Habdoul looked out the window to try to calm down...
- Father that's more than 5 balls in one week... I'm exhausted and I couldn't give a speech without using the words of the other 4 I've already given.
- If it's the Habdul speech, I'll ask Amir to prepare it for you, you'll just have to read it...
- What about fatigue?
- A good massage will do you good...
The door of the Sheikh's father's office opened and his mother, the former sheikha, brought tea...
- I don't understand why my darling son refuses to participate in a masked ball organized for his own birthday.
- Mother! I beg you not to get involved with my father!
- He is my husband... When you are married, you will understand... Speaking of marriage...
She could not finish her sentence because Habdoul arrived at her in an instant to put his index finger on her lips while shaking his head negatively.
- Shhh... Mother, don't say what you think!
These days, he never had a discussion with his parents without the word "Marriage or married or children" coming out of their mouths at least 3 times in a row... He removed his finger at the speed of air because his mother was about to bite him.
- I'll spare you my speech today but you really need to get ready for this ball. All the girls in the kingdom will be there...
- What??? Father you left out this big, huge detail.
He looked at his father, who was pretending not to care as he took a cup of tea from the tray his wife had brought. He huffed in exasperation as his younger brother cleared his throat:
- Well, I can go now... I get the fact that he's having another dance.
- got it?????
- Got it means got it, mother... I'm sorry.
Habdil is Habdoul's 3 year old brother and unfortunately their mother had the bad idea to send him to study at the biggest university in the world outside of Jaipur. Since his return, his manners and language have changed and since then their mother tries to correct him.
- Habdul??? Your father is sick... Do it for your old parents!
His mother's eyes became pleading and that's when he couldn't resist. In fact his mother was the daughter of a butcher and when she saved his father from a horde of wild animals he fell in love with her. They got married and had 4 children: Habdoul, Habdil, Haraïe and Saraïe. His mother had this pout that none of them could resist, especially not him, he loved his mother... She was lively and always excited and ready for adventures, she was childish when it was fun but when it was serious she was imposing, decisive...
- Okay. I'm going... I'm going to that ball and I'll do anything you want, mother. But stop this right now I feel weak...
- It works every time... His mother winked at him.
He was spoiled... That's why he was almost giving up on the idea of getting married. He wanted a woman a bit like his mother. A woman who could see far beyond the end of her nose, a woman who says what she thinks without disturbing others, a woman who sees the good in everyone, a woman with a full brain, a virtuous and gentle woman. And what makes this woman he wants impossible to find is the love that this woman should have for history, nature, flowers, animals... And this woman did not exist. The women he met were all scatterbrained, diamond crunchers because they all wanted his title. They wore extravagant make-up and clothes to attract his attention and this irritated him. He wanted a woman who was reserved and extremely beautiful even without makeup. He was very tough and even if he found this woman he would surely push her away. Since he wouldn't find her then he would just stay single for a long time and then make a marriage of interest to have an heir.
- My love baby is lost in thought?
- Yes mother. I was thinking about why I love you so much.
- Oh my child...
His mother closed her eyes and savored the soft touch of her son's lips on her forehead.
- And why I don't want to get married because one like you is hard to find...
- You'll find one... But will you let her pierce you like I pierced your father?
- Mom? I give up.
- Habdul... You're harder on yourself than on anyone else!
- I would let her pierce me. I have to find her first...
- You'll find her my baby, you'll find her...
For the first time, he had so much faith in his mother's word. He wanted to believe... After all, he was used to being disappointed.
He returned to his chambers after attending a meeting with his council. He was all exhausted when he saw a shadow pass by him in two movements he put down...
- Habdil...
- I don't know why, but you're really muscular and you hurt me...
- Remind me why you are my brother?
- Because I'm coming after you...
Habdoul let go of his brother and took off his royal clothes that were suffocating him.
- What do you want?
- I've come to offer you something crazy...
- Always talk...
- We look a lot alike and before leaving for school we used to fool people by pretending to be you and vice versa. So...
- No. No, Habdil. No and no.
- Come on just for the presentation I just want to move on when we say...
He cleared his throat and sounded like Mr. Griffin, the one who always announced the presence of the sheikh.
- Ladies and Gentlemen, His Royal Highness Sheikh Habdoul of Bellabdouah (Sorry for the name, I couldn't find a better one).
The Sheikh refrained from laughing but gave a big smile to his brother who looked constipated instead of imitating Mr. Griffin...
- Well I let you appear but during the first dance you leave the room so that I can take my place will you?
- So brother you're the best. Top of the world!
Habdoul looked at his brother's hand and his brother smiled and shook his hand:
- I tend to forget that I am the only one who is acculturated here...
- Yes. Go do that "Top there" in front of mom and you'll get an ear stretch. Oddly enough little brother I missed you in that sense...
- Don't say a word. I'll end up wanting to go back to America.
They laughed heartily but the door opened and their mother walked in with the tip of her saris in hand like a princess...
- Who wants to go to America? Tell me who so I can stretch his ears...
As she said these last words, she walked towards Habdil who was already hiding behind his older brother and shouted back:
- No, Mama. They were just saying how you were the most beautiful woman in the kingdom and the most waww...
Their mother stopped and looked at Habdil, rolling her eyes:
- Well, even though I know it's not true, I believe you... Would anyone like to eat some croissants and cookies?
- With pleasure, Mother. The two men said at the same time.
They left the sheikh's apartments.
- Wait, I want to be in the middle. We need to see that you are my two babies.
Their mother, extremely short in the middle of her two sons, took them to her apartments where she had just made some treats for her children. Habdoul was happy and even if the weight of his authority was weighing on him, his mother's smile always managed to give him courage... Her mother was everything to her. She was her fairy godmother...