The entire family sat around the massive royal dining table inside the palace of the Royal House of Syed Shahriar.
The room itself looked majestic beyond imagination.
Long Imperial Burgundy curtains framed the towering windows while Antique Gold chandeliers glowed warmly above everyone's heads. The endless Royal Mahogany dining table stretched almost the length of the hall, covered with luxurious dishes and golden serving trays.
The atmosphere carried royal elegance mixed with hidden tension.
"Oi Baneva, come sit here love," Aklima called warmly.
Lilith waddled toward her while tightly hugging her teddy bear.
She sat beside Aklima obediently.
Aklima immediately pulled a golden tray closer toward the tiny girl.
The tray was filled with Beef Kala Bhuna, beef with potatoes, soft rice, and Rasmalai carefully arranged for her.
Lilith immediately began eating happily.
While she ate quietly, the adults continued talking.
"Uhmm Rezaul," Kaziya suddenly began carefully. "I found a girl for you. She fit to be wife. Same royal family and she smart too."
Rezaul slowly looked up at her.
Coldly.
"It better to keep your mouth shut," he said sharply.
Everyone looked toward him.
The tension instantly thickened.
"Uhmm Lily baby," Nishi suddenly smiled gently. "Come let go see those ducks."
"Mkay! Ducky ducky ducky!" Lilith squealed excitedly.
"It they family matter. Let go," Nikolai said calmly as he stood.
They followed him alongside the tiny queen.
But before Nikolai could leave—
"Nikolai stay and let them go with Lily," Rezaul suddenly said.
Nikolai paused.
Then nodded once.
"Okay."
He remained behind while the others left toward the courtyard with Lilith.
The moment they disappeared—
The atmosphere exploded.
"Why are you behaving like this?" Kaziya snapped angrily.
Rezaul scoffed loudly before glaring directly at her.
"Why did you lie to Shirin?" he demanded.
Kaziya's eyes widened.
"Don't you dare lie to me again. You know what? Don't even lie at all."
"What are you talking about?" Zohra asked in confusion.
Rezaul's jaw clenched tightly.
"I have a son."
The entire room froze.
"Shirin was carrying my child when I left."
Silence.
"And she lied to me saying that it was Shirin husband and she aborted my child."
Gasps echoed around the table.
"Shirin didn't even get married," Rezaul continued furiously. "She was kicked out."
"What!?" Tahrima gasped.
"In fact she also lied to Shirin showing her pictures of me and another random girl saying I moved to New York and I can pick any girls I want."
His breathing grew heavier.
"You ruined both lives!"
He slammed his fist against the dining table violently.
The plates shook.
He was very, very angry.
"Calm down," Warda whispered nervously.
"I CAN'T CALM DOWN!" Rezaul shouted. "She always does this! She thinks about reputation power money money money!"
He pointed directly at Kaziya.
"I wonder how you are even getting married now. Maybe he rich that why you might have trapped him. Yes that it. You trapped him."
Kaziya immediately stood up.
"Watch your mouth! Just because I'm quiet doesn't give you the right to insult me!"
"Make me bitch!" Rezaul roared while hitting the table again.
Nikolai watched everything silently.
Then Kaziya spoke again.
"My husband to be… I didn't trap him nor did I play any games. He is mother choice not mine. I don't even know what next for me!"
Rezaul laughed bitterly.
"Look. She wasn't good for you and you left the throne to be with her."
"BECAUSE I LOVE HER!" Rezaul exploded.
His voice echoed throughout the royal hall.
"I NEVER WANTED ANYONE EXCEPT HER!"
Everyone became silent.
"But you always do this to me! Why can't you just LET ME BE HAPPY?!"
Kaziya looked shaken.
"I want you to be happy and not a—"
"You don't get to choose who I should be with," Rezaul interrupted harshly. "Just like the way mother did for you."
Before anyone could continue—
Riyana suddenly entered the room.
Beside her stood Shirin.
And in her arms—
A little boy.
The child looked toward Rezaul curiously.
"Papa?" he asked softly.
Rezaul froze.
Completely.
Slowly he walked forward and carried the little boy into his arms.
Tears instantly filled his eyes.
"He is my son," he whispered brokenly. "She hid him from me and everyone."
Kaziya clenched her fists tightly.
"Don't you dare do anything," she warned shakily.
Rezaul looked at her coldly.
"I never wanted to come for your wedding nor have anything to do with you after this drama called a wedding."
His eyes darkened.
"I don't have anything to do with you in my life ever again."
"Uncle don't say that," Nikolai finally spoke calmly.
Everyone looked toward him.
"Yes her act is unforgivable," Nikolai said quietly. "In her eyes she wants the family to stay royal."
He leaned back slightly.
"That what happens in families like this. No matter how much you love someone they will try to separate you both."
The room remained silent.
"People start talking about oh she not royalty and stuff. That pushes people to do these things without thinking twice."
His voice stayed calm.
"So Ms… you were wrong to your brother. Very much."
Kaziya lowered her eyes.
"And to the little boy as well."
Nikolai's gaze hardened slightly.
"Living without his father… do you know how it feels for a boy growing without his father?"
Silence.
"No you don't."
He continued calmly.
"And people questioning her character. Calling her names. That fucking bad."
Suddenly—
"NIKKI COME SEE DUCKY!"
Lilith shouted loudly from outside.
Nikolai immediately stood.
"Excuse me," he said smoothly. "My tiny wife needs me."
Then he walked out.
Everyone watched him leave.
"Indeed he is wiser," Aklima finally said quietly. "I see he has a great future with Baneva."
She smiled faintly.
"May their marriage be forever blessed."
"Ameen," everyone answered softly.
Rezaul glared at Kaziya one last time.
"I hate you."
Then he walked out carrying his son.
Lutfia sighed heavily.
"What you did to him was extremely beyond forgiveness honestly."
"Yeah it is," Tahrima agreed quietly.
Kaziya wiped her tears silently before walking away from the dining hall.
By nightfall the palace became quieter.
Rain still fell softly outside the giant windows.
Riyana carefully bathed her daughter while Aklima fed her dinner afterward.
Then Aklima handed Lilith a cup of warm turmeric milk.
"Drink baby."
Lilith obediently drank it.
After barely two minutes—
She yawned softly.
Her eyelids slowly closed.
And she fell asleep immediately.
"Here is your guys room," Zohra said politely.
"Thank you," Nikolai nodded.
He carried Lilith carefully into the room.
The moment he entered—
"Woah…"
The bedroom looked breathtaking.
The Royal Emerald Chamber was a vast aristocratic bedroom designed with overwhelming elegance and silent authority.
Every wall was wrapped in deep Emerald Velvet panels stitched carefully with subtle Antique Gold embroidery, creating a rich regal atmosphere that felt luxurious yet intimidating.
At the center of the chamber stood an enormous royal bed carved entirely from dark Royal Mahogany.
Towering pillars stretched upward toward the high ceiling.
The bed itself was draped in layered Emerald Velvet covers soft, thick, and heavily embroidered with golden royal patterns.
The fabric cascaded gracefully over the edges like flowing royal silk untouched by time.
Above the bed hung a magnificent canopy of royal veils descending from a circular golden crown frame suspended from the ceiling.
The veils themselves were made from sheer Emerald Velvet silk threaded delicately with gold, creating a shadowed dreamlike effect around the bed as though the entire sleeping space belonged to a monarch feared and respected across generations.
The ceiling glowed beneath dim Antique Gold chandeliers reflecting softly against Midnight Navy detailing overhead.
Obsidian Black marble floors shimmered beneath thick emerald carpets bordered in gold.
Every curtain.
Every pillow.
Every veil.
Everything carried the unmistakable feeling of old money, royal silence, and untouchable power.
Massive arched windows overlooked the palace grounds though the heavy Emerald Velvet drapes concealed most of the moonlight, preserving the room's mysterious atmosphere.
In one corner rested a private royal lounge beside a black marble fireplace decorated with gold sculptures and ancestral emblems.
The entire bedroom felt less like somewhere people slept—
And more like the private sanctuary of a feared royal dynasty where wealth, power, and legacy existed in absolute silence.
Nikolai looked down at Lilith sleeping peacefully in his arms.
"My Bambi is indeed a princess and a queen," he whispered.
He kissed her forehead softly.
Then he changed clothes, laid beside her carefully, wrapped his arm around her small body—
And slowly fell asleep too.
By midnight—
Both Nikolai and Lilith remained asleep.
But elsewhere in the palace—
Valerio suddenly woke up again.
Another nightmare.
The same nightmare every single night.
His mother dying.
He quietly stepped outside onto the balcony for fresh air.
Moonlight reflected across his tear stained face while he sat on the cold floor.
His eyes were red.
A joint rested between his fingers.
Smoke drifted slowly upward into the night.
Tears rolled silently down his face.
Then—
"Can I have some?"
A soft sleepy voice interrupted him.
Valerio looked up.
Naomi stood there rubbing her eyes sleepily.
She sat beside him quietly.
"Why are you up Ms?" he asked hoarsely.
"Can't sleep," Naomi yawned softly. "Had a bad nightmare again."
Valerio looked at her carefully.
"You also have nightmares?"
She nodded slowly.
Then pointed toward the weed.
"Weed," she said curiously. "I want to try for the first time."
Valerio immediately shook his head.
"Yeah no. Keep it that way sweetheart. This shit bad."
His eyes remained bloodshot.
"Mhmhmm," Naomi hummed sleepily while yawning again.
Then she looked at him softly.
"What kind of nightmares do you have?"
Valerio stayed quiet for a moment.
Then finally answered.
"I lost my mother."
Naomi's expression softened immediately.
"She was raped and killed by dad friends."
His voice cracked.
"They stabbed her seventy eight times."
Naomi slowly covered her mouth.
"And I killed them all. Five thousand times."
His hands trembled violently.
"Dad couldn't bear the pain. He transferred everything in my name and hung himself to death to be with mom."
Tears streamed harder down his face.
"He loved her a lot. Very much."
Silence filled the balcony.
"So he wanted to be with her even in the afterlife."
Naomi quietly listened.
"Every night I keep having nightmares of mom. All night. All these years."
He wiped his tears roughly.
"I can't sleep well."
Naomi stood up gently.
"Come. Let me help you."
She held his hand carefully.
Then guided him toward her room.
Valerio slowly laid on the bed while Naomi sat beside him.
She slid her fingers gently through his black hair.
Massaging his scalp softly.
Slowly Valerio pulled her closer.
Cuddling against her warmth.
His eyes finally closed.
For the first time in a very long time—
Sleep came peacefully.
Naomi slowly fell asleep in his arms too.
By sunrise—
September 2nd.
Yulian's birthday.
Inside the royal kitchen Lilith proudly finished decorating a birthday cake.
The writing on it was messy and misspelled.
But the cake itself looked beautiful.
"All done!" she cheered proudly while clapping.
Meanwhile everyone gathered around the breakfast table.
"Has anyone seen Lilith?" Nikolai asked.
"No boss," they answered.
"Happy Birthday baby!" Zhanna smiled while Arina, Daria, and Meghan hugged Yulian tightly.
"Thank you," Yulian laughed warmly.
Suddenly—
Lilith waddled into the room carrying the cake carefully.
"Happy B…B…B…Birthday L…Lian!" she announced proudly.
Yulian's entire heart melted instantly.
She carefully held the cake toward him.
"Thank you Lily baby," he smiled emotionally.
He cut the cake immediately.
And fed Lilith the very first piece.
She smiled happily while eating.
"Hmm it so good love. Thank you Lily."
He hugged her tightly.
"Welcome!" the tiny queen announced proudly.
"Happy birthday," Nikolai said while hugging Yulian too.
"There is a little surprise back home. You will love it."
Yulian grinned immediately.
"Love you brother."
"Whatever," Nikolai answered dryly.
Aklima suddenly spoke.
"Today is the introduction."
Everyone became attentive immediately.
"Everywhere is clean. Behave yourself," she warned Kaziya strictly.
Kaziya stayed silent.
Then stood up and walked away quietly.
Later that afternoon—
"Shagotom. Welcome," Aklima greeted warmly.
The groom's family entered the palace elegantly.
They greeted everyone respectfully before sitting down.
The groom was a well known Mufti.
His name—
Anwar Altaf Hossain.
His mother—
Momtaz Begum.
She had four children.
Three daughters and only one son.
The daughters were:
Irtiza.
Doyel.
And Efty.
They all sat together calmly.
"Amma she is here," Warda whispered.
Anwar looked down at his phone absentmindedly.
Originally he had rejected over twenty women.
But the moment he saw Kaziya's picture—
He requested to meet her personally.
Then—
Kaziya entered.
She wore a brown hijab outfit that covered her body completely.
The moment Anwar saw her—
His eyes softened slightly.
He recognized her instantly.
Traffic.
The emergency.
That woman.
The memory replayed vividly inside his mind.
Flashback
"Sir there is a pregnant woman! We need to pass please she will die if we don't get to the hospital!" a man pleaded desperately.
"Get lost," the police officer snapped. "The minister daughters are passing through. Have respect for them."
Traffic blocked the road completely.
Anwar stepped forward angrily.
"OI!!"
Suddenly—
A bottle smashed against the officer's head.
Anwar turned immediately.
A furious woman stood there wearing a full black Abaya and Niqab.
Kaziya.
She aggressively grabbed the officer by his hair.
Then shouted furiously in Bangla.
"Jodi tumi ekhuni ei rasta na kholo, ami tomake mere felbo ebong tomar puro 'police dako' namer jok! Jodi oi gorbhoboti mohilar kichu hoy, ami ekhuni tomar shob haṛ bhenge felbo! Ekhuni rasta khule dao!"
(If you don't open this road right now I will kill you and your whole 'call the police' joke! If anything happens to that pregnant woman I will break all your bones right now! Open the road now!)
Then she slammed his head against the car repeatedly.
Anwar immediately leaned back trying not to laugh.
The terrified officer screamed desperately.
"Druto rasta khule dao, she amake mere felbe tar age!"
(Open the road quickly before she kills me!)
The officers immediately opened the gates.
Cars rushed through instantly.
"Thank you ma!" the nurses cried thankfully while the pregnant woman waved emotionally toward Kaziya.
Kaziya waved back casually.
Then the minister's daughter stepped out nervously.
She bowed immediately.
"F…forgive me please."
Kaziya's eyes narrowed sharply.
"If my mother gets to know about this stupid behavior of yours putting people lives in danger just so you can do shopping…"
Her voice became colder.
"There is a parking spot there. If this repeat it…"
She covered her face again.
Then noticed Anwar staring at her.
His dark amber eyes met her frost blue eyes.
Without another word—
She got on her bike and drove away.
"Who is she?" Anwar whispered.
"Sir that Queen Aklima third daughter. Princess Kaziya Syed Shahriar," his driver answered.
Anwar slowly nodded.
"I hope I see her again."
Weeks later—
"Son I found a match for you again. I hope you won't reject her this time," his mother sighed while placing a photograph inside his file.
Anwar glanced down.
Then froze.
It was her.
"I have seen her before Mama," he smiled slightly.
"Really? Where?"
He smirked softly.
"I accept. We see her mother."
"Finally!" his sisters screamed excitedly.
Anwar smiled while staring at Kaziya's picture.
Flashback End
Now everyone sat together inside the royal hall.
Anwar's eyes remained fixed on Kaziya.
She noticed.
And glared directly back at him.
Suddenly—
"Amma?"
Everyone turned.
Lilith stood there holding her teddy bear while yawning sleepily.
"Hello love," Aklima smiled warmly. "How was your nap?"
"Nappy g…good. Lily no see Nikki and e…e…everyone all lost?" Lilith asked softly.
Mrs. Momtaz looked confused.
"Come here love. Come sit."
Lilith walked over obediently while tightly hugging her teddy bear.
"Baby greet the guests," Kaziya said gently.
"H…H…Hi. I Lily," the tiny girl introduced shyly.
"What wrong with her?" Anwar asked carefully.
"She is—"
Before Rezaul could answer—
"Lily why did you leave the room love?" Nikolai suddenly appeared.
Lilith instantly skipped toward him happily.
"Come bath now hm?"
"Mkay."
Nikolai lifted her into his arms and carried her away.
The guests watched silently.
"Who is she? Why is she like a child?" Efty whispered.
"Her name is Lilith but her Bangali name is Baneva," Tahrima explained softly. "She is in a childlike state. She Sohan Murad daughter."
The room became quiet.
"Isn't he the one who burned half of the city for Mr. Noman daughter?" Momtaz asked carefully.
"Yeah," Rezaul nodded. "That their daughter. The last born. Eight boys and her the only daughter and last heiress."
"Poor girl," Irtiza whispered sadly.
"What of that man? He doesn't look like one from here," she added.
"That her husband. He Russia."
"Ohhhh," the sisters whispered together.
"Let them speak in private. Come," Aklima instructed.
Everyone slowly moved into the next hall.
The moment the room emptied—
Silence filled the air.
After almost two minutes—
"Assalamu Alaikum," Anwar finally said softly.
Kaziya looked at him.
"Wa Alaikum Assalam."
"Nice to meet you again."
She immediately recognized him from the traffic incident.
"Mhmhm," she muttered awkwardly while rubbing her forehead.
"Look… Amma made this and I'm not ready for marriage."
Anwar listened quietly.
"I'm a very very bad woman okay? I just want to fix myself and become a better person again."
Her voice softened.
"But I'm sorry. I don't want this."
Anwar looked at her calmly.
"I can see that."
She slowly looked up.
"This is the fortieth time you rejected any man who asked for your hand."
She blinked.
"First… I'm not forcing you into this marriage."
His voice remained gentle.
"But I want to help you."
Kaziya stared silently.
"Your mother said you have issues and I believe you can become who you want to be."
He smiled slightly.
"You helped the pregnant woman and saved people lives that day."
Kaziya froze.
"I know what you did to your brother. You were wrong."
Her expression fell.
"But it people influence that got into your head."
He leaned slightly closer.
"So you aren't bad. Just a bit bratty."
Then he smirked softly.
"I can handle you."
His words instantly made her blush deeply.
"Shut up," she mumbled embarrassed.
Suddenly—
"AUNTIE!"
Lilith skipped inside happily.
"Hey Neva," Kaziya smiled softly.
Nikolai followed behind her.
"You are stressing me Bambi," he sighed.
"Hmmmm nope. You pinky promise," Lilith argued proudly.
"Please do you guys have drums?" Nikolai suddenly asked.
"Yes we do. Amma knows where it is," Kaziya answered.
Lilith suddenly looked at Anwar.
"Hi i Lily!"
Anwar smiled warmly.
"Why hello Lily. How are you?"
"Me okie," Lilith giggled.
"Let go Bambi. It almost lunchtime," Nikolai reminded.
"Hmmmm mkay. Bye bye uncle!"
"Bye Neva," Anwar smiled softly.
Nikolai carried her away.
Anwar watched them leave quietly.
"She is sweet girl," he whispered.
Then—
"Yeah. I accept this marriage," Kaziya suddenly admitted softly.
Anwar smiled immediately.
He slowly moved closer beside her.
Then whispered near her ear.
"I will wait for your love and cherish you forever. I swear by Allah."
Kaziya blushed even harder.
They stared at each other quietly.
"Let go," she muttered shyly.
Anwar chuckled softly before following her.
Together they entered the dining hall.
"We accept," both of them announced together.
The entire family burst into applause.
"Congratulations!"
"We set the wedding for next two weeks," Anwar announced calmly.
"Congratulations son," Momtaz smiled while hugging him tightly.
He smiled happily.
"YAYYYY!" Lilith squealed excitedly.
Nikolai held her while chuckling softly at her excitement.