Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
News traveled fast, and the area was soon swarming with people – reporters who were out to sensationalize this unprecedented sight, gawking guests who were titillated by the hint of scandal in the air, and men like Mahmud, who didn’t hesitate to sow seeds of discord to further their cause.
Terrible accusations began to take shape, broadcasted in viral headlines—-
Queen Harper publicly disavowing marriage to travel alone and leave Ramil?
Princess Safiya, daughter of Sheikh Mahmud, to be Ramil’s next queen?
Ramilians to be fined if found offering aid to Queen Harper?
Later, there would also be stories of loyalty – of how secret enemies of the sheikh had incited a rabble, and of the queen’s most trusted guards coming to her defense. Witnesses had sworn they heard the queen tearfully begging her loyal guards not to endanger themselves for her, but still they had shed blood for her, their loyalty to her unwavering.
You will always be our queen.
And when the tide seemed to swell in the favor of the sheikh’s enemies, there came the thundering, ground-crushing sound of the army’s footsteps, led by the king and his vassals. They fought their way to the queen’s side, infallible in their power, strength, and valor –
It was a breathtaking sight, witnesses from that night were known to avow. But what they would never ever forget was the sight of their king finding his queen—-
Only to let her go—-
You are free, my love.
Chapter Seventeen
A throng of well-dressed guests once again thronged the reception hall, which, like the rest of the place, was decked in festive colors in honor of the Emir Sheikh’s impending marriage to Princess Safiya. It was reminiscent of another wedding not so long ago, but unlike before – the mood that blanketed the palace was bleak and gray. It had been so for two months now, ever since a woman who had been the kingdom’s queen for so short a time had chosen to break her heart rather than risk the lives of her people.
Altair checked his watch after seeing the last of the wedding’s guests herded to the mosque. It was time. He nodded at his second-in-command, and in the span of three seconds the palace was officially in lockdown, all the way to the outermost gates. Although the palace had remained impregnable the day of the attack, the kingdom’s Commander of Armed Forces still held himself responsible for all those injured during the rabble, and he was determined not to let the same mistake happen again.
Upon receiving their signals from Altair, Malik and Rayyan departed from their posts, the former to fetch the bride from her chamber, the latter to inform the Emir Sheikh that he could now take his place at the mosque.
It took them only mere moments to return to the mosque – unaccompanied. They went straight to Altair, whose scarred face become grimmer as he received their news. Another moment later, Tarif – the last of the king’s most trusted vassals to make an appearance – strode down to join them, an opened packet on his hands.
There was a short, terse discussion, and by now the audience – all of whom had avidly followed the sheikhs’ movements – was agog with curiosity. A red-faced Mahmud, sensing that things were about to go awry, began marching towards the other sheikhs, only to be blocked by the palace’s guards.
“Where is the king?” he bellowed. “Is he thinking of going against his word?”
The chattering noise quickly rose at his blustering, and the four other sheikhs soon faced him in unison, only staring at him in implacable silence.
Mahmud’s next words died in his throat, fear getting the better of him, and when Altair started towards him, the older sheikh couldn’t help backing away. But it was too late, and soon, the kingdom’s highest-ranking general was upon him.
“You are to quietly return to your seat,” Altair said very quietly, “and you will stay there until I say otherwise. You will not want to experience the consequences if you do not heed me.” Altair stepped back and smiled.
Not good, the soldiers who saw this thought right away. Everyone who knew the general would know that a scowling Altair was always better than a smiling one.
Mahmud seemed to know this, too, as the older sheikh paled considerably.
“Do we have an understanding, sheikh?”
“Y-yes.”
Meanwhile, the palace’s staff was quickly setting up a digital screen by the dais, and another wave of curiosity stirred up the crowd. What could possibly this be about?
A moment later, the screen lit up, revealing the larger-than-life figure of the Emir Sheikh standing alone in the throne room.
Brothers and sisters of the Kingdom of Ramil, I would like to express my sincerest apology, as the wedding you have made precious effort to witness will no longer proceed.
There was a squawk of anger coming from Mahmud, but this was quickly silenced after a deadly look coming from Altair.