..
Hey guys.

I know it's been a while but it's like y'all should be habitual by now. Everytime you think I'm a bitch just remember how regularly I used to update all the time ok?

Anyway, poor baby Amir 😩😩❤️

Vote and comment. Tell me what you think. Love ❤️❤️

Haya.

There was a time in her life that she could have sworn she did not need anyone to protect her. Even now, she knew she did not need anyone's protection. no harm could even come close to her because of who she was. She was the daughter of a king, she was Royalty and she was the wife of a future King too.

Yet, as her husband faced his father, she found herself grabbing hold of his arm and hiding a part of her behind him. it made her remember the time as a child when she would hide behind her father, when the crowd would get too much and it would seem intimidating.

During those times, her father would smile at her and gave her a reassuring look but today, King Najaf was not even here. Not to mention, he was so angry and disappointed at all of his children because they were not what he had believed them to be.

Except Shahid, of course. He never knew anything.

Whether it was the Crown Prince Yusuf Najaf, a man of principle who was supposed to take hold of the country in the upcoming years or or the younger Prince Illyas, who had always made the old man proud with his smart business decisions, or even his favourite daughter Haya, who, despite her questionable decisions in life had made the best decision and married and honorable Prince. All of his children had lied to him, not telling him the one truth that had made him feel so embarrassed and disappointed.

At the same time, he felt ashamed that his wife, the Queen had hid the truth too. She was supposed to be his life partner, they had shared decades of being together and yet, she never told him.

He understood that his children had private lives and he was no one to ask them about it part, Suhoor was a Princess. She was Royalty.

How could his son even go there? Did he not understand the consequences of it?

Haya's mind was still stuck to her own family. How could Illyas marry Suhoor? She was so young for him, he was touching thirty and she was just an eighteen year old girl.

An eighteen year old girl her brother had slept with. Her subconscious reminded her.

Illyas was a liar, he was manipulative and could lie like anything but had he really done this? Had he really slept with Suhoor?

Haya didn't even know what to say, how could she defend her brother when she did not even know the truth at all?

She swallowed when she felt the glares at her, instead of Amir. She felt her husband take a hold of her hand, wrapping it around his own in a tight grip. it was the first sign of assurance that he had provided her throughout the day.

"Baba, I think we should talk alone. I don't want to talk in front of the family."

Amir started off, knowing that he needed to hear his father's remarks alone. The last thing he wanted was for his wife to hear his father's yelling at her, at them..she was not accustomed to it. She never had been. He hadn't been either, but he knew no one could escape the King's wrath and despite having the best of intentions, he had hid the truth from his father. It was not right.

"Everyone knew about your sister's actions, except me. We will talk in front of everyone now, son!" The King exclaimed back, Haya swallowed and glanced at Amir who was only staring back at his father.

"You were extremely sick and I knew how much she had troubled you already. I did not want to cause stress to you. The moment I found out about this, I brought her back to the country e and she promised that she would never repeat her actions again. I did what any honorable brother would have done."

Amir defended himself, because he was honest and respectful but he was also a Crown Prince. He didn't take disrespect well, even if it came at the hands of the King.

"I made a decision and I stand by it, baba. I did what I did for the sake of this family." He continued, causing the King to shake his head.

"You hid the truth from your father, your King."

"I am sorry that I had to hide it from you. I told both the women who raised her and they promised to take care of it. We all took care of it." Amir replied.

It was the most Haya had ever heard Amir argue. She chose to remain silent.

"And what about the news that your sister gave to me? She ruined her honor. She ruined her virtue. She isn't pure anymore." It was not King Abdullah this time, but the Queen.

Suhoor's real mother, Amir's other mother. Haya hated the mere presence of the woman.

"I never knew of it. When I talked to Prince Illyas, he assured me that nothing of that sort had happened and I trusted his word."

Amir responded, remembering the long conversation he had with his brother in law in Paris that day. Illyas told him the truth. Amir knew it was the truth because he had shamelessly accepted kissing his sister but also denied doing anything more than that.

"You trusted a sly bastard Prince who slept with your sister?" The woman retorted, cursing at the brother that Haya insulted the most and also the one she would insult others for.

He was her blood, her brother. How dare anyone say anything?

"My brother is a Prince, he might be a culprit in your eyes but he is not a bastard. Whatever happened between your daughter and my brother was consensual. "

Haya stated, narrowing her eyes at the woman. King Abdullah stared at his daughter in law with raised eyes, because he hadn't heard her tongue yet. She had hardly spoken in such a way in front of him before.

"She is a child and he is a man!" The woman shot back, Haya chuckled.

"She was not a child when you arranged her marriage at seventeen, when you took her decision against her will but she is a child now?"

When she felt a tight squeeze against her hand, she knew it was a cue to be quiet.

"Haya." Amir murmured, asking her to remain silent.

"I won't stand against the direspect of my family."

Haya answered back, but did not retort to saying anything more. She only stood by Amir instead.

"Mother, as I told you earlier, Prince Illyas told me that he did not even touch Suhoor in that way. I had no idea. What happened?"

He wanted more details than what his father had provided him. It was absolutely shocking and heart breaking. Suhoor was his baby sister, it was not supposed to be this way. She was not supposed to be married off like this. She was not supposed to marry someone like Prince Illyas, a man who had a new girl by his side every other day.

He couldn't possibly tell that to Haya, as his words would hurt her immensely but despite being a Prince, Illyas was the last person Amir or even his family would imagine marrying Suhoor.

"Your uncle Aarif came to ask for Suhoor's hand, for his son Yakub. I agreed on your sister's behalf." The King stated, staring at Amir.

The news came as a surprise to Amir. He didn't even know that anything of this sort was going on.

"You did not even tell me, baba. I didn't know about this." Amir replied, frowning as the news hit him.

"Because you are too busy being a husband and not a brother or a Crown Prince." King Abdullah shot back, eyes filled with that disappointment one more time.

Haya's eyes found Amir, seeing the way he had been accused, all because she made him stay a day longer.

"Yes, Amir. We all tried to reach you but you were too busy being with your wife."

His other mother taunted, Haya let out an unbelievable scoff. The same Amir would bust his ass off every single day, would come home late, would travel to different countries without ever complaining.

He always took pride in his job, on the responsibility that had been bestowed upon his shoulders but the fact that his family was completely negating that, it bothered her.

"So he took two days with his wife and now he's not good enough for you?" She couldn't help but retort, the crown prince let out a sigh.

A part of him was grateful to his wife for standing up for him. Another part didn't want her to say anything.

"Haya. Stop." He murmured, not letting his wife get into another argument with his family.

The Crown Prince stared at his mother, crossing his arms against his chest.

"Mother, if I remember correctly you did give me a call but it was only to ask about my whereabouts and how I was doing. You never told me anything about my sister."

He reminded her, voice gentle but firm at the same time.

"The point is that we went to Suhoor and talked about it with her, she told us that she couldn't marry anyone because she isn't-" The woman hesitated in saying anything, King Abdullah lowered his head in shame.

"She is a woman now, that's why." He mumbled, but it was audible enough.

Amir felt the pang in his chest too.

Haya couldn't imagine how they had all managed to bind their honour with the virginity of an eighteen year old. It made zero sense to her.

When she looked at Adil and Akbar, they looked ashamed too. Adil, who himself, had a girl by his side every other night. Hypocrites. All of them.

"Your father broke it off because if anyone ever found out, it would ruin everything we ever stood for, everything that we are."

"It would ruin our reputation." This time, it was Haya's actual mother in law. The real Queen.

Haya didn't remember the last time she even had a civil conversation with any one of them.

"And please tell me Adil, how many women have you slept with so far? Because your family's reputation should have been tarnished long ago."

Haya didn't want to call Adil out like that, but the feminist in her, the woman within her, it felt insulted. She couldn't really say anything to his father or mother, she wanted to but Amir had stopped her twice and she didn't want to disturb the peace of her own relationship.

The only person she could really say something to, it was Adil. Instead of calling out everyone's hypocrisy, he had the audacity to look ashamed. She was so grateful that Aaliyah and Adil could never turn into anything serious.

Adil, who looked madly offended scowled at Haya.

"Says the Princess who slept with half of Buredaan and then married my innocent brother." He insulted back.

Before Haya could say anything, Amir had already stepped in front of his younger brother and was glaring at him with anger in his gaze.

His hand reached out to hold his brother's shoulder in a tight hold.

"Adil, never again. Never." He instructed in fury, Haya inhaled a deep breath.

"Did you hear what she said?" Adil asked back, the entire family witnessing their exchange. For a moment, two brothers looked like they were standing against each other.

"Did she lie?" Amir asked back, causing Adil to let out an unbelievable scoff.

"Did I lie, brother?" He shot in response, Amir didn't remove his hand.

"She is your sister in law, she is supposed to be your Queen one day. I will not stand against disrespect of my wife. Never again. Never."

He instructed, not removing the glare even when he had removed his hand away from his brother's shoulder.

Next, the Crown Prince looked at the King.

"Baba, I understand how you must feel. I need to talk to Suhoor first, I need to understand what happened. we can't just marry them this way." He tried, because Suhoor was still his sister and he didn't know how, but he wanted to fix this.

"La,"

The King stated, holding his hand up as a gesture and telling him no.

"King Najaf and I mutually decided that this wedding will take place next month. Anyone who says a word against our decision will be shown the way. I assure you that life outside royalty is not as Golden as it may seem."

Haya had heard her own father say the same just a few hours ago.

"And you," King Abdullah addressed her, she lifted her eyebrows at the sudden attention.

"I knew you were a troubled woman when you married my son but I also respected you for your integrity and grace. If you you think of us as your family, even a little bit, then do not try to come in between this."

He knew Haya would meddle, he knew she would say something, he knew she would not just sit silent but he wanted her to.

"Your brother and my daughter committed zina. It might be okay in your eyes but it is not fine in mine. They have to right their wrongs. Understand?"

When Haya didn't reply, because she knew she wouldn't be a silent spectator in all of this, Amir nudged her side.

"Haya, speak." He mumbled, she didn't say anything still.

"Your father is a man of honor, he won't forgive you if he sees you sabotage the wedding."

He stated, Haya still chose to remain silent.

"And Amir, this is the last time I am letting your mistake go by. Do not make me regret it." Amir's gaze hardened upon his father's words.

It was one thing to say something to him alone, because he was the King and his father. He had the right. But to say everything in front of his family, his wife, it made him feel insulted.

"Remember that all of this power that I gave to you, I can take it back. I have other sons. I have blood."

He reminded further, Amir let out a slow nod. He could still feel Haya's gaze on him, his ears turning red.

"Yes, father. I understand." Amir replied, continuing because he felt like he needed to say more.

"If you don't think of me as worthy enough, you can take it back from me. All of it is yours." He gestured around, adding.

"I think God gives everyone what they deserve. If this is truly meant for me, it will come back to me anyway." He told his father, the King only shook his head again.

"I said I am forgiving you, son. Just don't give me a reason to forgive you again."

"His other mother is still a bitch, his real mother was absolutely silent throughout the conversation and his father was the worst. I have never seen anyone talk to him in this way."

Haya ranted out to Aaliyah, both the girls telling each other about the situation in their respective homes.

"But you know what, he defended me, he tried to defend his sister and he defended his own self as well. I think he can take so many stands but he just chooses not to because he respects them so much.. I always thought of this ability as a weakness but it's actually his biggest strength."

Haya said in wonder, because it was the first time she had realised something of this sort. She had always thought he was weak when it came to his family but today, he just wasn't.

"What about you?" Aaliyah heard Haya question her.

"After you left, uncle called Illyas to his own room. He left an hour later and told everyone he was going to marry her,"

Haya gasped, not believing it. What had her father even said for Illyas to accept without a fight? Had he really slept with her?

"Really?"

"Yes, then he went to the states so I have no idea what's going on."

Once again, she felt surprised. Illyas hadn't bothered to send her a text or pick up a call even. He had so desperately left for the states, making all her doubts come true.

"He already left? He's dating her, isn't he? The singer?"

She asked, Aaliyah only hummed.

"Nikita, I think so. He says he's not though, that's what he told your mother." She informed, continuing.

"Yusuf is so stressed, he went to talk to your father but he's in no mood to listen. He said he will talk to his family when he feels like he can actually talk to them."

"I called him so many times but he didn't pick up he never does that. I called so many people just so they could make me talk to him but he just wouldn't take the call."

Haya replied. She was aching to talk to her father but he was not even willing to talk to her. It was saddening.

"I know, Haya. The Palace is so silent, I'm intimidated myself. Yusuf is very quiet too, he just left for the governer meeting. Shahid is in his room, as usual and Aunt is looking genuinely stressed out. She even wore the lighter lipstick today."

She added with a chuckle, Haya laughed.

"That's when you know shit is serious."

"How the fuck did it get so complicated?"

"I don't know but I'm just going to sip on some champagne and let it all get figured out. I won't even take part in anything."

She replied, Haya wished she could do the same.

"King Abdullah told me to not mess with anything but if I get a hold of my brother and he tells me he does not want to do it, if he tells me he didn't sleep with her, I'm going to burn the Palace down but I won't let them marry." She told Aaliyah of her plans too, who simply groaned.

"Haya, please don't. don't ruin your marriage for the sake of-never mind Yusuf is here. I'll talk later."

Aaliyah was about to end the call but then Haya heard her brother's voice in the background.

"Is that Haya?" The next thing she knew, Aaliyah was handing out the phone to her husband.

"Hey, hey."

"How are you?"

"I'm okay. How are you? How's Dad? Did you talk to him?"

"Yes. Only talked about work related things but he seemed okay, is Amir and his family fine? Did they say anything?" Yusuf was concerned too, obviously so.

"just that they are going to get married next month and no one should mess with it." Haya told him, to which Yusuf let out his own frustration too.

"And do what then? Let our brother marry that eighteen year old girl for no reason? So what if they had sex? They're consensual adults!"

He exclaimed, Haya's own eyes widened in surprise because she never expected Yusuf to say such a thing.

"Exactly! Thank you. Can you make dad understand this? I'll talk to Amir as well, this is just not right-"

Haya rambled out, and Yusuf groaned in return, expecting this.

"Enough, Haya. That's what I expected from you. So what? They had sex. Our brother slept with a princess from Maraaish. Do you understand what that means?"

Oh.

He was just testing her?

"For the love of God, stay away from this mess. Do not ruin it. You have no idea what would happen to this country if a tiny bit of things got messed up, not to mention your relationship-"

Yusuf lectured, she rolled her eyes.

"do me a favour and keep your husband happy instead of fighting for things that you have no concern with!" He exclaimed, Haya knew she had to hang up.

"Bye Yusuf, you're talking shit now." She waved him off.

"Can't believe I let my best friend marry an asshole like you." She grumbled, Yusuf only clicked his tongue.

"Behave, and seriously behave."

Haya hung up with another eye roll.

"Haya, I'm already stressed enough. The last thing I need is for you to wear inappropriate clothes. Stop it."

She was laying by the pool, wearing a dress fit enough for the summers in Maraaish and reading a recent article about Buredaan, written by a Maraaishi-English journalist.

It was all about how Buredaan was still a narrow minded country despite its efforts to shape itself up like the west. It was an absolutely wrong depiction of her country. The more she read it, the more it frustrated her.

Yes, her country was just as traditional as it was modern and westernised. But to call the Royal Family a bunch of hypocrites, it was horror.

Surprisingly, there was no mention of Haya anywhere.

It talked about Prince Yusuf, how he was the respectful and traditional Crown Prince, how his image was of an obedient son and a patriot.

It talked about Prince Illyas, who was named a shrewd businessman. He was the most talked about Prince, when it came to his life and business. He appealed to the youth, just as much as he appealed to the country's finest. Sometimes, he was rebellious and sometimes, he was absolutely rude, filled with anger. Sometimes, there would be videos of him conversating with the general public while walking around the beach and sometimes, he wouldn't spare a look at even the finest of men.

He was named a ladies man, through and through. Haya saw another picture of her brother, but unlike always, it was the same girl. The American singer. Nikita.

And then, there was the mention of Shahid. To quote the words of the journalist himself, Shahid was labelled a misfit. A man who didn't belong to the Royal Family. He was too different.

Haya was just about to read the last part of the article when she heard Amir's voice, telling her that he was already stressed enough and didn't need to worry about her clothes too.

"Snapping at me won't help, babe." Haya replied casually, putting the device away.

He had left early in the morning, telling her that he was going to visit the Palace, one week after his father had dropped the bomb on them.

He hadn't spoken to Suhoor ever since. Infact, Amir had been so swarmed that hadn't been able to talk with anyone.

Haya herself had resumed work, knowing that she would feel too shitty all the time if she stayed at home and thought about all the crap they had been facing lately.

Her father had not spoken to her for a whole week, only calling her today to enquire about her health. The moment Haya tried to divert the topic of conversation, the King told her he would talk to her some other time. It was this awkward.

Haya was trying to give him time, just like her mother had advised her, but God, it was hard.

"Did you talk to Suhoor?" She asked Amir, who sat down next to her and nodded.

"Yes."

"And?" Haya raised her eyebrow in anticipation, turning towards him properly as she was interested in what his sister had to say.

"She says it's true." Amir said with a sigh, looking towards his feet because it was both embarassing and saddening for him.

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

"Did she say wallahi?"

Haya found it both hard to believe and not hard to believe at all. She knew Illyas, she knew he liked sex, she knew he liked to have women in his bed but at the same time, the way Illyas had told her that he hadn't done it, it made her question it all.

Illyas was a liar, but he was also her blood. He lied convincingly but what if he was telling the truth this time?

"Haya, are you serious? Are you not familiar with your brother's reputation?"

He questioned back, because did she really think he would make his sister swear upon God and say that she did have sex?

Why would any girl tell a lie like that?

"Have you had a talk with your brother?" He turned it around, asking her about Illyas.

Illyas, who had managed to reach a higher level of being unreachable and absolutely useless. He wouldn't return her calls or messages. She had bullied, threatened and even tried to fire some of his team. Still, there was no point.

Apart from his security, no one knew where Illyas was. He had only talked to Yusuf once, telling him he would come back when he felt like it. That was all.

"No, he's not picking up." Haya answered honestly, Amir clicked his tongue.

They were all supposed to meet next week.

"Haya, how is your brother supposed to marry my sister when he is so unreachable? How will they spend their life this way?"

Amir stood up, exasperated and she let out a puff of air through her mouth.

"Sit." She pulled on his hand and made him sit back.

"Does Suhoor want to marry him?" Haya questioned, already knowing the answer to it.

"Yes."

"What if she's lying because she knew this would be the result?"

She didn't want to say it out loud, she was just thinking about it but somehow, the words left her mouth.

"Haya, it's my sister. She doesn't lie. Your brother does, you know that."

She rolled her eyes. Even now, Amir was saying this?

"Correction. I know my brother lies at times. Your sister has lied to you plenty of times too, you're just too blind to admit it."

She shot back, shrugging.

"There's still nothing I can do. It's the King's order."

"The king is your father." She pointed out.

"King Najaf is your father too. Have you talked to him?"

They were both turning the conversation around at one another. Amir already knew this would lead to another argument at some point.

"He called me yesterday after ages and hung up the moment I mentioned Illyas. I've never heard my father so quiet, Amir. He is angry at me. And for what? For not telling him?"

She was just as frustrated at him, just not ashamed and embarassed, or even hurt at the actions of her sibling. He felt all of it and more. He was just trying to be patient, trying to be better, to be perfect for the sake of his family and country.

"Why do all men expect women to you tell them everything just because they are related? And my father out of all people? He has never interfered in our lives so what has changed now?"

She further said, staring at her man.

"Maybe he's finally regretting not interfering enough. His son did something unforgivable." Amir replied, Haya narrowed her eyes at him.

"Even if he did, it must have been consensual right? Why is my brother taking all the heat?" She shot back, hating the way everyone kept on talking shit about Illyas.

Only she had the right to talk shit about Illyas.

Once again, Amir stood up.

"You think he is the one taking the heat? Seriously, Haya? Do you not understand what this means?" He gestured, continuing.

"She's a burden on the entire family right now. Everyone is staring at her with accusatory eyes. Everyone think she has defamed the family."

He stressed, because he had seen the way his sister was constantly being poked and frowned upon.

"Suhoor put her entire reputation at stake along with her family's by sleeping with Prince Illyas. She will be paying for that by being in an unwanted marriage."

Amir knew this better than most that Illyas was not ready for marriage. He was being forced. After talking to Suhoor, he had atleast sensed that in a way, she didn't feel forced. She felt alright. He knew Haya's brother felt differently.

"You think I don't know that your brother does not want to marry her? You think I don't see how things are?"

Haya swallowed, knowing that Illyas always hated the idea of being trapped in a marriage. He hated being bound. He hated the monotony of marriage.

"I'm scared that my sister won't be welcomed in that house. I'm afraid that she will be in an unhappy marriage but there's nothing that I can do. There's nothing that you can do either."

A part of her felt bad for Suhoor, and the other part, it hated that her brother was being trapped in an unwanted marriage.

"So please Haya, the last thing you can do is not negate my sister's problems. At the end of the day, Illyas is a man. He won't have it half as bad as my sister."

Amir was spitting facts, it was true. He just chose to blame the wrong people.

"And it's all because of your family and your traditions which make no sense."

She blamed his country, again.

Amir threw an angry glance in her direction. The kind that made Haya swallow.

"Yes, because hell will freeze the day you admit your dear brother made a mistake. Astaghfirullah."

He said, throwing his head back in frustration.

It was the most time they had spent together in the entire week. Yet, here they were, arguing instead of spending quality time together.

Haya clicked her tongue.

"It's always going to be like this, right? We'll keep arguing because of our families? Because of Suhoor and Illyas?" She asked, looking at Amir with a certain sadness that made his heart clench.

"I hope not." He replied, cupping the side of her face instantly.

"Let's just keep Shahid and Najma away from each other." Haya joked, but Amir didn't think it was funny.

"Shahid knows how to honor and respect women. I would have been relieved if Shahid had been the one marrying my sister."

Clearly, Shahid was on top of Amir's list. Haya had always thought it would be Yusuf.

"Illyas can be indifferent and manipulative Amir but he has a very pure heart. You don't know him."

Haya felt the need to defend her brother because he wasn't half as bad as he was believed to be.

"I have a call scheduled with Yusuf in a while." He informed Haya, who hummed and stared at him so he could elaborate.

"He said he wanted to talk about the plans for the wedding and Illyas."

The moment Amir finished his sentence, Haya's phone started to ring. She looked at the caller ID and chuckled, showing Amir the screen.

"What timing?" She mumbled, picking it up.

"Hello?"

She had only just greeted her brother with a simple hello when she heard his worried voice.

"Haya, are you alone?" Haya looked at Amir and smiled.

She knew that he would not care if you walked away and talked to her brother in private but he would definitely turn curious and probably concerned as well.

"No, I'm not." She slowly said, continuing when Amir just leaned back against the seat and she casually carried on the conversation.

"I'm good, Yusuf. How are you?"

"Are you with Amir?" Her brother thankfully understood.

"Yes. How's everything?"

"It's Illyas. He won't come back home. We've all reached out to him but he still hasn't come back."

Since Yusuf was the only one Illyas had been in touch with, it was even more worrying.

Yusuf had already lied to King Najaf twice, telling him that Illyas was stuck in a business deal in the US and he was also trying to tie some lose ends. King Najaf understood the underlying meaning of his son's words but now, he had told Yusuf to call Illyas back by the end of the week.

And, his birthday was just a day away.

"Not to mention he won't talk to us and his team keeps saying that he's not around, he's asleep. I'm worried."

Yusuf's voice easily showed his concern.

"Okay, have you tried reaching out to the people around? I feel like Aaliyah would be more responsible than this."

Haya had to take Aaliyah's name off the top of her head, knowing that any mention of Illyas would start a whole new argument with Amir.

"Aaliyah? No, Haya. It's about Illyas-nevermind, I got it."

"The point is, I know it's a lot to ask but would you go to the states? I'm extremely busy and only you can get Illyas to act sanely."

Haya stated at Amir, pondering for a slight moment.

Another lie?

Ugh.

"I'll figure it out. Don't worry." She mumbled over the call.

"Alright. What will you tell Amir?"

"I don't know."

She honestly said, ending the call.

Once again, complications and more of them.

___

How the hell am I gonna end this story?? No idea.

Anyway, enjoy!!

Tell me what you think :)