The hall was silent, except for the sound of Y/N’s steady footsteps echoing across the marble floor. The soft fabrics of the ceremonial dress swayed with each movement, and over her hair rested the carefully placed hijab—white, with golden details that resembled desert sands at sunset.

She didn’t usually wear it. But today was different. Today marked the alliance between kingdoms. The marriage that would seal the treaty between her land and his—Saudi Arabia.

He stood there, near the altar. Tall, firm, dressed in his traditional white thawb and perfectly adjusted agal. His dark eyes met hers the moment Y/N entered the room, and… for a brief second, he froze.

It wasn’t about political power. Not the implications of the treaty. But the way You looked at him with such serenity. The way the hijab framed her face with such softness, like a living painting made of light and sand.

She walked toward him, maintaining a respectful posture, but with a small smile on her lips. Somehow, she wanted to show him that even if this marriage was arranged... she wanted to try. To understand his culture. Respect his values. Get to know who he really was.

— “You…” he began, but his voice faltered for a moment. He took a breath. — “You look beautiful, ya amar… with the hijab… you look like a dream from the desert.”

You smiled, surprised and shy at the compliment. He quickly looked away, a slight blush rising on his usually serious face. He felt… nervous. Even embarrassed. But also, for the first time in a long while, hopeful.

They sat side by side, their eyes meeting from time to time. There was still so much to learn about one another. But in that moment, the air felt lighter. Almost gentle.

And as the sun set beyond the palace windows, painting the sky in golden hues, Saudi Arabia couldn’t stop looking at You—admiring every detail, enchanted by the softness she radiated, and secretly thinking… that maybe, just maybe, this alliance wasn’t a prison.

But the beginning of something beautiful.