Scheherazade: The One Whose Realm is Noble

Chapter 3

Shirazad's father wasn't very happy with her actions and expected her to be wiser, even though she was only seventeen. She couldn't frivolously provoke conflicts – even if she hadn't done it on purpose – she had to be extremely careful when she was among nobility. That was one reason why her father had always tried to keep her and her sister away from the palace and court intrigues. He didn't really want to introduce them to that complex life.

The unity of noble families was very important for the country's stability and since he was the Grand Vizier, he had always aimed to remain most neutral. He hadn't wanted his daughters to be used in political schemes.

"But father," Shirazad said in her defense, "I asked Dinnara and she said she hadn't broken the vase. They framed her."

The vizier, of course, knew that breaking a vase wasn't a crime that must cost a person's life, but politics and logic did not always go hand in hand. A few days had passed after the incident, but the topic continued to reappear in their discussions.

"I asked Lord Lhasa how we could compensate him," the vizier said. "He asked for your hand in marriage."

"Why would he marry me? He obviously hated me," Shirazad wasn't sure whether to laugh or to cry. The news came out of the blue.

"Shirazad. Mind your words. You are already seventeen. You've always been outspoken. When you were little, I thought it was because you were still a child..." He sighed. "As for Lord Lhasa hating you, hatred and love often aren't that different from one another."

Shirazad shivered. Why would her father say that? What had he told Lord Lhasa? Her father wouldn't engage her to someone without asking her, would he? This was actually a well-known practice, parents arranging their children's marriages, but her father, he wouldn't do that to her, right?

"Shirazad, Lord Lhasa's family is very powerful and it wouldn't be good to lose him as an ally. But that's not why I think that a marriage between the two of you would be successful. You seem to have noticed only his bad qualities, but he is smarter than you think. And maybe it's good that both of you have seen each other's negative qualities. Thus, you won't be blinded by love, and in time, as you understand that neither of you is 'that bad', you will start to find each other more likable."

When she finally realized how serious her father was, Shirazad fell to her knees in front of him and said in a determined tone,

"Father, please reconsider."

But he wouldn't change his mind. He left the room, and she kept kneeling there. Two hours later, the old servant Sabriyya came to check up on her and spoke with the vizier after that,

"She is still kneeling there."

"So obstinate," Vizier Azdavan thought.

Sabriyya had lived for a long time with the family, so she felt she could express her opinion,

"I've been thinking... if she is so much against this marriage, then maybe master should really reconsider."

"The thing is, no matter who she was engaged to, she'd be kneeling there," the vizier sighed. He was very serious when it came to state affairs, but his daughters were truly his weakness and he was usually very kind to them. "Is it my fault? Did I spoil her too much?"

"Maybe. But it's also her character," Sabriyya replied. "You know Shirazad. Tell me, really, didn't you want her to be a free spirit? I can't think of anyone else who would have named a daughter 'lion-born'... Shirazad."

"Yes, I remember you never liked that name."

"Well, it's just that... for a girl... ...But, you know, if she is so certain that she doesn't want to marry him..."

"I've already given her plenty of chances to choose a husband, including the banquet. Plenty of opportunities to meet all single noblemen in the kingdom. Since she refuses to choose, then I will choose for her."

No matter how long Shirazad kneeled, her father did not return to the room. Finally it was her sister Dunyazad and Yuna who came to help her.

Yuna cried, "Just tell me this: did you have it planned before or after I revealed my feelings for him?!" she insisted.

"Don't worry. There won't be any wedding between me and Lhasa," Shirazad replied.

"How?! I heard your father already got you engaged," Yuna retorted.

Shirazad meant what she said, and if her father wouldn't listen to her, she'd find someone who would... She talked to the vizier's bodyguard, Fouad, who knew her from a young age and had always protected her father. He always went to the palace with the vizier and everybody knew him well there. She asked him to arrange an audience with the king for her. Her father kept her away from the court and court intrigues, and she rarely went to the castle. Moreover, she was a woman, so she couldn't go alone. She begged Fouad for help.

"Miss, why are you so determined to make my life hard?" he moaned. "If your father understands that I helped you, he will kill me."

"Oh, please, Fouad, you are my last and only hope," Shirazad said. "Only the king can change my father's decision. I must speak with him. Otherwise, my father will marry me to this lord Lhasa. Didn't you see him?"

"But, miss, please understand, what would master think of me if I bring you to the palace behind his back? I can't betray his trust in me."

"Fouad," Shirazad sighed. "I know that you are very loyal and you'd risk your life for father. And I know I am asking too much of you... But this decision will influence my whole life."

He looked at her pitiful face. Although he was a big man, a great soldier who looked rather brute, he had a soft heart. Lord Lhasa was a pompous man and Shirazad obviously disliked him. Fouad would never be able to forgive himself if his decision now doomed Shirazad's future. He remembered the freedom-loving child she'd been... and in a way she still was.

He shook his head, "Oh, what am I going to do with you..."

The next day, Fouad helped Shirazad get out of her father's manor and have an audience with the king. Now, Fouad thought, Fate would take the final decision. King Shahryar was young, but he was already married. Would he understand her?

Even if he did, he'd have to confront his Grand Vizier in order to help Shirazad, was it worth the effort? Fouad sighed. He had brought Shirazad here, but he doubted that the king would take her side.

She quickly explained to the king that she sincerely hoped and begged him to stop this marriage. Shahryar was too surprised by the vizier daughter's sudden visit and her unusual request, and he needed a few seconds before replying. Moreover, her father wasn't there so it seemed she had come behind his back.

Shahryar said, "Once a marriage has been agreed upon, it is not only very hard to break the engagement but it is considered a grave offense, punishable by law, unless you convince Lhasa not to file a charge. Moreover, if I help you, I would be turning against your father, my Grand Vizier."

But Shirazad surely realized this. The king hadn't had the chance to communicate with her a lot, but he'd heard about her wits, and even if he hadn't, her eyes very much reminded him of her father's, and he surely couldn't ignore that.

Yes, it wouldn't be wise to confront the Grand Vizier directly or to simply issue a decree opposing the vizier's decision about the marriage. Moreover, how would this situation be explained to Lhasa?

"Then... why doesn't His Majesty try to convince the vizier? If you tell him that I came here to ask you to break the engagement, if he could just realize that I really can't marry Lhasa!" Shirazad said.

Shahryar gave her a questioning look. It seemed that she had a personal conflict with Lhasa. Shahryar didn't know Shirazad that well. Perhaps they had met once or twice when they were children, but he felt friendly towards her since she was his vizier's daughter, so he told her,

"I see that you have firmly decided against him. He must be a real drag."

"My opinion of him is definitely not the opinion that a wife should hold of her husband. I find him to be very self-important and insincere, and we are truly incompatible."

Shahryar was quiet while listening to her depiction. He knew Lhasa personally and he could agree that these two words described him best. He'd heard before of Shirazad's sharp tongue.

He smiled at her determination,

"And what about me?"

She raised an eyebrow. He was silent. She didn't understand his words. He seemed to be waiting for an answer.

"Pardon, Your Majesty?"

"You seem to be able to see through people and have very clear perception. As strong as your opinion of him is, I am sure you have noticed a lot and have plenty to tell about other people as well. I am curious to know what you have to say about me."

Shirazad stared at him in disbelief. Seeing that she was shocked beyond words, he decided to save her from the struggle of having to answer,

"Fouad has the guts to turn against your father for this," he thought out loud. "I hope you appreciate that. I wonder whether it is because he loves you like his own daughter... or is he a very good friend of Lhasa?"

Haha.

The king said in a more serious tone,

"To tell you the truth, I find Fouad to be a smart person. Since he believes in your cause to the point of risking his relationship with your father, then I believe in your cause too. Moreover, after this conversation probably you've realized that Lhasa is not one of my favorite people either. Even though Lhasa's family is powerful, I am not keen on giving them more power."

Shahryar kept his word and spoke with the vizier Azdavan, and convinced him to avoid this marriage. As it turned out, the vizier had been negotiating the marriage, but it wasn't too late to avoid the marriage and compensate Lord Lhasa generously in other ways. Regardless of the compensation, we could guess that Lhasa wasn't very happy about this.

The vizier thought that although seventeen was the ideal age for marriage, maybe this didn't ring true for Shirazad. Maybe she needed a few more years to grow up, to become more mature and wiser, and most importantly – to calm down. Then, she would want to get married. He didn't need to force this.