Arta was sitting on the chair beside the table. She was ready for the wedding. It was just a few minutes ago that the room was full of servants hastily walking around the room and helping the bride wearing the wedding dress, making her hair and putting make up on her face.

Arta asked everyone to leave the room, she needed some alone time before Osman comes to pick her up.

She had a mixture of several emotions, sadness, excitement, nervousness, and a bit scared. She was on the edge of crying her heart out. She was getting married under very odd circumstances, marring to the enemy who she had come to care for. The enemy who had brought destruction to her family and her country.

She was deep in her thoughts when she heard a movement from the balcony. She turned her head and saw Abtin standing in the Balcony's door frame.

"Abtin!?" She called his name and tears dropped from her eyes. She ran and hugged him.

"My dear child. I know it must be difficult for you!"

"I wish you could accompany me to the wedding, now that I don't have anyone."

"I'm sorry!" He pushed her away and looked at her in admiration. "You look like an angel princess."

Arta smiled "what are you doing here? It's too dangerous for you to be here. Osman will be here at any moment."

"I had to see you before the wedding!" he paused "I know you are sacrificing yourself for the sake of Persia, and I know this is not what you really wanted. I'm sorry that I am not able to help you in this situation but I swear to God that I'll rescue you from here."

Arta felt guilty because after all the things that had happened between Osman and her, she was not only marrying Osman because of Persia but also because of her own heart.

She didn't know what to say, she kept silent.

"This wedding is a good opportunity for us. You can give us lots of information about their next moves and what is going on in their heads. With your help, we can get rid of these savages and bring peace to our people once again." Abtin continued.

"But.." Arta looked anxious and wanted to protest when they heard a knock on the door.

"I'll contact you soon! Take care princess!" Abtin disappeared behind the curtains of the balcony.

Osman opened the door. Arta looked nervous she was still looking at the balcony when Osman came in. She turned her head and looked at Osman. She was a bit scared, what if he had heard them from behind the door.

Osman silently walked toward Arta, looking at her without even blinking. With every step that he was taking Arta's heart was racing faster. She was so scared that she moved a step backward.

Osman stood in front of her and softly touched her chick, Arta closed her eyes "You look beautiful my love."

Arta slowly opened her eyes and looked into his eyes which were full of love and heat.

"hehe, thanks! You also look different." That was the best she could manage to say, she was still nervous after Abtin's surprise visit. Osman was wearing a white thawb and a white aba with golden embroideries on the edges with a matching long white headscarf and a golden sword was hanging from his waist. Arta noticed that he had shortened his beard a bit as well.

"Now turn, let me appreciate all this beauty, cause when we go to the ceremony, I cannot examine you as much as I want." Osman said.

Arta turned slowly. She was wearing a pale green strapless dress with several layers of laces hanging from her waist, which were making a long train behind her. The dress was simple, but it had a gem belt full of small colorful gems that were emphasizing her narrow waist. A short layer of cape-like lace was covering her bare shoulders. She had her mother's turquoise and pearl necklace on, and she had a tiara on her head with the same material as her necklace. Her loose curly hair was cascading down her shoulders.

"You are breathtakingly beautiful Arta. If I could I wouldn't let anyone lay eye on you. you are all mine." He said holding her hand and kissed it. "Now let's go, it's getting late."

Arta covered her face with a matching veil and together they left the room.

They walked to the praying hall together in silence. Arta was thinking about Abtin and what he said about rescuing her and helping them with information. She was confused. She didn't want to start her new life like this, she didn't want to spy on her husband and live in fear of exposure.

She decided to talk to Abtin whenever he comes next time and tells him that she will not spy on her husband.

They entered the hall, it was already full of people. The hall was divided into two sections of males and females. At the entrance, Nahla and Khadijeh accompanied Arta to the female section and Ahmad and Samir walked with Osman to where all men were sitting. Sultan also came after a few minutes and sat on a chair close to Osman.

Sultan opened the Quran and read some parts while everyone was silent listening to him. Then he recited a Hadith on the importance of marriage.

Since the bride did not have a father he increased his voice and directly asked Arta who was sitting on the other side whether she is accepting Osman to be his husband for the rest of her life which she replied yes and everyone in the female section made happy noises. Then he asked Osman and he also said yes and accepted the marriage. Then every man in the hall shook hand with Osman and congratulated him.

After this formal ceremony, all guests were invited to join the feast which was held in the gardens.

The musicians were playing music and beautiful girls were dancing in the center. There were low tables with foods and drinks all around the dancing stage.

The feast area was getting filled with guests while the praying room is getting empty of the guests. Now they were alone in the huge praying hall. Osman walked to the place where Arta was sitting patiently waiting for him to finish shaking hands with the guests.

Osman pushed back her veil and extended his hand in front of Arta, she looked at him. A kind smile on his face. Arta held his hand and stood up.

"Why are you so cold my love?" Osman asked looking concerned when Arta gave him her cold hand. He reached out and took her other hand and hold them to make them warm.

"It's nothing. I guess I'm just hungry." Arta lied. She feared the future and how Osman going to treat her now that she has her as his wife. Then she slowly pulled her hands and nervously smiled.

As if Osman had sensed her fear he said "Are you scared of me?" Arta did not reply and looked at the floor to avoid eye contact with him.

He gently held her chin and made her look at him "I told you I won't touch you until you are ready, didn't I?" Arta blushed and said nothing. He gently kissed her lips "come on wife, the guests are waiting for us." He held her hand again and together they went to the garden.

They sat beside Sultan on the big red cushions prepared for them.

"Congratulations my daughter and welcome to our family. I hope you treat each other well and have many sons."

Arta did not reply, she just slightly bowed her head.

"Thank you father." Osman said.

After a few hours of sitting and watching the dancers, Arta was feeling exhausted from all the things that had happened during the day and was yawning constantly. She was sitting alone now, Osman had left her and was surrendered by her friends, talking and laughing.

Arta decided to end the night and go back to her room. So she called for Nahla to accompany her to the west palace.

"No, you should wait for your husband and then leave together. You cannot leave alone in front of everyone." Nahla said.

"I'm tired and I cannot just sit here waiting for Osman anymore. I'm leaving now, whether you come or not."

Arta stood up and left the feast. Nahla was not sure whether to follow Arta or inform Osman. she hesitated for a moment and then went after Arta.

It was dark and Arta was determined to reach her bed as soon as possible without encountering people. So, she decided to take the garden route instead of the usual way passing in front of the main palace.

She was entering one of the gardens of the main palace when she heard two people were talking. She didn't want to eavesdrop but when she heard the familiar voice of Sultan saying her name, she slowly approached them and hid behind a tree.

"We needed her to strengthen our place in Persia, at least for now."

"But our people are not happy with this marriage. I'm afraid that they raise against the prince." It was Kabir one of the most bloodthirsty generals, whose reputation preceded him among Persians. He was famous for showing no mercy to the Persians. He truly hated all Ajams.

"I know Kabir. This is one of the reasons that I'm leaving for Arabia soon. I want to arrange a marriage between Osman and the daughter of one of the tribe leaders. Osman needs an heir to the throne and I don't want an Ajam to be the mother of our future king. So, he has to remarry again!"

Arta's heart was racing in and she felt pain in her chest. "So, that was his plan all this time, to trick me into this marriage and use me to calm Persians and rule over them. How naïve I was to believe him and his love for me! How stupid I was to think for a second that these savages care about me and my people." Arta was talking to herself. She was furious.

"I'll leave soon, and I want you to suppress any threats that hinder Osman's ruling over these Ajams. You have my full support. Soon we'll have another wedding my friend." Sultan put his hand on Kabir's shoulder, and they walked to the palace.

Arta was still standing behind the tree. She was heartbroken and angry. She felt that she had been abused. He was just playing with her to gain what they wanted. Tears dropped down her amber eyes, her heart was broken.

She slowly walked toward the west palace. When she arrived she saw Nahla already waiting for her at the palace entrance. When she saw Arta she ran toward her "Where were you? I looked everywhere for you. We were so worried."

When she saw Arta's sad face and her messy eyes she inhaled sharply "What has happened to you? Why did you cry? Are you hurt?"

Arta was silent she just wanted to go to bed. She walked upstairs with heavy steps and throw herself on the bed.

"Leave me!" was the only thing that Nahla got in response to all her worries and questions.

Nahla left and after a few seconds, Osman rushed in.

He looked worried. He went and sat by her bed "What has happened my love? They told me that they cannot find you anywhere. I was scared to death that something might have happened to you! What is going on? Are you mad at me?"

Arta's back was to Osman so he could not see her. She did not say anything, so he continued "Don't tell me that you wanted to escape from me and our first night together?" he said jokingly.

"One day I will!" she replied without turning to look at him. His smile drained away when he heard her serious voice.

"What?"

"Leave me Osman!"

"What did you say?"

She angrily turned toward him and shouted "I said leave me alone!"

"What is wrong with you? Where were you? What has happened to you?"

"it's none of your business."

"Well it is my business, you are my wife!"

"Unfortunately!"

Osman looked as if he is going to explode from anger at any moment. He stood up and quickly bend and easily lift Arta in his arms.

"What are you doing? Put me down." She was shouting and struggling to free herself from his rigid embrace.

"I told you I want to wake up by my wife's side every day. I'm a married man, I'm not going to sleep alone anymore." He took her to his room and locked the door.

"I'm not going to sleep here with you." She shouted.

"Oh yes, not only you are going to sleep here with me every night, but also you won't leave this room or talk to anyone until you tell me what has happened to you!"

"You wish!" she hissed.

"We'll see!" he threw her on the bed and started to undress.