Two months have passed since Jean has been living with the Tareq family. Zaid's training Jean was kept a secret from the rest of the family, and Jean and Zaid were the only ones in the room. Ibrahim is always waiting outside with Zaid's attendants.
Even though he is called a chamberlain, Ibrahim is a person who has acquired guard skills. Jean sometimes thought Ibrahim was probably one of Zaid's assassination squad.
"Let's end this for today."
"Yes, Father!"
When Jean said this while drenched in sweat, Zaid smiled and nodded.
Zaid thought that he was a child who never complained. Samad, Safid's son, would cry if he did this training.
"Thank you very much."
Jean bowed politely, then put away the wooden weapons and towels. Zaid nodded and clapped his hand. Then the door opened and the attendants came in.
"Jean, let's all have dinner together tonight. Sabadda will be coming too."
"Yes, Father!"
When Jean said this in a happy voice, Zaid smiled and nodded to Ibrahim before heading out.
Jean and Ibrahim went back to their room and cleaned themselves up. The afternoon practice was much harder than the morning practice. There are some bruises left on Jean's body from training. Ibrahim carefully medicated the wounds and wrapped them in soft cloth.
"Does it hurt?"
"Ah, it's okay."
Jean shook his head and replied. He's a patient kid, Ibrahim thought, smiling.
There was a knock on the door. When Ibrahim opened the door, Sabadda smiled and entered the room.
"Brother!"
Jean ran happily and hugged Sabadda. But he was still naked, so Ibrahim hurriedly dressed Jean.
"What happened to the bruise on your back?"
When Sabadda asked, Jean smiled bitterly.
"I tried to aim for Father and attack him from behind, but I was spotted and hit. Hahaha."
"..."
Sabadda was speechless.
"That's dangerous."
"Yes, it was."
Jean nodded.
"Even though Father has retired, he was a skilled assassin until a few years ago."
"Is that so?"
Jean looked at Sabadda.
"Still, I'll give it a shot. But I've never been successful. It's still difficult."
Jean said, and Sabadda just laughed. Then he picked up Jean and went outside.
"There are a lot of people today."
"Yeah."
Jean said and Sabadda nodded.
"Today we are having dinner with the Irshad family. Now that Samarina has finished making the cloth, we will discuss a good day for the wedding."
"Yes, Brother."
Sabadda said and Jean nodded. Jean thought that Sabrina wasn't finished making clothes after all. Sabrina hates embroidery, so even though they say she's trying her best, compared to Samarina, her workmanship is like heaven and earth. That's why the women in the Tareq family teach them thoroughly.
"I'm worried about Sister Sabrina."
When Jean said this, Sabadda nodded silently.
"At that time, Jean, please help her."
"Yes. But is it okay?"
"It's okay. You can do it."
"I'll do my best"
Jean nodded. When the attendants lead them to the large room, Zaad and Safid are already sitting there. Since Salam and Sahim were absenced, Sabadda and Jean greeted them and sat near Safid. Safid said Sakir was at work and couldn't come.
In Urda, weddings are generally held at the woman's home. After the man gives gifts to the woman, he says his vow and a feast is held. After a while, the two go to the man's house, where a feast is being held. Safid smiled when Sabadda explained to Jean that marriage was concluded when a woman entered a man's home.
"What are weddings like in Archia?"
"Hmm, I don't really understand."
Safid asked, and Jean answered honestly.
"Has Jean never seen a wedding?"
"No, I never see it."
"I see, then nothing can’t help it."
Safid nodded when he heard Jean's answer. Seeing this, Zaad also laughed, took the drink offered by his attendants, and drank it slowly. After a while, Zaid appeared and welcomed the members of the Irshad family who had entered through the entrance. Zaad and the others stood, welcomed the members of the Irshad family, and conversed in a peaceful atmosphere. When the servants brought the food, they gathered around the desk and started eating. Jean is sitting next to Sabadda, enjoying his meal.
"Are you Jean?"
When the man sitting next to Jean called out, the conversation between Zaid and Zaad stopped and they looked at him with sharp eyes. He is the second son of the Irshad family and the older brother of the third son who will marry Samarina this time.
"First, may I ask your name?"
Jean didn't reply right away, instead asking the man a question.
"Oh pardon my rudeness. I'm Ishak."
When the man introduced himself, Jean nodded.
"Yes, I'm Jean. Do you need anything?"
When Jean answered, the man laughed.
"Well, I just want to know. I've heard rumors that you are a powerful boy, so I want to know what you are like."
"Oh, really?"
"Well, you are just a normal kid, and it makes me laugh."
"I agree with that."
Jean ate the meal again. Sabadda is also eating while paying attention to the two of them.
Sabadda thought that the conversation would not continue.
"Actually, you are small. Some people say those rumors are fabricated, but what is the reality? Was it a lie?"
"I'll leave it to your imagination."
Jean answered shortly, he was enjoying the skewers. Ishak ate for a while and drank tea.
"By the way, how old are you?"
"I'm 4 years old."
Jean answered while eating. The conversation won't continue, but it won't cause any more problems. Seeing that Jean would not deal with Ishak, Zaid smiled. Zaad saw his father's smile and nodded, and they continued eating while talking again. When Jean asked Sabadda for a salad, Sabadda laughed, took the salad platter, and put it on Jean's plate.
"If you're as powerful as the rumors say, would you like to fight me next time?"
"Huh?"
Jean turned and tilted his head.
"Why?"
"Because I want to know your power. Hey, I can't help but want to find out who is stronger, you or me."
With those words, the people in that room froze.
"If Father says it's okay, I'll do it."
When Jean said this, Sabadda looked at Ishak with a grim expression. Zaid and Zaad were also watching with solemn faces.
"Mr. Ishak, I think challenging my young brother to a duel at this peaceful dinner is not a good idea."
When Zaad said this, Ishak laughed.
"I just want to know his power."
When Ishak said this, the members of the Irshad family shook their heads. Bad, they thought.
"So, you challenged my son to a duel then...?"
Zaid said in a sharp voice, and the head of the Irshad family became worried.
"...I think it's just a practice match."
"Practice match, hmm, I see."
When the head of the Irshad family said that, Zaid answered without changing his face.
"A practice match between a 4-year-old child and a grown man?"
"...That's what we hear. Please don't take it too seriously."
"I see."
Zaid smiles and looks at Jean.
"Jean."
"Yes, Father."
Jean stops eating and looks at Zaid.
"Are you afraid of fighting Mr. Ishak?"
"No, Father."
"Then you can just deal with him until he's satisfied."
When Zaid says this, Sabadda is surprised and can't help but look at his father.
"That's good."
Ishak said with a smile.
"If you lose, it's not a problem, Jean. You're just only 4 years old anyway."
"I'll do my best, Father."
When Jean said that, Zaid smiled kindly.
"However, with this practice match, I will pretend that this marriage proposal never happened."
Hearing Zaid's words, the face of the head of the Irshad family turned pale. He thought that since Ishak was the one who provoked Jean, he could understand why Zaid said that.
What had been a peaceful dinner party until recently had turned into a hostile atmosphere. Although the head of the Irshad family apologized, Zaid's mind did not change. At last, the Irshad family left the Tareq family mansion, dragging Ishak home.
Jean, did not understand if he had done something wrong, he just looked at them while holding a skewer.