This book is purely fictional so any correspondence to a living or dead person's life story is coincidental. No copyright ©️.
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Many many centuries ago, there lived a royal family who were not only rich but powerful as well. They were known and recognized because of the late Emperor, Hafiz but the descendants are also trying their best to maintain the honour and reputation of that empire. The late King and Queen's son Muhammad, who is now known as Emperor Muhammad is 20 years old and was raised by his stepmother, Queen Halima that made sure he didn't feel the absence of his mother or father after their demise. She gave him the love and care a mother gives to her children and not once did she treat him like a stepson. She remembered before his mother breathed her last, she gave her the title which she waited for for a long time and to repay her, she promised to love and care for her children.
Muhammad was spotted early in the morning going inside his mother's tomb and praying for her. He proceeded to his father's tomb too paying respect and then moved to his living mother, Queen Halima who was painting a picture of her late husband. The Emperor may not have loved her but she loved him with all her heart and whenever the sun rises, the first thing she does in the morning is paint a picture of him. She has been doing that since the 1st month after his demise. Seeing Muhammad, she has been wanting to speak about an important matter with him but never got the chance. They sat and she started. "Sadiya is 20 years old. It is time we give her away to a lovable family who'll love her as we do and I have one boy in mind. King Ibrahim's son, the crown prince. There won't be a better match than that. I met the boy when he was 6 and instantly, I liked him." Muhammad loved her idea thus, promised her he'll speak to King Ibrahim and if he agrees, they'll proceed with the wedding. Muhammad always listened to what Queen Halima tells him to as he considers her a mother and father figure. She has been with him in every aspect of life hence follows whatever she tells him without question.
In another village, a beautiful girl with long hair was shown watering plants. She is King Ibrahim's daughter whom Emperor Muhammad is trying to forge an alliance with. She is seen distributing sweets to the poor people inside their palace.
POV:Emperor Muhammad
How much do we have in the treasury box currently?
"Enough coins that will be sufficient for the next three generations." Kabir, father's trusted aid replied to me. Ever since my father's death and I succeeded the throne, he has also become a father figure in my life. I don't know if he is doing it because they said he loved my mom or because he wants to remain in my good books but he gives good suggestions.
I am travelling to the next city to pay a visit to King Ibrahim. He sent a decree asking for a loan from us which we left pending. Grant it to him but don't inform him about my arrival. I'll first study how his family are and then talk about the princess's alliance.
"You want to get the princess married in that family?" He sounded shocked as he asked.
Yes. Queen mother suggested it.
"The princess should go to a bigger palace than that, your highness. She won't be able to adjust to the life there as she is brought up in comfort and luxury. I don't think this is a good idea."
Who told you the Princess will be moving out? King Ibrahim's son will move in here with her. There will be no need for adjustments as her life won't be changing even a little bit.
"He can't leave his village to come and live here. He is the king in waiting."
"You're forgetting that small village is under this empire and I am the leader of all. If I wish, I'll take it back from them and leave them with 0 but since I want my beloved sister to join their family, I'll not do that. Everything is sorted, father. Don't worry." I walked outside of his chamber making my way to the courtroom.
POV:Kauthar.
I laid flat on the carpet feeding the birds food. "I want a husband who will love and respect me not only in this lifetime but the next. A husband who loves his family but in all, he'll love me the most. Someone kindhearted, not over smart, with no attitude or ego. I want my husband to be a simple man. One who isn't from a royal family as royal families only know how to make relations which will benefit them in politics. I want a common man as my husband."
"You're a princess and princesses either gets married to princes or kings. Dad will never marry you off to a commoner. Your dreams are never coming true." Brother exclaimed leaving the room.
My dreams have to come true God. You have to make it possible. I don't want a King or Prince as my husband. I want a farmer, who'll go out and make ends meet in order to bring the food we'll eat at night. I'll deck up every day and wait for his arrival and he, just to see a smile on my face, he'll work hard and bring vegetables which I'll use in cooking our delicious dinner. Life should be this simple. I don't want to leave this palace to go to another palace. I am done with royal problems. I want to be free from my title of a princess. I don't want to be linked with any other name apart from my name, Kauthar.
POV:King Muhammad
I slapped the thief that was presented before me who stole vegetables from a farmer's farm. "His hands should be cut off as that is what Islam said. Next time, he won't ever think of stealing again." He tried pulling out a dagger below his waist but I caught his hand signalling the other soldiers who instantly prepared to fight him to step back. "I know why this man is here. He is not a thief but someone working for my enemy. He committed theft so that he'll be brought to the palace and then, he'll kill me but your attempts were petty. Come." I dragged him outside by his hair taking him to the entrance gate showing him the late Prince Haidar and late 1st Queen Sadiya's skeletons that were hanged at the gate. "Look at these two bodies closely. They have been dead for a long time but never buried because of the crimes they committed. The 1st Queen Sadiya wanted to kill me before I was born and the Emperor gave her such a punishment and this one, my Uncle Haidar. He tried to kill my mum and dad by engaging them in a war. You seem old, you must have witnessed it or heard stories when it happened. You just committed the same crime as the 1st Queen Sadiya which is an attempt on my life thus as a punishment, I don't want you to breath air anymore." I drew my sword out of its sheath beheading him.
Send his body to his family.
POV:Ruqayya
What can I say about the question you asked me? What type of husband do I want? I want to marry Emperor Muhammad. He is the person I am aiming at. He has the looks, he is cruel, he has no heart. I want to wake up scared every day with the thought of what he'll do to me when we meet. I pray the Almighty answers my prayer and makes us meet soon. We will meet soon for sure as the arrival of the fashion show which you said was stopped temporarily by the late Queen Sadiya is near. This time, if I get even a glimpse of the King, I'll be contented.
"First, you're not going to the fashion show. Only selected villages participate and I pray this village never gets on that list. You're mad. Emperor Muhammad is crueller than his father. Why out of all the other handsome princes will you want him as a husband?" Mum scolded a lot while I turned a deaf ear. Emperor Muhammad, all I know is that I want to be a part of your life which will happen no matter what. I've heard the unsuccessful story of the late King and your late mother as it was never complete even though the Emperor had built lots of monuments in her name yet, she will never be able to visit them. Anyway, back to me. I'll not be as stubborn as your mother to let a king like you escape my eyesight. We'll be together and you'll know me during this fashion show. I am ready and we'll meet. I'll confess my feelings to him.
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