BAYAN MUTUWA

Description

Gimbiya Lashmin, a strikingly beautiful princess, lies in deep slumber on a luxurious royal bed, her serene expression radiating charm even in sleep. Her tall, well-proportioned figure, adorned in elegant sleepwear, exudes a natural grace, with delicate features—large eyes, a slender nose, and small, sharp lips—that captivate any onlooker. Yet, her beauty is only part of her story. Lashmin, despite her royal status in the grand palace of Basra, despises the constraints of her privileged life. She yearns for independence, longing to live simply among commoners, unrecognized, far from the opulence and servitude that define her existence.

As morning light filters into her chamber, her maids stand anxiously around her bed, torn between their queen’s orders to wake her and Lashmin’s strict rule against being disturbed. Her disdain for being served stems from a deep desire for autonomy, a trait that clashes with the palace’s rigid traditions. When Lashmin abruptly awakens, startled as if from a nightmare, she laughs at her maids’ hesitation, pleased to have risen on her own. She declares her intent to bathe herself, shocking her head maid, Ilela, who fears the queen’s wrath if Lashmin defies protocol.

The queen, Marita, overhears Lashmin’s defiance and intervenes, firmly reminding her that the palace’s customs—where even the king rarely performs tasks himself—are immutable. Dragged to a golden bath infused with rosewater and musk, Lashmin reluctantly allows the maids to wash her, her heart heavy with resentment. Tears stream down her face as she mourns her lack of freedom, a sentiment she’s carried since childhood. Dressed in exquisite royal garments, she gazes at her reflection, acknowledging her beauty but feeling trapped.

At the grand dining hall, Lashmin joins her parents, King Sairan and Queen Marita, at a massive table laden with diverse dishes. When Marita notes Lashmin’s sullen demeanor, Sairan’s frustration erupts. He confronts her, demanding she embrace the pride and authority befitting a ruler, criticizing her humility as weakness. In a stern decree, he imposes a seven-day test: Lashmin must take the throne’s reins, proving her leadership. Success grants her freedom to roam; failure confines her to the palace indefinitely. Stunned, Lashmin complies, sharply ordering a maid to serve her food, a rare act that delights Sairan, signaling her tentative step toward embracing her royal duty.

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