I did know that, but I also didn’t think it applied to an unborn child. I nodded and smiled in understanding, but something felt off. I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly.
A minute later, I took a bite of my cinnamon roll and moaned as it hit my tongue. “This tastes like heaven.”
“Really? I’m so happy that you like it.”
“I love it. And, His Highness loves it even more,” I winked, and she laughed at my reaction.
Inside the wing’s office, I sat at the desk, trying to figure out if cutting two hours out of the working day in the upcoming month would be okay, or if it would be too much. I didn’t want to affect the profits that my company had been making for the past year in the Kingdom.
Archer Enterprises – Alfaidya Branch was doing very well, unlike the London branch, which was actually falling apart since I’d sent its manager to the main branch in New York. Just thinking about what needs to be done was giving me a headache. I tried different things to shore it up, but it wasn’t even making half of the money it made when my parents were alive.
I had no clue what to do. I’d run out of ideas, but just the thought of closing it and selling the building made me feel sick. It was the last thing that I would ever want to do.
“Your Majesty?” Manar called, interrupting my troubled thoughts. “Princess Rosanna would like to speak with you on the phone.”
I nodded. “Please pass it through,” I said, wondering why Rosanna didn’t call me directly on my private number.
“Hey, you! Where have you been? I haven’t seen you since the day before yesterday, at all,” I said.
“I know, I’m sorry,” Rosanna said. After an odd pause, she spoke again. “Can you come over, please?”
“To your wing?”
“Yes.”
I frowned. “Sure. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything is fine. I only need to … just come over, please.”
“Okay, I’m on my way,” I told her, already getting up to leave.
“Use the hidden doors. I’m in my bedroom.” She hung up.
“Manar, I need some time by myself in the living room. Please see that I’m not disturbed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Once I was alone in the living room, I used a secret door that led me to Rosanna’s living room, and I headed straight to her bedroom.
Inside, Rosanna was waiting for me. She looked a bit tired, but not upset. Maybe she just didn’t get a good night’s sleep.
“Hi,” she said with a soft smile and a hug.
“Hey, is everything okay?”
Rosanna smiled. “I don’t even know how I feel.” She looked down for a second and shook her head, then she looked up at me again. “You know Ramadan is soon, and … Doctor Hadeer told me yesterday that it’s up to me if I want to fast or not, but I don’t think I will be fasting.”
“Oh?” I frowned, not understanding what that meant. I knew that women were not obligated to fast during their periods, but that would only be for a few days. I couldn’t get why Rosanna had made it sound like she wouldn’t fast the whole month.
“I think that’s okay if you’re sick or something; you can always fast … the days that you missed before Ramadan of the next year, right? Or feed the poor, I think. I’m sorry, I’m not so good with Islamic laws as I should be, forgive me,” I chuckled nervously, feeling the blush crawling up my cheeks. I really disliked when I didn’t know what to say about things like this. I always wanted to be helpful, not clueless.
Rosanna smiled again. “I know,” she said, and then there was an awkward pause.
As I stood there, I wondered why Rosanna would bring me all the way here to tell me that. It wasn’t like her to do something like this. I thought it would be something very important, given the secrecy of this meeting.
Then it slowly dawned on me. “Are you sick? Oh, wait. Doctor Hadeer? Oh, my God! You’re pregnant!” I shouted in excitement.
Rosanna’s grin lit up her whole face, as she covered my mouth with her hand quickly. “Shhh, nobody knows anything yet, not even Fahd.”
“What?” I whisper-yelled after removing her hand. “Are you crazy?” My eyes almost bugged out of my head.
“I told you, I don’t know how I feel. I didn’t even know how to tell you. The words wouldn’t come. I just had to tell someone, and you’re the closest person to me.”
“Oh, honey.” I hugged her tightly. “You’re the same to me, Rosanna,” I said, overwhelmed by the news and her sweetness. “But you need to tell your husband.”
“I’m so afraid of being happy. I’m so afraid to give him hope, I don’t want to … I ... I’m afraid, Marie. He’s been to hell and back with me. I don’t want to break his heart again.”
“I know the feeling, sweetie,” I told her. “I completely understand. And I will support you in whatever makes you feel comfortable.”
“I knew you would,” she smiled again, wiping her tears away.
“What do you think Prince Fahd will get you as a pregnancy gift?” I asked with a grin.
“Um, probably some rare species of animal, an elephant maybe.” She pursed her lips to the side.
“That’s what I thought,” I laughed.
For the whole day, the grin hadn’t left my face. The word ‘happy’ wasn’t adequate to describe the delight I felt in my heart.
My prayers had been answered, and the heavy burden and pain that I felt every time I saw Rosanna crying was finally gone. It had been bothering me so much.
I couldn’t wait to tell Mazen. I knew he’d be just as happy for his brother and sister-in-law, but I respected Rosanna’s wish. It also wasn’t my place to tell him.
Since I knew it would be very hard to hide my grin and cheerful mood, I needed to do something that he knew I loved doing, so when he would ask about my constant smile – I could find a reasonable response.
“Manar?” I called. It was already after five. Mazen had many outdoor activities that he had to attend today; he wasn’t going to be home until late at night.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Arrange a visit with Princess Marie, please.”
“Tonight?”
“As soon as possible,” I smiled.
Sameera accompanied me to Janna’s wing, her arms full of gift bags. I was so excited to see my little niece. It had been over a week since the last time I saw her. I hated that, but I had been very busy, and work together with pregnancy were draining me.
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you, Shadwa,” I said to Little Marie’s new nanny, then turned my attention to the little angel in her arms who was already reaching out for me. “Oh, hello there, my sweetie pie!” I said in some Disney character’s voice, something that was not at all appropriate for a queen, but I couldn’t care less. “Auntie missed you so much!”
“Aush, aush!” Little Marie said excitedly, trying to copy my words, then she gave me the best of her giggles when she heard my laugh.
God! How cute is she? I wanted to eat her!
“Let me show you what I have for you,” I told her, and from that moment, I lost all sense of time as I played with her and her new toys.
It wasn’t until my niece fell asleep in my arms and her nanny lifted her to take her to bed that I noticed something.
“Hey, Shadwa?”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Is Princess Janna okay? I haven’t seen her.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. She’s not here at the moment, but I believe she will be here soon.”
“Out?” I frowned. It wasn’t like her to shop at night, so where could she be?
“Yes, Your Majesty. She’s out on a date.”
How strange was it that the thought of Janna dating again made me feel awful? How selfish was I?
Maybe I was shocked. But I also knew that I was confused. Confused about her dating, and I didn’t know how to feel about it.
It wasn’t my business, but I found myself wondering w
ho was she dating. How had it even happened, and when? Did anyone know about it? Did Mazen? If so, why hadn’t he told me? A million questions and I wanted all the answers!
Marie. My niece. What would happen to her? What if things worked out between Janna and the man she was dating? Would she take her away? I knew Janna was her mother, and she had every right to take her wherever she wanted. But … it would be beyond devastating for me.
For the first time in ages, I thought about Joseph. The last I knew, he still loved Janna dearly. How would he feel about that? This news might break his heart for good.
Everything aside, Janna was still married to my brother. Messed up or not, she should at least get a divorce before she even considered dating again.
I choked at the thought of them getting a divorce. My reaction was puzzling to me. It was hard for me to admit, but it seemed I still cared about my big brother, in spite of everything.
After getting ready for bed, I promised myself that I would not spare the issue any more thought. I shouldn’t. It wasn’t my business.
But as I laid in my bed, I found it so hard to fall asleep. What if I were unable to see my niece for long periods of time? A week was my limit, and that was actually too long for me. I couldn’t imagine a life with her far away.
Mazen returned home a half hour before midnight, and I had yet to get any kind of sleep.
A smile was born on my lips the second I saw how careful he was not to disturb me while entering the room, and then tiptoeing to the bathroom, probably thinking that I was asleep.
I heard him shower, and when he came near the bed with damp hair, wearing only his boxers, I was still up.
“Oh, hey, princess! I didn’t know you were awake,” he said, bending down to kiss me on the lips.
“Hey…” I smiled.
“Did I disturb you?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“How’s our little prince?” He smiled as he put his hand on my stomach and rubbed it tenderly.
“He has the hiccups.”
He paused for a second, then spoke with a tired grin on his face “Ah! I can feel it.”
“I’ve missed you today,” I admitted. I wanted to share a hundred things with him, but his closeness was all I needed.
Mazen kissed me again on my lips, even more passionately this time. His kiss made all of my troubled thoughts go away, leaving space for only comfort and peace.
“You’re always on my mind, Marie. Always,” he whispered once he broke our kiss. He made himself comfortable on our bed and took me in his arms.
His skin was cool, and his breaths were warm. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply before sighing, taking in his sweet scent.
My cure. My safety. My Mazen.
“How was your day, angel?” I asked against his chest.
“Exhausting,” he replied. “How was yours?”
“It was quite good, actually.” I smiled lightly with my eyes closed, remembering Rosanna’s big news and my time with my niece. “I spent some time with Little Marie.”
“Yeah?” I could hear the smile in his voice, and I only nodded. “Lucky you.”
“Janna wasn’t there,” I blurted out, apparently still not over the fact that she had gone on a date.
“I know,” Mazen said, and my eyes snapped open.
Backing away a little to be able to see his face, I asked, “You know?”
“Yes.”
“Okay …?” He couldn’t just say that and not give me more information.
“What? Are you upset or something?”
“No!” I said, and Mazen gave me a questioning look. “I don’t know. Maybe. I’m just … I keep thinking about my niece. I can’t stand the idea of her being raised by a stranger. And, I do know it’s not my business,” I said the last words in frustration.
“A stranger? What are you even talking about?” Mazen looked at me as if I had grown two heads.
“Ugh! You don’t know why Janna was away? Because she was on a date!”
“I know. A date with Yoseph. Your point is…?”
“I can’t believe you’re all okay with this. She’s still married to–” I paused. “Wait, did you just say Yoseph?”
“Well, yes!”
“My brother? Joseph?” My mouth was agape.
“That’s the one.”
“Oh, my God!” I gushed, sitting up. “Really?”
Mazen chuckled. “I swear.”
“Oh, God! This changes everything!” Suddenly, I was smiling. No, actually, I was grinning. All of the stressing out about my niece and her future was gone, and I could only feel delighted at the thought of my brother and my sister-in-law dating again.
“Are they trying to work things out?” I asked, still smiling, still disbelieving.
“They’re trying,” Mazen smiled, rubbing my knee sweetly. “Are you happy?”
“Are you kidding? Of course, I am!”
“You have such a good heart, my princess,” Mazen said sweetly before taking my hand and kissing the inside of it.
I could only smile, feeling relaxed and relieved. “I want the best for my niece, and for Janna. I know that Joseph loves them and will take care of them.”
Mazen sat up beside me, then touched my face. “Have you forgiven him?”
I looked him in the eyes. Mine were sad and his were almost begging me to say that I did. But I didn’t, so I only shook my head in response.
“I know he hurt you very badly, but I also know that you have a big heart. You’re very strong; someday you might actually be able to forgive him,” Mazen said in a low voice.
My vision blurred as my eyes filled with tears, remembering things that I didn’t want to remember, and feeling an unwelcome spark of wanting to forgive my brother.
“You’ve already forgiven my mother, and she’s not your flesh and blood. Yoseph is. I’m sure you can find it in your kind soul to forgive him. He would do anything to earn your forgiveness. He told me this himself, and he meant it,” Mazen said, his thumbs wiping my tears away as he cupped my face with his hands.
“I don’t think I’m strong enough to do that,” I told him in a whispering voice. “I don’t think I ever will be, Mazen.”
Two days later, my mother-in-law brought me something special with my breakfast: a large jewelry box.
“Oh, you really didn’t have to, you’ve already given me so much.”
“Well, I’m afraid it’s not for you. It’s for His Highness – Crown Prince Adam Alfaidy,” she smiled, her words resonating with pride and love. She really liked saying his full name with all of his titles, and it made me giggle every time.
“I wonder what it is,” I said, not able to guess what could be inside a jewelry box for a boy. After all, royal men in this country didn’t wear crowns.
“Just open it, my child.”
Doing as she said, I couldn’t hold the gasp that left my mouth the second I saw what was inside.
“Oh, my God!” I gushed. “This is so beautiful.”
The Queen Mother smiled widely. “I can’t wait to see him wearing it. I think it might be suitable for the day His Highness is introduced to the Kingdom.”
“Me too,” I said. “Thank you so much, Ada– … His Highness will love it.” Looking at the beautiful baby’s cotton suit, it contained a tiny white half-sleeved shirt and blue shorts, with a blue beanie and white shoes. Everything was so tiny, and it made me want him right here right now; I was pining for him so much.
How could you miss someone that you’d never met? Apparently, that only happens with pregnant women.
The beauty of the gift wasn’t just how well made it was, or even the soft fabric or how tiny it was. The diamonds decorating the outfit bespoke the standing of the baby wearing it.
The shirt had a diamond-shaped crown on the left side, mirrored on the right side of the beanie, the bottom of the shorts, and the front of the shoes. It was the first time I’d seen something like it. Even though it had countless diamond stones on it
, it really was suitable for a boy, and I absolutely loved it.
“Thank you, Your Royal Highness!”
“You’re welcome, dear. I’m glad you like it. May God bless your pregnancy and ease all your troubles.”
I smiled at her kind words, but before I could say anything, my phone went off. It was Janna.
“Um, I have to take this,” I told her. She nodded with a smile, telling me that she would go finish making some snacks for the day in the kitchen, and then left the sunroom where I was having my breakfast.
“Hello?”
“Oh, good morning, Your Majesty,” Janna said with glee that I could feel all the way from her end.
“Good morning to you, Your Highness,” I replied, smiling at the cheerfulness in her voice. “You woke up early today, huh?”
“I barely had any sleep.”
“Was Little Marie mean to you?”
“No, she’s been great. It’s actually because I’ve been thinking about how much I need to talk to you and … uh, what to actually tell you.”
“Well, I hope it’s not something serious,” I said.
“Uh, I’m not even sure. Can we meet today? I could arrange it with one of yo–”
“That won’t be necessary. You can come to me whenever you feel like it, you already know that, Janna. No need for appointments.”
“Thank you, Marie. When should I come then? When are you free?”
“In an hour? I don’t go to the main office downstairs as often, so you’ll find me in my wing. I have only one meeting today, and it’s in the evening.”
“All right. I’ll be there,” she said. I could feel how nervous she was all of a sudden.
I wasn’t doing very well, either. I had known from the moment she called exactly what she needed to talk about, and I didn’t even know what talking about that would do to me.
Janna was different – her spirit was brighter, her smiles were constant, and her reddened cheeks told of the shyness she felt as she sat in front of me in my living room.
Golden Chains (The Colorblind Trilogy Book 3) Page 17
