Royalty Gone Bad

(This chapter is not edited)

***

Writer’s POV:

The next day, the palace people were up early for the last preparations. The birthday and engagement ceremony were going to take place by evening, as from Six PM. But the dowry was that afternoon, at one.

The sultanate was already prepared. Those invited were adding final touches to their chosen outfits, and some choosing theirs that same day. Everyone had chosen their outfits for the first and second ceremonies to hold that day.

-

Asahd was awakened by his mother. She entered his room and opened the huge curtains so some daylight would shine into the dark room.

“Maa...” Asahd groaned sleepily, “Close them, please.”

“Get up. You don’t you want to get engaged?” the Queen teased knowingly.

Asahd smiled in his half sleep.

“I sure want to.” he mumbled, forcing himself to sit up.

“Happy 23rd Birthday my love.” his mother said happily, coming over to kiss his forehead.

“Thank you very much.” the Prince chuckled happily “I almost forgot it was my birthday. All I have in mind is that it’s my engagement day.”

“I felt same when I was going to marry your father.” the Queen replied and he smiled.

“Can I see Saïda before we get engaged? Even before the dowry ceremony?” he asked “I saw her like seven times this week. That is, once every single day. And only during dinner. I hardly had time to have my breakfast downstairs.”

“Nope.” the Queen mused, “Especially not today. Customs set in. You’ll be unable to see Saïda throughout. You’ll only see her during the dowry and again tonight. Once engaged, you won’t be able to exchange words with her until your wedding day. Your best men and her maids will see to it that you two don’t meet secretly because they’ll follow you around until then.”

Asahd’s mouth dropped open.

“Are you kidding me??”

“Zagreh’s traditions, honey.” the Queen laughed.

“How’s this even legal?” he mused, though in shock.

“According to our ways, it’s to build a greater need for each other between the future husband and wife. We believe that this will make their marriage last longer and cause them to actually desire each other for as long as possible.”

“Trust me mother, I do not need that.” Asahd chuckled, “I’m already dying to be with her and you’re telling me that I have to wait another week?”

“Mmhmm.” she mused and stood, “Freshen up. Your father, Djafar and stylists would soon be here to make you try your outfits for today one last time. You’ll not leave your room and so will Saïda. You’ll only do so for the ceremonies. Your food and whatever you need would be brought to you whenever you need them. It’s just for today.”

Asahd nodded.

“I really wish I could see her.” he collapsed on his bed again.

“You will. At one. Landry, Amir and Kanaan will soon be here. In time and before the dowry.”

The three guys mentioned were Asahd’s best friends. They’d known him since childhood and had grown with him. He’d even studied with them in Dubai. When he’d finished studying and went to Australia for a vacation, before returning to Zagreh a few months ago, they’d decided to stay back in Dubai and visit places they hadn’t yet. They were always in contact, though he’d last spoken to them the night before he travelled to New York with Djafar and Saïda.

But he’d called them a week ago to announce his wedding. Of course they were sure to come!

They were going to be his best men and so would spend their days and nights in the palace till every ceremony would be over. Each boy was a highly respected noble’s son, belonging to the royal family’s closest friends.

“Okay! I can’t wait. I missed those guys.” Asahd replied happily.

“Me too. Saïda’s aunts are also here, as well her cousins and other extended family members.”

“Alright.”

“Get up now, darling.” she smiled and then left his room.

--

On the other side was Saïda with her two aunties, both Djafar’s younger sisters. The oldest of the two would be represented as Saïda’s maternal figure since her mother had passed away. They helped her get ready too.

The Queen met them to know how Saïda was doing that morning and discovered that she was very happy.

She was told the same rules as Asahd, concerning the ceremonies and how they couldn’t speak to each other or meet. Saïda, knowing the customs and traditions by heart, wasn’t surprised. Though she was still a little disappointed by them. She already missed Asahd like crazy. She’d almost not spoken to Asahd the previous week. They couldn’t even text or call each other. Every night, for the past week, she would sleep thinking of him and even dream about him.

The lovers couldn’t wait to be married and all alone. They both had the same thoughts in their individual rooms. They wanted to kiss, cuddle and make love. But there was no way. Plus, they had seven more days to wait. How frustrating.

***

By 11, Asahd was done trying his outfits for the last time. Everything was in the perfect order.

“Let it pass real quick.” Asahd muttered, removing the last outfit and still thinking of Saïda.

“Patience, son.” the sultan who’d heard him, mused. He and Djafar laughed a little as well as the the stylists.

Asahd shook his head in amusement and turned to them.

“Seven more days. And they haven’t even started yet.” Asahd chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

“It’ll pass. You’ll see.” Djafar mused.

“True. But it won’t be easy either. I almost lost it when I had to marry your mother.” the sultan chuckled.

“True. And I when I had to marry Saïda’s mother.” Djafar added.

Asahd stared at them.

“Wow. Thanks a lot. Makes me feel better.” he said in the most sarcastic manner and the men laughed.

“Don’t worry. Let’s leave you for now to go prepare. We have only two hours left. I’ll be back at 12 to get you ready. The guests will surely be arriving by then. You’ve still not touched the breakfast that was brought to you. Go eat.”

“Alright father.”

men excused themselves and

dressing room and entered his room, sitting at the little table in a

-

when his door slowly opened and three people walked in. He literally jumped. His

all four of them shouted in a chorus, jumping and immediately running towards each

happily, laughing out

for months!” Kanaan laughed “And when you call again, it’s

Saïda, bitch!” Landry and Amir added in

in the

missed you idiots!” Asahd

complicated story.

Asahd’s bed, “We got all the

all laughed and the two others joined

actually. We gotta get ready at twelve. So

of all,

in

Asahd chuckled, “I’ve learnt to give my parents the respect they deserve, I’ve stopped with the tantrums, the

“Thank God!” Kanaan exclaimed.

serious??”

“I am.”

be an asshole.” he mused and they

Asahd’s friends were the type to advise him when they

with him, but they were never for him being disrespectful to his parents and elders, bring rude and insulting towards those under him, throwing useless tantrums, even with them. They weren’t for him, starting to do drugs, drinking excessively and

give them deaf ears or call

-

chuckled, “And I don’t know how you still took in my nonsense and never left me.” the

love your ass

“Facts.” the others agreed.

want to

fine. Now speak!

his story. The reason he changed being the fact that he was tricked into going to New York. His friends understood why they’d been unable to reach his phone for months

out when Asahd told them funny instances like when he saw the apartment for the first time

close, how he was

first kiss, his sudden need to be with her, his jealously towards Noure and how he seduced Saïda without her even realising. He told them everything that happened in New York! Even the little sensual moments they had,

lost it, shouting like they always did and Asahd almost died of

humped and ate her out with Djafar

in amusement and

Tell us

had told him the truth. He told them how Saïda confessed back and fully, how she defended him in front of Noure and literally threatened him. How Noure called off the wedding

story.” Kanaan clapped and

shocking.” Landry mused, “We’ve all witnessed your cat and dog fights, her provocations. There’s a time you

time?” Amir laughed, “Several times, we witnessed him throwing objects at

hair.” Kanaan added

know right.” Asahd

your exes

head and the boys

Kanaan wriggled his brows playfully, “...you’ll get to completely feel your future wife for the

amusement. His friends froze, their smiles fading and mouths dropping. They knew him

“Wait.” Amir muttered.

you already–” Landry couldn’t even complete

Amir asked

“Mmhmm.” Asahd mused.

took deep breaths, ready to shout. Knowing them too

“Shhhhhhh!” he laughed.

but the only sounds that left their mouths, where wheezes. Asahd almost fell

secret.” he

“When?! How many times?!”

End of topic.” he

***

minutes to one and

a year or so. But Asahd had wanted to get married to Saïda real fast and so these complicated ceremonies had been squeezed into a

what had been bought for the engagement, traditional and modern wedding. It actually came from their

--

to go? It’s time.” the sultan told

smiled at his

“You look great.”

“Thank you, father.”

“Welcome. Let’s go.”

side were his three friends, all dressed up and ready

leading the

**

was holding in the huge field. The place was crowded with most invited

present. Asahd was led to another side of the palace, outside. Every single thing he’d bought for

be informed when Saïda and her parents will arrive the field.” the

a deep breath, his heart threatening

kissed his forehead and

patted his

Prince managed to joke

“Not today.”

--

behind her; made her way into the field.

seated, like a wide isle. All eyes on the future bride. Saïda stared straight ahead, her heart beating so fast that she was

′Breathe...′

where a beautifully decorated canopy had been made.

down and so did Tara, Saïda’s aunt. Saïda, her head bowed just like her maids, walked round the sofa. They stood behind it, Saïda standing in middle of her parents from behind. Her maids

′Oh my gosh.′

kept her head bowed,

the

-

rushed to inform the

-

after Saïda and her parents had arrived, the royal horns were blown again and everyone seated turned. Saïda and her maids finally