The Governor stopped and blinked. "Go on then," he replied with a straight face. "Should you get it changed, you are free to do as you will. But no Qazi is going to change the wilayah of a woman whose father has been nothing but dutiful and compassionate to her, yet she still had an affair behind his back with the son of the one family he told her to stay away from."
Her face fell as she realised what he was saying was the truth. Then, it twisted into an ugly expression. "I hate you."
Both Saiqah Begum and Zukhruf stared at her in shock as she clenched her fists, shaking from rage. "I hate you! I hate you so much! You are the most despicable man I have ever seen. Lord perish you!" She screamed in his face, tears streaming down her eyes. Yet his expression did not change, and it only made her angrier. "I pray you die! I pray you drop dead!"
Before she could continue, Zukhruf grabbed her by the arm and spun her around. "How dare you, you wastrel!" Zukhruf spat. "Know your place! What a shameless woman! How dare you argue with my father because of that scoundrel! Cursing your father because of your love? Lord perish you!"
"Zukhruf," spoke the Governor. "Do not tire yourself. When she has no regard for what her parents have to say, what regard will she have for your words?"
Zukhruf turned to look at her father. Inhaling sharply, she let go of Famina's arm with a push, stepping back.
The Governor sighed. "Famina, you fell in my eyes the first time I caught you two together. There is nothing more I want than for you to be out of my sight. But still, I can't give you to him, not because I want you in my house, but because GOD has ordained that I only marry you to the one who is good for you."
He stepped towards her. "Were I not ordained this, I would have just married you to him and never seen your face again. Then it would all be over."
Famina bit the inside of her lip as he continued, "But alas, I cannot do that." He let out a long sigh before shaking his head. Then, he turned away. "Go and rest, Famina. Because one thing is for certain. "You can't live here anymore."
"What do you mean?" Famina demanded, her eyes widening in surprise.
"We'll see. For now, go to your room," the Governor ended before striding out of the room. Saiqah Begum looked at her daughter for a long time before sighing and turning to leave. She stopped as she got sight of Zukhruf glaring at Famina.
"Remember one thing," Zukhruf hissed, grabbing Famina's attention who turned to look at her. "Should that lover of yours cause any harm to my father, I'll behead him with my own hands."
Famina swallowed, staring back at her younger sister. In the end, she said nothing as Zukhruf turned and strode out the door.
They sat in the garden of the palace in the moonlight: Prince Fazaluddin, Saiqah Begum and Zukhruf. While the Prince had insisted that he was fine, but Zukhruf had refused to leave his side after the events of that day.
"I am not a child, little one," he said to her calmly. "I am alright."
Zukhruf sighed, twiddling her thumbs. "When did I claim you are a child, Baba? I just wanted to sit with you." Then she puffed up her face, "Is that still allowed."
Prince Fazaluddin snickered, understanding his daughter's antics. "Of course it is, beloved. Who else would I sit with if not with you?"
She grinned. As always, she had succeeded in bringing a smile to his lips.
But Saiqah Begum's face was still solemn. "Governor," she began, clasping her hands together as she inhaled sharply. Grabbing the attention of both father and daughter. "I don't want to worry you, but this a serious matter. This is the fifth time that man has secretly met Famina since you forbade them from meeting. For how long will this carry on."
The Governor's expressions changed as he nodded. "I agree. It is in fact a serious matter. It cannot continue like this."
Saiqah Begum hesitated slightly before continuing, "We have a matchmaker in my side of the family. One who won't go around announcing our matters to the people. If you see it fit, I..."
"No," the Governor interrupted her. Zukhruf looked at him surprised.
Saiqah Begum raised her brows. "But my Prince, I..."
He shook his head. "No. It is cruel to force a woman like her upon someone. She will only destroy another's home. Nobody should have to deal with a woman whose heart beats for another."
Zukhruf smiled. "Parents in our land hide the past of their children and trick others into marrying them. Some men even marry off their pregnant daughters to unsuspecting men. And then there is my father. Even when his own reputation is on the line, he will not do such a thing."
Prince Fazaluddin looked at his daughter, placing a hand on her head. "Chaste men are for chaste women. I will not hide her past and marry her of to an unsuspecting young lad just to get her burden off of our heads. As for my reputation, that is in the hands of the Lord. It is He who has given me everything I have. If He wishes, He will save it."
Zukhruf nodded, once again impressed by her father's morality.
Saiqah Begum seemed somewhat offended though. "I did not suggest that we lie to another. I meant marry her off to someone who is willing to,"
Prince Fazaluddin sighed. "The only one who would be willing to do that would be a man who is helpless, and it is not wise to exploit the helplessness of another."
Saiqah begum sighed, finally giving up. "Alright then. What do you suggest?"