Chapter 4
1299 Words
Zayn was fuming by the time he reached the parking lot. He couldn't believe he had been played. How had he not known who she was? Well, ofcoarse because of her beauty. And now even after talking to her he had found out she was actually wise, unlike the other women he had met. She had it all, beauty and brains, but still that didn't stop Zayn from getting mad. Everyone had seen him with the palace maid's daughter holding her hand. They knew he never came to gatherings a lot and now they would think it was because of her he came. 'Well, it was.' His conscious said and it was true. He got in the car and drove off heading back to the Palace, his Father obviously had known.
Flashback...
Prince Zayn and Prince Shaffik were coming back from the visit at the coast with their Father. He always took the boys on his visits and would show them different places. Prince Zayn loved the coast the most because there were a lot of people going back and forth, making trade; as their Father called it, he would enjoy watching them trade and watch as people acknowledged and made way for the Sultan, his Father would tell him that one day he was going to be called the same name.
On returning home that day, Prince Zayn went to see his Sister, he wanted to know how she doing. He asked a guard who told him She was in her room. Zayn's small feet carried him there immediately, he didn't knock, he never did. He opened the door and heard sniffing sounds, his heart beat faster and he hastened his steps towards where his sister was lying on the bed.
"Sapphi, what's wrong?" Zayn asked climbing on the bed with his Sister.
"Mother said I cannot play outside, She shouted at me." Sapphire wailed falling into her brother's arms.
"Why did she do that?" Zayn asked soothing his Sister then his eyes went over her body and saw her bandaged knee, "What happened to your knee?"
"I fell outside when I was playing with Laila."
"Did she push you?" Zayn immediately went on guard, he would go and push that girl back if she pushed his sister.
"Ofcoarse not. We were racing to our oak tree." Sapphire said defensively.
"You should not play with that girl Sapphi. She makes trouble for you every time." Zayn warned.
"But I love Lailah. She is my friend."
"I do not like her. See what happened when you go outside to play with her."
"It was an accident." Sapphire pouted her lips and her eyes swelled.
"Alright, alright. Just lie down, okay? I'll bring for you some milk." She nodded and Zayn got up, kissed her forehead and left. He went towards the window to look towards the quarters, if that girl was there, he would go and warn her to stay away from his Sister, but the courtyard looked empty. He turned and went towards the kitchen, he was a lone boy, even with a younger brother who seemed to want to play with him all the time, Zayn liked to keep to himself and after taking care of his sister, he would go and lock himself up then read.
End of flashback.
Zayn went through the gates of the Palace and parked his car then came out in a rush. He asked a guards where his Father was and they directed him to the Sultan's study room. Zayn didn't knock, he rather pushed the door open and glared at his Father who raised an eyebrow at him.
"Where is the Girl?" King Sayyid looked past his raging son towards the door.
"You mean the peasant." Zayn spat out distatefully.
"What do you mean the peasant?" His Father remained calm as he narrowed his eyes at his son.
"That girl, you knew She is the maid's daughter and you didn't say anything about it."
"Now why would I say anything, I thought you knew."
"Ofcoarse I did not because I don't associate with the likes of her."
"Oh son, soon you are going to have to learn to associate with all likes. Royalty or peasants, what matters is what's inside the head."
"You've grown soft old man. I don't remember you teaching me that."
"I never taught you to hate anyone. I only trained you to be tough incase of any difficult situations." The King stood up, "And now the way you're acting right now makes me doubt your readiness to take over Leadership." He stood before his son and glared at him.
"I just don't want to see that woman anywhere near me." Zayn said lastly and walked out.
King Sayyid leant over his desk and smiled. He was a tough Leader and always trained his children to be tough, but he was also soft and lenient. He regrets not taking his Sons to any of his charitable events when they were young. They only knew him as the tough King. They would have to learn by themselves how to treat other people the way they deserved. As for Zayn, he suddenly smiled because he had just the plan. He went back to his chair and sat back, time to put his plan in motion.
Meanwhile at the dance, Lailah and her Mother were catching up.
"Mommy I missed you so much." Lailah said as she rested her head on her Mother's shoulder and put her arms around her.
"I missed you too dear. How are you?" Ms. Latiffah had checked her daughter from head to toe, and by checking, She had touched and pressed every part of her body to make sure She was whole and completely Okay.
"I'm fine Mom, Insha Allah. I can't wait to tell you everything when we return home. When is this dance thing ending anyway?" She asked as She looked around. Sapphire came suddenly with a big grin on her face.
"Sorry, Ms.Latiffah but I'm going to steal your daughter for the rest of this boring party." And without waiting for an answer, Sapphire pulled Lailah away and pulled her through the door.
"Where are you taking me Crazy head?" Lailah asked as She was pulled through a throng of dancing people.
"Away from these loser people." Sapphire replied but came to a sudden stop when her name rang out. "Not again." She whispered turning.
They both turned to see Queen Zurah Al Sayyid approaching. Her eyes focused on Sapphire for sometime then went to Lailah. There was surprise in her eyes then pure despite. "What is She doing here?" She asked her eyes focused on Sapphire.
"I came home your Majesty." Lailah replied with a smile and a slight bow.
"This is not your home, it would be better if you just take your mother with you back to where you have been living these past years. It's been so peaceful here and I am not going to stand there and watch you cause trouble for everyone again."
"Lailah is my friend Mother, and this is her home because She grew up here, She..."
"She's a trouble maker, a no body, a maid's daughter, what can she do for you?"
"I want nothing from her but her friendship." Sapphire said.
"Well, her friendship is going to cost you a potential husband because being seen with the likes of her is degrading."
"Don't talk about my friend like that."
"Well, watch your tone with me young lady." The Queen said coldly. "Yallah drop this troublesome girl and follow me, I want you to meet someone."
"I cannot...."
"Go." Lailah interrupted her friend. "I will just go and help my maid Mum." She smiled then turned and walked away back to her Mother.
- Writer
