Equal of the Sun A Novel - By Anita Amirrezvani Page 0,146
to hear your words.”
“We will organize that when we are settled in the capital.”
Mohammad Khodabandeh ordered some refreshments, including tea and rice pudding made with saffron and cinnamon, which warmed us on that cold day. I was very pleased with how the visit was proceeding so far, yet I was on my guard, since nothing of substance had been discussed yet. After the refreshments, the talk finally turned to the business of the palace.
“Sister, we have heard much about the goings-on at court. You must tell us everything.”
“Of course,” Pari replied. “I have worked closely with Mirza Salman these past weeks. I gave him leave to report to you, but haven’t heard from him since then. Has he told you all that has happened?”
There was a moment’s pause before either of them answered.
“He told us everything,” Khayr al-Nisa Beygom said in a flat tone.
“Did he tell you about why we sent the army to Khui? Did he explain about the treasury guard?”
“Yes, everything,” Mohammad Khodabandeh said, echoing his wife.
Their responses were odd. I had expected them to praise her for her excellent service.
“It has been my duty to serve you,” Pari said, filling the empty space. “After you are crowned, I will spend day and night by your side implementing your commands.”
She sounded just right: confident, yet humble.
Mohammad Khodabandeh sighed. “You should know the truth: I am not a man who has ever aspired to be shah, and I doubt I will change my ways.”
Pari smiled in anticipation of fulfilling her new role. “Put your mind at rest,” she replied. “The men are used to me now, and they will do what I command. I will make sure your orders are carried out.”
Khayr al-Nisa Beygom’s eyebrows shot up. “That won’t be necessary.”
Pari looked surprised. “I mean no offense, but the palace is a complicated world. Someone without intimate knowledge of it will find it difficult to gain obedience.”
“We are glad you have such knowledge,” said Mohammad Khodabandeh. “After you tell us all that we need to know, daily affairs will be handled by my wife.”
“By your wife?”
“That is correct.”
Pari’s lips drew down. “I really don’t understand why the mother of four children would wish to add to her burdens by trying to manage the affairs of state. It is too much for someone who has not been raised with this life, as I have.”
My heart sank at the implied insult.
“Yet that is what I shall do,” said Khayr al-Nisa Beygom haughtily.
“I have spent all my years studying such things, from even before the time I became my father’s advisor when I was fourteen. These matters aren’t trivial.”
“No, they aren’t,” said Mohammad Khodabandeh. “That is why you will train my wife, and she will implement my wishes.”
“Brother, I beg you to consider, given all my learning and experience, that there should be a permanent position for me in your court. Even the nobles have agreed that I am the best choice for this job.”
“If the two of you can find a way to work together, that is fine with me,” Mohammad Khodabandeh said placidly.
The fine embroidered bands at the edges of Pari’s robe trembled. I chafed at the injustice of it.
“The noblemen are nothing to be trifled with. If they suspect hesitation, they will take advantage. A weak person will be crushed. It is not just for myself but for your own protection that I make this demand to be your chief advisor. I have, after all, risked my life for you.”
She meant by removing Isma‘il, but of course she couldn’t say that.
“What do you mean, risked your life?” Khayr al-Nisa Beygom asked.
“Living under such a murderous rule, we didn’t know whether we would remain in possession of our lives. If not for Isma‘il’s death, and if not for the fact that the nobleman assigned to kill your family found excuses to delay his visit to Shiraz, you would be a childless widow now—or worse.”
“That is certainly true, but what did you have to do with that? I thought Isma‘il’s doctor said he died of too much opium and too much food, which twisted his organs into a fatal knot.”
Khayr al-Nisa Beygom looked triumphant, which made me uneasy.
“I meant that I did all I could to persuade him and those around him to call off the murders,” Pari said, “including those of your children.”
“The fact is, God didn’t decree such a fate, so it didn’t happen,” Mohammad Khodabandeh replied. “Why fight about such things? The hour is getting late and my