Heads turned in the direction of the voice. Councillor Raees and Bakhtawar Begum's eyes shot open as they saw who had volunteered. The only sound in the hall was that of Qurbat's shoes as she stepped forward and turned to face the throne.
Joining her hands before her and taking in a sharp breath, she spoke, "I will go to the North. I will be Nuhaadazym's bride."
"No! I..." Bakhtawar Begum cried out before choking on her own tears. She attempted to move forward but couldn't. Laia held her by the shoulders, inspecting the scene carefully.
Qurbat ignored her. Her face was calm, the innocence and charm she was gifted with shining across her face. "I do not care if it costs me my life. It is my will to do this for my kingdom. I am willing to give my life for my people." Of course she was not, but she needed to make this look like a noble sacrifice.
The King's eyes lit up. "Oh how wonderful! Learn something from her you lot!" He snapped at the attendees, but they were not having any of it.
"Do you not have something to say?"
It took Councillor Raees a while to realize that it was he who was being adressed. He turned his face to see Councillor Shaam, a man his age dressed in maroon, at a distance looking at him with contempt. Not just him, but rather the entire court had their eyes fixed on him, waiting for him to refuse like any father would.
But before he could reply, the King stood up. The King had found his sacrificial goat and he wasn't going to let anyone snatch her away from his hands.
"Raees! I will increase your salary to thirty lakh gold coins per month if you let your daughter go. Do you accept?" He offered in desperation.
There were gasps from the crowd. That was twenty five times of what Yahmir was paying in mehr. No one could mistake the flash of greed that shone across Councillor Raees' eyes in that moment. "I... I..."
"Raees, will you let your daughter go to that tyrant? Do you have no dignity?" Councillor Shaakir questioned, staring at him incredulously.
When a moment passed and the Councillor gave no response, the court erupted into chaos.
Why does the Lord even give children to the likes of you?
Jahannum InshaAllah, Councillor!
What a horrendous mother and father!
I knew they only cared about their younger one!
First they sent off their eldest and now they are sending off their second one!
A small amile tugged at Qurbat's lips. Yes, this was the humiliation she wanted both her mother and father to face. They deserved it after what they had done to her, after they had sacrificed her dignity because if their
Slowly, she turned her head to face Councillor Raees. "Accept it, Father," Qurbat spoke, staring into her father's eyes coldly. "Isn't this why you gave my man to Laia?" She narrowed her eyes at him before adding, "For money?"
What?
The Councillor Engaged his older daughter's fiance to his younger daughter?
What a shameless man.
No dignity none whatsoever!
Laia's face went red as the confession earned her some disgusted looks from the crowd. She scoffed, glaring at her sister because of her audacity. The Councillor stared at Qurbat. There wasn't anger on his face. Helplessness? Maybe. He opening his mouth to say something, but in the end closed it again when nothing came out.
"Raees," the King spoke coldly. There was a certain finality in his voice that made the Councillor straighten up. "This is about the Kingdom's future, the future of millions of people. If you refuse to let your daughter go espite her willingness," he paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes at the Councillor befoe continuing, "I will remove you from court."
Councillor Raees stared at the King in shock. He couldn't believe it. Qurbat dropped her head to hide her smirk.
There was no escaping this situation for him. Other than his monthly salary, the family owned no assets. Even the mansion they lived in was awarded by the state. If he lost his position, the family would need to move back to Dara Village where they hailed from. They would have absolutely nothing to their name. They would be in ruin. Again, any dutiful father would accept this, but Raees wasn't one of them. And that was what Qurbat wanted to show everyone.
Councillor Raees swallowed, and silenced stretched in the court. "I... I accept," Councillor Raees finally croaked, looking at his shoes not daring to meet anyone's eyes.
Bakhtawar Begum gasped, clutching her necklace. Even Laia appeared shocked as she held her mother back.
The contempt of the court wasn't loud this time. It instead came in silent stares, stares full of disgust. Employed or not, Councillor Raees was effectively ruined. There was no coming back from this.
The King sighed in relief, settling back into the throne. Composing himself, he began, "Very well then, the preparations shall commence from today. Qurbat will be sent off the same day your other daughter will be married. Pick up preparations immediately."
Bakhtawar Begum bearly collapsed in Laia's arms. Councillor Raees nodded weakly, looking utterly defeated. "As you command, your majesty."
The King then looked over at Qurbat. "You have done a very brave thing today. Not many would agree to do such an act. May the Lord make it easy for you.
Qurbat curtsied with a solemn expression. "I am glad to be of service, your highness."