Worry and nervousness filled me as my maid fixed my gown. A wince escaped my lips as she tightened the corset around my body. The punch I took in the rib as a reminder not to change the plan without any consultation hurt; just one punch, yet it was enough to give me a nasty bruise. That was his usual punishment. Hurting me in places hidden from the eyes. Offering me an apologetic smile, the maid continued her job. She learnt throughout the years to ignore the bruises that marked her mistress's skin.
After my talk with Mayan, I went to my suite and I knew what was awaiting me. I knew the consequences and I was ready to embrace them.
Laith wasn't fond of the changes I made concerning our plans. He saw it as nothing but a childish mistake that somebody like me should have never committed. His forearm made contact with my rib, sending me to the ground. If we were home, I would have received a worse punishment, but luckily, we weren't— technically.
"Leave us," Laith barked his order to the maid as he stormed inside my chamber. He had been on edge because of my actions. I had to absorb his anger. I slowly turned around to look at him, hoping he wasn't there to throw more harsh words or more punches at me. "Mess this up and you'll pay." Nothing but seriousness laced his voice that a chill travelled down my spine, yet I managed to seem composed before him. Even if my knees were threatening to buckle, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me afraid of him.
"I won't. I will follow the plan," I assured him, trying to prevent myself from nervously clasping my wrist. A habit of mine that I never seemed to abandon, yet I did know how to have control over it at some times. Without saying a word, he left my chamber, and only then did I sigh in relief.
Quickly, I turned my face to the mirror and gripped the edge of the vanity in an attempt to ease my nerves. I could hear how loudly my heart was banging in my chest, that I thought it might leap out. I reached for the blush and added more colour to my cheeks. I had to look perfect. There was no room for a single mistake.
The maid walked back inside and fixed my long wavy hair that cascaded down my back, but it was pulled away from my face with pearl pins. After I finished getting ready, I could only do nothing but wait. I was told that somebody was going to be sent to escort me to the king's wing.
At exactly six o'clock, one of the king's guards came and escorted me to the king. I was aware that I was going to have dinner with the king in his wing, yet I didn't know in which room we were going to dine. We stood before a large creamy door and the guard knocked on the door. I smoothed the skirts of my lavender dress and made sure to place my hands beside me, remembering to stop intertwining my fingers together.
A servant opened the door and allowed me inside. The moment I walked in, I made sure to remember all the entrances and exits. Anger bubbled inside of me. I loathed how I was treated as a visitor when I was the rightful owner of the Grand Palace. There was a small dining table with six chairs close to the balcony. It was a Vinadrian piece. It was easy to tell from the engraved circular and triangular shapes in the cedar brown wood. Even the dark blue marble top of the table screamed Vinadra.
This was not the king's wing. It was mine. I was supposed to be transferred to this side of the palace once I turned thirteen, but that was snatched away from me. Every single centimeter in that place was mine and I was going to take it all back. I was going to make him regret the doings of his father. I was ready to have the blood of every Carbilian on my hands. Not an ounce of guilt would penetrate my heart.
Taking a deep breath, I silently and slowly counted from five to one; a way I had adopted to calm myself down.
"Good evening, Lady Nuriya," Zain said with a smile on his face as the servant closed the door the King exited from.
"Good evening, Your Majesty." I deeply curtsied to the shaitan. Another thing I hated to do, but I was aware that I needed to show him the respect he was supposed to receive. After all, I wasn't yet familiar with his ego and how it needed to be nourished. Laith had taught me that a man's ego needed to be constantly fed, but each man had a different ego; thus, the methods of satisfaction varied from one man to the other. All men loved one thing though. Respect. Even those who did not deserve an ounce of it.
"It's a pleasure to have you here." Zain reached for my hand and kissed it, then guided me to the table where delicious dinner was already placed.
"The pleasure is all mine," I said as he pulled the chair for me. Worry was throttling me, but I had to conceal all my emotions. My options were limited; in fact, they were nonexistent.
"I hope you like the food. I am not sure what your preferences are, so I took a wild guess," Zain spoke as the servant removed the plate serving covers.
The food smelled delicious, making hunger stir in my stomach. Grilled ribs were indeed a plate I enjoyed. There were many sauces before me that I could choose from. I definitely liked dipping sauces.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty. I'm certainly very fond of your choice." I offered him a polite smile. I didn't know what I was supposed to talk about. I was walking on thin ice and I needed to be extremely careful.
For a while, silence took over dinner and I knew I had to say something. I didn't want to appear boring, yet I had to remind myself that I must refrain from certain conversations that brought me bruises.
"I hope that I managed to make it up to you for my absence," I started talking.
"You did, but I didn't think a lady with outstanding thoughts like yours would be silent most of the time," Zain commented. So he did like my thoughts. That was a good start, for me at least.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I thought my mentality was rather annoying and upsetting. No fine lady should speak about such topics," I feigned regret. That was the new plan I had to follow if I wanted to gain his admiration.
A crease appeared between his eyebrows as he set his fork down. "Now this is rather upsetting. Your mentality would never upset me. I, in fact, find it refreshing." Joy filled me upon hearing those words from him. "When I heard you talking to Lady Aseel and her mother, I couldn't help but admire the way you stood up for Lady Mayan. My admiration grew when you introduced new interests women should adopt.
"I'm quite disappointed to know that you changed your way of thinking. May I know the reason behind that?" He did like how I spoke. His silence at that time was out of nothing but pure admiration. Laith misunderstood his silence. I didn't deserve the bruises he painted on my body.
"My father thought it was foolish of me to speak the way I did before many members of your court and guests." I looked down. This role wasn't easy to play. I was never shy, yet I had to act like it until I could understand the man I was having dinner with.
"Feel free to speak the way you want before my court and guests. It's definitely a source of pleasure and pride to meet women like you. I have to say though that you're one in a million. Perhaps you could encourage others to be... fearless like you." I fought the urge to snort. I wasn't fearless. I was nowhere near fearless.
"You don't know how much I appreciate your kind words, Your Majesty." The smile that graced my lips was genuine. Victory filled me. I wasn't wrong about Zain. Perhaps it was just an excuse for Laith to discipline me.
"There's no need to call me Your Majesty when we are alone. You may call me Zain," he said as the servant poured more wine for him in his glass.
"It feels wrong to call you by your first name." I shyly looked down. I was proud of myself. I accomplished a lot in one night. I wanted to rub my victory in Laith's face and if possible, return the bruises he gave me.
"It surely does not feel wrong to me," he insisted.
"I will make sure to remember that during the next three days." I had to see how he was thinking. I needed to know more about his plans.
"Three days?" He seemed a bit confused.
"Everybody is leaving in three days. That's the extent of the invitation," I innocently reminded him. If he was fond of me, he would extend my invitation. One could only hope for the best.
"If it's fine by you, I don't think you will be leaving any time soon, Nuriya." And just by hearing those words from him, I knew I was definitely on the right path.
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Published on July 6th, 2022
Sara