In the high Pyrenees Mountains that separate the Islamic Caliphate from the Frankish Kingdom, sat on the back of his fierce Arabian horse a young man who appeared to be seventeen years old, with short black hair, tanned wheat skin, and fierce and sharp facial features.
The young man was wearing war armor in the old Arab-Islamic style, while tying a reddish handkerchief tightly as if it were a handkerchief of blood on his forehead.
"We have besieged them and have been able to successfully position ourselves in the Pyrenees Mountains, Your Highness."
One of the soldiers said while bowing to the young man sitting on his horse with great respect.
This young man was the second son of Caliph Abdul Rahman III and was the second prince of the kingdom.
{Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad Al-Jarhami}
The second prince, Abdullah, nicknamed Al-Saffah, was the fiercest prince of the Jarhami in history, despite his young age.
He was a young man who had been thrown into the battlefield to become a soldier at the age of ten.
Naturally, he was A man of war to the core
His aura exuded the ferocity and bloodlust befitting a young man who had spent his youth and adolescence on the battlefield among the corpses of enemies
On the top of one of those mountains, Abdullah stood on his horse while watching the fierce fighting taking place below between the army of the Caliphate and the army of the Kingdom of Frank with the armies of the Christian alliance
"After eliminating them, we will advance towards Arnbach"
Abdullah ordered his soldiers with a cold, lonely face
Arnbach was the capital of the Kingdom of Deutschland
"Is Your Highness planning to attempt to invade Arnbach?" "
The Arab soldier asked calmly as if he was asking about a type of food, not about occupying the capital of an entire kingdom!!!
"No, my father asked me to bring my sister back from there."
Abdullah said coldly while his eyes were fixed on the fighting below
The fighting was clearly heading in his soldiers' palms
"So then, under your highness's orders."
When the soldier left to inform the rest of the soldiers of the young prince's orders, Abdullah looked up at the sky with his sharp eyes, similar to those of a wild wolf.
"That little girl is really annoying."
He muttered in a deep, male voice.
_____
{Arnbach, the capital of the Kingdom of Deutschland}
Gabriel was busy in the church on the occasion of (Maundy Thursday)
It is a commemoration of the last supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples
On this Thursday evening, the air was filled with the spirit of piety and faith as the people of the kingdom gathered from all over the kingdom to attend the Maundy Thursday rituals
Inside the church, the handsome young monk Gabriel was seen surrounded by priests Others Preparing for the Prayer of Luke
Today was a special occasion for the church as Gabriel was among the priests who were performing the Prayer of Luke and washing the feet of others.
This ritual was a well-established tradition in the church and was meant to remind Christians of the selfless act of Jesus Christ in washing the feet of his disciples.
The old monastic garb that Gabriel was wearing was the traditional garb that monks had worn for centuries.
It was a humble garment woven from simple cloth and devoid of intricate decorations or patterns. The old garments were usually very old and worn due to the monks' abstention from using money and instead focusing on prayer and meditation.
As Gabriel walked in his old monastic garb between the pews, he tried to focus on the task ahead of him and prepare for the Prayer of Luke that would soon begin.
The church was filled with soft voices praying to the beautiful tune of a soft choir as the faithful sat attentively.
Despite the atmosphere of spiritual interest, there was a sense of anticipation and excitement in the air as everyone awaited the arrival of the King and the royal family. Who Was Scheduled to Attend Mass
Gabriel felt a little nervous at Mass this Thursday in a very strange way
He felt as if something bad was going to happen on this day
Despite having performed the Luke Prayer several times in the past, Gabriel felt a strange sense of nervousness as he prepared for Mass this Thursday evening
He tried to concentrate but the nagging feeling persisted as if something was about to go wrong. He couldn't shake this feeling no matter how hard he tried
The royal family was supposed to enter for Mass
Despite Gabriel's position as third in line to the throne, in the church everyone was equal. Social status wasn't very important
Despite that, everyone in the church was glancing at Gabriel furtively
The fact that the third prince of the Holy Kingdom of Deutschland would be washing the feet of his common people was something that none of the common people could have imagined
Although it wasn't the first time that the third prince, who was raised as a monk, had attended the Maundy Thursday ritual, this was the first time The prince will participate in washing people's feet
After a while, the announcement was made that the royal family members would enter
The moment the announcement resounded inside the church, a sense of excitement and anticipation filled the air
The quiet whispers of prayer were replaced by excited whispers as everyone's eyes turned to the entrance
A few minutes passed until the great doors at the entrance to the church slowly opened to reveal the arrival of the Holy King Gunther and the First and Second Princes
The old king entered the church wearing his crown that represented the highest authority in the entire kingdom and which contained the cross emblem while he wore his red coat that bore the German falcon emblem with the cross
The First Prince walked behind him
{Adolf von de Deutschleide}
The prince with curly chestnut-brown hair, cold green eyes, a slender body and a tall height walked behind the king with an aura of wisdom and confidence exuding from him
He was only looking ahead, unlike the Second Prince
His wet clothes and wet hair were arousing the suspicions of Laila's seventh sense.
When Laila asked him, Gabriel took another step towards her and then fell to the ground in front of her.
He knelt on his knees with his head lowered and his face lowered.
"Yes... yes...."
He said in a low voice and then tears started falling from his eyes again, unable to control the tears that were streaming down his eyes.
"You are a man for God's sake, you don't cry easily."
Laila said in a sharp feminine tone while instinctively reaching out to wipe the tears from his cheek.
When he felt Laila's hand wiping his tears, his heart trembled violently.
The feeling of her soft hand wiping the tears from his cheek was soothing like a caress.
When he heard her scold him like this, he bit his lower lip and felt a mixture of feelings.
"I... I'm sorry... I couldn't help myself...."
He said and raised his head and looked at her with tear-soaked eyes like a puppy being teased. To reprimand
"Who bullied you?"
She asked while her eyes were fixed on the handkerchief in Gabriel's hand which seemed to her to be very similar to hers
"....."
Gabriel remained silent while looking at her with his bright turquoise eyes while tears were falling from his eyes like dewdrops during rain
While Laila's eyes were fixed on the handkerchief in his trembling hand, he immediately closed his fingers around it as if he was trying to hide something
His heart pounded violently and he felt guilty in his heart as he tried to avoid her question
"No one..."
He answered in a trembling and low voice as he looked at the grass below
"You are crying and your body is wet with water and you just said yes!!!" "For God's sake just say the name of the dog who bullied you"
Layla said insistently while looking at him sharply
Gabriel looked towards the book in her lap to say while tears were still pouring from his eyes like a waterfall
"Can... I... borrow your lap?"
His trembling male voice was hoarse and hoarse
As soon as she heard his words, Layla's cheeks turned noticeably red
"Damn what are you saying, you crazy monk!!!!"
Gabriel ignored the obvious excitement in her voice to take the open book she was reading and put it aside on the green grass
He leaned over to put his head in her lap
As soon as his head touched her lap, Gabriel felt a wave of relief run through his body
Layla's legs were so soft and her thighs were the most comfortable pillows
Gabriel buried his face deeper into her soft lap as if trying to bury his pain And his frustration in that comfort
"Are you crazy? Get away from me!!"
Layla said excitedly while looking at him with a completely red face
Gabriel remained on her lap with his head buried in her thighs and his tears still wet on his cheeks
He could smell her beautiful feminine perfume which made his heart flutter
"Please.. Don't push me away please..."
He said in a pleading voice while pressing his face tightly on her thighs
"You... are crazy, monk"
Layla bit her inner lips in embarrassment while looking at him silently
When she called him again "crazy monk" Gabriel finally lifted his head to look at her with innocent turquoise eyes
His wet eyelashes glistened and his cheeks were still stained red from tears...
"Maybe I'm crazy... crazy about you"
He mumbled while looking at her from her lap with his head still resting Between her thighs
He had run from the church to here while carrying her handkerchief that she had given him earlier like a madman while crying like a child searching for his mother to complain to her about being wronged
Maybe he was really mad.....
Despite his madness, he did not dare to tell her about being humiliated by the second prince
Looking at the man sitting on her lap with his face between her thighs, Laila felt mixed feelings
On the one hand, she thought he was an idiot, like a naughty child who came to her crying and complaining
On the other hand, he looked weak and cute sitting on the grass with his head on her lap
Laila did not know what to say
She had no idea why he was crying, but she felt his despair and helplessness...
"....."
Looking at Laila's face, Gabriel saw many emotions swirling in her eyes
Confusion and doubt mixed with frustration
He remained lying there between her soft thighs, looking at her innocently and helplessly, waiting for her to say something
" "You are a man, even if you are a monk, you should take revenge on those who bullied you with your fist."
She said coldly as she reached out to stroke his wet hair.
When Laila spoke, there was something in her tone that made Gabriel shiver.
She seemed cold and strict, but at the same time, she was gently caressing his wet hair.
Her gentle touch made his heart tremble slightly, and her cold, sharp tone contrasted with the softness of her fingers that gently caressed his head.
When he heard her talk about revenge, he felt a mixture of emotions inside him.
He knew that she was right, but he wasn't strong enough to do it.
Gabriel opened his mouth to say in a hoarse, masculine tone.
"I am a monk, and it is not among the virtues of monks to respond to insults with insults."
Laila listened carefully to the words that Gabriel spoke in his hoarse, yet masculine voice.
She understood that as a monk, he was bound by certain principles and could not respond to Insults and curses
Her hand continued to gently stroke his wet hair and trace her fingers along the back of his neck
"What is proper behavior for a monk?"
She asked after a few seconds, her eyes fixed firmly on his face.
Gabriel felt her soft fingers gently caressing the back of his neck, sending shivers down his spine.
His heart trembled and his body ached at every touch.
He closed his eyes for a moment as he felt the gentle caress on his head and tried to speak despite his heavy breathing.
"A monk should be loving, compassionate, and devoted to the Lord only."
His husky voice seemed to tremble slightly as he spoke and he felt her fingers trace circles on the back of his neck.
His face and neck began to heat up as he felt her hand caressing his hair and stroking the back of his neck.
He moved to bury his face in her lap, trying to hide the blush from her until his reddened neck revealed it.
Once he buried his head in her lap again, Layla saw a blush spread across the back of his neck and up to his ears.
She could tell that his appearance was The redness was not only due to crying but also due to her intimate touches
As her fingers continued to gently caress his hair and neck, Laila spoke again in that sharp tone and firm voice
"Being kind doesn't mean being weak. You still have to defend yourself."
His heart continued to pound loudly when he heard Laila's firm voice.
Her words were a bit sharp but there was also a hint of worry in them.
He felt her touch on his head and neck, sending a new shiver down his spine.
While his face was still buried in her embrace, he spoke again in a hoarse, masculine voice as he struggled to speak calmly.
"I… I'm aware of that… but violence is not the right way to respond…."
"Rather, the right way to respond is an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and the one who starts it is the most unjust."
Laila said sharply.
When Laila spoke, there was a coldness in her tone.
It was clear that she did not agree with his nonviolent approach.
Gabriel shivered internally when he heard their words.
He knew that violence might sometimes be necessary to defend oneself, yet he tried to defend his beliefs.
He raised his head again to look her directly in the eyes, and spoke again in a firm, male voice.
"I understand your point of view... but as a monk I cannot stoop to their level and resort to such violence..."
"Then just tell me the name of the person who bullied you, monk."
She said angrily.
When Laila spoke, her words were not a clear request, but rather a requirement.
Gabriel felt his heart pounding in his chest and felt a mixture of emotions.
He wanted to tell her the truth, but at the same time he did not want her to get involved in the problem between him and the Second Prince.
"You... you do not need to worry about this matter... please do not trouble yourself with this matter..."
Gabriel replied with a slightly trembling voice, looking at her with his bright turquoise-green eyes.
Laila looked at him with her large brown eyes. sharp to say grumbling
"I will find out his identity and when I find out who he is, I will beat him to death. The bastard dog even dares to bully the monks."
When Gabriel heard Laila's words, his heart trembled violently.
He looked into those big, sharp brown eyes and felt the strength of her determination.
He knew that she wasn't threatening him for nothing and that she would actually find out the identity of the person who humiliated him if he didn't tell her.
When he heard her determination to beat the person to death, Gabriel's heart fluttered as he tried to stop her.
"Please don't… please don't do anything stupid…"
He said in a pleading voice as he looked at her desperately.
"Then are you happy to be humiliated by that bastard whose name I don't know?"
Laila shouted in agitation
"I'm not happy with the insult, I just don't want you to get involved in this, Laila"
Gabriel said in agitation
"Then just get out of my sight, I just won't be able to understand you at all, monk"
Laila shouted in extreme anger while looking at him sharply
"Laila, for Jesus Christ's sake, don't shout at me"
Gabriel bit his lips as he tried to suppress his mixed feelings.
"I will yell at you because you are a weak and unmanly monk who allows some scum to bully him."
Layla said with extreme anger.
Her words struck Gabriel's heart like a dagger stabbing his chest.
He couldn't help but feel hurt and wounded by her words.
It was painful to hear her say that he was not a real man and that he was weak.
He took a deep breath and answered in a hoarse voice.
"I... I'm sorry for being weak and unmanly, but I can't force myself to act in a way that goes against my beliefs..."
Hearing his answer, Layla felt even more angry.
She took her book that Gabriel had put aside on the grass and threw the thick and heavy book at him.
"Pathetic."
These were her last words before she left the garden.
He was so surprised that he couldn't react in time to avoid the blow.
The heavy book hit him in the His chest straightened and he cried out in pain as he watched Laila walk away leaving him alone in the garden
"Wait Laila... Don't go..."
But it was too late, she had already left the garden and left him sitting there stunned and confused
He sat there on the grass for a moment trying to process what had just happened
His heart was aching and confused and he felt a mixture of emotions
Part of him wanted to follow Laila and find out what she was thinking but at the same time he didn't want to go against her will
He knew she was angry and frustrated but he wasn't sure what to do about it
His thoughts swirled in his mind like a chaotic whirlwind that he couldn't control
He looked at his monastic clothes that had dried in the sun and reached into his pocket and pulled out the white handkerchief with Arabic words embroidered on it and it had Laila's name in Arabic
He sniffed the handkerchief silently
The scent of Laila's perfume stuck to the handkerchief and filled his nose
He closed his eyes for a moment and He inhaled the familiar scent. Memories of Laila came flooding back to him, and his heart pounded with mixed feelings.