Ayisha spends the next couple of hours visiting the concubine dormitories on the ground floor opposite the great hall. She sits with groups of concubines and listens carefully while Meher and Amina take notes. All the concubines are reasonably happy, having accepted that intimate relationships with other concubines is forbidden. They assume that the reason they live in the dormitory for common concubines is to prevent such liaisons. Assured that there is nothing else they wish to discuss with her, Ayisha thanks them for their helpful contribution and tells them all that there is no longer such a thing as a common concubine, announcing that with her they are all concubines together. She adds they will soon have to move out of their dormitories.
Their faces show concern and smiling Ayisha tells them that they will have to vacate their dormitories because they are going to be redeveloped into hotel style bedrooms with ensuite facilities. Each suite will contain a double bed with other furniture. One hand is bravely raised and Ayisha asks her to voice her question, which Ayisha answers: "The reason for the double bed in each suite is to allow the occupant to be together in private with another concubine of her choice". There is a gasp and she continues: "If there ever was a rule that concubines may not have intimate relationships with another concubine, the rule is now formally abolished and by my order as Head of the Royal Harem, such relationships are permitted".
As Ayisha leaves the dormitories, she takes Maryam's arm to lead her apart from the others, whispering she invites her to her apartment to dine and chat. Maryam is delighted to accept the invitation. Ayisha beckons a nearby eunuch and asks him to have the most senior eunuch in the Royal Harem to wait upon her also the most senior chef in the Royal Harem to wait upon her, after the eunuch leaves, in her apartments. Maryam, Ayisha and her two official companions make their way to the apartments of the Crown Princess.
Sipping ice cold sherbet Ayisha casually mentions fashion design and dressmaking. Maryam responds enthusiastically that she always loved both, in fact she did a college course on them at night school while she was assistant manager at a well known high street fashion store. Ayisha says her dressmaking at school wasn't her finest hour, but she always enjoyed fashion especially her first day at the Harem when Maryam helped her choose a Harem outfit. Maryam smiles at the memory and says she had forgotten how much she enjoyed the whole fashion environment. Meher smiles knowing what Ayisha is likely to say next: "Would you like to put your fashion skills and knowledge to good use in the Royal Harem?" Maryam's jaw drops in surprise and answers that she would love to. Ayisha asks if she would be willing to become the Royal Harem's Head of Fashion. She explains it would mean she would manage a store where concubines could exchange outfits and a workshop to supply the store. Of course she could select concubines to help with the store and to design and produce clothing for concubines of the Royal Harem. It would also mean that she would become a member of the Royal Harem Management Committee.
As they wait for her answer, there is a knock at the door and Amina goes to see who it is. She admits Ahmet, the most senior eunuch in the Royal Harem because he was summoned by the Crown Princess. After the formalities have been respected, Ayisha asks if he knows who to approach in order to commission building work in the Royal Harem. He tells her that he does know who to approach and Ayisha outlines her plans to reconfigure the dormitories used by what used to be called common concubines into hotel quality bedrooms. He smiles and says the Royal Harem is already buzzing with enthusiasm for the plan. Ayisha asks if he would be willing to take on the role of Head Eunuch, responsible for the security of the Royal Harem and the safety of its inhabitants. He replies that he would be delighted to serve the Royal Family, the Royal Harem and all its inhabitants in such a way. Ayisha smiles and congratulates him on his appointment and his membership of the Royal Harem Management Committee. She ends by commissioning the structural changes already discussed and he humbly accepts the commission and assures her of his loyalty.
After the Head Eunuch has left the room, Ayisha turns again to Maryam and asks if the interruption gave her sufficient time to consider her offer or whether she would like more time. Maryam thanks her for the offer and says that there is nothing she would like more than to serve the Royal Harem as Head of Fashion. Ayisha embraces her: "If only everything were so pleasantly and quickly accomplished, welcome to the Royal Harem Management Committee. You of course already know Meher, who is the Royal Harem Head of Performing Arts". Maryam and Meher smile and embrace each other.
Ayisha, Maryam, Meher and Amina enjoy a quiet informal dinner together of spiced lamb and vegetables with Bombay potatoes and a saffron rice served by Ali, the most senior chef in the Royal Harem. Before entering the room, the armed guards had confirmed his status as a eunuch. The desert consists of Rhum Baba and tropical fruits. After the meal is finished and all express their pleasure, Ayisha asks the chef whether the meal served to the inhabitants of the Royal Harem is of the same high culinary standard. The chef looks sad as he replies that it is not. Ayisha asks if he knows the reason and reluctantly he explains that the former Le Maître had mandated a lesser standard for 'lesser mortals'. He adds that he tried to convince Le Maître to change the practice but was told that there would be consequences if he did not desist and remain silent on the subject.