"Your majesty Prince Abdullah is here to meet you" the guard who stood by the door said.
"Let him in" answered the queen and then the guard opened the door for him and bowed deeply then closed it as he entered.
"Your majesty" He greeted.
"How are you son? What brings you here today? I doubt you missed me?" She asked and looked at him with so much love and tenderness.
"Well I came to discuss something with you which is of great importance, that is if you are less busy" He said dryly
"Of course son, but why are you not in your royal robe?" She asked with a displeasing look.
"Mum, you know how uncomfortable it makes me and it's too heavy for my liking" He said with a boyish grin which made him more handsome.
"My poor Abdullah," She mocked."Well, get to the point, what brings you here?" She said, patting the space next to her for him to sit. He strode towards her then placed his head on her lap while his remaining body was on the bed and her hand automatically went to his head to massage it in a comforting way.
"Mum?" He started
"Yes son, what is it?" She asked. Her voice is almost like a whisper.
"Well sometimes I used to think as if I am not worthy of you" He said with his eyes closed.
"What? Are you out of your mind son? What is wrong with you?" She was clearly annoyed by his words.
"Mum please don't get me wrong, I was just stating my mind please" he quickly explained.
"No, you just said that to annoy me didn't you?" She asked, clearly furious. This is not how he wanted this conversation to go.
"No mum, I'm sorry I didn't mean to annoy you. He said, feeling quite stupid to say that, now he was sure she wouldn't agree to whatever he was about to say to her. Very stupid of him, he thought.
"Okay but don't ever try to repeat that again" she warned. "You are more than worthy for me so don't try that ever again". She said trying to cool herself down a bit.With all this he never tried to open his eyes to see her angry expression so he just kept his eyes closed not to notice it at all.
He smiled a little then said, "mum, do you mind me getting married when I am thirty?" He was scared to hear her answer.
"What are you saying son? Do you want me to keep you in my home for the next two years?" She rolled her eyes at his silly question.
"No mum I don't mean you should keep me till then but I just need to be free for like a year or two, you see no offense" He said grinning slightly. She seems to think for a while before saying
"Are you sure that is what you want, son?" She said making him to look at her with a confused yet happy look.
"Really mum? Are you saying I can go on with my choice?" He asked clearly, not believing his ears.
"Yes son but are you sure that this is really what you want? By the way, I am surprised that you brought up the topic of your marriage all by yourself. Did you and your father discuss it earlier today?" She was surprised by his actions.
"Maybe I almost forgot, but I totally didn't. I know that you don't like sharing your personal information or, ask anyone for his opinion and do what you think is right. So, how come you are now?" She couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing mum I just wished to, that's why. Or is there a problem with me asking you?" He said smiling a little.
"No son, I couldn't help but ask that's why!" She explained.
"Thank you so much mom I thought you wouldn't agree with my decision somehow?" He said, smiling widely, almost like a grin.
"You do know that I have never seen you smiling since the incident with Ammar? She said as she resumed stroking his soft silk black hair, smiling a little with unshed tears in her eyes.
"Mum,please don't bring him back, for he is in a better place now. And May his soul rest in perfect peace" he prayed for his deceased younger brother.
"Okay son, it's getting late, why don't you go to your room and let your mother have some good sleep?" She asked, still stroking his head.
"Son?" She called again as she noticed that he didn't move.
"Mmm?" He said then opened his sleepy eyes then closed it back because of the sleep that was disturbing him badly.
"Don't tell me that you were sleeping already?" She asked smiling at her son's reaction.
"No mum I didn't, but your soothing and comforting hands made me to sleep" He defended which made her smile
"Well then go to your room and have a good sleep, okay? I know you still have time before you go to the throne room"
"Okay mom, sleep well you too" he said. smiled at her beloved son who was everything to her. As he left the queen's quarters for his own he couldn't help but think about how his bachelor's stay in the palace would come to an end within two years and he won't be getting all the maids ogling at him anymore which made him somehow disturbed he couldn't believe it himself.
As he entered his room he made a promise not to ever choose a girl of his own choice since he hated them since the incident with his brother Ammar.
He still couldn't believe that it was a girl that made his beloved brother kick his bucket too soon. As he made his way to his washroom he noticed a piece of paper lying on his center table. He took the piece of paper and opened it then read the content which made him so furious and surprised at the same time.
"Watch your back, death is coming" was the letter written in blood? He examined it then threw it away in the bin then entered the washroom.
When he was done, he went to the throne room and sat down listening to all of the general's gibberish. He always wonders why he has to endure listening to all their lies and manipulation. He clearly knows that whatever they were all spewing was all lies yet, they still had the guts to say it out loud.
"Quiet all of you!" He shouted. After a little while, a general who thought he was brave enough spoke up,
"Is something wrong your royal highness?"
"Yes there is, why don't you all bring me the evidence of proof? Then I will take your accusation into consideration" Abdullah said.
"We clearly saw this maid together with him last night, I don't think there is any reason to provide evidence again your highness" one of the ministers spoke up.
"Are you sure you saw them together?" The crown prince asked. Judging by his tone, all the generals and ministers present there were certain that Abdullah must know one or two things regarding the matter.
"I am going to ask you one more time, second chief minister, and if you answer me incorrectly, just know that will be your last day in office". Abdullah threatened. All the generals and ministers started looking at each other murmuring between themselves wondering what the crown prince had in mind.
They had never seen him speak this much before, but now that he is, they could sense trouble approaching them at full speed. The second chief minister swallowed hard and looked at Abdullah with blaming eyes.
He couldn't go back on his words now, not after all what he had said about the maid kneeling in the courtroom. He cast a threatening glare at the lady and said,
"Your highness… I.." he stuttered shamefully.
"What is your name, young lady?" The crowned prince asked, looking at the miserable maid who was drenched in her own tears.
"Anisah your highness" her soft voice ranged throughout the room.
"You may go Anisah"
"Thank you so much your highness, thank you your majesty for your unconditional love" she said and briskly walked out of the room not before glaring at the second chief minister. He could swear he saw her smile at him.
"What do we do about you, second chief minister?" The crown prince asked, stepping down from his seat.
The second chief minister immediately fell to his knees and begged for his life.
"Pardon me your highness, I was probably mistaken when I saw them together. Please forgive me" he begged. He has already orchestrated a way to deal with the maid but Abdullah was two steps ahead of him.
"If I don't use you as an example people will think I am a weak leader and will attempt to do so, I will forgive you but you will have to step down from your position" Abdullah said
"Pardon me your highness it was a mistake" he continued to plead
"Alright then," he motioned for a eunuch to come over and after he did he whispered something in his ear and the eunuch quickly went away.
As he came back, everyone saw the maid behind him and was confused especially the king but he didn't say anything, he was waiting for the outcome of the situation.
"You don't want to lose your position?"
"Yes your royal highness"
"Very well then, apologize to her on your knees" everyone was dazed after hearing the crown prince's verdict. No matter how wrong it was for him to say so, they didn't dare say anything to him and minded their business.
Judging by the crowned prince's mood, they knew it was like crossing the well backwards.
"Your highness!" Anisa gasped, falling to her knees. "Forgive me your royal highness, but this is too much for me, I don't deserve this"
"Okay then, as you wish. Stripe him if his position now" hearing that, her eyes widen and she said again
"No no your highness, that is not what I meant. Please don't do that"
"I am sorry Anisah, I unknowingly accused you of something you never did, please forgive me" the second chief minister finally said.
"And that's it. You may go Anisah" the crowd of generals and ministers stood there shocked by what just transpired. They quickly made a mental note.
The crowned prince is not someone you can mess with.