Zarah's POV
I didn't know if being a queen changed who I was. It didn't feel different. I felt the same. The only thing that changed was how people treated me. They never addressed me with my name, and some didn't feel free talking to me. I wanted to remind them so bad that I was just human.
These people were looking up to me. What I do, they'll do. If I made a single wrong move, everything will blow up in my face. I felt I needed to change who I was in order to become a queen. I needed to feel something change inside of me. Yet, nothing changed.
I woke up in the morning and did my daily routine. The wedding was in a few days, and the palace was overflowing with people and guests. Most of which I didn't know. The stress was taking a toll on me. The only thing keeping me stable was the thought of getting married to Ayyan again.
My heart went in overdrive whenever I thought of it. We were finally going to have the wedding of our dreams--I didn't care whether the council members wanted it traditional or not. I wanted to explore the traditions of my people and a traditional wedding did just that.
It will show the people just how much I'm willing to do for them. Not that what's on the outside matters more than the inside. But, showing is so much better.
My family was due to arrive that day. Ayyan had sent someone to pick them up from the airport, and bring them here. Not that their flight arrives till late. My hands couldn't stop shaking and my heart was longing to finally see their beautiful faces.
Some of my relatives were coming for the wedding, but only staying for the main event. Most of them couldn't really afford it. I didn't mind seeing as we weren't close to begin with. They've attended the first wedding, what does it matter if they don't attend the second one.
The wedding dress had finally been chosen. It was going to be one of a kind by 'the best designer in the world,' Jenny Freshman. That was Momma's engagement gift. Jenny measured me and we figured out what I wanted. All that was left was finishing the dress, and bringing it before the wedding.
The other attires that I was going to wear for the other events were going to be made by a Runarian designer. "She is hands down the best in Runaria," according to Maryam. I didn't argue with that. She knows her stuff. She came to the Palace.
The bridesmaids dresses have been chosen. I personally asked them to be my bridesmaids. Maryam, Rukayya and Yusrah. Aysha was my maid of honour. Seeing as Muna wasn't going to attend. And Aysha was the closest friend I've had. She's literally my sister.
She had squealed, and spun me around when I told her. She was over the moon, and kept thanking me. I couldn't think of a better maid of honour. Muna was my maid of honour, and Aysha made a pretty good replacement.
Everything was ready, all that was left were the finishing touches. Amelia had everything covered. But it didn't stop me from making sure everything was ready. One minute I was welcoming the guests with Ayyan; the next minute, I was tasting the food going to be served, perfecting the menu. It was a hectic job.
The palace hadn't had a queen in so long, they were literally oozing with excitement. The staff kept finding excuses to be with me. They wanted to help with everything--it was their job--but, the way they were so excited to help out, you'd think I'd be giving them gold and diamonds when they're done.
"Your highness, where would you like to take your lunch?" Maria asked me. Because of how unpredictable my schedule had been, I didn't take lunch with the others--not that lunch was a family meal like breakfast. Sometimes I ate while doing something, although I tried to spend lunch with them the other times.
Maria and I had become quite close. She became my personal favourite maid in the entire Suman Palace. She was nice, warm and ever-smiling, like my mom. "I'll take it in the white living room's balcony." She bowed and left. Apart from the wedding stress, I don't think there's anything I dislike like people's bows.
I might have to get used to it, now that I'm a queen.
Lunch consisted of Lasagne, an apple drink and grapes. There were a lot of other things that I didn't bother to touch. Ayyan would freak out if he knew I hadn't eaten everything. And speaking of the devil, he came inside (more like outside) and plopped down next to me.
"You are excused," I said to Maria and the guards with me. "I missed you!" He raised my hand and ate the grapes in it. "I take it back. You can go back to wherever you came from."
"Oh, come on, queen. I missed you too, so much." He pulled me onto his laps and coddled me. "Ugh, I don't want to leave." I giggled. It was a surprise how he was able to come see me. He was a lot busier now.
"How are things going as King?" I asked, playing with the crown on his head. I wondered why he wore his crown, but then I brushed it off 'cause he looked a lot sexier with it on.
By now, I was straddling him. "Well, it's not easy. I don't want to say this, but Papi has been neglecting a lot of things. Some of which I never thought to be as bad as they were. Also, I have to find a replacement; someone capable of handling my business. There's so much to do, and such little time."
"How about you tell me what Papi has been neglecting?" I offered. "A problem shared is half solved."
"For starters, the fighters are way stronger than I originally expected. They have connections with other equally strong allies. They know what they're doing, and how to get it. And the mole too; I need to find who the traitor is among the council members."
I hadn't really had time to think about the fighters with all that's going on. Ayyan was literally itching to catch them, and anything that made Ayyan remotely concerned was big. He had once said they were forcing the people to follow them; how they were doing it only God knows.
"Don't stress yourself. Everything will work out. Besides, you have stronger allies. You have branches every where. You are known worldwide. They should know not to mess with you."
He nodded, keeping quiet for a second. "I'm thinking of removing the council. What do you think?"
"I wasn't expecting that," I said honestly. He was going to speak but I stopped him. "That doesn't mean it's not a good idea. You just have to follow your heart and instincts. Also, don't think about the consequences of the action you'll take. Instead, think about the people and what will be best for them."
"Thank you, banana. This is really helpful." I glared at him when he said banana, and he just gave me a cheeky smile and kiss. "Come on, let's get going. We have a lot to do."
"We're horrible, honestly. We left everyone working while we're here enjoying ourselves." I laughed. "Runaria's best rulers yet." He joined me, laughing too.
"Everyone needs to rest at some point." He carried me off his lap and dropped me on my feet. "My crown, your royal gorgeousness." I laughed at that.
"Bend." He bent down and I placed it softly, kissing his forehead after that. I drank the last contents of my drink before we left, hand-in-hand. The new rulers of Runaria.
"Shouldn't you go that way?" I said. I can't believe I've already forgotten how to navigate this palace.
"Yes, you are right but I need to show you something first." We greeted the working staff as we passed by them. I mostly did the greeting. Ayyan just nodded or ignored them, which I fought against, giving him a long overdue lecture.
"Ayyan, you should at least acknowledge them. See how hard they're working!" I gave him a pointed look. No matter how much he wanted to disapprove, he and I both knew it was true. The least we could give them is gratitude. I knew it will make me work harder, if it was me, that is.
"Fine, I'll try. But don't expect me to stick with it all the time." I wanted to say Papi does it all the time. I see him doing it everyday we go out for our walk. Yet I kept my mouth shut. Having him do it sometimes was better than none.
"What are you going to show me?" I asked. "I have a lot of things to do. Aysha is waiting for me. We're going to make sure the rest of the guest rooms are ready. I don't want anyone to wait when they come."
"Calm down. The staff know what they're doing. Everything will be ready and it'll be perfect. I promise. We do not want a stressed bride, okay?" He teased, but his words held concern. Ayyan really knows how to console one. The stress on my shoulders were reduced tenfold.
"Are we going out?" I asked. We were headed towards the main entrance. "Where are we going to?" He ignored me.
He pulled me outside, and we left the interior of the palace. "Stop ignoring me! Now that we're outside, what are we going to do?"
"Just calm down." He said muttering something under his breathe that suspiciously sounded like "They should be here..."
A convoy of three cars parked in front of the main entrance. "You should've told me it was going to be another round of guests. Honestly, can't they wait till tomorrow."
I got the surprise of my life when the 'guests' turned out to be my parents. "Mom! Daddy!" I hugged them. "I missed you so much it hurts. Where's Fareed?"
A voice that I never knew I could miss spoke, "I'm here!" I scrambled forward and hugged the life out of him. "Stop squishing me, Arah." I haven't heard someone call me Arah in a thousand years. I hugged my parents again.
This time I gave him two wet kisses. "I missed you too, Reed! Fist bump?" We did our ritual fist bump before I realized Ayyan was greeting my parents.
"The flight was good, Alhamdulillah," my mom answered.
"Your flight is a bit earlier than I thought. Nice surprise," I said stepping back and standing with Ayyan, composing myself.
"Did anyone say surprise?" Okay, I must be dreaming. Zarah, stop imagining things. It's not her! It can't be her. It is her!
"MUNA!" I tackled her to the ground. "Oh my Allah. I hope this is not a dream of some sort. Is it really you Muna?"
"No, dumbass. It's my ghost." She said glaring. It is her. I hugged her again. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. But how are you even here?"
"Well, your rich ass husband knows my boss and voila... I'm standing in front of you." I blushed at that. Muna didn't really care much for courtesy.
"Thank you so much, Ayyan." I gave him a grateful smile. I could hug him, but my parents were watching. He would get a kiss later on.
"Come in guys while it's still sunny out, 'cause there's a lot to catch up on."
***
Hello fellow readers!
And chapter 36 is out. What do you guys think about the chapter? Liked the surprise? Who saw it coming?
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WASH YOUR HANDS AND STAY AT HOME!!!
~R.