Chapter 19
529 Words
Boran’s request did not stay quiet for long.
When Seljuk heard, he paused mid-training.
“A princess?” Murat repeated dramatically.
“So while some of us are patiently writing letters…
others are marching straight to fathers.”
Seljuk gave Murat a look sharp enough to end the joke.
But later alone Seljuk reflected.
So this is how men move when they are certain.
He said nothing aloud. But the thought stayed.
Back in Cairo, the Mejri household was shaken again.
“Seynurr,” her mother called, “Mahsen Aybaz is here.”
“Alone?” Seynurr echoed.
Her father listened carefully as Mahsen spoke respectfully.
“I would like to speak with Seynurr with supervision. Lunch. Public place. Aybaz Hotel.”
Seynurr crossed her arms.
“He’s brave. Or foolish.”
Her father studied
Mahsen’s composure and nodded.
“One lunch. Respectfully.”
The moment Mahsen left
Seynurr turned dramatically to Talha and her younger sister, Mariam.
“I vow,” she declared solemnly, “that by the end of this lunch,
Mahsen Aybaz will regret ever learning my name.”
Talha grinned. “I’ll bring moral support.”
Mariam clapped. “I’ll bring chaos.”
*At the Aybaz Hotel:* *Battle Begins* 🍽️🤣
The restaurant was elegant.
Too elegant.
Mahsen stood as Seynurr arrived modest, composed, eyes sharp.
“Thank you for agreeing,” he said calmly.
She smiled sweetly. “I came for the food.”
Talha sat back with popcorn energy.
Mariam observed like a scientist.
Lunch began.
“So,” Seynurr said cheerfully, “tell me how do you feel about a wife who debates professors, argues with
documentaries, and talks even in her sleep?”
Mahsen nodded.
“I sleep deeply.”
Strike one failed.
She tried again.
“I travel. A lot. Alone. For research.”
“I respect ambition.”
Strike two failed.
She leaned in.
“I correct people publicly.”
Mahsen smiled. “I deserve it sometimes.”
Talha choked on water.
Mariam whispered, “Why isn’t this working?”
Seynurr escalated.
“I question traditions not faith, but habits.”
Mahsen replied evenly,
“Tradition that cannot answer questions should be questioned.”
Silence.
Seynurr blinked.
Oh no.
Dessert arrived.
Mahsen finally spoke again.
“I didn’t come to convince you today.
I came to understand you and to show I can listen.”
She stared at him.
Long.
Then sighed dramatically.
“This is very inconvenient.”
Talha laughed out loud. Mariam hid her smile.
At the end of Lunch,
As they stood to leave, Mahsen said gently,
“I won’t push. But I won’t regret trying either.”
Seynurr shook her head, half amused, half unsettled.
“You’re dangerous.”
He smiled. “So are you.”
They parted politely.
Outside, Seynurr turned to her siblings.
“He was prepared.”
Talha smirked. “You met your match.”
Seynurr groaned. “I hate when destiny fights back.”
In Almara, Seljuk trained harder, thinking deeper.
Boran waited patiently, honor intact.
Fatma Sultana prayed quietly.
In Egypt, Seynurr learned that not all challenges flee her words.
And somewhere between lunch plates and palace walls, fate laughed softly.
- Writer
