Laiba dragged her elder sister by the hair through the long corridors leading to her room. On their way, several guards and servants watched on.
Everyone they came across either looked away or continued with their work, ignoring the situation. Since it wasn't the first time, they were used to it.
As she got closer to her chamber, she came across the King. The middle-aged man smiled at his daughter, coming to a halt before her. His gaze rested on her angry face, which wiped the smile from his.
Gul stroked Laiba's head gently, ignoring the girl who was in her grip. "My princess, are you okay? Why the long face?"
The sweetness dripping from his tone was like a dagger stabbing at Maha's heart. Was this man her father? If she didn't know better, she would assume that he had adopted her.
How could she not when he treated her like a slave? She never understood where the sudden animosity and hatred sprouted from.
She looked away from the pair, listening to them. She needed to feel more pain and absorb every hurtful word they threw at her.
"Father, it's just the alliance. You caught me unprepared. I just need to vent a little. Perhaps we shall discuss this when my emotions are stable. Is that okay?"
He smiled, cupping her cheek. "Of course, Darling. Vent all you want. Just make sure not to leave a visible mark behind. You know how it is."
She gave him a small smile. Gul kissed her forehead and continued on his way. Laiba smirked meaningfully at the girl in her grip. "Let's go and play in my room, elder sister. It should be fun."
The smile on Gul's face fell the second he stepped into his room. His features morphed into a pain-filled grimace as he tried to forget the look of heartbreak in Maha's orbs.
He sat on his bed, trying to get rid of the painful stab in his heart.
His eyes watered a little, prompting him to harshly wipe away the tears. He hated this situation he was in.
As a king, everyone looked up to him. His people praised him as a good king. He could be said to have been a loving father to his other children. However, towards his eldest child, he was worse than a monster.
He didn't need anyone to point it out to him. He knew it, and it tortured his very being. Maha, his beloved little girl! To an extent, he not only despised himself but also despised his second wife and her children.
Watching them torture Maha was a bane in his heart. With each passing day, it slowly eroded the love he felt for his family, filling his heart with bitterness. The kind he couldn't express to the world.
The sound of a soft whistle reached his sensitive ears, cueing him into something. "Come out!" The soft command did little to hide the unnatural hoarse state of his voice. A figure covered in a black cloak appeared and knelt on one knee, their head bowed in respect.
"Your subordinate Greets the King!"
Gul stared at the cloaked figure for a while. This was the only companion who understood the secrets he hid inside his heart. He was the only person who understood and witnessed Gul's inner struggles.
"You may rise. Is there anything important you wish to report?"
The cloaked figure stood ramrod, his cloak hiding his face.
"My king, Wahid, left the kingdom today. Before his departure, he made plans to elope with Princess Laiba. From the conversation they had, the princess was currently expectant. He schemed to use her to attain the support of the king in his quest for power."
The man stopped speaking, letting the king take in the news. He wasn't surprised to see the king snort, disdain written on his face. "Of course, she would get pregnant. Since that man wants to take advantage of my kingdom, we can set a trap for him as well."
The cloaked figure finally removed the cap that covered half of his face as well as the cloth that wrapped around the rest of his face. A handsome, manly face was exposed.
Good stared at the familiar face and teared up again. If he didn't know the actual age of the man by his side, he would think that he was a young adult.
The said man was a companion, his late wife left behind to protect him. Hassan looked back at Gul, traces of worry in his amber orbs.
If Maha were around, she would easily pass off as the man's daughter due to the uncanny semblance. Hassan thought for a while before speaking.
"My King, although I don't mind the plan, it would ruin your good reputation. Unlike the other Kingdoms, Lulua is known for its leniency towards our women.
We do not look down on them and give our ladies the same chance as the men. In this regard, the other Kingdoms already feel displeasure towards Lulua. I am afraid that this will bring about unrest within the Kingdom.
Some people will take the chance to stir trouble and urge your majesty to pass on their agendas. Your majesty, can we use another method to punish the princess?"
Gul chuckled bitterly upon the world's uttered by his advisor and best friend. Hassan was the second best gift that his beloved left behind beside Maha.
He was there to protect him and advise him on issues of governance. Most of all, he was the only emotional support that Gul had.
"Hassan, who cares about a reputation when I can't even hold my darling daughter? Brother, the last time I kissed my little girl was the day her mother died.
Years have gone by as I watched her spirit get crushed. I see the pain she tries so hard to hide. I feel ashamed. I die a little inside every time I see her.
How is my reputation important when I can't openly love and defend my baby? I didn't even get to mourn my love. Tell me, Hassan, who cares about a stupid reputation when I live like a dead person?"
The man looked away, his amber orbs filled with hatred. He clenched his fist, trying to swallow back a painful sob threatening to escape.
Of course, he knew too well the pain his brother-in-law and niece kept hidden inside. While he could sympathize with Gul, he felt awful towards Maha.
She had no one she could confide in. No friend to cheer her up. Gul was right. His reputation was nothing compared to the pain he carried within him for years.
"What about the marriage alliance?" He asked. Gul sat back on the bed, feeling his temple throb.
"I don't like that young man. However, I have to trust your sister's judgment. She made this alliance years ago. It's just happened that Laiba got pregnant. I will have an excuse to push this marriage forward with Maha as the bride.
It was originally hers. As for Hafsa, she doesn't have much choice with her daughter being pregnant. We just have to help Laiba elope successfully.
That way, she can only swallow the bitter pill. Regardless of everything else, I hoped that he would treat my little girl like the treasure that she is."
Hassan nodded, acquiescing wholeheartedly to his brother-in-law's plans. He, like Gul, saw this marriage as a break out of the cage that Maha lived in.
This palace was a cage that clipped her wings and held her back. His niece ought to finally live for herself. It was only right to let her spread her wings outside the Kingdom.
Once they were assured of her safety, the plan that had been fermenting for years would finally be put to use. Maha's safety was the only thing that delayed the plan.
"Should we speak to the prince on the day their marriage would be officialized? Otherwise, once he finds out that she is the 'unloved' daughter, she would be treated like an easy target. "
Gul chuckled. Unlike before, his laughter was genuine and warm. "Hassan, did you perhaps forget the spitfire that was your niece? She would never let others mistreat her. You trained her yourself. You should know better.
Besides, although I couldn't be the father she needed, Abdullah has been there with her. I envy the old fellow, but I am grateful to him as well. He taught my princess to be the strong warrior that she has become."
Hassan and Gul discussed the final details of their plans. After a while, Hassan left the same way he came, silently. Gul was left behind, resting his head on the pillow.
While he despised how Maha was put in the dark about the truth, he was relieved that she was safe. His wife asked him to keep their daughter alive.
He tried to protect her silently, but it wasn't enough. Although her body bore no visible scars, he knew that she had them in plenty in her heart.
If the day came when she knew the truth, Gul hoped that his princess would know, she was loved too. He didn't hope for her forgiveness. Rather, he wished and prayed for her happiness.
If having him out of her life would keep her safe and happy, he was willing to do that for her. His little girl deserved the world. Before the day came, he was going to slowly swallow the Kingdoms until they were fully integrated.
His thoughts gradually shifted to other things, like his future son-in-law.
He will help her clean up all the filth and leave behind a kingdom worthy of her to rule. She was his chosen successor. His only heir. His beloved little flame.