WALK OF ROYALTY

CHAPTER TWO

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“Why did you tell her that, if I'm allowed permission to be curious, my Aamira?” Salma asked, her voice soft yet full of curiosity.

Hajara let out a low laugh, her expression sly. “I’m no fool, Salma,” she replied, a dangerous glint in her eyes. “I know Aamira Hazera like the back of my hand. I gave her that information because I want her to make use of it. To think she’s so clever… she’ll take the bait.”

Salma looked at her with a knowing glance, though a hint of concern shadowed her eyes. “You want the news to reach the Khalifa?”

Hajara’s smile deepened, an almost predatory gleam in her gaze. “Not just him, Salma,” she replied, her voice low and almost purring. “Let’s trust Hazera to do the job. She’ll deliver it… but she won’t realize she’s playing into my hands. I’ll let her think she’s in control.”

Zakir walked majestically, pride and power radiating each step of his into his Father's eating chamber, he walked inside the beautifully decorated gold painted Chamber, everything was exquisite and elegant, speaking and showing Royalty in volumes. The table as usual adorned with food and whatnot befitting of the Royals, He walked in saying his taslim as he retired to the chair after Aamir Munir Nuru gave him permission to sit.

"Good Day, Your Highness" Zakir greeted tipping his head in respect.

"I hear you request my presence." Zakir added his gaze never meeting that of his Father, his eyes wandered everywhere except his father's face.

"Yes, I did." His Father said gesturing for a maid to serve the food. "Why don't you have dinner with me, Sit."

He nodded and sat down waiting for his food to get served. He heard footsteps and a very familial voice grinning like an i***t, She trudged further inside—He disliked her since from day 1, since the Day he walked inside the Egyptian palace.

"I see the Khalifa will be joining us" She says as she takes a seat close to his Father, giving his father a brief hug is Aamira Maimun—His Father's Wife.

"Good Day" Zakir said as if in a whisper, she gladly responds and they started eating their fill without further ado.

Zakir scans the eating Chamber again as if looking for something or someone. "Your Highness, If I may ask where's Rumana and Rukaya?"

If there's anything good that came out of him being his Father's Son after the opportunity of sitting on the throne, then it's his Step-Sister, Rumana, the only child of Aamira Maimun with his father.

"Rumana isn't feeling well today, so i asked Rukaya to stay with her in case." She answered uninterested.

"I'll check up on her before I leave for my Chamber" He said worrying why his sister who was fine until yesterday, suddenly got sick.

"Yoy don't need to, she should be asleep by now."

He hums in Understanding and continues to eat his food silently waiting to hear the reason of his visit, he knows his father didn't call him to eat with him, there has to be a reason. His relationship with his Father is more political than a parent-son bond.

"Are you participating in the Racing?" Aamir Munir Nuru asks before taking a sip of his juice.

"Yes, your majesty. I'll be participating in the Racing."

" I hear the Royal Council will have a meeting to rethink their decision, I'm sure you've heard too." Aamir Munir Nuru prods. There it is, the reason he was summoned, his father is just so predictable isn't he?

"Yes" He answers nonchalantly and kept eating his food, he hopes today's conversation will end in peace, everyday he has a conversation with his father it always ends up in his Father and him throwing words at each other, hopefully today's own shall be peaceful.

"The Aamira should be dealt with she's causing to much trouble." Sayyid Munir Nuru—His Father said.

"Forgive me your majesty but I think Aamira Hazera has more of your blood than she has that of her Father, don't overthink it everything will go as planned"

"What do you mean?" His father asks arching a brow.

"I mean both you and her can't see beyond the throne, your lust for power is beyond me."

"You should think before you speak,or are you running your mouth because you're the Khalifa? Don't forget I put you in that position so I can take it."

"Pardon my manners, My Aamir but both you and I know you won't remove me. Need i remind you that you were desperate for the throne that's why you remembered a child you've long forgotten of—The proof of your dirty deed and even brought it to light." Zakir pause to wipe his mouth with a napkin.

"Aren't you using me? Since you couldn't defeat your brother in becoming Sultan you're using me. I'm allowing you to use me, so don't tell me what to do. I'll take care of the Aamira, Don't harm her. Ilal Liqa, Now if you'll excuse me."

"Do you always have to talk back, don't you know he's your father?" Aamira Maimun says.

"I wasn't talking to you, Aamira."

"Zakir!!!—"

"If you don't want me talking back to your wife, then tell her to stay out of my business. I've allowed her to pretend to be my mother in public she doesn't need to pretend in front of me, I know it's all a facade " he cuts his father softly.

"Now how can you be so sure? Zakir. " His Father asks as he stands.

"My dear Aamir, I grew up in a brothel. I've been to places and mingled with people you can't imagine i did, i can see right through a person including you and your wife." With that he exited his father's eating Chamber not paying attention to what his father was saying.

He doesn't want to argue today, he made his way to Rumana's Chamber to check on her, she's the one that'll calm the rage he's feeling, she knows how to comfort him.

"Pardon me my Khalifa but Aamira Maimun has given strict orders to not let anyone inside Rumana's Chamber." One of the guard outside Rumana's Chamber bellowed.

"Aamira Maimun?" If he wasn't sure before then he's sure that something is fishy now.

"Move" He ordered simple, firm and Daring.

"I'm sorry—"

"I don't want to repeat my self." Zakir says again.

"I'll apologize yet again My Khalifa, I only take orders from Aamira Maimun Not you."

Zakir removes the device in his pockets bringing it upclose to his mouth.

"Ghali, Meet me in front of Aamira Rumana's Chamber bring guards with you " He didn't wait for Ghali's response and he tuck the device back inside his pocket patiently waiting for Ghali and thinking of a thousand ways to punish the man running his mouth in front of him, he'll surely show him his place.

Ghali Immediately appeared with a number of Guards behind him.

"May God be with you, Here I am My Khalifa." Ghali says as he bows together with the men behind him.

"Put this man in prison and wait for my orders." He points to the guard who refused to allow him to enter Rumana's Chamber.

"As you wish, My Khalifa." Ghali says and the rest of the guard held him and walked away with him, The man wasn't remorseful he didn't even utter a word, or even an apology. Zakir smirks, he loves people that brazenly prove how strong headed they're, he'll put him in his place.

Zakir with Ghali behind him entered the Aamira's Sleeping Chamber, she was inside her blanket covered from head to toe.

"It seems the Aamira is asleep, your majesty." Ghali says and they turn to leave but Zakir instantly halt's in his steps.

He scanned through the maid's in the sleeping chamber but they was no sign of Rumana's Maternal Cousin, Rukaya. Wasn't she supposed to be here looking after the sick Rumana?

"Where's Rukaya?" He asks but they didn't answer, they nodded in a way showing they don't know.

"Rid the Aamira of the blanket." He orders fixing his gaze on her sleeping figure, he's sure things are not as they seem. Something is Missing and he'll find out.

"Pardon me my Khalifa but the Aamira requested no noise or disturbance as she sleeps, she's not feeling well."

"I won't repeat myself." He said sternly.

The maid instantly removed the blanket revealing the figure of Aamira Rukaya, He smirks. He knew something was off.

"Privacy." He requests and all the Maids walked out leaving only him and Ghali with Aamira Rukaya.

"I won't ask you why you're posing as Rumana, Tell me where is she?"

"Aamira Maimun—"

"Where's she?!" He asked his Voice loud hoarse and furious, No one dares to further infuriate the already furious Khalifa.

"At the Palace Hospital, A special room reserved by Aamira Maimun."

"Who's her attending specialist."

"Doctor Mahir." Rukaya answers straight and Zakir ambulates outside together with Ghali.

"Call more guards, Ghali. Let them come as many as they can."

Ghali nods, removing a device from his pockets to obey his Khalifa's order. Together they walked to the Palace Infirmary and hospital straight to Dr. Mahir's Office.

"My Khalifa." The doctor quickly stands up and bows in respect. " May God be with you."

"Where's the Aamira?" Zakir demands, he wasn't here to chit chat.

"Which Aamira—"

"I'm not here to play hide and seek, either tell me where she is or I beat the truth out of you—at the end you'll still tell me."

"VIP ROOM, 12."

"You're a smart man" Zakir said patting him on the back.

They walked straight to the VIP hall, having located the room that was heavenly guarded. What is it that makes Aamira Maimun hide her daughter?

He gestures to Ghali and the men behind him and they clear the door for him, he barged in to meet Aamira Maimun and her crying daughter.

Aamira Maimun seemed startled as his presence ofcourse she didn't expect him to be here.

"Why are you here?" She asked a guilty look overtaking her features.

He didn't pay any heed to her as he walked over to his sister, she quickly envelopes him in a hug and she cried her lungs out, he patted her not paying heed to Aamira Maimun's rants.

"Would you mind giving us a little privacy, Aamira Maimun." He said still patting his sister's back.

"Why would i leave my daughter's side, I told you she wasn't feeling well please leave her alone—"

"Stay then" He softly cuts her breaking the hug and he looked straight into Rumana's eyes.

" Tell me why you are crying?" One thing he loves about his sister is she's a very straightforward person maybe that's why the Aamira hid her because she knows Rumana won't lie to the Khalifa.

"No, she won't. What'll she even tell you i told you she's sick."

" I was raped." She stuttered between tears, He knew she'll tell him what the matter is that's why he insisted on finding her.

Zakir felt his chest tighten, he knew something was wrong but he wasn't expecting it to be this. Who dared to do so? He'll bulge the eyes of who dares to think of his sister that way but this person didn't just think.

"Name the person who has a death wish, how brazen? He r***d the Khalifa's sister, tell me his name."

"Aamir Isma'el." She says lowering her head. " Yesterday Night."

Zakir clenched his fists the turned to Maimun. " I want her to stay here till i return, This is an order from the Khalifa not from your husband's son failure to do so attracts punishment— Severe punishment. Aamira Maimun."

He didn't wait for her approval, he walked out with Ghali behind him.

" Ghali, I want Aamir Isma'el in my front Right now. I'm thirsty and he's the only person capable of quenching my thirst.".

"As you wish, My Khalifa." Ghali replies bowing.

"Ghali, I want him at the center of the palace. I'll use him as a scapegoat."

Ghali tips his head in understanding as he and a group of soldiers trudged to Isma'els Chamber, they barged inside and surprisingly the Malikah was inside, they bowed in respect.

"My Malikah, we have strict orders to present Aamir Isma'el in front of the Khalifa right now without further ado." Ghali announced

"Why, If i may ask." The Malikah replied standing up, her features tensing.

"It's not my place to tell you, I'd rather you ask the Khalifa yourself."

Isma'el’s Face was suddenly rid of color ofcourse he has an inkling why the Khalifa requests—Orders his presence. It's evident he found out about last night, about what he did to Rumana but he's not scared, his mother is the Queen and part of th

Malikah turned her gaze back to the maid behind her. "Tell the Khadima, She should meet me at the the center of the palace right now."

She then turns to Isma'el. " You should go, I'll be on my way. I want to speak to the Khalifa too"

She sees the hesitation in her Son's eyes, that's enough proof that he did something wrong but This isn't the place neither the time for her to ask him and she walks out.

Ghali and the other men escorted him to the Palace center, by now news and gossip has already spread around the palace though the reason is beknownst to anyone, they know the Khalifa is furious and impatiently waiting for the Malikah's Only Son from her First Marriage.

People already gathered at the Palace Center, their eyes hungry to see what's about to take place. Aamira Hajara is also there bearing witness to what is about to unfold.

More minutes fade and Aamir Isma'el is in front of the Khalifa.

"Kneel!!" Khalifa Zakir Munir Nuru orders in a growl, like a hungry tiger that finally gets sight of his meal.

"And why should I do that, My Khalifa?" Isma'el asks, knowing fully why but his instincts tell him the Khalifa won't expose his wrong doings to protect his sister's dignity.

"Khalifa Zakir!!" The Malikah calls, her khadimah (Servant) behind her. " Who gave you the Authority to make him kneel, he's not your guard or slave." She spits as she walks towards him.

"My Malikah, I've heard that even death is shy of the mother's eye. So i request you leave this place because I'm about to do to your son, Something unfavorable."

"And why is that? If i may ask."

"He committed a sin, one that I'll never forgive him of. He should be punished." Zakir says turning his attention back to Isma'el.

"Punishments are given in the Royal Court by the Sultan, Need I remind you that you aren't the Sultan yet?"

"This is my business and not the Sultan's, Now if you'll excuse me I've a culprit to punish."

"Ghali" He calls softly and he nods his head in understanding of why he called his name, he looked at one of the maid's that work for the Khalifa and the maid ran towards the Palace Kitchen clearly understanding why Ghali looked at her.

The maids return—Four of them holding a pot that's still steaming, what ever is inside just got removed from the fire.

"Ghali!" He calls at the sight of the pot and they hold Isma'el, Widening his legs and giving view to his center where the sun doesn't shine.

"You couldn't keep yourself to Your trousers right? Now I'll make sure you can never ever do that again, not in this lifetime." Zakir growls as he starts to throw punches at the the Aamir.

"Khalifa, I forbid you of whatever you're trying to do. This is an order from the Malika, Whatever he did he'll be punished accordingly from the court of law." The Malika says, seeing as anger and fury have blinded the Khalifa and is about to disgrace and harm her only son.

Zakir turned to her. " I refute your order as the Khalifa, Malikati. (My queen)" He said his voice sinfully filled with defiance.

He can't see or hear anything except punishing the prince for stripping his sister of her virginity, now he'll strip him of his manliness.

"Pour!" He orders, the guards take the pot of steaming oil and start pouring it bit by bit at Isma'els Center. He groans in pain and tires to break from their hold but the guards have gripped him completely.

"You love to r**e don't you? I'll teach you." Zakir says again, satisfaction washing over him as Isma'el shouts and wreaths in pain.

Gasps come from the audience gathered, gossips try to arise. The Aamir r***d? Now the question remained who did he r**e.

"Stop right there, Khalifa Zakir Munir Nuru" A soft voice screaming danger yet all too familiar voice tickles his ear, he turns and fixed his gaze at ber just like she's doing.

"Why should I? Aamira Hazera Asher Nuru. You don't scare me." He shifts his gaze to the guards. "Continue Pouring, Pour all of it "

"General Bashir, Stop him." Hazera roars but the look Zakir gives him makes him halt in his step.

"As the Khalifa, I give orders to you." He says to the many guards that stood there. " Whoever trys to stop you, Be it the soldiers or not, If they approach here to stop us, rid them of their head for trying to stop the Khalifa with weapons is considered treason, and the punishment for treachery is beheading."

General Bashir Stops abruptly, he knows the Khalifa and is not trying to mess with him. Even if the soldiers don't, he won't hesitate to take his head.

"I'm sorry my Aamira." The general apologizes for refuting the Aamira's orders but he's not taking any channces with his head.