This Woven Kingdom

In an unexpected meeting with Miss Huda, Alizeh learns of a letter directing the older woman to give a unique package to someone matching Alizeh’s silver-eyed description. When presented with an initially empty box, Alizeh recognizes its similarity to another she encountered in the past. The box soon manifests lavender boots and an unsettling, responsive note. The conversation between Alizeh and Miss Huda results in the revelation of Alizeh’s hidden identity, with suggestions that she might be of significant rank, perhaps royalty. Just as they’re discussing the mysteries of the box and the note, a stranger enters. Neither woman recognizes him, but he hints that he knows Alizeh through a mutual friend, possibly Hazan. The narrative turns tense when the stranger refers to Alizeh as “Her Highness” and informs her of compromised plans. He admits to sending her enchanted attire for protection. Perceiving Miss Huda as a potential threat, he suggests that Alizeh either end Miss Huda’s life or take her along to the ball. Alizeh chooses to protect Miss Huda. Demonstrating his formidable magic, the stranger silences the distraught Miss Huda and then plunges Alizeh into darkness.

Kamran is adorned in luxurious attire amidst a lavish gathering. However, underneath his poised appearance, he feels immense discomfort. The chapter touches upon the complex dynamics of his relationships with his family, particularly with his grandfather and mother. There is an undercurrent of political intrigue as the Tulanian ambassador awaits the potential arrival of the Tulanian king, who is suspected of a heinous crime. This crime, the mysterious killing of the Diviners using dark magic, has left the empire vulnerable. The suspected involvement of the Tulanian king could signal the onset of a war. Kamran is also under immense pressure from his own king to find a bride and produce an heir: a task that he finds exhausting and meaningless because his heart remains with Alizeh, whom he cannot forget. Suddenly, Alizeh’s unexpected appearance at the ball leaves him dumbstruck. Amidst the swirl of emotions and distractions, Kamran is informed about the presence of the Tulanian king and demands that he be brought forward.

After the stranger plunges Alizeh into darkness, she undergoes a tumultuous experience, feeling as though she is free-falling through the night. Upon regaining her senses, she finds herself leaning against the stranger amidst a lively scene at Kamran’s ball. Alizeh is immediately concerned for Miss Huda, fearing she has been permanently silenced. The stranger clarifies that he has restored Miss Huda’s voice and seeks Alizeh’s assurance that the girl will not flee. Their interaction is tinged with mistrust, and he expresses reluctance to help Alizeh, hinting at being bound by the commands of an unnamed master. Just as she grows more puzzled by the stranger’s words, she spots Hazan, and Alizeh discovers that the mysterious stranger she encountered indeed knows Hazan and was in cahoots with him for her escape. This revelation brings her a wave of relief, soothing her initial suspicions and fears. Her trust in the truth-discerning nosta tool is reaffirmed, but she is also comforted by what she can witness for herself.

However, as she attempts to approach Hazan for further answers, she is silently warned away by the stranger. At this juncture, Alizeh’s peace is once again disturbed by an ominous, devilish whisper that fills her mind, prompting her panicked reaction. The whisper consists of riddles that she finds hard to decipher, further plunging her into fear given the sinister omens that such riddles typically herald. Reeling from the voice’s intensity, she encounters Kamran, whose appearance initially distracts her from her anxiety. Soon, however, their exchange takes a turn toward romantic tension. Kamran’s opulent costume becomes a point of discussion and reveals a new insight: that he might be allergic to gold. Alizeh’s knowledge about fabrics is showcased when she identifies the gold-spun silk, surprising Kamran. The chapter culminates with an intense conversation in which Kamran openly admits his feelings for Alizeh. However, she rebuffs his advance. As the chapter closes, Kamran inquires about Alizeh’s relationship with the Tulanian king.

Kamran grapples with a plethora of emotions, most of which are centered on Alizeh. He is bewildered by her public appearance at the ball after her efforts to conceal her identity, and her presence ignites his suspicions about her intentions and her apparent connection with an enemy king. However, despite all this incriminating evidence, Kamran feels that she might be in danger. As he struggles with these conflicting feelings, he confronts Hazan, who brings him a message from the king. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted by the entrance of Omid, who, trying to make amends for past wrongs, originally invited Alizeh to the ball. Omid also relays a warning from a mysterious woman, suggesting that Alizeh is in danger from a man practicing dark magic, presumably King Cyrus. The chapter culminates with a scream.

Alizeh learns that Hazan is the minister to Prince Kamran. She grapples with her suspicions that Hazan had warned her about the dangers of the ball, feeling both trepidation and confusion about Hazan’s cryptic messages. Amid the chaos, Miss Huda’s screams ring out, adding to Alizeh’s distress. The mysterious stranger confronts Miss Huda, revealing his magical abilities and his identity as the King of Tulania. The chapter builds tension as this foreign king exposes the Ardunian government’s corruption, claiming that its members are involved in abducting street children. As the Ardunian King Zaal confronts this brash intruder, the interaction holds hints of deeper political and personal grudges between the two. The chapter ends cryptically as two snakes appear from the shoulders of King Zaal and he drops his sword.

Kamran is faced with a devastating revelation. His grandfather, King Zaal, struck a deal with the devil long ago to prolong his life. This was done to allow Kamran more time to grow and mature, as he was still grieving the loss of his father and was deemed too young and heartbroken to lead the Ardunian kingdom. In return for elongating King Zaal’s life, the devil demanded that the king feed the brains of young street children to serpents. This ghastly truth is demonstrated when Cyrus feeds the snakes in front of a horrified audience. The climax occurs when Cyrus kills King Zaal, prompting Kamran to engage him in a duel. Just as Kamran is about to meet his fate at the hands of Cyrus, Alizeh, disregarding the dangers of revealing herself, rushes to his rescue.

Alizeh braves an inferno to save Kamran. When she is unharmed by the fire, the crowd is both horrified and awed. Turning to the Tulanian king, she confronts him and reveals her identity as a Jinn. The narrative then reveals that the orchestrator behind the series of events leading to this climactic moment is the devil-like figure of Iblees, who wishes for Alizeh to assume power of the kingdom. In a whirlwind of chaos, Alizeh is suddenly transported by a dragon into the night sky. The Tulanian king, Cyrus, catches up to her. Their exchange reveals Iblees’s grand plan: for Alizeh to marry Cyrus, thus making her the queen. Overwhelmed by this revelation, Alizeh falls from the dragon in shock, leaving her fate uncertain.