Taking the long route home, instead of travelling in the usual busy silk route. They travel down to TianZhu and travel across the land to Persia. This takes them a year plus finally they reach Persia. On the way, she met a lady who is begging for a job to feed her child. Even though they speak a different language, through her body language, they understand each other. Banou employ her for cleaning and washing. The lady is given three coins plus three full meals which include her child too. The lady is very grateful and does her job well enough. She even try to make all clothes including the men's with good fragrances. Later Banou learns that her name is Maya and she is only seventeen and her son is five. Even at that age, she looks older and tired but she never fail to smile. Banou look at the missing front teeth and feels bad for the lady. What kind of life she is living.
The days they travel, Banou ask Maya to follow her to Persia. Through an interpreter, Banou understands that she have a big family to take care. The coins she receive now is save for the family at home. Her husband is a farmer but he drinks a lot. She have her own parents additional his family too. She thank Banou's kindness and god will bless her. Satisfy that she try to help Maya thus they separated at the border after five months. She as the interpreter to let Maya where to find her if she needs help. Banou hand her a piece of paper written by herself.
"Tell her, show it to any solider, they will bring her to where i am."
Maya listens with understanding and fold the letter and stuff it in her blouse. She put her hands up to her lips and say her blessing. Banou with her hand to her chest bow to Maya. The ladies parted as Banou wave to a small lady who is carrying her child.
The entourage soon see the sight of the road towards Ottoman empire. Banou's heart is heavy. She is once again back here. She left her family and friends back in Tang. She feel that she will never smile again. As the carriage move nearer and near, she feel that she cannot breath properly. She look for her veil and put it on. As the golden sun starts to set, the entourage find themselves at the gate of the empire. Banou peek out the window to see the guards are checking through the documents. Arya who is still awake look at Banou.
"Princess Banou..."
Banou look at the boy who have a frighten look on his face. She reach out to hold his hand.
"There is nothing to be afraid of. We are back... To Persia."
Banou cannot bring herself to say the word 'home' as it is never really home to her when she knows that she is not wanted in the palace. She smile a bit to cheer the boy up. By the time they are good to go in the place, the sun have set and the cool air sweep into the city as the entourage comes in. The lights in the city is equally as beautiful in the night in Tang. Everyone is watching the carriage of strange design move in slowly. Her carriage is the biggest with lamp lights on four corners. The Chinese word 'Tang' is shown on the lamp lights. The merchants who are following the entourage, soon take another route in the city. While Banou's carriage move slowly towards the palace. Everyone in the night market watch as the carriage move in. Soldiers from all sides soon appear and run beside the carriage. It must be some one of important, people on the streets whisper as they watch. Everyone hope to have a look who is the one in the carriage. Upon reaching the palace, the golden gates open swiftly.
Banou and the heirs walk into the grand hall. The heirs who never have seen the splendour of the golden grand hall is awe at the sight of it. While Banou is standing before the round arch with Arabic words with Afshin, waiting for the Sultan. After a long time, Banou hears sounds of foot steps and they are walking slowly. Finally her father come into the grand hall with Halil holding his arm. Banou now see an old man who have difficulties in walking. An old man who is needing help from Halil and another hand holding his walking cane. However, he still have that majestic look in him along with an aura of authority and annoyance on his face That stern look on his father never fade off. He is still in the same spirit before she left Ottoman empire. He sit down slowly on his throne. Banou see that all his hair, eyebrows moustache and beard are completely white like snow. He used to stand tall now he slouch while he walk. She see that he try to straighten his back when he is sitting down. He stare at her with his lips perch together. Banou, the heirs and the rest of the guards bow to the Sultan. The guards chanted loudly the words to praise the nation and the Sultan. After that He raise his hand. Banou walk up to him and kneel. She take his hand and kiss it.
"You are finally home, my daughter."
Banou look up to see the green eyes of her father. She smile and nod her head. He look far to see the two frighten young boys and he look back at Banou.
"Our work have begin."
Banou don't understand what work is he referring to but she assume it must be work to train the boys ready for being the ruler of Ottoman. He signal her to stand up. She stand up and stand next to him. He raise his hand again. Banou signal the boys to walk forward. Arya who is frighten off the ruler of the nation takes deep breath while Darius who doesn't look frighten hold Arya's hand. He look at Arya and ensure him that there is nothing to be frighten off enough through he is trembling inside. Together they walk towards the almighty Sultan. Step by step with every breath they take.