Sahmeed went inside the Manor carefully carrying his sleeping daughter in his arms, who had fallen asleep crying. Her mother; Fengjiu, followed behind him quietly. The manor was made of timber, beams, wooden post, brackets and roof tiles of good quality befitting their status. They lived in a fairly large Manor that had many rooms including rooms for servants and guests but it was rarely used; after a few minutes, He arrived at her quarters which was on the Eastern side of the Manor and was the second largest of the three courtyards in the Manor. Her quarters had a bridge that was in the middle of a pond with Koi fishes in them and pink and white lotus blooming, after passing, they arrived in front of her room were two plum blossom tree were in full bloom with petals falling slowly that depicts a gentle snow at the start of winter.
As he approaches the door, the servants slide the door open, Upon nearing the bed he bends over and gently place her on the bed ensuring not to wake her. He carefully place the blanket over her and gently patted her head while sitting next to her on the bed. He looked at her eyes that were completely swollen, his heart broke seeing her in that state.
"We can't stay here any longer Feng'er", said Sahmeed in mandarin. Fengjiu looked at her daughter then to her husband that looked at her with determination. Fengjiu couldn't refuse, not after witnessing with her own eyes the suffering that her daughter endured; it would be unjust to prolonged her daughter's suffering. "I... understand" replied Fengjiu. Sahmeed arose and clasped his wife face with his two hand and kissed her forehead then pulled her in a warm embrace. "Don't worry my beloved, I haven't forgotten the promise I made... and I intend to keep it."
The next day at the break of dawn, Amara wakes up finding herself in her bedroom, as she started getting out of bed, a slight head ache greeted her, then she started to recall the events that happen yesterday. Her face flushed with embracement when she realized that she cried herself to sleep, and vaguely remembered that her father was the one that brought her to her room. "What am I five?!" she shout as she grab the pillow and stuff her face in it. With a sigh she remembered how nostalgic it was in her father's arms and realized how much she missed him.
A servant came in with a container of warm water and a clean cloth. "You've have awaken young miss...I will inform Sir and Madam immediatey." she spoke in mandarin, "no need Yunling... I will go to them myself after I have a change of clothes, where are they now?". she asked as she got out of bed, soaked the cloth in the water and patted her face with it. "In the gathering Hall" the servant replied. Once finished wiping her face, neck and hands, Yunling brought her clothes and assist her in putting them on. She change in to a long dark green silk pleated skirt with over lapping panels along with a pearl white silk jacket with long sleeves and underlayerment. It was embroidered with flowers and pearls, Yunling style her hair then decorated her hair with hairpins that matched the attire using jewels that her father's merchant business crafts and sells. Once finished she headed to the main courtyard with Yunling her maid walking right behind her.
As she approaches the gathering hall, before she enter, she over heard the conversation between her father and mother. "We will let Yue'er know as soon as she is awake." said Fengjiu. Amara walked in that moment. "Good Morning" she said. Her mother smiled warmly as her light brown eyes light up her fair to white flawless beautiful face. Her mother's black silkly hair placed in a style at the front while at the back it flows touching her waist. Her father was equally has handsome with his fair to tann skin, short curly hair, and stunning goldish brown eyes that has a strange force that pulls you in.
They were both siting at the end of the gathering hall. Her mother on the left, and her father on the right. The gathering hall was large enough to hold a gathering of eight people including the seats were Mingyue parent are seated. Three sets of timber chairs exquisitely design with timber wood polished and glazed placed on the right and left facing each other.
"Yue'er, good morning my dear" her mother replied " Come and sit". Obeying her mother's command she sat in the chair to the right of her. Her father Sahmeed began to speak. "Amara...We have decided that we are leaving China to live in the Kingdom of Meckkah...". Sahmeed said. Upon hearing this Amara was flushed with a stampede of emotions; excitement, joy, relief, but also fear... fear of the unknown, would they like her, or would they find her presence abhorrent.
She didn't know much about her father homeland apart from the stories that he told her as a child. He would describe it has a beautiful place filled with, unique flowers, exquisite buildings, heart capturing music, breath taking landscape and of course vibrant people. A place that when night fell every star in the night sky could be seen. A kingdom that has the crest of the sun and moon. The sun represents the Sultan the King and the Moon representing the Sultana the Queen. She had always wanted to visit there but was too young at the time and could not handle the long journey. Those days he was in and out of her life because of his merchant business, she understood that it was for the well-being of she and her mother...to have a better life, she did not blame him for that.
Sahmeed saw the look on his daughter face and said "I know the news is a bit sudden, but you have no reason to worry when I am here...I give you my word you will be safe and unharmed."he gazed at her with eyes that had no doubt. Amara felt reassured.
"When will we leave?" said Amara. "In two weeks...the preparation is already underway." Amara felt relieved that she had time to bid her friend farewell, but even more so that she no longer had to stay in China.
"Oh... I had almost forgotten...When you arrive in Meckkah your name shall be Amara Basma Maryam Ahmad, daughter to the Duke of Vashti. No longer Mingyue". Amara's mouth fell open with outmost shock. She is just learning that her father was a Duke, she thought that he was just a wealthy merchant. She glanced at her mother to find out if she had known who he was all along, and her expression said it all. Amara was furious.
"Why I am just finding out the identity of my father?" Amara said while trying to remain calm. "Let me explain...your father recieved his title a year ago... do you remember when his business trips would prolong for weeks if not months?". Her mother asked. Amara nodded; " Your father was in a vicious political war with his brother for the dukedom at that time...to protect us against the threat of your uncle finding out about us, to use us against your father, he had used an alias as his name", said her mother.
"Sahmeed...was the name that only my birth mother called me, it was not registered by my father and only my father and I know of it. After she died it was never used... then a few years later my father remarried and had my little brother... my stepmother never liked me and say me as an eye sore, and obstacle stopping her son from being the next duke." Sahmeed said. Amara face change from fury to concern. "I had no desire to claim the title and was content with my life as a wealthy merchant... up untiI my brother, killed my father to claim it". Amara place her hand over her mouth as she gasped in shock. He was evil to the core she thought.
"My father was adamant on me becoming the next duke and never paid attention to my brother, because he was addicted to gambling and was a womanizer, my father reasons were sound, but no one thought that it would push him...to choose patricide?" Sahmeed said with his face looking down disgruntled. Fengjiu held one of his hands tight and held his face with the other, giving him a warm smile. He smiled in return, composes himself and continued. "It's was and inevitable war, as difficult as it was I came out victorious and justice was served".
"You didn't...did you?" Amara asked her father with fear in her eyes, hoping that her father understood what she was trying to say. Sahmeed understood instantly and said "I will not make the same mistake like him by spilling the blood of my kin. I handed him over to the Sultan to be punished". Amara felt relieved and said to her father with pride "I am so proud to be your daughter father." Upon hearing that Sahmeed was filled with such joy that his face when he smiled shine like the sun.
"And I, you...my dear", Amara smiled feeling overwhelmed with happiness. "So, father tell me, what is your true name" Amara asked. Fengjiu and Sahmeed looked at each other and they both laughed. Amara was a little confused. "Why are you laughing?" she asked. " You already know my dear". her mother said. "Huh?!" she shouted. "I never accepted the name that father gave me, and once I became Duke, I had it re-registered to the one my mother gave me; Sahmeed Jamal Ayaan Ahmad, The duke of Vashti". Sahmeed replied. Amara realized that her parents tricked her... or did they???
Amara gave up on being upset, and started smiling with the thought that she always knew her father's true name, the name that he adored and let those whom he adored know it as well. Her mother overjoyed at her daughter smiling face wanted to make her even more happy. "Fengshin" her mother call her servant. She came and bowed to her lord, lady and young miss. "Yes, my lady" she replied. "Get the gift that I prepared for Mingyue". The servants bowed and replied "As you wish, my lady" as she walks a few steps backwards keeping her head down before turning around then leaving the room.
Five minutes later, Fengshin returned with a little wooden box with an intricate design that looked like a Chinese family crest. Amara stared at it intently. Her mother, watching her daughter's curious expression and chuckles as Fengshin hands the little wooden box to her lady. "You may leave" said her mother to Fengshin. "Yes" she replied, leaving in the same manner.
Her mother stood up and went over her daughters side and sat next to her, She open the box to reveal a pure white jade embedded with a family crest on it along with the word 'shen'. She place the jade on her daughter right hand and smile saying, "Happy Birthday".
Amara looked at the stunning bracelet and recalled that her mother maiden name is Shen. Full name Fengjiu Shen. "This was my mother's, she passed it on to me, now from me to you. I hope in the future when you also have a daughter you will give her this bracelet."
"Mother" Safiya voice calling Amara woke her up from her trance, she saw her daughter holding her hand, while wiping away tears she didn't knew she had shed. Amara smiled holding her daughter's hand that was on her cheek. "I'm fine...my dear"
Looking at her beautiful daughter, she saw traces of her mother and father in her. Her emerald eyes although not the came colour reminded her of her father and the way she smiled resemble her mother warm and loving smile.
Amara regain her composure and quickly recalled something that she had forgotten to say to Safiya. "My dear, your coming of age ball will be held in the main palace, The Sultan and the first Queen will be attending, along with all the noble man and women of the kingdom and other nations will be attending. It will be a masked ball, the perfect time for your debut into society and who knows maybe you will meet your soul mate there" her mother teased.
"Mother!" Safiya yelled as she blushes. Amara laugh at the sight of her embarrassed daughter. Just then a servant came, bowed to their highnesses and whispered a message in the ear of Zara her ladyship head maid.
She dismissed the servant and went in the Pavillion, She bowed to their highnesses. "What is it, Zara?" said Amara while laugh lightly. "His majesty requires your presence, your highness" Upon hearing that, her laughter sieze, she gracefully arose, the princess getting up seconds after.
She held both hands of the princess in her hands lovingly. "I will be back later my dear, remember to attend your lesson on time." Safiya reply, "I will, mother don't worry". As she gives her mother a reassuring and gentle smile. With that being said her highness departed, Safiya and her servants bowing in respect to her mother.