* * * * * * * * * Twenty years ago * * * * * * * * * *
Aisha paced around in her tent; she was restless and hadn't been herself ever since the previous night. She had seen Queen Saudat having sex with a member of the royal court; she was cheating on the King with a common member of the royal court; that was an offense punishable by death.
Aisha wondered if it was proper for her to tell the King, since she had already sent a notice to the King that she had information for him. Aisha was just but a concubine to the King and she didn't have as much right as the Queens did. If she revealed to the King what she had seen, then Queen Saudat might be sentenced to death by stoning. The funny thing is that there would be no punishment for the man; that was the custom.
After considering the situation, she decided that she should keep it to herself. She was not in support of Queen Saudat's actions no matter what her reasons were, but maybe she should show mercy on the Eldest Queen.
Just then, a guard made his presence noticed and Aisha permitted him to come in. "Go on, what reply have you brought from his highness?" she queried.
"My lady, the King has granted you permission to see him in his chambers, he is waiting for you right now," the guard informed her.
"Alright, you may take your leave," she said, politely sending him off.
She sighed in disappointment; what was she supposed to tell the King now? This meeting was intended to inform him of his first wife's atrocities which she had discovered but she had changed her mind, she did not want to be the reason for another woman's death.
She left her tent immediately and the Women's chambers immediately. The King's chamber was not too far from the Harem. She walked hurriedly as she knew the consequences of keeping the King waiting.
Aisha had been related to the King for a year now as one of his concubines, she was presently heavy for him with an eight months pregnancy, and she was expected to be put to bed in a few weeks. The King was already fond of her so if she was lucky to have a boy, then her son might be recognized as a prince.
The King already had two sons, one from Queen Fatima and the other from Queen Saudat. If she was looked upon by the gods and she bore a male son, then her son would be the third prince of Manila.
Aisha arrived in front of the King's bedroom and her presence was announced to the King immediately, he permitted her to be let in by the guards.
She walks into the room and bows to the King. "May the King live long," she greeted with a head bow and hand demonstration. Well she was a Hindu and they had their way of greeting.
The people of Manila had a diverse religion, which was one thing that they were popular for; everyone was allowed to practice their faith and religion as long as they did not interfere in another person's choice. Most of the King's wives were Muslims while some were Hindus, some were also pagans, but just a few were Christians.
"Welcome my beautiful Aisha, I am surprised that you asked to see me today, you know I don't usually have time for such meetings but I only accepted your request for the sake of the baby," the King who was previously seating down said, as he stood up from his rocking chair and walked to her.
He was still a handsome man in his late forties, his beard dark as charcoal. King Salem Mohamed walked to Aisha and placed his hand on her baby bump. "Why have you asked to see me? I hope our baby is fine?" He asked with scrutinizing eyes, trying to find answers in her eyes before she spoke.
"Yes my King, the baby is alright and thank you for honoring my request to see you. To be honest, I had done that with little expectations," she confessed.
"Well, let's just say luck is on your side today," he replied with a smile, and then he kissed her softly on her lips. "So tell me Aisha, why have you asked to see me?" he asked once again.
Aisha was confused, she had been trying to come up with an excuse for a while but nothing was coming to her mind. Well she was not that good at lying, in fact, she was terrible.
"Well my lord, pardon me if you see this as a waste of your time, but I was really missing you a lot, the baby also misses you and I thought I should try my luck if I would be opportune to spend even but a minute with the King," she replied with a look of nervousness, well one could tell from her face that she was anxious.
The King frowned. "Really? Were you missing me that much, that you dared to request to meet the King?" he queried in a stern but soft voice.
"Yes my lord, I beg your pardon but I couldn't help myself," she replied and bowed her face. Anxiety and fear struck through her mind, she had pulled a string she ought not to, it could result in being sent away from the King's presence for the rest of her life.
The King sighed, and then he chuckled. "Like I said, today is your lucky day. You didn't only get the King to meet you but you succeeded in wasting his time without getting punished for it,"
Aisha sighed in relief after hearing that. She had almost landed herself in trouble while saving Queen Saudat from being punished. Luckily, the gods were on her side today.
"Thank you so much my lord," she replied and bowed to him slightly. The King tapped her on the back and asked her to stand up; she was a slim lady with hips, so she didn't have much of a problem bowing slightly down even with a baby in her womb.
"It is fine, I was about to sleep anyway, so maybe you should sleep beside me if you wish," the King said.
Aisha smiled immediately, she wasn't really feeling sleepy because it was still noon but since this was an opportunity to be close to the King, then she wouldn't miss it for anything.
"Alright my lord, it is my pleasure to keep you company on your bed," she said with a smile.
The King nodded and pointed towards the bed. This would be the first time he was laying with one of the women in his Harem without being intimate with them, the moment a woman climbs that bed, it was to satisfy the king's undying sexual urges, but today was different.
Aisha really considered herself lucky. The gods must have shone their grace and love on her today. She walked to the bed and the King helped her get on it, then they lay together and she watched him fall asleep.
To be continued!!