Long chapter. It's kind of nice.

I hope you guys like it.

Make sure to tell me what y'all think.

@Haya : The clouds may block the sun, but it still shines bright

"You didn't tell me why Adil accompanied us?" She asked as she found him getting dressed.

It was still quite surreal. He was here, in the room that she had grown up in, standing in front of the mirror that was used to seeing her reflection only, surrounded by art and poetry that she had gathered over the years.

The last time she was here with him in this very room, they were not married and she was opening up about the truth of her life to him.

And today, she was here with him as his wife. She was the wife of Crown Prince Amir of Maraaish. It was magical to her at times.

"He was invited. Wasn't he?" Amir joked, turning around as he buttoned up his shirt and saw Haya on the couch, cocking an eyebrow at her.

"Ofcourse and he'll be given one hell of a treatment but he wasn't even at our reception. Tell me, what's the plan?" She asked, standing up.

She knew he was not here at her brother's engagement for the sake of common courtesy. There had to be something else. Everyone knew Adil handled matters with foreign dignitaries and countries better than anyone.

"It's just an important government matter." He vaguely responded, Haya frowned at the vagueness in his voice.

"What is it?" She questioned, crossing her arms over her chest and staring at him.

"And if it is a government matter, aren't you the one supposed to be handling it?"

Amir sighed. He wasn't exactly used to women questioning him about government matters. The women in his governerment couldn't exactly stand up to the Crown Prince and ask him anything and his family didn't really care enough about such things.

"Aren't you too inquisitive?" He enquired, Haya nodded..not even denying it.

"I am. I want to know." She stressed.

"Will you nag me until I don't tell you?" He playfully questioned but Haya shook her head at him, not playing along.

"No. I'll stop asking you about what it is because it would mean you still consider me an outsider." She remarked.

She didn't want him to think of her as the daughter of Buredaan, as the woman who belonged to another country. She was from another country, patriotic to the core and very proud of who she was..but a part of her was also related to Maraaish now and she never wanted him to doubt her. She wanted his trust in government matters as much as he trusted her with his personal life.

"Later on, I'll ask my father or brother or my Uncle about what's going on and I will get my answer." She casually told him the truth.

Amir only smiled, pulling at her hand and breaking her crossed hands gesture by pulling her near to him.

"How can you be outsider to me when you reside in my heart?"

He pointed towards his chest, staring at her.

Sometimes he was just so smooth with his words that she really had to think of a comeback.

Haya only smiled, waiting for him to continue.

"I am not handling this one because I'm here for a family event, not business." She nodded in understanding, not pushing him further for any more answers but he spoke up again.

"And Adil is here to convince your brother to invest in Yunvak instead of KPO."

She frowned.

What?

Her youngest brother was quite involved in business and investments, he worked for the government from time to time but mostly, he found interesting things and invested in them, just for the thrill of making money.

She had accompanied him to major business parties and turned down so many businessmen that she couldn't even remember them now.

"You want Illyas to consider investing in your country's oil company instead of KPO? Knowing that it has benefited him alot and he's quite loyal to them?"

Would he be willing to compromise on that? She didn't know.

"We all know your brother is big on business and he's a smart man to make a good enough choice. It's just a proposal and we'll see how it goes."

Amir replied, putting on his coat.

"Our country has good terms with Saudi Arabia. Even if Illyas agrees, my father won't allow it." Haya pointed out, Amir let out a smug smirk..making her stand with him facing the mirror.

"Things have changed now, haven't they?"

He said, looking at her through the mirror.

He was referring to their marriage and how it might even aid in alot of further projects since things had gone from professional to personal.

"Oh." She mumbled, continuing.

"You married me for the oil, Prince?" She teased, Amir played along.

"You caught me." He replied, taking a step back as she now stood in front of him, still facing the mirror as he snuck his hand on her waist.

"And here I thought you couldn't resist my beauty." She remarked jokingly, Amir kissed the side of her neck.

She slightly shivered.

"I really couldn't." He whispered, making her turn around to face him.

Haya only placed a kiss on his cheek, looking at the wall clock for a moment before staring at him again.

"When do you have to go for that lunch?" She asked, putting her hands around his neck.

"In a few minutes. Your brother said he'll come to take me personally." He replied.

Haya nodded, still near him as she felt a knock on the door and rolled her eyes.

"I'm guessing that is him." She mumbled, moving back and walking outside the changing room towards the living area so she could open the door.

"Oh look someone learned how to knock." She murmured, her brother chuckled as he stepped inside.

"This isn't just your suite anymore." He commented.

It was still hers but she knew what he meant.

"Shocking that you made him stay here." She pronounced, still confused that they hadn't followed years of tradition and Royal Protocol.

"We had the executive Royal suite prepared for him but he insisted on staying here."

As her brother told her that, Amir stepped inside the living room as well, greeting the man with a Salam.

"Yes. I wanted to stay here." He further said, looking at Haya as a playful smile danced on his lips.

She loved this side of him. For the world, he was so respectful and kind but firm at the same time. But with her, he was playful and she hadn't liked being teased so much before by anyone.

"Besides, I do remember an argument between you two right outside that executive suite." Amir mentioned, reminding Haya and Yusuf about his previous official visit.

Haya laughed, knowing that it was all her fault that day. She was so frustrated and wanted to meet Amir so bad that she hadn't cared about anything else.

"You know I'm stubborn." She smugly said, not even apologetic for the way she was.

Both the men nodded, well reversed in Haya's stubbornness..although Yusuf thought Amir still hadn't seen as much as he had over the years. His sister was quite patient with him.

He still remembered how he had once tried to tell her to not wear some dress because he found it a little too much and how Haya had almost barked at him, telling him to mind his own freaking business.

He didn't think she could ever tell Amir something like that.

"Let me just get my phone and then I'll be ready to leave." Amir said, excusing himself as he entered the bedroom and Haya made herself comfortable on the sofa, gesturing for her brother to sit as well.

"So mother tells me you didn't have a very good reaction to my engagement?" Yusuf asked, Haya simply shrugged.

She didn't like Sara but that was her problem, not her brother's. She was a sister after all. No one was good enough for her brothers.

"It was nothing. Is father free now?" She questioned, almost whining.

She wanted to have a proper talk with her father since she hadn't got the chance to do so, ever since they arrived in Buredaan.

It had hardly been a two minutes greeting with her father and that was it.

"Dad's in the prayer room. Don't disturb him." Yusuf mumbled, Haya made a face.

"You know I'm the only one allowed in there anyway and when have I ever listened to you?"

Well, true.

"Okay." The Buredaani Prince said, knowing he could not argue with his verbally loud passionate sister as a certain Crown Prince was just in the other room.

He leaned in a little bit, exasperated as he checked his phone and then stared at his sister.

"Couldn't he have just stayed in the executive suite? The entire protocol had to be changed." He whispered.

"He's not just the Crown Prince anymore. He's your brother in law." Haya pointed out, Yusuf nodded tiredly.

She knew it was tiring. She had seen Amir work so hard and Yusuf was just in the same position.

"You good there?"

He asked, making sure that Haya was doing alright in Maraaish, a country that would have been his last choice if he had any say in who Haya could marry.

"Why? You worried for me?" She fake pouted, chuckling.

Yusuf only shook his head, standing up as Amir entered the living room. Haya stood up as well, seeing as both the men were ready to leave.

"I'll see you both tonight then." She bid them off, Amir turned to his wife.

"I'll be back after Lunch." He told her, she shook her head.

"It's okay. I know you have Crown Prince duties even when you're off duty."

He had promised Haya that this would be a highly personal two days. There would be no work and only them, enjoying Buredaan..her home country.

But Haya knew how things worked in this world and she didn't want to come in between that.

She was just happy with the fact that she was always a big priority to him and he never failed to give her attention.

The Crown Prince smiled, grateful.

"Thank you."

_______________________________________

Haya.
Random thought?

Amir ❤️
Yes baby?

Haya.
Will you make this face if I tell you my dress is a little bit sexy tonight?

Amir❤️
I will have to see the dress first, no?
Also, please stop taking my pictures when we're arguing.

Haya.
We weren't arguing here, I was just telling you you're wrong about that painter.

Amir ❤️
How very wife of you.

Haya.
Another random thought?

Amir ❤️
Go on, love.

Haya.
I am kind of obsessed with your dimples.

Amir ❤️
I am kind of obsessed with you.

Haya.
You better be.

Haya.
Here's a picture just in case.

Amir ❤️
I Love you baby 😘😘

Haya.
Haram, amir 😂

Amir ❤️
Not anymore, Haya.

Amir ❤️
I made sure of that 😘

_______________________________________

"So why aren't you with your Dad?" Aaliyah asked, walking alongside Haya in the garden.

She had postponed their golf plan since she still hadn't talked to her father, then called Aaliyah to reach the Palace directly instead of waiting to meet her at the engagement party.

Even though they had almost talked every single day over phone and video calls, both of them had missed each other's company.

They had been there with each other since a very long time. It was hard to not have your go to person by your side almost every day.

"The governer came. I went to the prayer room but he had already left. I just wanna talk to him, you know?" Haya murmured, hating that she had to exercise patience in times like these.

"He met you though."

"Yeah because smiling and kissing mg forehead is just too much meeting. I want to have a proper conversation. He is too busy to talk on the phone."

Aaliyah only chuckled.

"Your father can never be too busy for you, Haya." Haya knew that, she knew how much her father missed her.

She changed the topic.

"So.." She trailed off.

"How are you feeling about Yusuf being engaged and all?"

Her cousin only rolled her eyes.

"I'm feeling like I should wear a sexy dress and look classy as well. I should wish the couple good luck and then have a drink at night."

Haya didn't remember the last time she had a drink. Maybe she could have a glass of champagne at the party tonight.

The only thought of drinking some champagne made a certain man with dimples pop up in her head with the words haram, Haya.

She directed her attention back at Aaliyah.

"He was just a crush anyway, you know powerful people kind of make me all attracted."

"True. And he is your cousin after all."

"As if cousin marriages haven't happened before." Aaliyah said with a grumble, making Haya laugh.

"Still don't like the idea of it. I still have two more brothers though." She suggested, her friend shook her head at that.

"I don't have a crush on those two."

"Yeah, I get it. Illyas is a sweetheart but he's married to his work and Shahid is too busy writing songs that I'm pretty sure aren't even about women."

The Princess muttered, her gaze following the other end of the garden, finding Illyas alongside her brother in law.

Oh.

Could she?

Should she?

She totally should.

"Aaliyah.." Haya dragged, hearing a hum from beside her.

"Hmm?"

"Do you see what I see?" She asked, Aaliyah followed her gaze and nodded.

"Yeah, Illyas." She stated, Haya clicked her tongue.

"No, you idiot." She muttered, pushing her forward.

"Come on, let's go there."

Aaliyah shook her head, trying to stop the woman as she didn't really understand why Haya wanted to go and chat with her brother, that too in the presence of Prince Adil.

"Haya, it looks like a serious conversation and they have like people around and stuff." Aaliyah interjected, Haya cocked an eyebrow.

"So?"

"Haya.."

"hush."

"But-" She turned to her, annoyed.

"We both know Uncle Hammad has been insisting on your marriage for a while now." She continued, feeling Aaliyah quiet.

"We both know he isn't as cool as my father to let you just fuck around. Do you want to get stuck with a boring businessman with alot of money and no taste?" She asked, looking at her like she was such an idiot to not seek such an opportunity.

"But what are you doing?" Aaliyah questioned, interested in knowing her intentions atleast.

"I'm getting you a Prince."

Haya said, laughing as she saw the horrified yet intrigued look on Aaliyah's face.

"Illyas, can you stop being married to your work for a day atleast?" Haya said the moment she stepped near the two men.

"I am kind of busy here, Haya." Illyas replied, still busy showing some papers to Adil.

Haya nodded, then shrugged as if she didn't care that her brother was busy. She turned her head towards her brother in law, who was standing up.

"Yes, I know. Anyway, Adil..liking Buredaan so far?" She enquired, smiling.

"I haven't really had the chance to look around. I have to work." He did not sound too happy about working so Haya took the opportunity.

"That's too bad. I suppose you haven't met my cousin, Aaliyah?" She gestured towards her best friend, who came forward and smiled at the two.

Illyas narrowed his eyes in suspicion, knowing Haya was planning something.

"I haven't." Adil replied.

"You sure?" Haya still asked because be had seen her in London once but he didn't exactly remember it.

The Aaliyah a few years ago was on bad terms with her acne. It was horrible at times.

"Yes. I would have remembered a pretty face." She heard him say as he glanced at Aaliyah now, Haya chuckled.

"Just the answer I was expecting. Aaliyah, this is Adil." He shook her hand as she greeted him.

"Hello, nice to meet you."

"You too. I think I have seen you in London a few years ago. You looked very different back then." Adil remembered now.

She was the girl with Haya, the one who was trying to control her drunken friend in the club.

"I don't remember us meeting." She stated, Adil nodded at her.

"We didn't really talk."

Haya smirked, amused at the two of them talking.

"Well, now you have the chance. Aaliyah can show you around the gardens. They're beautiful." She gushed, motioning Aaliyah to go for it.

She needed a damn push to go for any guy, let alone a prince.

"Yes, why not? I do have to finish the meeting though." Adil responded with a small sigh, slightly apologetic.

"That's okay. Work comes first." Aaliyah quickly said, ready to feel embarrassed and just rush out of here.

"It does. Why don't you girls leave us to work then?" Illyas interrupted, shooting the both of them a serious look.

Haya raised her eyes at her brother, about to respond but Aaliyah beat her to it.

"We are. Come Haya." She mumbled, Haya stood at the same place she was standing before.

She leaned a little bit towards Adil, talking in a lower voice.

"If you're interested in the nightlife here, Aaliyah is the person to show you." She suggested, Adil raised his eye at her.

"You sure? It might be inappropriate and Amir might react on this." He reminded her of her husband, who she hadn't even consulted about all of this.

Oh well.

"And that has stopped you before?" Haya shot back, he couldn't help but laugh and nod.

"Give me her number, please?"

"Ofcourse."

She was an excellent matchmaker after all.

"Haya, where are you roaming around?"

"I was just coming to find you." Haya replied, lying as she bumped into her mother on her way back to her suite.

The Queen cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Were you really?" She questioned in amusement, knowing her daughter way too well.

"No, but let's pretend that I was."

Haya replied, walking alongside her mother as she accompanied the woman towards the dressing room.

"Is that what you are wearing?" She questioned the moment she entered the large room, finding a dress hanging in the corner with her mother's stylist present in the room as well.

"Hello, Princess. I hope you're doing well." Rahima, who had been working with her mother since Haya was a little girl, smiled in greeting.

"Hi Rahima. I am well, alhamdullilah."

Both the woman stared at Haya in surprise. Her own mother looked at her with amusement evident on her face.

"What?" Haya asked, feeling the weird stare on her.

"Amir is rubbing off on you, no?" Haya rolled her eyes at her mother's enquiry.

"Yeah just because I didn't say fuck since I met you, you think I'm a changed woman." She said in a flat voice, her mother shook her head.

"You're less impatient now. That's a change." She pointed out.

Haya groaned. She didn't want to be told that she was changing because she truly wasn't. Why couldn't people see that?

"You keep on saying that over the phone as well. I seriously don't understand why. It's so annoying." She grumbled.

"Alright. Let's talk about the fact that you have been home the entire day. If this was my old daughter, she would have been out meeting with her friends right now."

"Because, I will see them tonight anyway. And Aaliyah visited on her own and Amir is here too. It will be inappropriate." Haya replied casually.

Her mother only smiled. She didn't want to stress anymore on how much Haya was changing. She would just keep thinking and then snap on someone.

"Right, I understand." She murmured, hearing Haya only sigh in return.

"It's seven already, why don't you go get changed?" The Queen suggested.

Haya took that as a cue to leave, thankful that her mother had dropped the whole 'you are changing' subject.

It wasn't true.

She was still the same person.

__

Thoughts?