The Desert Prince and The Dreamer

Chapter 9

"You should have seen their faces." Sapphire finished her story and they all laughed. She was seated with Lailah and Ms. Latiffah arranging clothes. She was telling them what had happened during breakfast.

"Well personally, I support women to work because sooner or later they will be faced with responsibility." Ms. Latiffah said with a smile. If She wasn't earning when her husband died, She wouldn't have been able to take care of her baby. Other women are unfortunate.

"Me too. I love the freedom of having to earn your own money. The fact that you don't have to beg anyone for anything, it's so refreshing." Lailah said.

"Well, I support women to work too," Sapphire said, "Although as a Princess who's going to marry a rich man I don't have to work, but still..." She squeezed her face dramatically making everyone laugh.

"Do you know the woman though?" Lailah asked.

"No, No one knows apart from Dad. I think she's old and wise, If my Father can choose a woman to work for him, those are the qualities he will look for first I'm sure." Sapphire told them.

"Yes, I think so too. The Sultan has high expectations from his employees." Lailah said, "King Guilliamo told me so one day at work."

"Then let's wait and see." Sapphire said excitedly, "I just hope she's a good person."

"Hey, don't get too attached," Lailah warned, "Remember you are leaving soon to your fiance's house." She wiggled her eyebrows making the other girl blush. They finished with the clothes and Ms. Latiffah prepared to go to the Palace. A knock sounded on their door and all three looked at eachother in question. "Are you expecting someone Mom?" Lailah asked her Mother who shook her head. Then She turned to Sapphire and raised her eyebrows, the younger woman also shook her head with her eyes wide, "Alright, I'll go check." Lailah stood up and headed to the door. There was a guard standing there preparing to knock again.

"Assalam Aleikum," he greeted when Lailah opened the door, and before she could answer his greeting, he continued "The Sultan requires your presence at the Palace Miss." Lailah frowned in confusion looking at the guard, then like it finally clicked in her head, She smiled at him and turned back and called out.

"Sapphire, they want you back at the palace, the Sultan..." She called her friend.

"No, Miss, not the Princess." The guard interrupted making Lailah frown.

"Oh Sorry, you mean my Mom," She said again in realisation then turned and called, "Mom, they need you at the Palace."

"Not Ms. Latiffah Miss, You." The guard said again confusing Lailah even more. This didn't make sense, why would she be called to the palace when she had no business there.

"There must be a mistake." She said to the guard, by this time the other two had joined her by the door.

"What's happening?" Ms. Latiffah asked looking at Lailah.

"I don't know, he says the Sultan requires my presence at the Palace. Why?" Lailah answered with a frown.

"When will you learn to not be suspicious?" her Mom said to her, "Do you have to question everything?"

"Mom, I've never been allowed in the Palace all my life, why would I all of a sudden be called for?" Lailah said in confusion. "Oh wait, you talked to the Sultan about leaving, right? That's why he's calling me, Oh I'm so silly." She rolled her eyes.

"I haven't talked to the Sultan yet dear." Ms. Latiffah said calmly then turned to the guard, "Farid, please be clear about your message, who does the Sultan want to see at the Palace?"

"The Sultan specifically told me to come and call your daughter over to the Palace Ms." the guard answered patiently. Ms. Latiffah turned to her daughter.

"Yallah, what are you still waiting for?"

"But Mom..." Lailah started but at Ms. Latiffah's serious look, She stopped. This was just so sudden for her, what did She even do this time? She sighed and pouted then turned to look at Sapphire.

"I'm right behind you best friend, let's go meet my Dad." Sapphire said dramatically making Lailah to roll her eyes.

"Don't do that before the Sultan." Ms. Latiffah warned and She mumbled something then the girls left followed by Farid the guard.

"All my life, I have always wished for one thing." Lailah said sadly, "That I could see the inside of the palace. But I gave up that years ago because I knew it was never going to happen. And now here I am, life is granting me my wish a little too late. I've seen enough of a beautiful Palace." She said referring to the one in Spain.

"Hey, are you saying my Palace is ugly?" Sapphire said in mock anger.

"Ofcoarse not, I just don't think I want to see it anymore." Lailah shrugged. "And I have this feeling that I'm not going to like whatever is going to happen inside those walls."

"Don't worry, the big bad wolf isn't there." Sapphire reassured her. They reached the big brass doors and they opened automatically. The girls entered and despite her disinterest to enter the Palace, Lailah couldn't stop a gasp from escaping her lips. It was so beautiful inside, just like her Mother had described it. White marble floors, high gold patterned ceiling and gold marble walls. As another guard led them through the palace, she saw all the paintings on the walls, antique furniture and drapes. This Palace was even more beautiful than she had expected, it caught her offguard. She felt a water drop on the side of her mouth and she reached up to brush it off, She frowned when She realised it was actually a water trail, her fingers followed the trail until they reached her eyes. She was crying and She didn't even know it. She quickly rubbed her face and blinked her eyes fast to clear them. By the time the guard stopped at another one of the big doors, her face was dry and her eyes clear. He knocked and a voice signalled them in. He turned to Sapphire;

"Actually Miss Sapphire, the King requires only the presence of Ms. Lailah here."

"This is my Father's house. I'll go wherever I please." Sapphire answered defensively. There was no way She was leaving her friend alone with her Father. He was known to be a tough and rude man. The guard just bowed and left. "After you." Sapphire smiled at Lailah who looked completely nervous and shaken. "Don't worry, I'm right here."

Lailah nodded and entered, her eyes scanned the room and went first to Queen Zurah who looked the opposite of happy and didn't even try to hide it, s**t, She was doomed, She thought. Then her eyes travelled to Prince Shaffik who had confusion in his eyes but his lips were set in a smile, Well atleast someone didn't mind her presence. Her eyes then travelled to Prince Zayn whose face was set in stone. He looked at her without any emotion, nothing in his eyes, his lips in a straight line and his face neutral. 'Okay, let's move on, talk about the big bad wolf not being there' She whispered to her friend then turned to the King whose eyes were smiling but his face very serious.

"Lailah, come in child." Only that was enough to cause tension and doubt in the room. "Sapphire, I can see you invited yourself," he turned to his daughter acknowledging her, "You too can sit down."

"Thank you Father, I intend to stay and listen too." Sapphire said with a grin making Shaffik roll his eyes and Zayn throw daggers at his sister with his glare.

"Alright, now that we are all here..." The King started.

"What is she even doing here?" The Queen interrupted pointing at Lailah.

"I'm sure everyone has the same question," The King answered angrily mad at being interrupted, "But If anyone else interrupts me, you will not like what I'll do next." he said icily making everyone even more quiet.