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Chapter 5 - Beit-Eldden Palace

They all made their way to the saray (palace) until they reached it. They entered through the gate of the outer wall into the outer courtyard of the palace, which resembled a spacious square surrounded by trees. At its head was the door to the inner courtyard, accessible by a few steps. Above the doorway, two lines of poetry inscribed the date of the palace's construction.

They entered through this door, where guards stood watching. The guards observed the lady and the servant curiously, wondering about their story. Then they reached the inner courtyard, which was paved with marble. In its centre was a marble fountain, and around it were rooms, some of which led to walkways that overlooked the orchards, valleys, and mountains behind Beit ed-Din.

At the head of the courtyard stood the Emir's hall, accessible by several steps. On each side of its entrance stood a guard with a rifle, forbidding anyone from entering without permission.

When the abbot arrived, the guards recognised him and did not stop him. He entered first and informed the Emir of the arrival of the lady and the servant. He also politely requested that the prince dismiss the others in his council, so the woman would not feel embarrassed. The prince agreed and dismissed everyone.

Jameela entered and saw the prince seated on his chair, smoking his pipe, looking just as awe-inspiring and dignified as described. His presence was like that of a lion. When her eyes met his, her heart trembled and her limbs shook. But he reassured her, welcomed her, and invited her to sit closer, trying to ease her fear.

Then Saeed asked permission to enter. The prince allowed him in, and he entered respectfully, sitting near the door with great decorum.

The prince turned his gaze to the beautiful lady holding a child in her arms, and then to the tall servant accompanying her. Their situation puzzled him.

He asked Saeed,

"What are you to this woman?"

Saeed stood in respect and replied,

"I am your servant, my lord, and a servant to her."

This raised the woman even higher in the prince's estimation. Then he turned to her and asked,

"Where is your husband, madam?"

Jameela lowered her head to the ground and could not answer. Her tears choked her and began to fall like scattered pearls on her cheeks, which moved the prince deeply.

He was deeply moved and understood her answer. Then he turned to Saeed and asked:

"Where did you come from?"

Saeed replied:

"We came from the city of Sidon to fulfil a vow we made to the monastery."

The prince asked:

"Who brought you to the monastery gate last night?"

Saeed answered:

"A man we didn't know brought us. We never saw his face clearly, and it seemed to me that he wasn't one from the common people."

The prince asked:

"Would you recognise him if you saw him again?"

Saeed said:

> "Yes, my lord."

The prince smiled, and Saeed immediately realised that the man who had brought them was none other than Prince Bashir himself, who had gone out in disguise to roam the village and ensure its security. However, it was rare for him to go about alone due to the many enemies lying in wait for him everywhere.

Then the prince resumed speaking:

"You say you are from the city of Sidon, but from your accent, it seems you are originally from Egypt."

Saeed replied:

"Our late master and his family lived in Egypt for some time, and so we picked up the Egyptian dialect."

The prince asked:

"Are you planning to return to your homeland soon?"

Saeed answered:

"That is something still undecided. I believe my lady dislikes the idea of staying in a country where she lost the companion of her life and where she has no ties. We didn't only lose our master, but all our possessions with him, and now we are as you see us. Perhaps we would prefer to remain under the protection of Your Excellency for the rest of our lives."

As he said this, he couldn't hold back his tears, nor could Jameela or the abbot. But the prince remained composed and calm as usual. Still, he felt an unusual compassion while contemplating that lady.

He said:

"Know, my lady, that you are welcome in my land. I invite you to stay in my home as one of its most honoured guests, living among my household."

Jameela showed her acceptance of the invitation with a grateful expression. Then she stood up before the prince, appearing like a celestial houri, her eyes filled with tears, and said with dignity and composure:

"We thank the Eternal Living God who guided us to this path and brought us to your presence, O Emir. You have healed our broken hearts and relieved our sorrow, and thus, we owe you our obedience and loyalty."

The prince then signalled to one of the servants to escort the lady to the women's quarters and instructed that she be treated with utmost hospitality. Saeed carried the child Ghareeb and followed her out of the hall. She then bid farewell to the abbot and said:

"I will never forget your kindness to us, Father. May God grant us the chance to repay you. I ask you to remember us and visit us from time to time."

The prince replied with similar kind words then he departed.

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