She turned to the other side of the carriage and caught king Khaled staring at her. Her breathing almost seized but she forced herself to remain normal and calm.
King Khaled turned his eyes away and she saw a little twinkle in them but it varnished quickly like it had never been there. She wondered why he'd chosen to take a poor girl like her as a wife but then again,she remembered. No one was willing to marry their daughters off to him, a man who slit the throat of his brothers in seconds. The scar on his face must be enough for people to detest him.
The carriage hit a huge brick, causing it to ride on the side, pushing her towards King khaled's body. she could hear her racing heart as she closed her eyes. He pushed her away, glaring daggers at her as she looked away. His eyes were scarier when he pinned them on a person.
"Do not try that,ever again." the warning was stern and she found herself going numb but nodding all the same. Her palms had gone sweaty but she tried not to look scared. If she could live with a father who'd almost taken her life on several occasions,she could live with anyone. she told herself as they got to the palace gates.
Her heart began to pound really hard in her chest as she came face to face with her reality,the queen of the whole kingdoms and she was barely nineteen. She wondered the age of her husband but who was she kidding? she knew her tongue would go for it if she asked such a stupid question.
"We're here." the coach announced as king Khaled got down and waited for her to get down before moving in the opposite direction. As she looked up,she saw three women at three different windows staring at them as they made their way up the palace stairs. She detested the king so she barely knew anything about him aside his demonic side. Everyone seems to be talking about his demonic side,about the tragic death of his brothers, how his mother abandoned him and went into exile after giving birth to him.
"Are you listening?" she was jerked off her thoughts by King khaled's hands waving in front of her eyes. She felt her face going red as he continued walking.
"This is our chamber,that door is not to be opened by you or anyone." he said and walked towards another door. it was at the tip of her tongue to ask what was behind that door but she knew better than anyone else that the rightful place of the tongue is in the mouth so she followed him obediently.
"The shower room and this,the dressing room. do not touch my blades." she noticed the pride he used in referring to his blades, like it was human or something precious. Well no one could forget that those blades slit the throat of the first and second princes of the kingdom.
"Maya and Masha would be at your service,as a queen you have duties and responsibilities, duties to the kingdom and beyond above all duties to me, your husband." As he spoke,she allowed her eyes to roam freely over his body and she swallowed hard when her eyes rested on his crotch area. He had golden hair,a black scar on his face which made him look scary and hot at the same time. His chiseled jawline, toned skin with bulgy muscles screamed strength but she needed to stop drooling. As she raised her head,her eyes connected with his as she gasped, holding her chest as he scoffed.
"Get used to seeing me, you'll be sleeping in my arms every night and fulfilling duties right beside me. Don't embarrass me by looking startled by me in front of noble men." she nodded and followed his lead to sit on the mat which beautified the floor.
"You must be wondering why I chose a lowlife like you." He noticed the stab of pain his words inflicted on her and a smile covered his face.
"You're going to be a queen yes but I need an heir,a successor. As you know many people are after my life once you get pregnant I'll send you somewhere safe and far."
"But__"
"I wasn't asking for your suggestions or opinions. get ready and come down for supper." he walked out and she remained rooted to her spot as she tried to process what he'd just said.
The door opened and closed revealing two ladies one in her early sixties and the other nothing more than thirteen. "You must be Maya and Masha?" she asked, standing on her feet as they bowed to her.
"Could you please stop with that bow?" she asked, feeling awkward at the older woman bowing to her. Back at the village,older women like these were respected and treated godly but here?
They ushered her into the shower room, sponging her and doing their duties. A single word did not slip out of their lips and she guessed Khaled must have warned them about engaging her in any form of conversation or telling her anything concerning the kingdom.
"You know you can talk to me,I'm not deaf." she said, turning towards any direction they led her. After dolling her up,they bowed and walked out of the chamber as she stood confused.
Now what was she supposed to do? she asked herself, wondering why they'd left her to stand here like that was her rightful spot.
Just then,two older women dressed in beautiful apparels as beautiful as hers walked through the door, smiling at her as she looked down.
"She's beautiful Fatima."
"I agree Jamila." the second woman said as they chuckled and led Almirah out of the chamber.