The queen entered from the other side and they remained silent throughout the ride. When the castle came into view, Aairah had to look at it through new eyes. This is where the emir grew up. And now it belongs to him until he died. The castle is coated with cream to Amber onyx tiles looking like they teamed up to swirl around to give an effect reminiscent of a smoke tendrils. Aairah marveled at the luxurious look. It should look modern. But the way it was made has every touch of culture. From the wooden windows framed with an easy touch of time, to the sturdy composite columns and the Victorian feel that somehow found a way to blend in with the iconic runic engravings of the Royal crest. It feels as if it was molded with every ounce of arrogance and pride from the former generations of all nobility.
"His highness made us open the fourth floor so it becomes his dormain. He likes to watch everything that goes on here in the palace from the very top. He said it helps him focus" queen Neemah volunteered the information.
"Oh" was all Aairah could afford.
As they exited the car, she fell into step next to the queen and they walked towards the enterance.
"I have taken pains to prepare the third floor for your use. At least until your seven days were over. Then you would move into your own chambers next to mine" the queen explained. Aairah thinks she is referring to the seven days given to every Virgin bride before she has to share him with his other wife.
They boarded an elevator which Aairah found surprising. "His father didn't like the stairs either and unlike his highness, he liked it better as his office floor. So he installed the elevator to make it easier" she explained.
Aairah just nodded.
The elevator is a bit crowded because four of the servants had come with them. So when they exited into the hallway of the third floor, Aairah is not really impressed. To waste an entire floor for her use seems too extravagant. Most times, she didn't even need a big room. After growing up at the village, she has acquired very simple tastes.
When she entered her own chamber, she just kind of froze there in confusion. It was dripping with exaggerated charm that made her feel uneasy. Everything is shiny, smooth and expensive.
The queen sat her down and said "listen to me Aairah. The emir is a very hard man. He expects a person to know when to speak up or keep quiet. He would also expect obedience and strength. It doesn't matter if you have it, you have to make him believe you do. Don't complain. Give him anything he wants. Everyone will want to know if you go into his room a virgin or not. Your honor, and that of your children's lies on this as you well know. So make sure you perform your duties well. And please, try to please him very well. Everyone, will treat you the way he treats you. Be warned" she advised solemnly.
Aairah nodded gravely. Like she is listening to every word with rapt attention.
Pleased, the queen said "I shall go to his highness and see if it is convenient to make the introductions right away" she smiled. Then she left Aairah with two servants.
Aairah fell into deep thoughts. For the first time, she dared to see it all as it is. There is no win for her in this Union. Her family has abandoned her because she has shamed them and they are afraid to make people believe they tolerated her behavior. She has no one to rely upon but herself. She decided that what she needs is allies. She would fail a few times and then when she gets lucky and she gets people to trust her, it would be slightly more tolerable to live in this den of chaos.
Her eyes landed on the servants and she smiled at one of them.
"What is your name?" She asked softly.
The girl replied with a hush 'Sayyadah'
Aairah thought the girl has a delicate disposition for a servant. Her eyes were subdued, but warm. She said "what do you do around the palace?"
"It depends on where I am posted each morning" she explained.
Aairah wondered what the posts entail. "How do they divide work for the servants here?" She asked.
"It's a priority ladder your highness" she explained. "The matron receives orders from the chief of staff and then uses the information to set the day's schedule"
"Why don't they have a fixed schedule?" She asked with surprise.
"We do. But it changes a lot since his Highness has so many guests daily and sometimes, we are needed at other places that isn't our fixed station" she explained.
"Oh" Aairah nodded in understanding. "The palace is quite vast. How many people live here?" She asked.
"I don't know your highness" she replied earnestly.
"Do you wait on the queen?" Aairah asked impulsively. She likes the girl well enough to want her close. She thinks Sayyadah is nice and warm.
"No". Sayyadah replied hesitantly.
"Don't worry. I won't ask you to be my maid if it will give you trouble" Aairah sought to ease the girl's nerves. She looks like she dreaded becoming her maid. The queen has everyone scared stiff that no one wanted to be close to her. She wondered if the same thing happened with Aaidah.
"It's no trouble your highness!" she answered quickly. Aairah smiled at her forced eagerness. She said "one day, I'll be a mistress worthy of you" she vowed. Sayyadah lowered her head as if shamefully. Like Aairah is rebuking her rather than being honest. Aairah didn't mind it. They will reflect upon this day and feel it in Sha Allah. So she turned to the other servant.
"What is your name?" She asked.
"Batula" she replied swiftl, decisively.
"Do you wait on the queen?" She asked.
"No she does not" she heard the queen reply. Aairah lowered her head to refrain from giving away too much. The queen strikes her as very perceptive. And manipulative. She is the one doing most of the talking but now the servants are being blamed for it.
"His highness has asked us to meet him in his chambers" the queen announced, throwing a peculiar look at the servants. Then she added "dismissed" pointedly. "If I knew they were chatter boxes, I wouldn't have allowed them to tag along" she apologized in that graceful manner of hers. She appeared humble, nice and very mature. Aairah smiled back saying "actually, if you don't mind, I want them to be my personal maids. I don't need that many" Aairah sounded shy and hesitant. The queen smiled sweetly. "Of course you can have them" but they were already gone then. So Aairah just followed after the queen wordlessly.
She didn't begin to feel any jitters until she was right in front of the large double doors that leads to the Emir's chambers. Now Aairah began to feel clammy and sweaty and there was not enough air to breath in...
The queen knocked on the door softly. "He doesn't like guards outside his door. It gives the illusion that he is very relaxed about his safety" Queen Neemah whispered conspiratorially. Her grin should be infectious but all Aairah felt is resignation.
She offered a bland smile. If the queen noticed her discomfort, she didn't say.
The door opened and Babu showed them inside the chamber with a deep bow and a quick efficient greeting.
Aairah answered dully. There is a ringing in her ears as she considered yet again, her situation. The image of the emir she has is a gentle older guy with a neutral disposition. How old is a curiosity she has yet to satisfy. She didnt know how old Asim was.
Aairah thought, he will think nothing of me and so my virginity, something aunt had severally instilled in me so highly, will probably mean nothing to him. Tears tinged her eyes and she fought them back.
The queen led her to a set of chairs and made her sit. Then she too sat. The emir walked out of a door holding an iPad. He is wearing jeans and a button down ink black shirt that is made with lighter colored black designs of runes that represents the royal house. There is no hula on his head. He looks so..normal.
Aairah stared blankly at his large physique. He has this broad lean shoulders that complemented his trim waist. His head is shaved with a low cut leading to a most wicked four o'clock shadow. Most importantly, he oozes a sort of male charm that has her riveted with appreciation she didn't even know she possessed. Oh but he is made in a way that overflowed with male virility and power. It called to her female instincts. Which was quite shocking considering she never thought the same of Asim and they look very alike.
For a girl who didn't think much of the male specie, one who has never had a crush or an infatuation, the feeling of awakening attraction baffled her. And she still hasn't even talked to him.
When he sat, he glowered at the IPad on his hand. Wordlessly, he extended it towards the queen. He relaxed back on the chair and casually glanced her way.
"Bushraa!" The Queen exclaimed with a smile. She excused herself and left the room for them as a high pitched voice began talking from the IPad. A voice call? It is such a simple act. But it felt so normal, intimate and familiar, causing Aairah to squirm in her seat as she considered who she really is.
The other woman!
Aairah hid a grin. For some reason, being the other woman in Queen Neemah's paradise cove sounds exhilarating. Besides, it's not the other woman if he married her too.
And he did marry her.
She felt heat rising on the surface of her skin. She couldn't stop her reaction to him. He is quite attractive, a given. And from the small glimpse of his face, she could tell that he is much more handsome than the vile Asim could ever be. It's not so hard to be attracted to someone with his disposition. Sadly, it doesn't mean anything. She couldnt even fall in love at first sight..
When he continued to look at her, she began to fidget with her hands because she suddenly didn't know what to do with them. She kept adjusting her position on the chair as if pins were pricking her from the cushion. With her reaction came a wave of embarrassment at how she is behaving. How mortifying! She is attracted to the husband she didn't want! And bad enough too, he must've read it on her face!
Neemah returned with the IPad and she is all smiles. "We must throw a big ball to celebrate Bushraa's accomplishments. Can you believe it? She is a doctor now!" Queen Neemah sounds like a proud mother. When his highness didn't reply, she gave him an exasperated look. She is praising his sister but he didn't seem to care. That was when she saw the direction of his gaze.
Aairah.