"You do not want her?"

"How could I want her when I have never seen her before. And we have already discussed that she would be the rightful prize to the new 'Lion of Persia'. Stop going over it in your head."

"I'm just thinking about propriety. You have not married yet and to betrothe Dastan ahead of you may not sit well with father or the council. Plus, you are more easier to convince than Dastan."

"Easier to convince, eh?"

"I meant that you are more mature to understand the situation."

"Not in this matter. Getting associated with anything from Almut neither sits well with me. Dastan claimed the first blood in this city, he is known to have conquered it and even more known for appeasing with it. I would rather have it written that I was irresponsibly trading jars and silk in the east while this whole drama of an invasion happened."

"If there is only an easier way to legitimize this invasion than getting one of you to break your seeming vow to celibacy. Our religious allies would not be happy to hear that their temples in the western part of the city were severely burned for no reason at all."

"Why don't you marry the princess then, Tus? You have no problem collecting wives."

"With no crime to witness against Almut, the city's priestess is by tradition offered the position of first wife by royal families. It will be an insult to take away her holiness to a kingdom where she will serve only as a 15th wife to me."

"Even if the kingdom is Persia?"

"Sadly, tradition does not exempt Persia."

"From what?" Dastan rolled down from the windows.

"I told you Tus, this tower is not safe enough to reside in! If Dastan can roll himself into your chambers without breaking a sweat..."

"The Lion of Persia could stroll around the flaming underworld without sweat, now could you little brother?" Tus, interrupted, his voice glinting with intention of flattering Dastan as well as saving his tower view of the Almut's lush green hanging gardens."

"Stroll? You could add cartwheels and acrobatics, and yes, no sweat, haha." Dastan said with the boyish demeanor that endeared him to his brothers more than his show off bearing irked them.

"That is correct Dastan, and I also believe that handling a woman would not be a problem to you as well." Tus added, still with a tone that glorified Dastan.

Garsiv chuckled while standing up to take his leave. "The day has been long for me and my men preparing for a battle that never was. I will leave you to banter about the inevitable fates of great men like the two of you... that is marriage."

"What does he mean Tus?" Dastan's voice grew nervous and serious adding more to Garsiv's excitement, prompting the second prince to turn around to witness Dastan's reaction when Tus finally tells him.

"Well you see Dastan, marriage is a duty of a prince. I know Garsiv has not actually been a good example, but aside from him, all princes, not just in Persia, marry for the continuation of the royal bloodline, alliances, pro..."

"I know that, old Darius starts every lesson about anatomy with that speech."

"I thought you did not listen to him.'

"I am all ears in the female anatomy, but what is it that you are telling me?"

"Tus is saying that it is your duty to benefit Persia immensely by marriage to the princess of Almut." Garsiv interjected with a big smile, no longer able to wait for Dastan's violent reaction. However, Dastan responded only silence for a few seconds, and considering Dastan and the topic, that few seconds felt a long time.

"I.. I will marry the Princess... of course, I will marry her for Persia." Dastan finally said, giving his final phrase with no hint of hesitation.

Tus and Garsiv mouths were left hanging in the air. That was not an answer they expected at all. Tus, however, broke into a huge smile and walked towards Dastan for a big hug.

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"Marry the princess? One would think you are excited."

"I do not wish to marry ahead of you brother, my marriage can wait. However, the Princess Tamina herself I cannot succumb to you."

"So you do want her?"

"Is it wrong for me to want a woman?"

"Not at all. But are you not wanting the wrong woman?"

"What do you mean?"

"I always thought your heart lies with someone from Persia, one you would honor as first wife."

"Is someone in particular in your mind?"

"A beautiful face could make you easily forget? Dont you remember Lady Zarja who patiently awaits for your return in every battle anymore?"

"Zarja? I have never had any intention of marrying her."

(silence)

"So you have been playing her all along?" Garsiv shoved Dastan to the wall.

"Woah. My brother, I never imagined you to be a protector of the honor of women. But she has never entered my mind as a wife or lover. Now, could you put me down. Tus is already asleep and I am in no humor to play fist with you tonight when I have a marriage proposal to attend to tomorrow."

"You seemed a changed man, Dastan." Garsiv said as he loosend his grip. "Is it possible that the princess has cast a spell upon you?" Garsiv then placed the back of his hand on top of Dastan's forehead.

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He traced the soft skin of her neck with his finger and in an instant she jerked away.

"Your highness!" shaken from her trance of staring at the newly engaged couple, her hazelnut eyes looked back at him with the all too familiar expression he interprets as disgust that she usually gives him.

"She is a beauty isn't she?" He said turning his gaze to Tamina. He leaned back to the walls in the nearly secluded corner of the court where Zarja decided to hide as she stalked every movement of Dastan and Tamina who basked in the attention of all the well wishers of their soon union. His knees could hardly support him in his drunken state.

"It is not really not much of a surprise, her beauty is known across desserts."

"Have the two of you been introduced?"

"No... not yet."

"Hmmm, Dastan has not accommodated you since you arrived, hasn't he? He had been spending every waking hour with his princess, one would think he is her guard of duty."

"That is good to hear, he is happy with the union. It had always seemed to me that he will never marry."

"Had he?... come on, i'll introduce you to your rival"

"Milord?"

"I will take you to meet Tamina, the sight of you could awaken Dastan from whatever spell he has been under." He pulled her hand but found that all the wine had taken away his strength.

"what do you mean your highess? You think Prince Dastan is being enchanted?" Zarja pulled back her hand along with the rest of the prince's body, leaving him to lean on her.

"He would have been very well enchanted to forget you so easily, don't you think?" Said the prince who cupped Zarja's face gently as he spoke. Garsiv has never spoken to her in that manner, in which he seemingly was giving her praise. But then again, the stench in his breath reminded her that he was never drunk around her before, if anything, he was always angry at the drunk Dastan when she sees him.

"But, milord..."