Arabian Nights: 233rd Night: Jullanar of the Sea - 4

The following night Shahrazad continued:

The King of Khurasan was dazzled by the beauty and grace of new slave girl. He turned to the merchant and asked the price of the girl.  The merchant said, "O King, I bought her from another merchant for two thousand dinars, and to this day I have traveled for three years and spent one thousand dinars on her to bring her to you; but your slave does not want any money for her; she is a gift to our lord, the king."

At these words the king was very happy, and bestowed a robe of honour on him.  He also ordered to pay him ten thousand dinars and one of his choice horses.  The merchant kissed the ground before him and departed.

The king committed the girl to the care of his his nurses and attendents.  He said to her care takers, "Prepare her, and leave her alone in one of my choice apartment.

They brought her whatever she needed, clothes, food and drink.  Then they took her to bath.  After bath she looked even more charming.  They dressed her in fine clothes and adorned her with jewellery suitable to her beauty, and brought her to an apartment overlooking the sea. That apartment was on White Island overlooking the sea. It was one of the choice apartment of the king.

In the evening, the king came to her. He saw her standing at a window looking at the sea. Although she noticed him, she did not pay any attention to him.  The king thought that she was ignorant of him. But she looked more charming in her new clothes and jewellery.  She looked like a twinkling star high in the sky. He walked towards her, touched her, and she turned to him. He embraced her and led her to a couch and sat on it, and she drew her towards him and made her sit on his knees.  Then he kissed her, and marveled at her lips.

Then he bade the maids to bring the food. The food was set before him in golden plates.  Then the king fed her. But she paid no attention to him. She kept her head bowed down.

But morning overtook the Night, and the story telling was abruptly paused.

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