As she walked out of the room, Maha heard voices coming from the room next door. Since she was regarded as an illegitimate child, her room was situated in the western part of the palace. Away from the rest who dwelled on the eastern side.
This was where the royal guests resided, as well as other diplomats. One would think that, given her status, she would be thrown in the pig's sty.
For reasons unknown to her, she was left on the western wing to stay on her own. Whenever they had guests over, she was in charge of their welfare.
Perhaps this was because while she was a maid inside the palace, she was accorded the respect of a princess outside. This arrangement wasn't pleasing to everyone.
Especially her stepmother, Hafsa. The woman saw her as a threat in every single way. Nothing pleased the woman more than watching Maha suffer. She especially disliked her face despite it being 'ruined' by the runes.
Maha thought about what the witch had said to her stepmother before about the runes. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thoughts creeping in on her. Her feet glided silently over the floor as she approached the door. With the knowledge that no one else was occupying the entire place, she rested her ear over the door and listened in.
Given that the rooms were soundproof, she concentrated and tapped into her hybrid ability. She appreciated her hybrid side on such occasions more than she would like to admit. Although she couldn't explain its existence, she was used to it. Her train of thought was interrupted by the conversation, or rather an argument, which became loud and clear to her.
***
Inside the room, a young, pretty girl sat on the bed, head hung low. Standing over her, a slightly older male kept yelling at how irresponsible she was.
Soft sniffles could be heard echoing in the room. "How did this happen? Are you sure that it's mine?" Wahid asked the girl.
His heart ached as he watched her sob. Yet, he couldn't contain the anger that took over his rationality.
Her head snapped up at his question.
He witnessed her vulnerability diminish, instantly getting replaced by anger.
"I dare you to repeat that question. I dare you!" She snarled at him, her fingers poking at his chest. Taking a deep breath, she tried to contain her emotions.
"Listen, I love you. That doesn't give you the right to blame me. You were my first and also the only man that I gave my body to.
Don't forget how we got to this point. You seduced me until I fell under the spell of your love. Don't try to question my loyalty, Wahid. Don't even go there!"
His hands fisted into a ball, jaws clenched. He knew that she was telling the truth. This was because whenever the girl wasn't with her family, she was with him.
Alas! He never saw this coming. When he seduced her, it was just a game for him. He wanted to prove to his family that he wasn't useless.
Since Laiba was the princess of Lulua, he made a bet. If he could get her to fall in love, it would be easy to ally with the third most powerful kingdom.
Although they were both of royal upbringing, their Kingdoms couldn't be more different. The cultural practices and norms were so different that it made it hard to believe sometimes.
In Lulua, girls were treated better than boys. Here, girls could inherit the throne or vie for any position. As long as the woman had the capability.
His Kingdom, on the other hand, was the opposite. It not only reduced the woman to a possession but also elevated a man's position as the ultimate leader.
Men fought among themselves for everything. They fought for women, power, and land. Since he had many brothers and little ability, this was his ultimate move.
His kingdom was at the bottom of the food chain. Having them as in-laws would be an accomplishment. Despite this, he never imagined that she would get pregnant.
The thought of taking responsibility scared him. He was too young to be a husband and a father. He hardly enjoyed his life. Wahid was conflicted about what to do.
On one hand, there was his desire to play around. On the other hand was the ambition to attain a special position in his kingdom. At the moment, he was at the lowest rank among his siblings.
He pushed his anger and displeasure to the back of his head before taking Laiba's hands in his. He brought her knuckle to his lips, pampering it with kisses.
Princess Laiba blinked at him, her gaze filled with confusion. What was going on with the man? Then it dawned on her. The gentleman coddling her was the man she fell in love with.
Her gaze softened, letting herself be loved. Discerning the shift in her emotions, he smirked internally. He got her exactly where he wanted her.
"My love, forgive me. It's just that I was caught off guard. When you told me that you were pregnant, I panicked. You know the dynamic of royalty better than I do.
I love you. Do not misapprehend me. It's just, I feel afraid. What if I tell my parents and they refuse to join us in marriage?
Given the hierarchy of my Kingdom, your parents won't be thrilled to have me as their son-in-law either. Do you understand?"
Wahid and Laiba were now sitting on the bed holding hands. As he tried to manipulate her mind, his lips would occasionally steal kisses from her.
His fingers didn't snooze on the job either. They caressed her body here and there, further sinking her into the rabbit hole. Having a few months to get familiar with her body, he knew what worked magic on her.
The oblivious princess nodded, finding his words to be the truth. She frowned, the sadness returning to her eyes again. He cupped her cheeks, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"What should we do then? My father will be disappointed in me if he finds out that I got pregnant." He rested his forehead on hers.
Now that she was asking for his opinion, it was time to let the plan fall into place. "Sweetheart, give me a few days. Let me make preparations, and then I will get back to you. Will you come with me?"
Her eyes snapped open as dread filled her heart. Laiba never imagined that her life would turn out like this. Getting pregnant and eloping with a man. She dreamed of an extravagant wedding celebration.
Being the favorite daughter and a beloved princess to her people, she hoped for a lot. Sadly, this was what her dreams were reduced to.
"But?..."
"Shhhhhh, baby. Do you love me? Do you trust me? Believe me, once we are together, your father will announce our marriage even if he doesn't want to. He wouldn't wish for his reputation to be ruined.
Once he makes the arrangements, we shall get married lavishly. A wedding befitting a princess. Otherwise, he will find a way to separate us. Please, darling. Do it for our baby. For me. Think about it.
When I return, you shall give me your answer. If you can't come with me, then I have no choice but to let you go. Your father will kill me if he realizes that I am still in his Kingdom."
***
Maha removed her ears from the door and stared at the door. She was bewildered by what she had just learned. Having heard enough, she walked away from the place heading for the eastern part of the palace.
She was needed in the kitchen to help. The information she had just heard was kept at the back of her mind. Despite the disbelief she felt, it didn't surprise her.
From the way things are, she must have missed a lot over the last three months. Anyway, it went well. Her informer would come around tonight.
Three hours later, Maha was busy cleaning the utensils in the kitchen. The royal family had already eaten, and their tables had been cleared.
As she scrubbed the pan, she heard two of the maids whispering to each other. Her senses sharpened as she eavesdropped yet again on their conversation.
"Hey, did you hear what the King said? They want to form an Alliance with the Kingdom of Almaas."
"What kind of alliance?"
" A marriage alliance between the eldest princess and the crown prince of Almaas."
The second maid gasped, garnering the attention of the others. She apologized and looked back at her friend. A flash of envy crossed her eyes.
Who didn't know the prince of Almaas? Although they had never seen him, his beauty and bravery were praised throughout the lands. His praise was sung by every musician alive.
Old or young, he was their favorite subject. "You mean to say that Princess Laiba and the pride of Almaas will wed soon?"
The other woman hummed in agreement. " I even heard the Queen telling her daughter how lucky the prince was to get her as his wife. Ironically, Princess Laiba didn't look thrilled by the news. On the contrary, she looked disturbed. Do you think she dislikes the prince?"
"How is that possible? I mean, .." Maha tuned them out, letting a playful smile linger on her lips. Within the first day of her return, she came to learn two things.
Her stepsister's pregnancy for the prince of Jamrat and the upcoming alliance. She placed the last utensils on the rack and wiped her hands dry.
As she sat at the table with a bowl of food, her mind was busy coming up with a plan. She momentarily cut out the things happening around her.
Not long after she sat down to eat, a furious girl barged into the kitchen. The maids noticed and stood straight in respect. All eyes went towards the oblivious girl eating at the table.
Laiba followed their gaze and matched towards Maha. Standing on the other end of the table, she waited to be acknowledged, but got nothing.
Her mood got worse. She walked to the sink and filled a jar with water. The others watched as the younger princess strode towards Maha.
The jar filled with cold water was emptied onto the girl's head. Before she could comprehend what was happening, Laiba pulled Maha by the hair and dragged her out of the Kitchen.
Several people witnessed this, but only one thought it was wrong. The petite old woman standing at the farthest end, washing vegetables, spoke.
"What are you looking at? Get back to work!" Once the kitchen was back to its buzzing state, the elderly woman looked away.
Her eyes were filled with sadness and guilt. She silently apologized to the girl whom she had never tried to help. Deep down, she knew that the princess didn't deserve any of this treatment.
Meanwhile, …