them?"
She turn around and see her father is help by Halil into the room. Her father is now walking slowly with one crane in one hand and the other holding on to Halil. She no longer show dislike to Halil but she doesn't talk much to him. She smile to both and bow. Halil after helping the Sultan to sit, he bow to the princess.
"Yes father i miss them but there is nothing i can do but to look at the paintings."
"Yes my daughter, there is no choice when a family split up.What is he doing now?"
"My Li Xing is now not in the army any more. He is spending time with his little son. That boy is now learning to read and write."
"Oh so i am a great-grandfather now!"
"Yes, father you are the great grandfather."
"Time really moves fast... Is the little one getting everything he need?"
"I believe so. My son's in-laws are providing the things that the little boy needs."
The Sultan nod his head and smile. They continue to talk when a man servant rush into the room. He kneel down urgently.
"Great Sultan! I bring bad news!"
"Speak, what had happen."
The Sultan looks sternly and annoyed. What could be so important and a bad news?
"Great Sultan! The heir Darius is now gravely ill in bed!"
"What had happen? Is the physician taking a look at him?"
"Yes, the Physician Ahmad is in his room as we speak."
"Quick help me up!"
Halil help the Sultan up and Banou follow along. They walk the long corridor to Darius's room. Banou is feeling anxious but her father because of his leg he is only can walk within the speed. Finally when they get to Darius bedroom, Arya is sitting on a chair watching his brother groaning on the bed. He sit up and bow to all who walk in.
"What happen?"
"Great Sultan, i have check the heir Darius it seems like he is poison. His body have been taking in poison daily and ..."
"How can this happen?! We have people who tested our food daily!"
"Great Sultan! I do not know as well.... i need time to check..."
"First cure him!"
The Sultan cough as he speaks and look at the poor boy groaning in bed. Banou look at Darius who is pale on the bed. He is sweating continuously and in pain. She wanted to help but the physician told her to leave the room. The royal family leave the room and wait outside. Ruby comes running and wants to see Darius. She too is being stop at the door. As the Sultan is cough non stop, Halil help him back to his bedroom. Banou and Ruby wait outside to await for good news.
However there is no good news. Seems like someone is adding poison into his food. Banou order for a test for Arya and it turns out that the boy is poison as well. Since he is discover early, the physicians are able to provide the antidote.
After three days Darius the cheerful boy passed away. Arya who treated him like his brother becomes very quiet and refused to see anyone. Halil order the entire palace to search who has been lacing poison in the food for the royalty. Her father the Sultan is not too upset but he is wanting to know who is lacing the poison. He awaits for the answer from Halil. Meanwhile Ruby is crying her heart out in her own bedroom. Banou comfort the little girl but she continue to cry for the poor boy who did not have the chance to grow up to reach adulthood. Darius's grand mother and her clans man came to fetch the body of Darius. They did not cry when they came for the body. She look at the Sultan with hatred in her eyes and she pinch her lips tight. She turn around with her nose up and walk out with the clans man carrying the body of Darius out of the palace.
Arya who is in his room, look out the streets. He silently look the brother who grow up with him. which is cover with a a white cloth. His tear roll down his cheeks. His brown hair moves gently with the wind blowing on his face. He whisper good bye as the entourage move out of the palace into the streets and disappear n the corner. Arya too disappear behind the window curtain. The golden sun is now starting to shine brightly.