The world outside was burning with questions, but here in the palace the sun rose gently, as if it knew this day was sacred.
A quiet breeze danced through the trees, birds sang softly from the garden walls, and in every corner of the home there was warmth.
For once, the war was not knocking. For once, peace didn't feel borrowed.
In the kitchen, laughter echoed. Mirshad's mother prepared his favorite breakfast, humming as she stirred the spices.
Mirshad entered, stretching with a sleepy grin, his hair messy, eyes still soft from sleep. "Something smells divine," he said, stealing a fried piece before she could stop him. She slapped his hand playfully. "Let me serve before you finish it all." He kissed her forehead. "You say that every time. Still doesn't stop me." She smiled, holding onto his hand for just a second longer than usual.
In the dining area, everyone was already gathered—Sophia, Sara, Rayyan, Jabir, Malik, Amir, Shaji—all seated casually in pajamas and soft morning clothes.
No cameras. No soldiers. No grand speeches. Just family. Mirshad walked in with a full plate and sat beside Sophia, stealing a bite from hers too. She elbowed him, laughing. "You have your own." "Yours tastes like love," he said with a wink. The room laughed. Even Baba, who had been unusually quiet, chuckled softly.
Outside in the courtyard, Rayyan and Jabir sat beneath a tree. Mirshad joined them with tea.
They spoke about useless things—childhood stories, the time Jabir fell into the school pond, Rayyan's horrible singing voice. Mirshad laughed so hard he spilled his tea.
But none of them missed the truth. They watched him like guardians, not with fear but with devotion, because they knew he could change the universe without realizing it. So today, they gave him everything the universe never gave him—peace.
Later that day, Sophia and Mirshad walked through the palace garden.
The sky was golden, birds flew low, flowers bloomed as if they knew. She held his hand, her other resting on her stomach. "They're kicking more now," she whispered. "Our little warriors," he smiled.
He paused suddenly, looking around. "It feels like… the world is really quiet today." Sophia smiled gently. "The world should stay quiet. You deserve that." He looked at her, eyes soft, no fire, no thunder—just the man who forgot he was once something more.
Evening fell slowly.
The entire family gathered on the palace steps, watching the sunset. Plates of food passed around.
Children from nearby staff families ran across the lawns, laughing. Music played somewhere in the distance. Sara leaned into Amir. Rayyan shared old jokes with Shaji. Jabir rested his head against a pillar, just smiling at the sky. Mirshad sat at the center, Sophia beside him, her head on his shoulder, his hand resting protectively over hers, over their child. He laughed, fully, purely, with no storm behind it.
From a few steps behind, Baba watched. Sophia turned to him. "He's never been more at peace." Baba nodded, his eyes misted. "Yes. And now it's our duty… to never let this peace end." He looked at them all. "Even if it costs us everything."