Nar

What are the most cruel and abnormal rules that people in power could come up with? There was a law in this country: certain names were strictly forbidden. Only nobles and children of noble families could bear them. Neither ordinary workers nor peasants had the right to do so. Both male and female names were banned. And yours was among them.

You spent your childhood in Egypt—a place where the cold seems like a fairy tale, where the sweetest fruits are, and where the ruler seems just. But in an instant, everything collapsed. Your father kicked out your mother, along with you and your brothers and sisters, accusing her of prostitution. Everyone saw this disgrace. People whispered, and in those days, the opinion of the crowd was more important than the truth.

You left for another country—without money, language, or protection. A distant relative refused to take you in after learning of your mother's "shame." You wandered until you found an abandoned house and settled in.

A year passed. You learned the language. Your mother started selling at the market, and you helped her, since you were the eldest.

One day by the river, you ran into a nobleman. These chance encounters became recurring, and eventually you became acquainted. He turned out to be the youngest prince—not the heir, but a man of noble blood. He knew only your name and never asked who you were.

You've been communicating for over a year.

One day, while walking in the forest, he asked: "Our family is throwing a feast. Is your family invited?"

"Are you inviting all the poor?" you asked.

He laughed: “But you can’t be from a poor family. Your name…”

"What's wrong with my name?" you interrupted.

• Only people of noble birth can bear this name.

• You didn't know?

• No.

• So you are not from the nobility?

• No.

His face contorted with contempt.