71. Surprise
Saïda’s POV:
Asahd and I sat in the library one day. I was teaching him all he needed to know about the sultanate’s history and exactly what was expected of future rulers.
His first crowning ceremony was in a few days and he was doing quite well. He’d retained a lot and was still doing so.
But there was something only us both could feel. The natural attraction and the tension that seemed to be occurring between us. Whenever I spoke, I would realise that he would stare at my lips and I could tell he wanted to kiss me. Even I, wanted to kiss him. I was done trying to deny how much he affected me.
We were surrounded by two guards standing at each end of the big library and so we couldn’t really do anything that would seem fishy.
“Have you understood?” I asked and he nodded, finally looking at me in the eyes.
He had beautiful brown eyes and there was this particular look he always gave me, that gave me goosebumps and made me want to kiss him.
“So,” he leaned in closer to me and I froze a little, thinking he was going to kiss me in front of the guards. But he didn’t. “You mean that as a sultan, it’s part of tradition that I should...”
I wasn’t even listening anymore. It was my turn to stare at his beautiful lips. The fact that his face was so close yet I couldn’t kiss him, was quite frustrating.
“Am I right?” he asked lowly, smirking knowingly. I snapped out and finally looked him in the eyes. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I replied, feeling my cheeks burn.
He smiled a little and his gaze dropped to my mouth again. Just then, the Queen walked in and we immediately stood and bowed.
“How’s it going?” she asked with a smile, referring to the study.
“Great,” Asahd smiled at his mother and looked at me. “She’s the best teacher I could have.”
“I’m not surprised. Just as smart as her father,” the Queen smiled at me and I curtsied a little, smiling back.
“Thank you, your Majesty.”
“I’m quite happy you two get along even better. Because I remember it wasn’t the case before you left for New York.”
“So you’d noticed?” Asahd mused and I laughed a little.
“Of course. Asahd, I know when you can’t stand someone. And it worried me because she was your future adviser, and yet you didn’t get along. But I’m happy you sorted things out for the best.”
“We sure did,” Asahd smiled.
“Good. Well, I’m here because there’s a surprise for you.”
“Really??” Asahd asked, happily. He loved surprises and his reaction amused me. He was so cute.
“Yes. Guess who’s back from Istanbul,” she started and Asahd, as well as myself, were confused.
“Who?”
The Queen didn’t reply but smiled and stepped aside. Then she told the guards at the door–
“Let her in.”
We watched as this pretty, svelte and tall blonde girl walked in. We recognised her immediately.
“Hammar??” Asahd said in complete surprise.
′Hammar?? She’s back.′
I thought and there was some sting in my chest.
Asahd turned to his mother in surprise. The Queen smiled and leaned in, whispering, though to my hearing too.
“When I heard Hammar was back from Istanbul, I made her come here immediately. You’ll soon be twenty three my dear, you need to find a wife.”
I froze a little.
Asahd seemed speechless and turned to Hammar that was still standing at the door. She smiled at him and said,
“Aren’t you going to hug me, Asahd??” she giggled.
“Of– Of course I will. I’m just so surprised to see you,” he chuckled and went to her. They hugged.
Hammar was one of Asahd’s former girlfriends. His favorite ex, if I could say.
When they were still together, they even seemed to be in love because their relationship was good. They used to get along perfectly well and still did in a way.
She wasn’t like his other exes. They’d not broken up because they didn’t like each other anymore, they broke up because of distance. Hammar had left Zagreh two years ago because she had to go study in Istanbul and Asahd on his side had returned to Dubai to finish school. They had parted in good terms. Asahd had really liked her and it had taken him a lot of time to start dating someone else. Plus, Hammar was the only girlfriend of his that the Queen and Sultan had really liked.
Not only was she from one of the noble families of Zagreh, she knew perfectly well how to please them and gain their favor, acting like the good girl she actually wasn’t.
I remembered an instance of the past when Asahd’s parents weren’t around, she would try and bully me for no reason and I couldn’t talk back because she was the ‘Prince’s’ partner. She was rude and quite proud because of her status and background.
They used to be fit for each other because both were proud, egocentric and very rude to those underneath them. They had a lot of things in common.
--
I watched them hug and laugh.
“Oh my gosh, you’re even taller since I last saw you,” she laughed, rubbing his arms in a way that irritated me. “And muscular too. I see you still work out.”
“Yeah,” he chuckled a little. “Wow. And you’ve changed yourself. You’re taller too and still pretty.”
“Aaw, how sweet.”
′I should leave. This is actually pissing me out.′
Of course I was jealous. I didn’t like what was happening. But at the same time, it opened my eyes to reality. Hammar was the type of girl that was meant to be with Asahd. I couldn’t. I wasn’t part of his class, plus, I worked for him. I wasn’t eligible at all.
′I should stay in my lane.′ I thought with a lump in my throat.
“My Queen,” I said lowly and she turned to me.
“Yes, my dear?”
“I’d like to excuse myself and return to my duties.”
“Alright, dear. Let me leave too and leave them the time to catch up,” she smiled and held my hand. We left through the second door.
Asahd’s POV:
“I’m really happy to see you, Hammar,” I laughed and she hugged me again.
“I’m happy to see you too. I missed you so much.”
“Let’s sit,” I pulled a chair for her and she sat.
I turned in search of Saïda but to my surprise, she as well as my mother had left some time ago.
“Is everything okay?” Hammar asked and I faced her again.
“Yeah, yeah,” I sat down with her. “So, tell me how was Istanbul.”
“Okay, but you’ll have to tell me about Dubai.”
“Sure,” I chuckled.
We started to chat about where we’d studied and how beautiful those cities were.
After chatting a long while, we decided to go stroll in the gardens.
As we walked, she said:
“I heard you were punished and sent to a different country?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my,” she giggled. “Tell me about it.”
I laughed.
“It wasn’t easy.”
I told her the necessary.
“I learnt my lesson tho.”
“Wow. Wouldn’t want to be in your place,” she mused.
“I know right. I saw nothing coming. It was already too late by the time I realised.”
“Ouch.”
We continued to chat until.
“Isn’t that Saïda?” she mused, referring to Saïda that was chatting and laughing with the other girls of the palace at the end of the field.
“Yeah.”
“Hmmm. Seems she’s become pretty. But I bet she’s still a brat.”
I looked at her.
“Don’t say that. She isn’t.”
Hammar laughed.
“Oh please. Don’t act like you’re defending her Asahd. We both don’t stand her bossy ass. I know she’s still very annoying.”
“Things have changed between us, Hammar. Saïda and I– well, we get along very well.”
Hammar stared in amusement.
“You’re not serious.”
“I am. I’ve learned to appreciate her a lot. And as someone important to me, and my Royal adviser, please show her some bit of respect.”
She stared in surprised.
“You’re kidding?”
“I’m not. I mean it,” I replied firmly.
“Hum!” she clapped. “What did I miss?” she laughed it off. “You and Saïda are friends now? Wow.”
“For real.”
“Mm. Okay then. Anyways, are you single?” she asked with a giggle.
“Kind of.”
“Nice,” she cooed and I laughed a little.
I couldn’t tell her I was in love with a taken woman. Worse again, Saïda. She was a talkative and would make a scandal out of it.
“I’m happy to see you again, Asahd. I promised the Queen that I’ll come visit everyday to keep you company.”
“Oh nice.”
“That’s it?” she mused and I laughed.
“Okay, I’ll be very happy if you do.”
“That’s better.”
---
Some hours later, Hammar finally left and I immediately went in search of Saïda.
I met her group of friends in their usual corner of the field. I approached them and they all curtseyed.
“Good afternoon, girls.”
“Good afternoon, Your Majesty.”
“Please, where’s Saïda?” I asked.
“She’s gone out of the property, my Prince,” Aya replied and there was a sting in my chest.
“To visit her betrothed?” I dared to ask, a lump in my throat.
“Yes, Prince.”
“Alright.”
I turned and headed back to the palace.
′I need to work out.′
~~~~